F.—l.

Thirty-one officers died during the year, six as a result of accidents while on duty. Although accidents of a minor nature are not unusual in the Department, it can be said that fatalities are not of frequent occurrence, and, in this respect, the year was an exceptional and unfortunate one. Three of the fatalities resulted from collisions between cyclists and motor-cars, while two were caused by motor-trucks overturning. The sixth death was caused by the electrocution of a Line Foreman of several years' experience who was in charge of a party engaged in the removal of telegraph-lines, one of which on becoming loose contacted with a power-line. The Line Foreman grasped the loose wire and was killed instantly. The happening was adjudged to be entirely accidental. Another death resulted from shock as a result of the Hawke's Bay earthquake, a Napier officer dropping dead soon after vacating the post-office building. Payment to Dependants of Deceased Officers. There has been no departure from the policy of the Department in arranging the payment of compassionate allowances to the widows of deceased officers and of arranging for monetary payments equivalent to the leave due at the time of decease. During the year £634 was paid by way of compassionate allowance. Personal. Mr. 11. D. Edwards, Controller of Savings-banks and Accounts, retired on the 14th May, after completing forty years' service. He was succeeded by Mr. A. Marshall, Assistant Controller of Savings-banks and Accounts ; Mr. Marshall, in turn, being replaced by Mr. P. Cutforth, Inspector, Land and Income Tax Department. It is recorded with regret that while on a tour abroad, in December, Mr. Edwards died suddenly. Reduction in Salaries. Under the provisions of the Finance Act, 1931, which is to come into operation on the Ist April, 1931, all salaries, wages, allowances, and other forms of emolument of officers are to be reduced by 10 per cent. General Division Salary Schedule. The new salary schedule for male officers of the General Division, to which reference was made in last year's report, came into operation on the Ist April, 1930, and resulted in the salary conditions of 2,800 officers being improved. Although the main object of the schedule was to increase the salaries of the lower-paid officers, provision was made for tradesmen who were at the maximum of the rank-and-file class to be advanced by £25 per annum, and thirty-eight officers received immediate benefit under this clause. APPEAL BOARD. The Post and Telegraph Appeal Board, under the chairmanship of Mr. E. C. Cutten, the senior Stipendiary Magistrate at Auckland, held only one session during the year. Appeals from fifty-eight officers were dealt with and resulted as follows : Appeals allowed, 2 ; appeals disallowed, 84 ; appeals did not lie, 19 ; appeals withdrawn, 57. The appeals lodged were, with few exceptions, against non-promotion. Sittings were held at Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Christchurch. PROMOTION BOARD ELECTION. A Promotion Board election, held on the 18th February, resulted in the re-election of Mr. H. M Patrick as the elective member of the Board. Two officers contested the election. DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL. The instructional school, which provides tuition by correspondence for officers who desire to extend their knowledge of departmental matters and improve their general education, continues to be an important factor in making for efficiency within the Service. There were 1,273 enrolments in the school during the year. The majority of the students were successful at the various departmental examinations for which they presented themselves. EXAMINATIONS. The number of officers who entered for departmental efficiency examinations held during the year was 2,543. The candidates that were either wholly or partially successful numbered 1,316. POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICERS' GUILD. Official recognition has been accorded to a new organization, known as the Post and. Telegraph Officers' Guild, which was formed during the year. The membership of the Guild is open to all officers of the Department in receipt of salaries of £320 and over.

10