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1925. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER (THIRTEENTH REPORT OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

To His Excellency General Sir Charles Fergusson, Baronet, General on the Retired List and in the Reserve of Officers of His Majesty's Army, Doctor of Laws, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,— As Commissioner appointed under the Public Service Act, 1912, I have the honour to submit the following report, as required by section 15 of the Act.

REPORT. Last year's annual report was written on the eve of completion of the second quinquennial regrading of the Service as required by section 17 of the Public Service Act, and as a number of officers exercised their right of appeal in accordance with section 31 of the Act it has been necessary to devote a considerable amount of time to appeal matters. During the year Mr. A. D. Park, who was Acting Assistant Commissioner for the past two years, was transferred to the Treasury to fill the important position of Assistant Secretary of that Department. As he took up his new duties shortly after the commencement of the hearing of the appeals against the regrading, the carrying-out of the many duties imposed by the Public Service Act has been particularly onerous. It is desired to take this opportunity of placing on record the valuable service rendered by Mr. Park during his term of office as Assistant Commissioner. His familiarity with the several Departments through which he graduated since entering the Service as a cadet, coupled with his experience as an Inspector, gave him an insight into Service conditions that made him a most helpful assistant. Efficiency of Service. The high standard of efficiency of the Service has been well maintained. It has been aptly said that the efficiency of a Department is reflected by its capacity to carry out promptly and properly its duties and obligations to the public, having

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