JULY 30.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2297

For Postal officers: (1.) Examination in Postal Rules and Regulations. Officers continuously employed five years prior to the examination in postal duties will be examined principally in postal work, but will be required to show reasonable knowledge of the work of other branches. (2.) The efficiency test in this Examination will consist principally of practical work.

For Telegraph officers: (1.) Examination in operating, sending, and receiving, fifteen minutes each, at the rate of twenty-five words a minute. Not more than one per centum of errors will be allowed. (2.) In Telegraph Rules and Regulations, in which officers will be required to show some practical knowledge of coding and charging telegrams. (3.) A simple examination in magnetism and electricity as applied to telegraphy, theoretical and practical.

Telegraph counter clerks, despatch clerks, &c., will be required to pass a practical examination in their duties.

(2.) Before receiving salary beyond one hundred and eighty pounds per annum, an examination (to be called the Second Examination) as under:—

For Postal officers: (1.) A test similar to that for the First Examination, but of a more extensive character. Officers employed principally in mail-work must show themselves competent in all the sorting and making-up of mails done at the office in which they are engaged, and in addition must show practical knowledge of handling registered letters and parcels. They must also pass an examination in postal geography. (2.) Money-order and Savings-Bank and counter officers, and those performing clerical work, must pass in the practical working of their branches. (3.) The tenor, and sometimes the text, of Rules will form part of the examination, but literal mistakes in the text will not be taken into account.

For Telegraph officers: (1.) An examination in sending and receiving at twenty-seven words a minute for twenty minutes each way, with a proportion of not more than one per centum of errors. (2.) An examination in magnetism and electricity as applied to telegraphy, theoretical and practical.

The examinations shall not be obligatory until the 1st April, 1908

52. With the object of ascertaining the fitness of officers to fill vacancies in the Clerical Division below the First Class, they may be examined in such technical and departmental subjects as are deemed by the Minister essential for the vacant positions, at such times and places and in such manner as may from time to time be determined by the Minister.

53. One month’s notice of the intention to hold such examinations shall be given by notice published in the Post and Telegraph Official Circular, and the names of officers who have passed the required standard of examination shall be entered by the Secretary in a book kept for that purpose, in the order of their merit; and in promoting any officers to vacancies, or from one class or grade to another, effect shall as far as possible be given to the results of such examinations. When a vacancy occurs in a branch in which knowledge of theory or practice in the science of electricity in its relation to telegraphy is requisite, such examination shall be conducted by the Inspectors of Telegraphs, and such other officers as may from time to time be appointed by the Minister; and where knowledge of or capacity in business relating to the Post Office branch is required, the examination shall be held by the Inspector of Post-offices, or the Assistant Inspectors of Post-offices, and such other officer or officers as the Minister may from time to time appoint; or the Minister may appoint any of such officers to conduct all examinations or any such examination under this regulation.

NON-CLERICAL DIVISION.

54. When a vacancy occurs in one of the higher classes in the Non-clerical Division,—

(1.) The Secretary or the Superintendent shall select for appointment any of the senior officers of the classes below that in which the vacancy has occurred who, from seniority and suitability for the position to be filled, appear to be most suitable, and the Minister may recommend the Governor to appoint to the vacancy.

(2.) If the vacancy occurs in the lower classes of the Division, the appointment to the vacancy shall be made as far as possible from within the Division or from the telegraph message-boys’ class.