H1.—14

20

1918, on account of the influenza epidemic. The larger number of absentees (127, as compared with 26 in the previous year) and the smaller number of passes (486, as compared with 676 in November, 1917) can both be attributed to the epidemic, on account of the impaired health of candidates and the interruption of their studies through the shortening of the school year. The number of candidates entered was 1,151, as compared with 1,098 for the previous year. In view of the shortage of boys it was decided to hold a special Public Service Entrance Examination from the 25th June to the Ist July, 1918. There were 134 entries distributed over eleven centres, and all except one presented themselves. There were 93 passes at this examination. Both the ordinary and the special examinations were open to all candidates, both boys and girls, who expressed their intention of entering the Public Service if successful. Both the Senior and the Entrance Examinations were conducted by the Education Department by arrangement. The cost was as follows : Public Service Senior and Typists, £105 ; Public Service Entrance (January and June Examinations), £1,386. Post and Telegraph Efficiency Examinations. The number of officers who sat for the efficiency examinations during the year 1918-19 was 779. Of this number, 463 (59-4 per cent.) were successful, either wholly or partially. Details are as follows : — Passed (wholly d or partially). Postal Efficiency (including Cadet's sorting test) 184 228 For Postmen's Sorter .. .. .. 1 Oral Test . . . . . . 63 Cadet's Telegraph .. .. .. 83 1 Cadet's Technical . . . . .: 73 70 First (Telegraph, General) .. .. 26 2 Counter Clerk's Junior .. .. . . 1 Counter Clerk's First . . . . .. 1 Despatch Clerk's Junior .. .. .. 6 1 Despatch Clerk's First . . .. .. 2 1 Telephone Exchange Clerk's First . . . . 4 1 Telephone Exchange Clerk's Technical 7 3 Senior Technical .. .. .. .. 4 3 Engineering (parts of) . . . . . . 8 6 Stores Tender Board. 104. The annual report of the Board is printed in Appendix A. The proposed amendment in the constitution of the Board, referred to in the Fifth Report, has not yet been agreed to by Government. Notwithstanding the conditions arising out of the war, the Board's operations might be considerably extended with much benefit; but so long as the saving clause in section 34 (h) of the Public Service Act, providing that the Governor-General may determine and carry out methods of procuring supplies for the Public Service independently of regulations framed by the Commissioner under the Act, remains unrepealed, no better results may be expected. Amendments to General Regulations. 105. During the year the principal amendments made were as follows :—• Regulation 209 : Providing that, in the case of an officer performing part of the duties of a higher position, he may be granted such allowance :•' .........as. the Commissioner may determine. ....... ..'. Regulation 216 : Increasing the allowance from £5 per annum to £6 per- :...-- annum to officers- using their own- bicycles- on official business. -