F—l

Industrial Nurse An Industrial Nurse was appointed at Wellington in January, 1949. Although the accident hazard in most Post Office branches is not high, experience during the past year has shown that the professional status of a qualified nurse, and the establishment of a recognized clinic, does much to inspire the confidence of the staff, with the result that many cases not strictly necessitating medical attention are handled by the nurse. In cases of minor illness many officers who would normally take a brief period of sick-leave now receive treatment from the nurse without unnecessary loss of working-time. POST OFFICE HOSTELS The Post Office operates several hostels providing accommodation for departmental employees. The ruling factor in their establishment has in each case been the Department's extremity in the matter of staff. At Wellington there is a large aggregation of staff not only for the Head Office organization but also because Wellington is such a large transit centre for the traffic branches. The Wellington branches are in the main staffed by transferring young officers from all over the country. Increasing reluctance on the part of young people to accept transfer to Wellington where board became increasingly difficult to obtain (and for shift-workers, virtually impossible) led to a real danger of breakdown in service which was averted only by providing suitable accommodation. The same factors operated, though to a lesser extent, at Auckland, particularly in respect of shift-workers. One additional hostel was provided during the year at Wellington (Kensington House) to provide accommodation for 26 female shift-workers. There are now seven departmental hostels providing accommodation for approximately 700 employees. They are : Trentham Accommodation and Training Centre .. 350 (male and female). Johnsonville Hostel .. .. .. .. 104 male shift-workers. Molesworth Hostel (Wellington) .. .. 55 male shift-workers. Tinakori Hostel (Wellington Radio) .. .. 20 male shift-workers. Berkeley House (Wellington) .. .. .. 65 female shift-workers. Kensington House (Wellington) .. .. 26 female shift-workers. Mechanics Bay (Auckland) .. .. 62 males. These hostels are operated on a private-contract basis covering catering and domestic services, except that at Trentham the matrons and domestic staff are employed by the Department. Three other hostels conducted wholly by departmental employees are in being at Musick Radio, Makara Radio, and Awarua Radio, at each of which from 12 to 20 officers are in residence. STAFF WELFARE ORGANIZATION Activities of Departmental Staff Welfare Officers Staff welfare is important not only to employees, but also to the Department, because of the increased efficiency which results from contentment on the job. The establishment of a Staff Welfare Scheme was under consideration pre-war but was delayed for some years by war conditions. Staff Welfare Officers now operate in all districts, full or part time as warranted, with effective liaison with all offices and branches, and it is their function to deal with problems of individual officers which can best be dealt with on a personal basis. The scheme has made satisfactory progress during the year. The number of inquiries and interviews is increasing, and the general effect is better understanding between the Department and its officers, fewer resignations, and greater contentment on the job.

5