POSTAL REVENUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20897, 12 June 1931, Page 10

POSTAL REVENUE.

EFFECT OF NEW RATES. LESS TELEGRAPHIC BUSINESS. HEAVY FALL IN RECEIPTS. [BY TELKGRArH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. J WELLINGTON, Thursday. The revenue figures for the Post and Telegraph Department for the quarter ended March 31' are gazetted. The department explains that tho revenue from all sources exceeds that for the March quarter of last year by £36,007. The earthquake in Hawko's Bay in February had a very pronounced effect on the department's revenue. This applied, principally, to telephones and tolls, where the loss in receipts was approximately £20,000. This large sum was due mainly to the fact that telephone rentals in respect of Napier and Hastings telephone subscribers are due on March 1. The increase in postage, due to the higher rates, reached approximately £43,000 for the month of March. The decrease in telegraph business that month amounted to £BOOO, and in toll business to £14,000. Savings bank business for tho quarter showed an excess of withdrawals of £374,000, against £978,000 for the March quarter last year, so that the position for this item this year is more favourable than last year to the extent of £604,000. Tho effect of the depression is noticeablo in practically all branches of the department's activities. The total post and telegraph revenue for the quarter is £902,299, compared with £866,292 for the corresponding period of last year. The total postal revenue is £434,061, compared with £361,622, and tho telegraphic revenue is against £504,670 for the March quarter last year. The total post and telegraph revenue figures for the four centres are:—Auckland, £127,687; Wellington, £135,350; Christchurch, £68,282; and Dunedin, £90,663.