H.—l4

10

List op Principal Officers retired or deceased during the Year. Government Insurance : W. B. Hudson, Deputy Commissioner and Secretary, Wellington. Public Works : W. S. Short, Under-Secretary, Wellington. Marine Department : G. Allport, Secretary, Wellington. Mr. Hudson had served in his Department for thirty-eight years; Mr. Short for thirty-eight years. Mr. Hudson had a profound knowledge of life-insurance business which was of great value to his Department. Mr. Short, in addition to the valuable work he performed as Assistant Secretary to the Public Works Department and later as Under-Secretary, was an authority on the law relating to roads, bridges, and similar works in connection with local bodies. His services were frequently utilized as a Royal Commissioner. Mr. Allport, who had been in the Service for forty-five years, and had gained an unusually extensive knowledge of marine matters, was to have retired on wellmerited superannuation on the 31st March last. To the very great regret of the whole Service, news was received that, while on final leave, he had died suddenly at r sea on the 28th March. These""officers were all men of outstanding ability, and were whole-heartedly devoted to the best interests of the Service and upheld its best traditions. Loan of Officers to the High Commissioner's Office, London. In consonance with the policy of Government, arrangements have now been, made for an experienced Treasury officer to take up temporary duty in the office of the High Commissioner in London, in order that that staff may be more in touch with New Zealand conditions, and thus better able to afford information to inquirers. Loan of Officers to Samoan Public Service. In staffing the Public Service at Samoa, Government is adopting the principle, as far as practicable, of giving preference to officers of the New Zealand Public Service, who will remain in Samoa for three years and then return to their former position in New Zealand. Sending Officers beyond New Zealand. The following officers were granted special leave to visit places beyond New Zealand on official business :— J. B. Thompson, Land Drainage Engineer : To visit United States of America to purchase dredging equipment. R. Duncan, Chief Inspector of Machinery : To visit Australia on shipping and machinery matters. F. J. Gunn, Officer in Charge, Coal Control : To visit Australia on coaling and shipping matters. G. S. Hooper, Commander " Amokura " : To select and bring out from England a new training-ship to replace the " Amokura." L. F. Ayson, Inspector of Fisheries : To visit Australia in connection F with the fishing industry. Dr. C. E. Adams, Government Astronomer : To visit Samoa on astro||nomical matters. Establishment of Special Classes of Instruction for Returned Soldiers. At the instance of the Commissioners, arrangements were entered into with the Repatriation Department for special tuition to be given to returned soldiers at present temporarily employed in the Public Service who were desirous of passing the Public Service Entrance Examination with a view to qualifying for permanent appointment. The classes are now being held by the technical colleges throughout New Zealand, the first examination taking place in June next. Such examination will be on the actual instruction given, credit also being given for the work performed by candidates during the period of tuition.