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attended to, whilst, where necessary, officers have been permitted to take up duties outside the Department (such as on Military Service Boards, &o.) to deal with war work and new problems. In every possible way the Department has co-operated with other branches of the Public Service in carrying out its respective duties satisfactorily notwithstanding a curtailment of staff, and I can conscientiously say that the officers of the Department are only too eager to respond to all necessary calls in a most loyal and efficient manner. Depabtmental Changes. The principal changes during the past year comprised : — Death. Mr. F. W. S. Bronte, who joined the Department as a draughtsman on the 16th May, 1898, and whose whole period of service was in the Head Office, died very suddenly on the 15th January last. His assiduity in attending to the duties entrusted to him and his obliging disposition gained him the confidence and respect of his superior officers and members of the Department, and universal sympathy was extended to his widow and family. Betirements. Mr. Charles R. Pollen, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at Chrlstchurch, retired on the 30th June, 1916, after a period of continuous service of 45| years, being the last remaining officer of the Department who was appointed under the Civil Service Act, 1866, prior to the abolition of provinces. Mr. Pollen, after long service in the Auckland Office, became Chief Draughtsman at Blenheim in 1899, after which he occupied similar positions in New Plymouth and Auckland. In 1910 lie was promoted to be Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at Napier, proceeding from there to Christchurch in 1912. In Mr. Pollen's retirement the Department loses the services of a loyal, hardworking, and conscientious officer. Mr. W. Dcverell, draughtsman, Invercargill, retired on superannuation on the 28th February, 1917. Mr. Deverell was a draughtsman of recognized ability. As well as performing the ordinary work of a draughtsman he was of assistance as a black-and-white artist in connection with the half-tone process and in illustrating Tourist Guides and other publications. His continuous service amounted to upwards of forty-one years. Mr. John Hugh Boscawen retired on compensation on the 31st March, 1917. He joined the Railway Department originally in 1877, and was afterwards in the Land-tax Department. After a short break in service he was appointed, to the Lands and Survey Department in 1879, in which he served continuously till his retirement through reaching the age-limit. He had acted as Chief Clerk in the Head Office and subsequently in the Auckland Office, but in 1911 he was appointed Inspector of Forests and Reserves, in which capacity he did much useful service. In addition ■to liis departmental duties Mr. Boscawen was honorary Aide-de-camp to His Excellency the Governor for many years, and held the rank of Hon. Lieut.-Colonel in the Defence Forces. Mr. Thomas G. Waitt, Receiver of Land Revenue, Wellington, retired voluntarily on the 31st March, 1917. His service extended to almost forty-five years, practically the whole of which was in the Lands and Survey Department, principally in the New Plymouth, Napier, and Wellington offices. His retirement on superannuation is a well-merited reward for many years of efficient service. Mr. J. W. Shannon, Crown Lands Ranger, Auckland, found it necessary to relinquish work on account of ill health, and was retired on superannuation. Mr. Shannon has to his credit twelve years of useful and faithful service.

Promotions and Transfers.

Position to which- appointed. Officers promoted and Previous Position. Date. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch Commissioner of Crown Lands, Napier W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Napier W. F. Marsh, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hokitika Thomas Brook, Land Officer, Gisborne W. J. Wheeler, Inspector of Surveys, Auckland F. A. Cullen, Receiver of Land Revenue, Auckland William Robertson, Clerk, Head Office H. R. Robinson, Accounts Clerk, Kauri-gum Superintendent's Office F. T. Sandford, Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Hokitika J. H. Treseder, District Surveyor, Invercargill C. F. Williams, Assistant Crown Lands Ranger, Canterbury E. C. Clarke, Surveyor's Assistant, Auckland 3 April, 1916. 8 May, „ Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hokitika Land Officer, Gisborne 25 July, „ 25 „' „ Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Hokitika Senior Clerk, Auckland Cashier, Auckland 10 Feb., 1917. 13 „ „ 1 „ „ Clerk, Head Office 16 „ „ Land Drainage Engineer Crown Lands Ranger, Canterbury 1 July, 1916. 1 Sept., ,, Crown Lands Ranger, Auckland 11 Oct., „