FL—l4

10

Post and Telegraph Efficiency Examinations 57. The number of officers who sat for the efficiency examinations during the year 1917-18 was 947. Of this number, 533 (57 per cent.) were successful either wholly or partially. Details are as follows : — I'assed (wholly a d _ or partially). Cadets, Telegraph . . .. .. 87 3 Cadets, Technical .. .. . . 58 43 Cadets, Sorting-test . . . . 43 13 Counter Clerks' Junior .. .. .. 7 1 Postal Efficiency . . . . . . .. 143 322 First (Telegraph, General) .. . . .. ' 74 9 Junior Despatch Clerks . . . . . . 3 I Despatch and Counter Clerks' First . . . . 2 Letter-carriers' Sorter . . . . . . 6 Oral Test . . . . . . 91 Telephone-exchange Clerks' First . . . . 7 1 Telephone-exchange Clerks' Technical . . 2 2 Senior Technical .. .. .. .. 5 3 Engineering (parts of) .. . . . . 5 1 Technical Education. 58. In order to take advantage as far as possible of the technical-school education of the Dominion it has been decided that certain positions in the mechanical branch of the Post and Telegraph Department are to be reserved for qualified students who have received technical education in selected subjects. One condition of appointment is that all appointees must continue their studies, for which purpose they will be allowed two half-days a week to attend the technical school, the fees being paid by the Department. While only a small beginning has been possible, owing to the present disturbed conditions, it is hoped that the establishment of the principle of continuation studies may later on be more widely followed. 59. The Commissioners, while recognizing the value of the technical-school education of the Dominion, would remark that there appears to be such diversity in the syllabuses of the technical schools throughout the Dominion as to render it somewhat difficult to prescribe examinations for the Public Service which will meet requirements. Tt is not easy to understand why such standard subjects as engineering and metal-work should not be taught on a reasonably uniform basis at all technical schools. Health of Staff. 60. The following table gives the average absence of permanent officers on sick-leave. Figures in parentheses represent last year's return : —

Number of Officers on Staff, 30 11 17. Number of w , , v T g ° r ! *£*""""!? i M , r . ffi , .1 IS umber of , Number ol ; Absence for Number 'i°''P a ,. Days Officers Days each \ the whole : of Year ° absent. Officer absent Staff Deaths. siek. (in Days). Male 11,221 (11,120) 2,838 45,799 16 4 74* (3,099) | (46,329) | (15) (5) (84) 947 17,007 19 8 3 (994) I (18,127) j (18) (9) (7) Female 2,079 (1,995) Totals .. 13,300 (13,115) 3,785 62,806 16 (4,093) j (64,456) (16) 5 (5) 77 (91) * Inoludes 15 (25) offioi ir.s killed or dii :d of wounds whilst serving with the, Expcdii iionary Forces.