H.—l4

18

The nature of the appeals was — (a) Against non-promotion, 190 ; (b) for regrading of position, 3 ; (c) against salary allotted, 9 ; (d) against officers transferred without promotion, 6. Three of the Telegraph appeals were allowed with the consent of the Commissioner prior to the hearing of the cases. In addition one Telegraph appeal was partially conceded by the Commissioner, and one General Service appeal partially allowed. In one case in which it was considered that the appellant had not sufficient grounds for bringing an appeal to the Board only half-expenses were allowed. The appeals in which the Board agreed that there was no ground of appeal included those under item (5). It will be observed that of the 208 appeals lodged only nine were allowed and one partially allowed, while three were conceded by the Commissioner prior to the hearing of the case and one partially conceded when the appeal was before the Board. Sending Officers beyond New Zealand. 98. During the war the practice of sending officers beyond New Zealand for the purpose of making inquiries likely to be of value in connection with the operations of their Departments remained in abeyance. Since the Armistice, however, arrangements have been made for the following officers to proceed abroad for the purpose stated : —

99. It is found that many officers who were in England on military duty took the opportunity of gaining a knowledge of the practice of similar Departments to their own, but the Commissioners have not yet been advised of the result in detail, and invite officers to make a report on any matters which they consider worthy of attention. Among others who made good use of their opportunities were Mr. A. C. Turnbull, Inspector of the Lands and Survey Department, now Secretary to the Public Service Commissioner, and Mr. Millier, Chief Clerk of the Marine Department.

Name. Position. Purpose. Cockayne, A. H. Campbell, J. A. Biologist, Agriculture Department Assistant Director, Horticulture Division, Agriculture Department Dairy Instructor, Agriculture Department To visit the United States with a view to making himself conversant with biological operations there. To visit America in connection with fruit industry. Dempster, W. To visit the United States, Canada, and Great Britain to inquire into the position regarding preparation of milk-powder, sugar of milk, &c. To attend Meteorological Conferences in London and Paris. To select new training-ship in England. Bates, D. C. Meteorologist, Marine Department Hooper, Captain G. S. Commander, " Amokura," Marine Department Government Statistician, Internal Affairs Department Chief Clerk and Secretary, Board of Examiners, Mining and Coalmines Acts, Mines Department Inspector - General of Hospitals and Chief Health Officer, PublicHealth Department Fraser, M... Bishop, T. 0. To attend Imperial Conference of Statisticians. To attend the Mines Conference in Australia. Valintine, Dr. To inquire into hospital matters abroad. Adams, A. M. Collins, J. W. Chief Executive Officer, Munitions and Supplies Department Secretary, Board of Trade fTo proceed to Australia to inquire into J matters concerning wearing - apparel, j cargo, and refrigerating - space and [_ freight-rates. To study control of contagious diseases in other countries. Blair, W. D. Veterinary Supervisor, Dunedin..