H.—l4.

Minor offences may be dealt with by the head of the Department, but must be reported to the Public Service Commissioner. All the more serious cases are required to be referred to the Commissioner, who may conduct an inquiry himself or delegate his powers to others. In all cases the officer must be specifically charged in writing, and is required to answer the charge in writing. In the case of the more serious charges the officer has a right of appeal to the Public Service Board of Appeal against both the finding of the Commissioner and the penalty inflicted. The principal classes of cases dealt with since last report, and the decisions arrived at, are as follow : — (a) Misappropriations: Dismissed (1) ; services terminated (2) ; resignation called for (2) ; absent without leave (1). (b) Irregularities in connection with stores: Dismissed (1); services dispensed with (1) ; reprimanded (1) ; charge not proved (1) ; forfeited office (1). (c) Breaches of regulations: Charge not proved (1); reprimanded (1) ; fined and severely reprimanded (1) ; transferred to other duties and portion of annual leave forfeited (1). (d) Neglect of duty: Services terminated (1); disrated and transferred (2) ; fined (1) ; severely reprimanded (1). (e) Unsatisfactory conduct and work : Reprimanded and transferred (1). (/) Unsatisfactory conduct: Appointment annulled (1); services terminated (4) ; disrated and transferred (2) ; reprimanded and fined (2) ; severely reprimanded (2) ; reprimanded and annual leave forfeited (1) ; reprimanded and annual leave and portion of salary forfeited (1). DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS ON DUTY ABROAD. During the year the following officers proceeded abroad for the purposes ouduvJCL • Hopkirk, C. S. M., Officer in Charge, Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture Department, Wallaceville : To represent New Zealand at Australian Veterinary Association's Conference at Canberra. Lambie, Miss M. 1., Director, Division of Nursing, Health Department, Wellington : To visit Samoa for purpose of reporting on nursing staff. Amendments to the General Regulations. During the year the principal amendment was as follows : Regulation 101, providing that appeals lodged by officers against any decision of the Commissioner shall be accompanied by a receipt for the payment of a fee of 10s. 6d., such fee to be refunded to the appellant in any case in which the appeal is allowed. Administrative Changes. Since the last report was issued the following changes have taken place in the Administrative Division : — Education Department: Mr. T. B. Strong, 1.5.0., M.A., B.Sc, retired on 30th April, 1933, and was succeeded by Mr. N. T. Lambourne, M.A. Government Insurance Department: Mr. A. E. Allison retired on 30th September, 1933, after over forty-seven years' service. Mr. W. E. Arnold, formerly Deputy Commissioner and Secretary, succeeded Mr. Allison. Justice Department: Mr. R. P. Ward retired from the position of Under-Secretary on 31st May, 1933, after forty-nine years' service. The opportunity was taken of amalgamating the Justice and Prisons Departments, and Mr. B. L. Dallard succeeded Mr. Ward as Under-Secretary, holding this position in conjunction with that of Controller-General of Prisons. Marine Department: Mr. L. B. Campbell, A.M.1.C.E., was appointed Secretary to this Department on Ist July, 1933, vice Mr. G. C. Godfrey, who was appointed to the position of Commissioner of Unemployment and Secretary of Labour. Native Trust Department: Judge R. N. Jones, C.8.E., assumed the position of Native Trustee from Ist April, 11)33, in addition to the positions already held by him. Printing and Stationery: Mr. W. A. G. Skinner retired from the position of Government Printer on 31st May, 1933. He was succeeded by Mr. G. H. Loney, who previously held the position of Superintendent.

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