H.—l4

26

Another feature which is in process of being remedied is the amount of work done in the Department by contract —such as making copies of deeds, and drawing plans on titles, &c. The former is to some extent done now by machines operated by typists, and the saving in that matter alone, when all deeds are so copied, will be quite £2,000 a year. To give one instance of the cost of the present system, it was found that in one office the contractors, of whom there were several, were limited to £20 a month, except when the work got much behind, when they were allowed to earn as much a3 they could. Another lot of contractors are employed to draw plans on titles, &c. In several instances these are officers who have been retired on superannuation. It is found that good draughting cadets are quite capable of doing this work. They are doing it in one office and in another a draughting cadet first of all makes the copy, which is then sent to the contractor, who from it draws the plan on the title. The result should be a saving of about £500 a year. In the Wellington office particularly the organization of the staff was found to be unsatisfactory ; this matter has been taken in hand. Complaints have been received from more than one office in respect of the delay arising in connection with the examination of survey plans. The question of dealing more expeditiously with this important phase of departmental work is receiving attention. Mines Department. This Department, in so far as administration is concerned, is practically a subdepartment, being under the control of the Under-Secretary for Public Works. In matters of accounts the authority system, similar to that in use in the Public Works Department, has been introduced since the amalgamation of the Departments. This practice serves little purpose, and its continuance is not warranted. The remarks made in respect of the Public Works Department's accounts in this matter apply here also. In the matter of the State Coal-mines Branch, the relation of the administration to the Head Office of the Mines Department is not satisfactory. Both in the record system and accountancy a recasting could take place with advantage. State Coal-mines. This is purely a trading concern about which a special report has been forwarded to the Minister of Mines. As the opening of the new mine may materially alter the outlook of the Department, it is desirable to await results before finally dealing with the staff. Department of Internal Affairs. This important Department, which deals with practically any subject which happens to be outside the functions of other Departments, is well managed, and the work in consequence more systematically carried through than in some others. It was one of the first to adopt the system of recording suggested by the recent records committee, and the officers report it as most satisfactory and complete in every respect. The Advertising Branch, formerly a sub-department, is now part of the Head Office —a change by which, as already mentioned, a considerable saving is effected. The permanent head has been energetic in suggesting possible economies in his group of sub-departments. Several of the suggestions are being carried out. It is now under consideration whether the Accounts Branch of the main Department should not deal entirely with the accounts of the smaller sub-depart-ments. Public Service Superannuation Office. In this office the work appeared to be well done, but there is considerable room for improvement in handling details. I am indebted to several members of the Service for suggestions—and these will be considered very shortly—for curtailing the duplication which now exists.