Dec. 23.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3463

25. Under exceptional circumstances the Permanent Head may accept other proof of educational qualifications that are certified to by the Director of Education as being substantially equivalent to those required for a certificate of proficiency in the Sixth Standard.

26. In making appointments of Postmistresses, the Promotion Board shall give preference to widows of deceased officers of the Department.

27. No person shall be eligible for temporary employment in excess of six months or for permanent appointment unless and until he passes a medical examination by, and obtains a certificate of fitness in the form approved by the Permanent Head from a registered medical practitioner, nominated in that behalf by the Permanent Head.

28. Every person who enters the permanent service of the Department shall be appointed on probation, and may be continued in such probationary position for a period not exceeding two years. At any time during the period of probation or after it has expired the Permanent Head may confirm or annul such appointment.

Controlling officers are to report to the Permanent Head on the suitability of probationers at the end of one month’s service, and thereafter quarterly.

29. (1.) No person shall be eligible for appointment as a shorthand-writer, typist, or machinist until she has passed the Junior Examination for Shorthand-writers, Typists, or Machinists respectively.

(2.) Before advancement beyond the salary provided in the Sixth Subdivision of the scale in the Second Schedule, shorthand-writers, typists, and machinists shall pass the Departmental Senior Examination.

30. No officer graded in Class VII of the General Division shall be eligible for promotion to the position of installing foreman, station lineman, faultman, mechanic, mechanician, cable-jointer, carpenter, basketmaker, blacksmith, storeman, postmen’s sorter, head chauffeur, or head messenger until he has passed the Competency Examination provided to test his fitness for such a position.

31. No officer shall be eligible for promotion to the position of senior overseer, overseer, assistant overseer, chief mechanician, senior mechanician, mechanician in charge, senior mechanic, or other position graded above Class V of the General Division until he has passed the Controlling Officer’s Examination provided to test his fitness for such a position.

32. No person shall be appointed to the Clerical Division as a cadet until he has passed an Entrance Examination or a Departmental Competency Examination.

33. (1.) No person shall be eligible for appointment to the Clerical Division as a clerk or telegraphist until he has passed a Departmental Competency Examination.

(2.) No officer graded in Class VII of the Clerical Division shall be eligible for advancement beyond the Fifth Subdivision until he has passed the Competency Examination provided for the branch of the service in which he is employed.

34. (1.) No officer other than one of those specified in subclause (2) hereof shall be eligible for promotion from Class VII of the Clerical Division unless he has passed the Controlling Officer’s Examination.

(2.) Any officer who—

(a.) Was in receipt of a salary of over £200 on the 31st March, 1913, or then had not less than twelve years’ continuous permanent service and was on that date engaged in clerical duties; or

(b.) Has passed the Post and Telegraph Senior Technical Examination, the Public Service Senior Examination, the New Zealand University Matriculation Examination, or such other examination as is recognized as equivalent to a pass in the Controlling Officer’s Examination,

shall be eligible for promotion from Class VII of the Clerical Division without being required to pass any further examination.

35. No officer shall be eligible for promotion to a controlling or supervising position in the Telegraph Branch unless he has passed a technical examination or examinations to test his fitness for such a position.

36. No person shall be appointed to the Engineering Division—

(1.) As an Engineering Cadet, unless he is not more than twenty years of age and has passed the Engineering Preliminary Examination :