Dec. 23.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 3461

regulations relating to good and diligent conduct and the efficient performance of their duties, be paid the salaries with annual increments set forth in those schedules as provided in Regulation 11 hereof.

8. The grading of positions in the Clerical, Engineering, and General Divisions shall be according to the character and importance of the work of each position. The grading of positions as fixed from the 1st April, 1924, shall remain in force for a period of not more than five years from that date. The Permanent Head shall within that period arrange for a valuation to be made of the positions which should be graded above Class VII as set forth in the First Schedule, above Class G. III as set forth in the Second Schedule, above Class G. VII as set forth in the Third Schedule, and above Class G. VI as set forth in the Fourth Schedule; and he shall fix the grading of such positions for the ensuing five years.

9. Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, the Permanent Head may at any time create any position he deems advisable for the better working of the Department, and fix the grading therefor, or abolish any position which he considers no longer necessary, or increase the grading of any position where the importance of the duties has become greater or where the exigencies of the Department require such action, or reduce the grading of any position where the importance of the duties has diminished, or where the exigencies of the Department require such action.

10. An officer transferred to the Department from any other Department of the Government Service may be assigned to such division and class as the Permanent Head determines, due regard being had to merit and the nature of the duties to be performed by such officer.

11. The annual increment shall be the difference between the officer's salary as fixed for any year and the salary for the next higher subdivision of his class: Provided that special increments in excess thereof up to the maximum for the class may be granted by the Permanent Head to officers on account of outstanding merit and ability combined with good and diligent conduct.

12. Except in case of promotion, no annual increment shall accrue to any salary until the officer in receipt of such salary has received the same for a period of twelve months. The right to receive such increment in any year shall depend upon the good conduct of the officer concerned and the diligent and efficient performance of his duties. If in the opinion of the Permanent Head the officer is not entitled thereto he may issue an order to deprive such officer of such increment, which shall in that case not be paid.

13. Any officer transferred or promoted to the Clerical Division or to the Engineering Division who at the time was in receipt of a higher salary than the minimum salary of the class to which he has been transferred or promoted shall continue to receive such first-mentioned salary until he shall be entitled to a further increment.

14. Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, the Permanent Head may from time to time fix the amount of salary to be paid to an officer at any sum within the maximum limit of the class or grade in which such officer is placed, and such amount shall be the salary payable to such officer without annual increment.

15. Any male officer who is married or who is a widower with a child or children not more than fourteen years of age living with and dependent upon him may be paid such allowance as will make his total remuneration equal to that fixed from time to time by the Permanent Head as the minimum remuneration for a married officer of not less than twenty-one years of age.

16. A record of all officers in the Department shall be kept by the Permanent Head, showing therein the divisions and classes in which such officers are respectively included, their length of service and salaries, and such other particulars as may be deemed necessary, and he shall from time to time cause entries to be made in such records of deaths, dismissals, resignations, retirements, promotions, and reductions. As soon as possible after the 1st day of April of each and every year the Permanent Head shall publish in the New Zealand Gazette a list of persons employed in the Department on that date, together with such other particulars as may be deemed necessary.

ADMISSION TO THE SERVICE, ETC.

17. Every person who desires to enter the service of the Post and Telegraph Department shall make application on the prescribed form, which can be obtained from the principal post-offices. Every appli-