H.—l4.

Thirty-three candidates were interviewed, and on the recommendation of the committee awards were made to the following:—-

A high standard has been set in the scholars who have been sent forward, a standard it is intended shall not be relaxed. It is apparent that while the war continues it is becoming increasingly difficult to assemble a group that meet the requirements. Short Training Courses. During the year short courses have been held in records work, and similar courses are now proceeding in elementary Government accounts. The purpose is to give concentrated training to persons who are not eligible for military service so that they may give more effective service during war-time. The results have been highly satisfactory, and we have been able to make immediate use of the more successful students. Following the records course, the Commissioner arranged for the preparation of a manual on records work by the Senior Tutor, Mr. R. P. Cooper. This is now published, and is in use as a text-book and as a joint instruction-book for those employed in this type of work. The course in accounts serves a secondary purpose of much importance. Government accounts have never been systematically studied. We have simply made use of the course of study for public and commercial accountants to provide the accountants of the Public Service with the necessary background of knowledge. Accounting in the Public Service has reached such important dimensions that it is felt that the time has come to make it a study in itself. As teaching is the best means of drawing up text-books, we have commenced this course of training with the object, among other things, of bringing out at a later date, after experience of teaching the subject, text-books from which future Government accountants may study their calling. A number of efficient tutors have offered their services, and the first series of classes have nearly passed through the course that has been laid down. Recruitment. During the twelve months ended 31st December, 1940, 845 youths were appointed to the Public Service in the Clerical and Professional Divisions. This is 144 in excess of the highest previous total, which occurred in the preceding year. The educational qualifications of the appointees were: 8.A., 1; Accountancy, 13; University National Scholarship, 1 ; Higher .Leaving Certificate, 106 ; Matriculation, 384 ; School Certificate, 39 ; Public Service Entrance, 254 ; Substitute P.S.E., 22 ; other qualifications, 25. It is now some years since the Public Service has been able to fill its complement of cadets, but last year we approached more nearly to supplying the vacancies. Naturally, there were many more nominal vacancies due to enlistments of junior officers, but these were filled in part by the temporary appointment of girls qualified by examination and in. part by female office-assistants. This year was the first complete year in which the new recruitment scheme has operated, and the results are the justification of the change. In every city and borough of any size the Commissioner has appointed Recruitment Liaison Officers from the personnel of the Public Service. It is the function of these officers, in. addition to their ordinary duties, to make themselves available for interview by schoolmasters, parents, and boys and to advise on career matters in the Public Service. Their own reports and those of schoolmasters are the guide that this Office follows in making placements. The scheme lias not only brought" a greater number of entrants, but has enabled much more satisfactory placement. > The Recruitment Officers are to be thanked for their endeavours. Although gratuitous, their enthusiasm for their task has been most gratifying. The co-operation of schoolmasters has also been much appreciated. Naturally, the

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Name. Department. Qualification, Lairing, G. R. . . Customs . . . . .. LL.B. Ives, A. C. .. .. Railways. . .. .. B.B. Thomas, I. .. . . „ .. .. LL.B. Sceats, L. R. .. National Commercial Broad- B.A. casting Service Stringer, (I H. . . Public Trust .. . . M.Com. Hercus, A. G. . . Native . . . . . . M.A., LL.M. Darnell, J. B. . . Post and Telegraph . . A.R.A.N.Z. Glubb, M. J.