H.—l4.

Regulation 32, prohibiting public servants from taking an active part in politics, was revoked consequent on the passing of the Political Disabilities Removal Act, 1936. Regulation 8d was amended to permit payment to officers of the Professional or Clerical Divisions for time worked in excess of forty hours per week instead of forty-four. Regulation 49 was amended to provide for an alteration in the method of computing annual leave, particularly in regard to deduction therefrom in respect of sick or special leave during the preceding year. Regulation 51 was amended consequent on the introduction of a five-day week (merely a machinery amendment). Consequent on a decision to reintroduce the Public Service Entrance Examination, that portion of the regulations relating to this examination was revised and brought up to date. The following regulations were amended : Regulations 155, 164, 170, 173, 177, 178, 178 a, 179, 180, 181, 181 a, 186, 187, and 200. The regulations relating to the Printing and Stationery Department were also amended as follows : — Regulation 54 was amended consequent on the introduction of a five-day week (merely a machinery amendment). Regulation 55 was amended to provide for an alteration in the method of computing annual leave to bring it in line with the amendment to Regulation 49 of the General Regulations. Offences by Officers. Offences and irregularities are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of sections 12 and 13 of the Public Service Amendment Act, 1927. The decisions arrived at of the principal classes of cases dealt with during the year were as follow : — (a) Misappropriations (3) .. Forfeited office (3). (b) Irregularities (2) .. .. Appointment annulled (1) ; dismissed (1). (c) Unsatisfactory work (7) . . Services terminated (2) ; appointment annulled (1) ; reprimanded and reduced (2) ; reprimanded and transferred (1) ; fined (1). (d) Unsatisfactory conduct (14) .. Appointment annulled (5) ; dismissed (2) ; retired (1) ; reprimanded and transferred (2) ; fined (3) ; payment of increment delayed (1). Leave of Absence for Educational and Training Purposes. During the year the following officers were granted leave of absence to enable them to proceed abroad for educational and training purposes : — Calder, ii. A., Instructor in Agriculture (seconded as Assistant Agronomist to Plant Research Bureau, Scientific and Industrial Research Department, Palmerston North), Agriculture Department, Palmerston North : To visit research institutions concerned with plantbreeding or seed-production overseas. Herv'ey, Miss M. E., Masseuse, Mental Hospitals Department, Porirua : To visit England to take refresher courses in Electro-therapy and cognate subjects. Hetherington, Miss J. J., Inspector of Secondary Schools, Education Department, Wellington : To proceed abroad to study and contact recent developments in teaching. Kidson, Miss E. I»., Assistant Chemist, Soil Survey, Scientific and Industrial Research Department, Nelson : To England and Scotland, to obtain up-to-date experience in soil chemistry and other related matters. Lambie, Miss M. 1., Director, Division of Nursing, Health Department, Wellington : To United States of America, Canada, and Europe, to take up a Rockefeller Travel Fellowship. Potter, F. W., sth Operator, Public Works Department, Arapuni: Tp England, to further engineering experience. , . Taylor, Miss H., Physical Instructress, Education Department, Wellington: To attend refresher courses in physical education abroad. Watt, I. G., Clerk, Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture Department, Wallaceville: To Sydney, Australia, to take up a veterinary bursary. Departmental Officers abroad on Duty. During the year the following officers proceeded abroad for the purposes stated : — Arnold, Miss N. P., Matron, St. Helens Hospital, Health Department, Wellington : To Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Holland, to study midwifery training. Barry, W. C., Director, Live-stock Division, Agriculture Department, Wellington : To Dutch East Indies, Queensland, and New South Wales, to investigate animal-disease matters.

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