H.—14.

8

In addition, in November last Senior and Junior Entrance Examinations were held in thirty-one centres for shorthand-typists, for which there were 833 entries, an increase of 329 over the previous year : 470 of the candidates were successful in passing the examinations, 349 failed, and 14 did not present themselves. The Senior Examination consists of a speed test in shorthand at the rate of 110 words a minute, and in typewriting at the rate of forty words a minute ; and the Junior Examination is at the rate of eighty words a minute in shorthand and thirty words a minute in typewriting. Candidates are also required to pass a prescribed test in English. Owing to the need for girls with a greater speed to fill the higher positions, it is proposed in future to hold an Intermediate Examination with a speed test in shorthand at the rate of 130 words a minute and in typewriting at the rate of fifty words a minute ; and a Special Examination at a rate of 150 words a minute in shorthand and fifty words a minute in typewriting. Those who desire to qualify as Court reporters are enabled to sit for the examination held by the Justice Department in terms of regulations made under the Shorthand Reporters Act, 1908. The University and the Public Service. The Public Service Act provides that the Professional Division shall include officers whose offices or duties require in the persons holding or performing them some special skill or technical knowledge usually acquired in some profession or occupation different from the 'ordinary 'routine of (the public 'Public Service Regulation 161 (b) provides that holders of University degrees, or jof approved certificates tfrom any University college [that the candidate has attained any special knowledge in any scientific subject, may be admitted in such subdivision and class of the Professional Division as the Commissioner thinks fit. Regulation 217 provides that the Professional Division shall include actuaries, analysts, architects, bacteriologists, barristers, chemists, draughtsmen (if qualified as civil engineers, surveyors, or 'architects), engineers, land surveyors, medical practitioners, [solicitors, veterinarians, and 'others who, subject to the approval of the Commissioner, are classified or admitted to the Public Service as such. In addition to these positions referred to in the Professional Division, it is highly desirable that vacancies in administrative positions should as far as possible be filled by the holders of University degrees. In so far as members of the Professional Division are concerned, every facility is afforded officers to keep terms at a University college, and special regulations have been made applying to the staffs of the various laboratories, Public Works civil-engineering and electrical-engineering cadets, and various professional positions in the Department of Agriculture and in other Departments. Tn addition to the leave which is granted to enable the officer to attend college, the Department makes arrangement for the payment of college fees, unless such fees are covered by bursary, and the officer is required to enter into an agreement with the Department to refund all such fees paid by the Department should he, within three years after completion of his college course, leave the Department for any reason save sickness or injury, or dismissal through no fault of his own. This system has resulted in officers being much better equipped to carry out their respective duties, with corresponding benefit to the Department and to the country generally. No provision exists, however, for the payment of college fees in the cases of officers who wish to graduate in economics, professional accountancy, or law. It is essential that the future administrative officers of the Service should possess sound administrative training, and, while the practical training which all public servants receive in greater or lesser degree is of high value as well as in itself indispensable, a sound course of academic training would give a valuable background of knowledge and thought to the more practical qualities. In the United Kingdom there are interesting examples of what can be done in this direction, such as the course in Army administration at the London School of Economics for Army officers, and the course in railway and administration for railway officials in the various University centres. What is required in this country are similar facilities at our Universities enabling selected promising officers to take a specialized course of training. In Victoria, under the provisions of the University Act, 1923, awards may be made annually of five free places to officers of the Public Service, in addition to free places' 5 " awarded to teachers engaged in the teaching service. The five free places open to the Public