53

H—2B

(17) The proposed constitution of a Waikato Catchment District. (18) A request for the exclusion of an area from the Otago Electric-power Board's outer area of supply and its inclusion in the Teviot Electric-power District. (19) A request for the alteration of the boundaries of the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty Electric-power Districts. (20) A request for the alteration of the boundaries of the Thames Valley Electricpower District by the inclusion therein of areas (formerly portions of the Rotorua and Taupo Counties) comprising approximately 40,000 acres, being portion of the Matamata County. (21) Requests for the constitution or alteration of the boundaries of the following rabbit districts : Constitution — Alteration of Boundaries — Ngakuru. Waiau. Waitemata. Kyeburn. Ohau. Hautapu. XIX. STAFF In March, 1949, the staff of the Commission had been seriously depleted by the tragic deaths of the former Secretary of the Commission, who, at that time, was acting as counsel assisting the Commission, and also of the officer who had undertaken the duties of Secretary of the Commission in an acting capacity. Not only was the staff depleted by the loss of these two officers, but no appointment of an Investigating Officer had been made following the appointment in December, 1948, of one of the Investigating Officers as Acting-Secretary. Another member of the staff who was the Research Officer had been on extended sick-leave since 11th October, 1948, and his position had not been filled. The Commission had on its staff at the commencement of the year under review only two male members—an Investigating Officer and a male clerk —together with a female clerk and two typistes. At this particular period the Commission was finalizing its first major inquiry concerning Christchurch metropolitan local government, and was about to commence one of its most difficult inquiries concerning the future local government of the Porirua Basin. Although these staff depletions had occurred, the work of the Commission continued without delay. On the 16th June, 1949, the remaining Investigating Officer was appointed Secretary to the Commission. Two new Investigating Officers were appointed on the 21st June, 1949, and the Ist August, 1949, respectively, and the Research Officer's position was filled on the 25th October, 1949. As the Commission was desirous of proceeding with its investigations into the functions and districts of local authorities in the Auckland metropolitan area as well as in the North Shore area, it had to have recourse to the appointment as from the 21st April, 1949, of a temporary Investigating Officer stationed at Auckland. During the year under review, other changes have taken place in the personnel of the staff of the Commission, and one of the Investigating Officers appointed during the year has since severed his connection with the Public Service. The temporary Investigating Officer completed the extensive preliminary investigations at Auckland ir> a very, capable maimer, and has since been seconded to another Department. The volume of work which was undertaken by the staff throughout the year under most difficult circumstances has involved their working excessive hours, and a considerable and increasing strain on the personnel when the Commission was proceeding with certain of its major investigations.