THE BANQUET.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14991, 11 June 1914, Page 7

THE BANQUET.

•WAIAU'S POSTAL STATISTICS.

In the evening a most successful banquet was held in tho Coronation Librnry, at which the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes and most of the guests who were at the ceremony in the afternoon were present. Mr K. Pettigrew presided. A long toast list was honoured. In reply to the toast of "Tho Ministry," the* Hon. R. H. Rhodes, who received a great ovation, said ho was pleased io say that Cabinet had approved of an expenditure of £1150 for the erection of a metallic telephone circuit between Waiau and Waikari. When this circuit was erected, speaking communication would bo obtainable between Christchurch and Waiau. Authority liad also been given for the installation of an exchange at Waiau at a cost of £330, when through communication to Christchurch was available. Tho material for this was despatched from Christchurch on Monday Last. The line party would commence work at Waikari. Immediately on the lino reaching Cuiveruen, a telephone excjiiuij.o ivou.d be installed there, aud tne election ot the line to Waiau and the opening of an exchange at Waiau wouiu follow shortly afterwards. Following ou tho .a-quost, oi settlers that the mail service between Culverden and Wuiau should be performed by motorcar, the contractor had been informed that ho coum carry tno mails by sucn means, and ho had undertaken to do so. Speaking of the postal business at W'aiau, tho Minister said that during tho last ten years all branches of the Department's business at W'aiau had largely increased. In 1903 the number of letters and postcards posted was 29,970, and in 1913 62,450, other articleposted 2260, and 10,840. In 1913 the number of letters and postcards delivered was 33,890, and in li-3 62,270; other articles delivered 18,650 and 29,310. In 1903 the postage revenue was £163, and in 1913 £352. In 1903, 304 money orders wero issued of the valuo of £2443, and in 1913 754 of the value of £4321. In 1903, 218 Savings Bank deposits were made, amounting to £3296, and in 1913 304, amounting to £4747. In 1903 2487 telegrams were forwarded of the value of £97, and in 1913 3572 of the value of £106. Telegrams received for delivery to residents numbered in 1903 2122, and in 1913 2932. Telegrams received for onward transmission numbered in 1903 3904, and in 1913 14,060. Referring to tho Savings Bank returns he said tho following figures had not been published; the Savin-.* Bank returns for May were not yet complete owing to tho absence of reports from outlying offices, particularly in tbo Auckland district. The figures, which would bo subject to somo slight modification, . were as follow:—Tho deposits for May.had exceeded tho withdrawals by £177,321. as compared with £97.516 in May of last year. The excess of deposits in_ Anril was £78.503, compared with £57.217 in April of last year, thus tho total excess of deposits for April and May. 1914, amounted to £255,824. as compared with £156.733 for tho corresponding months of 1913. Tho total deposits for these two months amounted to £2,175.545 compared with £2.081.847, and tho withdrawals to £1.919.321, compared with £1.925114 for the corresponding; months of 1913. (Anolause.) The speaker said the present Government fully realised tho importance of the fanning community, and intended to do everything in its power to promote closer settlement and greater -.roduction. With closer settlement moro intensive culture would be the rule, and the Government had established a Roar*-! of A_-riculturo to act as an Advisory Board. Mr Rhodes referred feelingly to tho death of Mr Duncan Macfarlane, a man whom the district and tho Dominion, could ill -*iTnrd to lose, Ho concluded by stating that the prosT>ecfcß of the country seemed excellent in every way. and tho Government had endeavoured to assist in many ways, one being a reduction of butter freiehts frorp the North Island to America. (Applause.) t OTHER TOASTS. Messrs Forbes, Witty, Davey. and Nosworthy responded to the toast of "The Parliament," which was proposed by Mr Beavon. Tho Hon. R. H. Rhode-; proposed the toast of ''The Waiau Railway League." which was responded to by Messrs Pettigrew. Foster, and Baker. Other toasts wero: "Public Bodies," "Trade and Commerce," "Tho Pioneers." "A. and P. Association," "The Ladies," and "The Press." ■