POST OFFICE AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR 1891.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1892 Session I, F-01

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1892. NEW ZEALAND.

POST OFFICE AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR 1891.

Presented to both Houses of ike General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

My Loed, General Post Office, Wellington, otb August, 1892. I have the honour to submit to your Excellency the report on the Postal and Telegraph Department for the year 1891, with the customary statement of revenue and expenditure to the. 31st March last. I have the honour to be Your Lordship's most obedient servant, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General and Electric Telegraph Commissioner. His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand.

EEPOET. The year's operations, although resulting in«a,-diminished revenue, disclose a very material increase of business, more paricularly in the Post Office branch, as will be seen on perusing the several tables and statements. The revenue and expenditure for the financial year ended the 31st March, 1892, are given in the following statement: — Revenue. £ s. d. Expenditube. £ s. d. Stamps used for postage (estimated) .. 180,000 0 0 | -Salaries .. .. .. .. 157,294 15 3 Money-order and postal-note commission Conveyance of mails by sea .. .. 32,086 2 9 collected in the colony .. .. 11,338 17 4 Conveyance of inland mails .. .. 25,153 10 9 Money-order commission received from Conveyance of mails by railway .. "524 15 0 foreign offices .. .. . • 645 4 3' Money-order commission credited to Private box and bag fees .. .. 4,515 10 0 foreign offices .. .. .. 1,615 5 9 Postages from foreign offices .. .. 3,949 16 9 | Telegraph extension (Consolidated Fund) 2,999 19 4 Miscellaneous receipts (Postal).. .. 9,444 19 0 Maintenance and repairs to telegraphOrdinary and Press telegrams .. .. 85,242 3 7 lines, and miscellaneous .. .. 45,645 1V 6 Telephone exchanges .. .. .. 18,571 7 8 Cable subsidies .. .. .. 308 6 8 Miscellaneous receipts (Telegraph) .. 6,350 2 8 Cable repairs.. .. .. 2,714 8 1 £268,343 1 1 Balance of revenue over expenditure .. 51,715 0 2 £320,058 1 3' £320,058 1 3 The revenue decreased £15,271 6s. 2d., or 4-55 per cent. This was mainly due to the loss of revenue from the reduction of the ocean letter-postage to 2-JcL, and to a sum of £15,697, contributions from the London Post Office and non-contracting colonies, in aid of the San Francisco and Direct mail-services, having been credited to the vote for " Conveyance of Mails by Sea" instead of being treated as revenue as formerly. The revenue exceeded the expenditure by £51,715 os. 2d., compared with £72,732 12s. lid. the previous year. The expenditure was £5,746 6s. 7d., or 2-19 per cent, more than the previous year. The combined Post Office and Telegraph revenue was equal to 10s. T97d. per-head of the population; and the expenditure Bs. 6-26 d. The estimated value of the official correspondence was £63,579 16s. 4d., and that of Government telegrams, £24,840 ss. 7d. —a total of £88,420 Is. lid. for services performed for departments of the public service without payment. This sum added to the revenue gives i—F. 1..

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£408,478 3s. 2d. as the total value of the Post Office and Telegraph work performed during the year, which, after deducting the expenditure, leaves a balance of £140,135 2s. Id. in favour of the department. The estimated value of the official correspondence and Government telegrams was equal to 2763 per cent, of the combined revenue. 23,745,462 letters were posted, and 23,867,402 delivered—an increase of 2,243,525 and 1,452,139 respectively. 157,465 inland parcels were posted, an increase of 39,852. 1,968,264 telegrams of all codes were forwarded, an increase of 7,103. 195,239 money-orders, for £651,989 19s. 6d., were issued; and 160,279 orders, for £582,661 16s. 7d., were paid. 214,334 postal-notes, representing £78,808 10s. were sold —an increase of 29,735 notes for £9,346 10s. 6!d. Fifty-five post-offices were established, five reopened, and sixteen closed. The total number of post- and telegraph- or telephone-offices open at the end of 1891 was 1,231. The total number of telephone-exchange subscribers on the 31st March last was 3,083, and the subscriptions received for the year amounted to £18,571 7s. Bd. From the Ist October the subscription was reduced to £5 a year. Telephone sub-exchanges were established at Hutt, Balclutha, Milton, and Eiversdale. There were 674 inland mail-services in operation, at a cost to the department of £27,301 15s. 9d. 222 miles of telegraph line were erected; and at the close of the year the total mileage was 5,349 miles of line, and 13,235 miles of wire. The net expenditure out of loan on telegraph extension amounted to £27,772 16s. The sum of £1,842,987 15s. 2d. was deposited in the Post Office Savings Banks during the calendar year, and the sum of £1,693,515 9s. 3d. was withdrawn. The total amount at the credit of depositors on the 31st December, 1891, was £2,695,447 11s. 6d. The following table and return give the number of offices and officers of all classes on the 31st December last:—

Comparative Eetuen of Officees of the Postal and Telegeaph Depaetment for the Years 1891 and 1890. 1891. 1890. : 1891. 1890. Postmaster-General .. .. .. 1 1 j Sorters in Clearing-room .. .. 14 14 Superintendent .. .. .. .. 1 1 j Storekeeper and Assistants .. .. 5 5 Secretary .. .. .. 1 1 ! Chief Postmasters .. .. .. 16 16 Inspector of Post-offices .. .. 1 1 Postmasters and Officers in Charge on PerAssistant Inspector of Post-offices .. 1 1 manent Staff .. .. .. 248 261 Controller of Money-orders and Savings-banks j Clerks and Cadets .. .. .. 242 227 and Accountant .. .. .. 1 1 Operators (including Cadets) .. .. 372 346 Telegraph Inspectors .. .. . • 8 3 Country Postmasters and Telephonists .. 1,012 935 Telegraph Sub-Inspectors .. 2 3 Letter-carriers .. .. .. 119 113 Electrician .. .. .. .. 1 1 Messengers (Post Office) .. •».. 19 17 Mechanicians and Cadet .. .. 4 3 j Linemen .. .. .. .. 51 50 Clerks in General Post Office— j Telegraph Message Boys .. .. 204 195 Secretary's Branch .. .. .. 8 ; Nightwatchmen .. .. 2 2 Dead-letter Branch .. .. .. 4 4 j Money-order and Savings-bank Branch .. 17 17 Totals ~ .. 2,349' 2,225

Postal Districts. Peri 0: CD d> I o I lanei ices. !r3 CO , Is go Jl i r aj PI p o 3 o Com PO! offlc Itry 3t:es. o ft 3 B & O 18 ft l>1 o o> o o CD o CD CO « bo a •3 M H o> o A ft 03 B 1 pq a> a o■a Clerks and Postal Cadets. Operators (including Cadets). .3 u'l |l fe a: II S3 c it Is Lettercarriers. a o 43 CO O Si m <D a 1 p>, Tele; Mes Be Sraph 3 age ys. Cβ o o p-l o o s ? o a -is I § § a b g a o ! o B i Q i i ! o ! o I EH o Auckland Thames Gisborne Napier New Plymouth Wanganui Wellington Blenheim Nelson Westport Greymouth Hokitika Chrisfcchureh Timaru Oamaru Dunedin Invercargill .. 1 1 1 3 "i 1 1 1 26| 8! 3 7 11 6 5 4 4 8 11 4 1 17| 7 16 .. 2 t 10 o 156 20 11 29 17 21 61 19 22 11 24 24 107 27 9 66 79 75 9* 10 16 7 9 22 5 11 11 4 5 14 2 6 50 17 7 i i 1 1 1 1 17 8 9 '2 47 3 19 2 7 51 5 4 •• i * * I • • .. 1 ' * J 24 8 5 25 6 13 46 39 1 9 3 ! 31 9 10 30 8 12 5 7 1 8 18 2 4 46 8J x i 14 22 7 9 5 4 8 43 15 8 34 20 17 2 1 3 2 3 11 2 ! 3 j 1 2 1 17 2 ! 2 I 17 3 I 5 1 ! i ! 'i 4 1 .. 3 1 2 4 1 13 3 3 6 2 4 33 2 5 3 3 2 16 3 3 15 4 16 3 i 2 7 10 2 '3 4 1 1 I •• j 32 ! 11 Iβ I 13 " 3 1 1 4 6 2 2 39 i 2 41 J 10 " i I *8 ; 5 i , , 8 2 '2 1 6 3 • • '2 1 1 2 2 14 2 • .i 1 1 8 5 20 8 * io 7 1 13 4 '' I _| i ■ i I Total on 31st Deo., 1891 .. 5 126 '124 703 273 36 18 65 238 4 283 89 89 30 19 120 84 261

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A Postal and Telegraph Conference, at which New Zealand was not represented, was held at Hobart in March last, for the consideration of questions arising from the Australasian Colonies having entered the Postal Union, and other matters. A report of the proceedings has been laid before Parliament. The reduction in the postage on letters for the United Kingdom from 6d. to 2-Jd. per halfounce took place on the Ist January, 1891, and the following figures show what has been the effect of the reduction : — 1890 ... ... Number of letters posted, 566,790 ... postage, £17,066 1891 ... ... „ „ 644,742 ... „ £8,178 An increase of 13-75 per cent, in the number of letters posted, but a decrease of 52-08 per cent, in the amount of postage for 1891. To bring the postage up to what it was in 1890, immediately prior to the reduction, the number of letters must increase 113-45 per cent. Eeference was made in the last report of the intention to establish letter penny-postage throughout the. colony. It has been considered advisable, however, to defer its introduction in the meantime. By " The Post and Telegraph Classification and Regulation Act, 1890," the sixth class was divided into two grades —£115 to £150, and £160 to £180. In the lower grade were a number of capable officers with considerable length of service, who, in the ordinary course, would probably have been blocked there for years. To remove this disability, the amending Act passed last session abolished the second grade, and the sixth class, as amended, now stands at £115 to £180, by three annual increments of £15 and two of £10. Provision in the amending Act was also made for a new class for women intended to be employed exclusively in telephone exchanges, and also for the service of distributors and telegraph message-boys being allowed to be reckoned in the case of their retirement from the service through no fault of their own. Service of this nature, however, does not count for seniority. By the regulations issued under " The Post and Telegraph Classification and Regulation Act, 1890," a right of appeal was given to any officer who considered that his name had " been placed in a class lower than that in which, from the nature of the services he performs, he ought to have been placed." In all 232 appeals were submitted to the Board specially appointed to consider and report on all such appeals. Many, however, were not appeals contemplated by the regulations, while a number of others were inconsequential. In the case of 134 of the appeals the Board reported that " the appellants were not classed lower than by the nature of their duties they ought to have been classed;" that, in the case of 45, "the matters appealed about were adjusted by the abolition of the second grade of the sixth class;" and that 40 were met by the provision of the amending Act allowing telegraph messengers' service to count in the case of retirement from the service. Recommendations were made by the Board in the case of 26 of the appellants. It should be explained, however, that the Board considered that their duties were limited by the regulations to the question whether the name of the officer appealing had been placed in a class lower than that in which it ought to have been placed. Telegraph learners' classes have been opened at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and telegraph message-boys, having-Hhe requisite educational acquirements and being otherwise eligible for promotion are instructed in telegraphy preparatory to receiving cadetships. The Universal Postal Union. One of the most important events in the history of the Postal Service of New Zealand has been the colony's entry into the Universal Postal Union, in conjunction with the other Australian Colonies, which took place on the Ist October last. The question of the entry of the Australasian Colonies into the Postal Union is one of long standing, having been raised by the Imperial Government shortly after the General Postal Union was founded in 1874. A brief history of the formation and the development of the Union will now be appropriate. About 1860, the enormous expansion of the postal system made apparent the inadequacy of the means for regulating international postal relations, and, at the instance of the United States Post Office, a Postal Conference was held at Paris, in 1863, at which delegates from most of the chief national post-offices met to consider the principles upon which the postal business between separate countries should be conducted. But it was not till more than ten years later that any general agreement was come to. In 1874, a second Conference was held, at Berne, when the following principles were submitted for consideration: — 1. That a common regime should be accepted throughout the whole postal service, to be regulated by single treaty. 2. That the right of transit, by land or by sea, should be guaranteed by every country to every other country. 3. That the onus of providing for the conveyance of mails should rest on the country of origin, all intermediate services used by such country being paid for at fixed rates, and upon the basis of periodical statistics. 4. That every country should keep the whole of its postage collections, whether on prepaid or on unpaid correspondence, so as to sweep away the great mass of detailed international accounts. Upon this basis the General Postal Union of 1874 was founded, and the relative treaty signed on the 9th October of that year. It did not, at first, embrace lands beyond Europe, with the exception of Asiatic Russia and Turkey, Egypt, and the United States of America. The treaty

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took effect on the Ist July, 1875, France being the only country of Europe which did not at once adhere to the Union, but it joined six months later. The conditions on which countries beyond sea were admitted were at first restrictive. It was laid down that such countries should at first submit to a settlement as to the cost of sea conveyance in their proposed relations with the countries forming the Union, and that an understanding between those particular countries having postal conventions or direct relations with the applicants should precede admission. In 1876 a special Conference was held at Berne to settle the terms upon which British India and the French Colonies should be admitted to the Union. The rate payable by one country to another for sea conveyance over distances exceeding 300 miles was fixed at 25 francs a kilogramme (about 2|-d. a letter, of average weight) for letters and post-cards, and 1 franc a kilogramme (4-35 d. per pound) for other articles. British India and the French Colonies thereupon entered the Union in July, 1876; and in April, 1877, Ceylon, Hongkong, the Straits Settlements, Labuan, Mauritius and the Seychelles, Jamaica, Trinidad, British Guiana, and Bermuda gave in their adhesion. In 1878 a second full Congress was held at Paris, and the Union renamed the Universal Postal Union—the door being thrown open to the whole world; any State, country, or colony was given the right to claim admission, simply by giving an assurance that it was prepared to carry out the stipulations of the Convention as then revised. The maximum amount for sea conveyance over long distances was also reduced from 25 to 15 francs a kilogramme (about 1-J-d. per letter) for letters and post-cards. The new Convention was signed on the Ist June, 1878, and came into force on the Ist April, 1879. Canada entered the Union in July, 1878 ; Cyprus in December following ; and in January, 1879, Newfoundland, British Honduras, the Falkland Islands, and the West African Colonies of Sierra Leone, Lagos, the Gold Coast, and Gambia were added. In July, 1879, Antigua, Dominica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitt's, and the Virgin Islands became a part of the Union, and a year later the Bahamas were added. On the Ist February, 1881, Tobago, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Turks Islands adopted the new system, and in the following September the entry of the West Indies into the Union was completed by the adherence of Barbadoes and St. Vincent. Outside the British Dominions the movement had been so rapid and steady that, practically, towards the end of 1886 the whole Continent of North, South, and Central America, the whole of the colonial possessions of Spain, Portugal, Holland, and Denmark, the Empires of Persia, Japan, and Siam, the Republic of Hayti, the Dominican Eepublic, the Sandwich Islands, Liberia, and even the Congo Free State were included in the Union. Since 1886 further accessions have taken place as follows: Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, British Borneo, British New Guinea, the German possessions and protectorates, Zanzibar, &c. Immediately after the formation of the Postal Union in 1874 the Australasian Colonies were invited by the Imperial Government to consider whether they would enter the Union. The ocean letter rate was not to be less than 6d., but the payments then made by the Imperial Exchequer to the cost of maintaining the ocean mail-services between the Mother-country and the Australasian Colonies were to have been reconsidered, inasmuch as the entry of the Colonies into the Union " would entail considerable diminution in the receipts of the Post Office," which the Colonies would have to share with Great Britain. The Qqlpnies were already committed to expensive ocean-mail contracts, and declined to take any step which would further increase the loss on their packetservices. In 1878 the matter was again pressed on the Colonies; and a memorandum was signed on the 11th July by the Postmasters-General of New South Wales and New Zealand, recommending that the Colonies should enter the Union, but on the condition " that no reduction be made in the rate of postage for the ocean services ; that the cost of the transit of the mails between San Francisco and New •York or Boston be not charged to the Colonies ; and that the restrictions which have already, or which may hereafter, be imposed by local legislation in reference to wholly unpaid correspondence are not interfered with." Nothing however came of this, as there was a want of unanimity among the other colonies. It was obvious that one or two colonies would not be permitted to enter the Union without the whole group doing so. The Imperial Post Office, in 1880, re-opened the question of Australasia's adhesion to the Union. Under the provisions of the Paris amended convention, the entry of the Australasian Colonies into the Union would have put the British Post Office in a position to save £30,000 a year by the supersession of the special apportionment of postage under which an advantage was accorded to the Colonies, and by the adoption of the Union payment for sea conveyance. The Imperial Treasury consented to waive the claim to that saving during the currency of the existing packet contracts, and to share the sum pro raid among the Colonies providing the packet services, in the event of their joining the Union. It was estimated that New South Wales and New Zealand's share for providing the San Francisco service would be about £17,000 a year. The Colonies were somewhat favourably impressed with the proposal, but before anything definite could be settled another obstacle presented itself to their entering the Union. The German Post Office had given notice that, at the next Union Congress, which was to meet in 1884, a proposal would be made for the reduction of the very moderate rates payable for sea conveyance, and of the rates of postage allowed to be charged to the public. It was obvious that the sea-carrying countries (a small minority) stood in great danger of this proposal being carried; and the British Post Office suggested that if the Colonies decided to apply for admission to the Union they should exact a guarantee that no such reduction should take place until after the next quinquennial Congress to that of Lisbon; and also that, for the protection of the Colonies'interests in the future, they should demand a vote for each colony in the affairs- and deliberations of the Union.

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With the object of discussing the whole question, a Postal Conference met at Sydney in 1883, at which a resolution was carried that the Colonies should apply for admission to the Union under the special conditions referred to above. New Zealand was not represented at the Conference, but it was in accord with the decision. Queensland, however, voted against the resolution. The Colonies did apply for admission; and the application was considered at the Lisbon Congress, which, however, did not meet till Febrnary, 1885, owing to the outbreak of cholera in 1884. Invitations had been sent to the Colonies to send representatives to the Congress, and this was responded to by Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia. The representatives of the various States forming the Union showed a marked desire for the Colonies to enter the Union, and were prepared to make concessions. The status quo in regard to sea-rates and postage till after the next Congress was settled without difficulty; but on the question of votes there was strong opposition. A fundamental principle of the Union is that every State —important or unimportant—has one voice, and only one, at the Congresses: for instance, Great Britain has one vote, and Servia, equally, has one. Only one vote, therefore, would be accorded the Australasian group. This was unacceptable, and the Colonies decided to hold aloof from the Union in the meantime. In 1889 the matter was again brought prominently under the notice of the Colonies, but the question of representation or voting power was still a stumbling-block. The principal colonies claimed to have a separate vote, which was again refused; but they subsequently agreed that if three votes, or even two, were allowed the Australasian group, this would be accepted. But the decision of the Colonies in 1890 to reduce the postage on letters to the United Kingdom to Sijd. really paved the way for their early entry into the Union, as the major loss was thereby discounted. In September of that year, the Colonies were invited to send representatives to the Postal Union Congress to be held in Vienna, in May, 1891. This colony decided to be represented, and to join with the other colonies in applying to enter the Union on such terms as might be mutually agreed upon. An Intercolonial Postal Conference, to be held in Sydney at the beginning of 1891, was subsequently decided upon, at which the question of the Colonies entering the Union would be discussed and settled. The Conference met in February, 1891, and passed the following resolutions : — "That the Colonies of Australasia should accept the invitation to be present at the Postal Congress at Vienna. " That the Governments of the various Australasian Colonies take steps to have their respective colonies adequately represented at the Postal Congress to be held in Vienna in May next. " That the representatives of Australasia be instructed to advocate the admission of Australasia into the Postal Union, on condition that Australasia receives adequate representation, and that the maritime transit-rates be not lowered without the consent of the countries maintainmg the seaservices." What was really meant by " adequate representation " was unfortunately left to be inferred :• but the intention w~as that the Colonies should be given three, or at least two, votes. The Agent-General for New Zealand was to have represented this colony at the Vienna Congress ; but he was prevented from pressure of important business. The representatives of the other colonies attended the Congress, and applied for the entry of Australasia into the Union, provided that the Colonies should have, at least, two votes. This, howeseE, was decidedly refused. The representatives then agreed that " Australasia will enter the Universal Postal Union on the conditions arranged with the. sub-committee on the 22nd May, 1891—namely : That the colonies in question be allowed a single separate voice at the Congresses, and in the affairs of the Union ; and that the transit-rates for sea conveyance remain unchanged until after the next quinquennial Congress." This announcement was received by the Congress with great enthusiasm, and, at the request of the President, the members rose en masse and welcomed the Colonies into the Union. It was considered no slight achievement to secure the adhesion of Australasia; and Dr. yon Stephan, Secretary of State for the Imperial German Post Office (and also President of the Vienna Congress) made reference to the event in a speech to the German Eeichstag, in the following terms : " On the Ist July, 1892 (the date from which the revised Convention of Vienna will come into force), the frontiers of all countries and continents throughout the inhabited globe will be effaced, and entire liberty of communication will be established, since Australia, the last division of the globe that was still outside the Postal Union, joined this alliance at the Congress of Vienna." The Universal Postal Union may be said to now practically comprise all the countries of the world of commercial importance except the British colonies and Dutch republics of South Africa; and of these Natal and. the South African Eepublic have just applied for admission, and the others, it is anticipated, will shortly follow their lead. The Union provides uniform definitions and conditions of transmission respecting the different classes of mail-matter, which are binding on all the countries within its circle for international exchanges. The postages throughout the territory of the Union are limited to between 2-Jd. and sd. for letters, Id. and ltd. for post-cards, and -|-d. and Id. per 2oz. for printed papers, commercial papers, and patterns and samples, with minima for the two latter of 2-|d. and 3d., and between Id. and lid. respectively, or their equivalents in the moneys of the country of origin. It will be observed that the international rates of postage now charged in the colony are the lowest under the Union for all classes of correspondence excepting post-cards, and for newspapers for the United Kingdom.

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The following table shows approximately the international postages levied in the colony immediately prior to and after its entrance into the Union : — Old Rates expiring on 30th September, 1891. Union Rates introduced from Per Joz. Ist October, 1891. United Kingdom via San Francisco and Direct lines ... ... ... 2-J-d. Letters i United Kingdom via Suez ... ... 6d. <•„■, . i addressed to I British colonies and foreign countries ( 6d., 7d., Bd., * . per foz (except Australia and South Sea-! 9d., Is., and [ Islands) ( Is. 2d. Post-cards ... ... ... 2d. per single card. ljd. per card. (reply cards, 3d.) Book and sample packets from Is. 4d. to 2s. Bd. per lb. ... 4d. per lb. /United Kingdom via San Francisco and \ Direct lines ... ... ... Id. per paper L Id. per paper. Newspapers j United Kingdom via Suez ... ... 2d. per paper I addressed to \ British colonies and foreign countries (except Australia") I and South Sea Islands), Id. per paper, and from:- i-d. per 2oz. \ Is. M. to 2s. Bd. per lb. J The adoption of Union rules for international correspondence has also led to important modifications in the inland tariff and conditions of transmission, all in the direction of further concessions to the public. Not only has the book and sample postage been reduced to half the previous rates (from Bd. to 4d. per lb.), but by the introduction of the commercial-paper and a liberal extension of the privileges under the printed-paper post, many articles formerly liable to letter-postage (ss. 4d. per lb.) are now admissible at printed or commercial-paper rates (4d. per lb.). The right of transit by the most expeditious routes is guaranteed throughout the entire territory of the Union, and all the postal communications maintained by the different countries for their own correspondence are available for the transmission of Union mail-matter at moderate transit-rates. The transit-charges payable by any country within the Union cannot exceed the following amounts: — For territorial transits, — Letters and post-cards ... 2 francs per kilo = B'7ld. per lb. Other articles ... ... 25 centimes per kilo = l-09d. per lb. For sea transits, — Letters and post-cards ... 15 francs per kilo = 65-31 d. per lb. Other articles ... ... 1 franc per kilo = 4'354d. per lb. The sea-transit rates are so regulated that their aggregate for the different classes of mailmatter cannot exceed the rates already mentioned. It was mainly due to the reduction of transitcharges formerly payable to the exceedingly moderate rates under the Convention (the rates now payable are in many cases barely one-four,th those formerly charged) that the department has been enabled to adopt the present low and uniform international tariff. Eedirected international articles are treated as correspondence exempt from transit costs, and can be sent to any part of the world without additional prepayment. And the abolition of redirec-tion-charges also applies to the delivery within the colony of all classes of correspondence. Unpaid and insufficiently-prepaid articles are charged on delivery double the deficiency at the prepaid rates in all the countries of the Union—superseding the varying, and, in many instances, anomalous practices of surcharging previously in force. Each Union country retains the postages collected within its territory, but defrays the whole cost of conveyance of its despatched mail - matter to destination. This reduces international accounts to a minimum. Moreover, the system of accounts based on actual results, which involves the weighing or counting' of all classes of correspondence for each destination at offices of despatch and receipt, is superseded by a simple system of triennial countings, extending over a period of four weeks, on the basis of which all transit costs are ascertained. The Union also provides one uniform, simple, and efficient check on the due receipt of mails at offices of destination by a system of numbering, as against other less efficient practices formerly in vogue. Acknowledgments of the due receipt of registered letters by addressees in any part of the Union may be obtained by the payment at posting of a fee of 2-J-d. In the case of loss of a registered letter an indemnity of 50 francs (£2) is payable to the sender, or, at his request, to the addressee. The necessary Legislative sanction to the application of this principle in this colony will shortly be sought. It may be observed that delegates from the different Union countries meet in conference quinquennially, and determine upon such amendments in the Convention and detailed regulations for its execution as experience in the interval may have suggested. Each of the Australasian Colonies is entitled to send a delegate to the Congress who may take part in the deliberations, but only one vote can be exercised by the combined Australasian Colonies. The last of these Conferences was held in Vienna, in May, June, and July, 1891. In addition to a number of alterations in the regulations, which mainly affect departmental questions, it decided upon important modifications in the printed-paper rules, in the direction of affording further concessions to the public, and these were introduced in the colony on the 19th July last. The full text of the Postal Union Convention and the detailed regulations for its execution will be found at page 29.

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POST OFFICE. The number of letters, post-cards, books and pattern-packets, and newspapers, delivered and posted during the year, compared with the number dealt with in 1890, was as under :— 1891. 1800. Increase. Letters—Delivered .. .. .. .. 23,867,402 22,416,268 Posted .. .. .. .. 23,745,462 21,501,937 47,612,864 43,917,200 3,693,664 Post-cards—Delivered .. .. .. .. 1,097,788 1,019,434 Posted .. .. .. .. 1,181,141 991,065 2,278,929 2,010,499 268,430 Books and Sample-packets—Delivered .. .. 3,342,781 2,838,329 Posted .. .. 3,827,980 3,320,801 7,170,761 6,159,130 1,011,631 Newspapers—Delivered .. .. .. .. 9,768,226 9,221,212 Posted .. .. .. .. 8,733,680 8,691,522 18,501,912 17,912,734 589,178 The letters increased 8-42, post-cards 13-35, books and sample-packets 16-42, and newspapers 3-29 per cent. The increase in 1890 was—Letters 3-82, post-cards 8-67, books and sample-packets 14-45, and newspapers 7-13 per cent. The average number of letters posted per head of population was estimated to be 3770; in 1890 the average was 34-37. The revenue for the financial year ended the 31st March last amounted to £209,894 7s. 4d., compared with £223,542 9s. 7d. for 1890-91, a decrease of £13,648 2s. 3d., which is to be attributed to the loss of postage from the reduction of the ocean letter-rate from 6d. to 2-Jd., and to the receipts from Foreign Post Offices in aid of the San Francisco and Direct mail-services, amounting to £15,697, having been transferred from revenue to the expenditure side of the account, and treated as a recovery in reduction of the vote for " Conveyance of mails by sea." The expenditure was £153,698 ss. 4d., compared with £158,205 10s. Bd. for the previous year, a decrease of £4,507 ss. 4d., notwithstanding that payments were closer up to the 31st March than formerly. The liabilities outstanding at the end of the year amounted to £7,787, compared with £12,013 for the previous year. The expenditure of the year was £56,196 2s. less than the revenue. The estimated value of the free correspondence was £63,579 16s. 4d. The total estimated business of the Post Office for the year was therefore £273,474 3s. Bd., leaving a balance of £119,775 18s. 4d. in favour of the department, after deducting the expenditure. The credit balance for 1890-91 was £132,810 16s. £1,521 7s. was collected for the registration of births, deaths, and marriages. For certificates issued in connection with inspection of machinery, £3,375 10s. 2d. was collected. Fees amounting to £11,344 Bs. under the Live-stock Acts were received. For game licenses the sum of £1,401 ss. was collected. The amount of property-tax paid, through the Post Office was £234,132 4s. 3d., representing 23,481 payments. Gratuities paid for the carriage of mails by unsubsidised vessels amounted to £7,171 4s. Bd. The fees received for 3,874 private boxes and 339 private bags amounted to £4,561 10s. The suburbs of Eiccarton and Collingwood, Christchurch, have been included in the lettercarrier's delivery. A daily delivery has been established at Kaitangata ; and the afternoon delivery at Kumara abolished. A weekly half-holiday is now enjoyed by letter-carriers, generally on Saturday afternoon, except where the business half-holiday is observed on some other day of the week. To minimise inconvenience to the public, the correspondence which would otherwise have been taken out by carrier in ordinary course is delivered at post-offices to such addressees as may call. Thirteen receiving-boxes were established- —one each at New Plymouth, Feilding, Greytown North, Wellington, Eeef ton, Eiccarton, Upper Eiccarton, Waitotara, Totara Flat, Christchurch, and Timaru, and two at Auckland. Five receiving-boxes were closed. The total number of pillar, wall, and lamp-post receivers at the close of the year was 314. 8,325,608 letters, 364,499 post-cards, 1,003,121 books, circulars, &c, and 2,183,833 newspapers were delivered by letter-carriers. On the completion of the railway between Palmerston and Napier, railway travelling postoffices were placed on the line. Fifty-five post-offices were established, five reopened, and sixteen closed during*the year, as Under:—

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Opened. Adair, Timaru. Kakahu Bush, Timaru. Rotoiti (reopened), Thames. Alfriston, Auckland. Kawhaka, Hokitika. Round Hill (reopened),lnvercargill. Alma, Oamaru. Khandallah, Wellington. Sandy Bay, Nelson. Annat, Christchurch. Mangakahia (reopened), Auckland. Scott's Gap, Invercargill. Atiamuri, Napier. Maori Bay, Blenheim. Seaward Downs, Invercargill. Awatuna, Wanganui. Maryville, New Plymouth. Seaward Moss, Invercargill. Awhitu Central, Auckland. Mataahu, Gisborne. Sockburn, Christchurch. Ballance, Wellington. Maud Island, Blenheim. South Norsewood, Napier. Barkley Village, Invercargill. Maunganui Bluff, Auckland. Taioma, Dunedin. Burnett's Face, Westport. Meremere, Wanganui. Tisbury, Invercargill. Bushside, Christchurch. Okoroire, Auckland. Tophouse, Nelson. Callaghan's, Hokitika. Opio, Invercargill. Upper Kuaotunu, Auckland. Castlecliff, Wanganui. Opitonui, Auckland. Utakura (reopened), Auckland. Claverley, Christchurch. Parawai, Thames. Wahanui, Napier. East Chatton, Invercargill. Pohangina, Wellington. Waikakaho, Blenheim. Egmont Village, New Plymouth. Pomahaka, Dunedin. Waikawa Valley, Invercargill. Eiffelton, Christchurch. Pongakawa, Thames. Waituna, Invercargill. Galatea (reopened), Auckland. Quarry Hills, Invercargill. Waituna West, Wellington. Hiwinui, Wellington. Ratapapa, Wanganui. Wendon, Invercargill. Homewood, Blenheim. Rewiti, Auckland. Wendon Valley, Invercargill. Closed. Awahou, Auckland. Opitonui, Auckland. Tahoraite, Napier. Big River, Greymouth. Port Pegasus, Invercargill. Te Mata, Auckland. Bishopdale, Nelson. Pourerere, Napier. Te Matuku, Auckland. Kawau, Auckland. Rodclifie, Timaru. Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. Kawhaka, Hokitika. Riccarton, Christchurch. Woodhill, Auckland. Omaha, Auckland.

The total number of post-offices open at the close of the year was 1,231. The designations of the following post-offices were changed :—Newtown to Wellington South, Ahuahu to Mataahu, Mangaone to Colyton, Bichardson to Stillwater, and Boatman's to Capleston. A Government Insurance Agency was opened at the Post Office, Makaretu. Twenty-three post-office agencies were closed. At the end of the year Government insurance business was transacted at 193 post-offices. Eighteen newspapers were registered for transmission by post, and five newspapers ceased to publish during the year. The total number of newspapers registered at the General Post Office at the close of the year was 235. Eighty-four magazines and trade catalogues were registered between the Ist January and the 30th September last, making a total of 456 of such articles registered for transmission by post. The Postal Union regulations now obviate the need for registration. The post-offices, Milford Sound, Big Bay, and Martin's Bay were transferred to the Invercargill District, and those at Awahou, Eotoiti, and Eotorua to the Auckland District. Under " The Mining Act, 1891," certain money-order offices have been appointed for the issue of miners' rights and business licenses. Payment of amounts contributed by mine-owners on the output of coal, for the credit of the Miners' Sick and Accident Fund and the Coal-miners' Belief Fund are now received at money-order offices situated nearest the coal-mines. The Post Office also undertakes the receipt and payment of Public Trust Office moneys at any money-order office. It may be of interest to mention that the debit and credit transactions of the Post Office for the year ended 31st December, 1891, exclusive of receipts and payments for other departments, were: Beceipts, £3,288,368 Is. 9d.; payments, £3,300,024 9s. Id., a total of £6,588,392 10s. 10d. For other departments the transactions were: Beceipts, £619,891 Bs. 9d. ; payments, divided as follows : £326,276 9s. 9d. to individual claimants and £282,304 10s. 3d. to Government Accounts, a total of £608,581—making in all £1,228,472 Bs. 9d. received and paid for other departments. The gross receipts and payments made through the Post Office for the year was, therefore, £7,816,864 19s. 7d. Postage-stamps of the United Kingdom have been kept for sale at the principal post-offices in the colony since 1873, and New South Wales and Victorian stamps have lately been added. New Zealand stamps can now be purchased at the General Post Offices, Sydney and Melbourne. The stamps are not for general remittance purposes. A 2Jd. postage-stamp has been engraved for the Post Office, Samoa. Postage-stamps to the order of the Post Office, Tonga, of the denominations of Id., 2d., 4d., Bd., and Is. have also been engraved. The Samoan stamp is already in circulation, and those for Tonga will be issued before the end of the year. The recently-formed Government of the Cook Island Federation contemplates issuing a set of engraved postage-stamps in lieu of ordinary printing-type stamps now in use. Its Post Office has already been officially recognised, and a direct exchange of postal matter with Great Britain, the United States, Germany, and the Australian Colonies, through this department, has been arranged. Paecel-post. There was a marked expansion of the parcel-post business during the year, more particularly in the case of inland parcels. Now that the advantages of the parcel-post are becoming better known, the Post Office is more generally availed of for the transmission and exchange of parcels of nearly every kind.

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The following table shows the total number and the weight of inland, intercolonial, United Kingdom, and foreign parcels posted during the years 1889, 1890, and 1891: —

The postage collected amounted to £8,267 3s. lid., compared with £6,822 9s. 7d. collected in 1890. The number of inland parcels posted was 157,465, compared with 117,613 in 1890. The increase in the number of inland parcels posted over the number posted in 1890 was no less than 39,852, or 3388 per cent., compared with an increase of 1516 per cent, in 1890 over 1889. The following table shows the number of parcels exchanged with the United Kingdom and foreign countries via London, and the Australian Colonies during the years 1890 and 1891: —

The declared value of the parcels received from places outside the colony was £23,385 13s. 7d. The Customs duty collected amounted to £3,835 3s. lid. In 1890 the declared value was £13,834, and the duty collected £2,375 19s. 3d. The declared value of the parcels despatched to places beyond the colony was £4,193 9s. lid. as against £3,831 in 1890. _ The rate for intercolonial parcels has been reduced to Bd. for the first pound and 6d. for each additional pound, in the place of Is. 2d. for the first two pounds and 7d. for every additional pound. An exchange of parcels has been arranged with Queensland. New South Wales is now the only Australian colony which has not an intercolonial parcel post. The parcel-post system has also been extended to a number of additional foreign countries, through the intermediary of the London Post Office.

Free Official Correspondence. The estimated value of the official or free correspondence for the year is given in the statement underneath:—

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ix

1889. 1890. 1891. Postal Districts. Number. Weight. I Number. Weight. Number. Weight. Auckland Thames New Plymouth Gisbome Napier Wanganui Wellington Nelson Westport Greymouth Hokitika Blenheim Christchurch .. Timaru Oamai'u Dunedin Inveroargill 19,468 1,199 878 ! 770 5,354 3,344 20,856 3,707 ; 868 1,630 1,182 ; 1,785 ; 17,370 1,760 854 20,303 3,138 lb. oz. 53,351 11 3,053 1J 2,341 14 1,969 0 13,802 2 j 7,862 8 J 55,910 9 11,013 18J 1,859 14 4,024 Hi 3,394 5" 4,008 15 48,403 14 3,807 1 1,873 14 57,366 11 7,722 12J 21,882 1,491 1,007 938 6,265 4,035 25,893 4,723 1,077 2,509 1,413 1,846 19,383 2,013 859 22,500 3,458 lb. oz. 57,912 10 3,661 8 2,674 3 2,570 6 17,075 14 9,503 8 74,544 2 13,370 7 2,332 4 6,243 13 3,924 5 4,357 11 58,708 4 4, 774 8 2,123 3 05,329 13 7,477 5 30,126 1,756 1,630 1,149 7,707 5,497 35,427 5,892 1,464 2,998 1,776 2,058 26,312 2,634 1,224 29,995 4,637 1b. oz. 74,503 8 4,269 12 3,745 13 2,990 10 20,917 7 12,528 12 106,175 0 15,366 2 3,268 6 7,252 12 4,622 7 5,128 15 74,162 2 5,431 6 2,577 11 79,783 0 9,911 8 Totals 281,766 13 121,292 336,643 12 162,282 432,635 3 104,5S6

Number of Parcels. Country. Eeco: :ved. Dospa: iohed. United Kingdom and Foreign Offices, via London ... Victoria South Australia Tasmania ... ... ... ... * 7i... Western Australia 1890. 13,491 1,426 71 45 2 1891. 17,115 1,649 113 76 14 1890. 2,693 751 88 128 19 1891. 3,253 1,176 107 250 31 Totals 15,035 18,967 3,679 4,817

Postal Districts. Letters. Books. Value. Postal Districts. Letters. Books. Value. Aucklana Thames New Plymouth .. Gisbome Napier Wanganui Wellington Nelson Westport Greymouth lb. oz. 23,606 9 2,401 2 4,433 10 1,379 7 3,322 5 6,949 8 106,350 2 3,023 12 1,680 0 1,682 8 lb. oz. 19,945 8 2,386 0 6,100 0 3,990 0 7,170 0 7,914 0 209,900 0 1,2G0 0 890 0 7,750 0 £ s. a. 5,943 16 9 713 11 9 1,886 2 2 563 3 8 1,125 3 0 2,101 1 5 39,280 4 1 845 2 4 477 16 4 572 13 4 Hokitika Blenheim Christehuroh .. Timaru Oaraaru Duncdin Invercargill lb. oz. 1,560 0 3,237 15 7,899 15 5,753 8 2,097 0 9,056 10 2,619 15 lb. oz. 342 0 8,569 0 31,188 10 3,627 0 1,983 0 7,402 8 2,501 14 £, s. a. 427 9 8 1,119 15 8 #,841 5 2 1,628 17 11 619 1 10 2,636 14 4 797 16 11 Totals 187,053 14 322,925 C. 63,579 16 4

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The estimated weight was over 227 tons. The estimated value of the free correspondence for 1890 was £67,473 17s. Id.

Registered Letters. The number of registered letters dealt with in 1891, compared with the numbers in 1885, 1888, and 1890, is shown below: —

The registered-letter fee was reduced from 6d. to 3d. in 1889.

Dead Letters. The number of unclaimed letters received and disposed of during the under-mentioned years is shown in the following table: —

The unclaimed letters dealt with show a decrease of 528 per cent., compared with the number disposed of the previous year. The proportion of dead or unclaimed letters to the total number of letters posted in the colony was 0-37 per cent. The number of missing-letter inquiries to the total number of letters posted was in the proportion of 1 to 17,358. 37,099 book-packets and circulars were returned to foreign countries, 11,161 were returned to the senders through the Dead Letter Office, 5 were reissued, and 13,502 were returned by Chief Postmasters : a total of 61,767 book-packets and circulars, against 64,903 in 1890. 1,668 newspapers were returned to the publishers as unclaimed. The under-mentioned articles of value were found enclosed in letters opened in the Dead Letter Office, and returned to the senders where practicable : — £ s. d. 160 post-office orders ... ... ... ... 451 5 6 39 bank drafts ... ... ... ... ... 4,624 9 7 112 cheques ... ... ... ... ... 825 3 2 1 dividend warrant ... ... ... ... 400 14 promissory notes ... ... ... ... 396 19 3 Postal-notes ... ... ... ... ... 43 18 6 Stamps ... ... ... ... ... 16 6 8 Bank-notes ... ... ... ... ... 139 0 0 Gold ... ... ... ... ... ... * 9 0 0 Silver and copper ... ... ... ... ... 21510 Eepresenting a total of ... ... ... £6,512 18 6

1885. 1888. 1890. 1891. Postal Districts. Pla°ces Ee § is - Colony. Colo "yTotals. From Places beyond the Colony. Registered in the Colony. 'Totals. From Places beyond the Colony. Eegistered in the Colony. Totals. From Places beyond the Colony. Begistered in the Colony. Totals. Auckland Thames .. New Plymouth Gisborne .. Napier Wanganui Wellington Nelson Westport .. Greymouth Hokitika .. Blenheim Christelmrch Tiinaru Oamaru .. Dunedin .. Invercargill 5,890 205 675 108 892 283 4,757 559 45 125 173 181 3,717 440 310 5,645 1,614 22,124 2,879 2,876 922 5,453 4,500 19,218 2,432 1,438 2,835 1,907 1,413 13,678 3,153 1,947 12,737 6,661 28,014 3,084 3,551 1,030 6,345 4,783 23,975 2,991 1,483 2,960 2,080 1,594 17,395 3,593 2,263 18,382 8,275 7,485 169 331 106 1,008 207 5,138 367 73 157 190 159 4,161 451 353 4,498 1,445 25,205 2,729 2,544 1,513 6,690 3,988 23,036 2,592 2,492 6.25S 2,331 1,808 16,250 2,757 2,230 13,679 7,915 32,690 2,898 2,875 1,619 7,698 4,195 28,174 2,959 2,565 6,415 2,521 1,967 20,411 3,208 2,583 18,177 9,360 7,119 130 I 341 ! 118 999 211 6,129 322 112 I 102 I 95 J 92 I 3,659 312 278 4,615 1,740 34,398 4,781 3,372 2,120 10,911 6,060 30,369 3,430 3,254 8,879 2,579 3,193 20,404 3,551 2,505 19,696 9,819 41,517 4,911 3,713 2,238 11,910 6,271 36,498 3,752 3,366 8,981 2,674 3,285 24,063 3,863 2,783 24,311 11,559 7,797 165 381 132 1,053 306 7,492 392 90 235 76 125 4,292 380 293 4,782 2,031 40,807 4,552 3,953 2,428 12,627 7,030 36,491 4,314 3,434 10,436 2,624 3,262 21,956 3,740 2,048 19,762 10,708 48,604 4,717 4,334 2,560 13,680 7,336 43,983 4,706 3,524 10,671 2,700 3,387 20,248 4,120 2,341 24,544 12,739 Totals 25,625 106,173 131,798 26,298 124,017 150,315 26,374 i 169,321 195,695 30,022 190,172 220,194

Manner of Disposal. 1882. 1883. 1884. 1885. 3886. 1887. 1888. 1889. 1800. 1891. I 66,729 62,847 8,359 ! 7,287 251 ; 96 6,600 J 5,974 i Ipened and returned to the writers teturned unopened to other countries leissued )estroyed leturned unopened by Chief Postmasters .. 53,507 8,539 54 6,189 69,452 8,143 67 3,302 68,942 9,134 3,986 66,592 8,115 185 2,872 55,118 6,892 88 5,246 62,654 60,540 6,220 7,779 92 141 4,340 2,660 60,245 C,930 158 2,090 14,378 15,833 17,593 19,187 21,144 j 20,185 19,963 21,164 j 21,931 18,713 Totals 82,667 96,797 99,762 96,951 103,033 ! 96,389 87,307 94,470 i 93,051 88,136 i

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In addition, 1 aneroid barometer, 1 gold watch and chain, 1 silver watch and chain, 2 silver watches, 1 gold chain and pendants, 1 gold pendant (maltese cross), 1 gold chain, 3 gold rings, 1 gold brooch with pearl, 1 gold brooch, 1 silver brooch, 1 ladies' silver bracelet, gold horseshoe scarf-pin, ■J-dwt. of gold, 1 silver-handled pocket-knife, 1 pair of spectacles, 1 passage ticket (Westport to Wellington) were received. 896 unclaimed registered letters were dealt with. 1,223 newspapers and 515 books and other articles without addresses were received, a considerable number of which were subsequently applied for and delivered. 214 letters were posted without addresses. 12 letters with libellous addresses were intercepted. 481 letters were either wholly, imperfectly, or wrongly addressed. 4,587 letters were refused by the addressees. 21 letters were posted with previously-used stamps. Buildings. The determination to erect a separate office at Invercargill was set aside in favour of adding the wing to the block of Government buildings, as originally intended, for the requirements of the Post Office and Telegraph. The addition will provide ample accommodation for both branches of the department. The public office for Post Office and Telegraph is on the ground-floor, where there is provision also for the mail-room and other offices needed for the Post Office. The operating and Telephone Exchange rooms are on the first floor, convenient means of communication from one floor to the other being, of course, provided. The addition of a tower for a four-dial illuminating clock has been decided upon. The tower will add decidedly to the appearance of the building. The alterations and additions to the Christchurch Chief Post Office are in hand, and will be completed in a few weeks. The intention to enlarge the interior accommodation of the Chief Post Office, Dunedin, which involved the acquiring of the offices occupied by the Stamp and Registry of Deeds Offices, has for the present been deferred. A rearrangement of the mail-room space has, in the meantime, been made, but as a makeshift only. A new office, in brick, is being erected at Waimate; and a small building at Fortrose, for the accommodation of the Post Office and Telephone, is nearly completed. The following are some of the more important additions, alterations, or repairs effected during the year: Thames, alterations and additions, providing for accommodation for a telephone exchange; Lower Hutt, repairs to roof, additions, &c.; Greymouth, improving drainage; Onehunga, repairs, and renewing fence; Hamilton, repairs to roof, and painting; Naseby, repairs and fencing; Havelock, repairs to residence ; Kamo, repairs ; Kaitangata, repairs, erection of post-and-wire fence, &c.; Bulls, painting, and covering lobby-roof with iron; Oamaru, repairs and painting ; Newton, repairs and painting; Lawrence, renovating ; Charleston, additions, and repairs to residence; Kumara, repairs and drainage-works; Wakapuaka, repapering quarters and erecting woodshed ; Warkworth, re-roofing with iron and erecting a lean-to ; Eoxton, painting ; Mongonui, painting; Port Chalmers, renovating; Westport, general repairs to office and quarters; Castle Point, repairs and repapering; Dargaville, rMftting; Eawene, painting; St. Bathan's, repairs, repapering, and painting; Milton, repairs; Opotiki, painting; Waipu, covering residence with iron; Kaikoura, painting; Christchurch, relaying floor of operating-room, and new workshop ; Tenui, addition of a lean-to; Woodville, alterations and additions to residence ; Dunedin, alterations Telephone Exchange, and fittings Chief Post Office; Hunterville, additions; Blackstone Hill, repairs ; Helensville, repairs, Taupo, alterations; Queenstown, repairs to quarters; Napier, alterations and painting; General Post Office, alterations. The increase of business at Ashburton has outgrown the accommodation. Plans are being prepared providing for enlarging and adapting the present office so as to better meet requirements. Inland Mail-sebvices. The following are the particulars of the several inland mail-services in operation during the year : — Performed by coach and mail-cart... ... ... ... ... 212 Performed on horseback ... ... ... ... ... ... 290 Performed on foot ... ... ... ... ... ... 53 Performed by water ... ... ... ... ... ... 41 Performed by rail way ... ... ... ... ... ... 78 Total number of services ... ... ... 674 Aggregate mileage ... ... ... ... ... 11,139 Total number of miles travelled ... ... ... ... 3,945,654 Cost to the department ... ... ... ... ... £27,301 15s. 9d. Average cost per mile .. ... ... ... ... l'66d. The total cost in 1890 was ... ... ... ... £26,174 7s. 10d. And the cost per mile ... ... ... ... .., l-62d. The following services were established during the year:— Twice weekly between Lichfield and Taupo (during tourist season only). Weekly between Hunterville, Otaera, Paraekaretu, Turakina Junction, Fordell Eoad, and Mangahao Valley. Thrice weekly between Willowby and Eiffelton,.

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Weekly between Hawkeswood and Claverley. Thrice weekly between Otipua and Adair. Twice weekly between Hilton and Kakahu Bush. Weekly between Pembroke and Lake Pukaki (during tourist season only). Twice weekly between Opio and Nightcaps. Monthly between Invercargill and Milford Sound via Coal Island (for six months only). Weekly between Otautau and Scott's Gap. Weekly between Aponga and Mangakahia. Weekly between Opunake and Matmganui Bluff. Weekly between Whangapoua Junction and Opitonui. Weekly between Cricklewood and Wahanui. Twice weekly between Colac Bay and Bound Hill. Weekly between Eotorua and Eotoiti (re-established). Twice weekly between Hawera and Meremere. Twice weekly between Mangamahu and Eatapapa. Thrice weekly between Ashurst and Pohangina. Twice weekly between Mangahao and Ballance. Weekly steam service between Auckland and Great Barrier Island, from Ist October to 31st May ; fortnightly from Ist June to 30th September, 1891-92. Weekly between Belgrove and Tophouse. Twice weekly between Wendon Valley and Waikaka. Twice weekly between Kuaotunu and Upper Kuaotunu. Thrice weekly between Awhitu and Awhitu Central. Weekly between Eotorua and Galatea (via Scott's Bungalow). Weekly between Takahue and Broadwood. Thrice weekly between. Frankton Junction, Hamilton, and Kirikiriroa. Twice weekly between New Plymouth and Bgmont Village. Fortnightly by steamer between Wellington and Havelock, via Homewood, Ketu Bay, Maori Bay, and Maude Island. Twice weekly between Dunedin and Taioma. Weekly between Pembroke and Lake Pukaki, from 7th December, 1891, to 30th April, 1892. Twice weekly between Eiversdale and Wendon. The frequency of the following services was increased : — Thrice, instead of twice, weekly between Woodville and Kumeroa. Daily, instead of twice; weekly between Maraekakaho and Hastings. Daily, instead of thrice, weekly between Westport and Eeefton. Thrice, instead of twice, weekly between Nelson, Wakapuaka, Havelock, and Blenheim. Daily, instead of thrice, weekly between Christchurch and Greenpark. Daily, instead of thrice, weekly between Onehunga, Mangare, and Mangare Bridge. Daily, instead of thrice, weekly between Thames and Kirikiri. Four, instead of three, mails weekly between Wanganui and Alton. Thrice, instead of twice, weekly between Fairfield and Saddle Hill. Four, instead of three, mails weekly between Dunedin and Naseby. Twice, instead of once, daily between Stirling and Balclutha. Thrice, instead of twice, weekly between Dunedin and Berwick. Twice, instead of once, weekly between Maungatua and Woodside. Four, instead of three, mails weekly between Dunedin and Middlemaroh. Four, instead of three, mails weekly between Lawrence and Queenstown (during summer months only). Eoss-Okarito service extended to Gillespie's Beach. Nelson-Greymouth service now performed in two instead of three days. Westport and Greymouth coach service now performed in one day. The frequency of the following services was reduced : — Thrice weekly, instead of daily, between Greymouth and Marsden. Twice, instead of thrice, weekly between Kokiri and Arnold. Thrice weekly, instead of daily, between Greymouth and Paroa. Twice, instead of thrice, weekly between Greymouth and Blackwater. Weekly, instead of twice weekly, between Hokitika and Fox's. Weekly, instead of twice weekly, between Picton and Endeavour Inlet. Thrice weekly, instead of daily, between Greymouth and Mawheraiti. The following services were abolished : — Coromandel and Kennedy's Bay. Te Kuiti and Poroaterao. Whangapoua and Opitonui. Money Oedbes. Eleven money-order offices were opened during the year, namely, Babylon, Dunback, Eltham, Fowlers, Hinds, Kaimata, Kuaotunu, Makaretu, Totara Flat, W T aipiro Bay, Wellsford. The total number of money-order offices open at the end of the year was 322. 195,239 money-orders, for £651,989 19s. 6d. were issued, compared with 1?6,427 orders for £602,077 Is. lid. issued in 1890, an increase of 18,812 orders for £49,912 17s. 7d. The number of money-orders paid was 160,279, for £582,661 16s. 7d., compared with 151,286, for £547,308 9s. 3d. paid in 1890 ; an increase of 8,993 orders, amounting to £35,353 7s. 4d. The money-orders issued on the Australian Colonies, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada, and also on foreign countries through the medium of the London Post

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Office, numbered 56,684, for sums amounting in all to £147,155 2s. 9d. 21,514 money-orders, for £77,219 3s. 6d. from places beyond New Zealand, were paid. The balance against the colony on foreign money-order account was therefore £69,935 19s. 3d. In 1890 the balance against the colony was £53,243 19s. sd. 18,800 telegraph money-orders, for £62,407 6s. 5d., were issued, compared with 18,468, for £60,869 9s. 3d., issued in 1890. The money-order commission received for the year amounted to £9,649 14s. 9d. In 1890 the amount was £8,823 10s. A direct exchange of money-orders between New Zealand, Hongkong, and Cape Colony respectively has been established. Formerly, orders drawn on these countries were transmitted through the London Office. Prom the Ist May last the maximum amount for which a single money-order may be issued in New Zealand for payment in the colony, Australia, or Tasmania, was raised from £10 to £20 ; a change made reciprocal with Australia and Tasmania. The rates of commission were fixed at, — Inland. s. d. For sums not exceeding £5 ... ... ... ... ... 0 6 Exceeding £5, but not exceeding £10 ... ... ... ... 1 0 Exceeding £10, but not exceeding £15 ... ... ... ... 1 6 Exceeding £15, but not exceeding £20 ~. ... ... ... 2 0 Intercolonial. For sums not exceeding £2 ... ... ... ... ... 0 6 For sums exceeding £2, but not exceeding £5 ... ... ... 1 0 Exceeding £5, but not exceeding £7 ... ... ... ... 1 6 Exceeding £7, but not exceeding £10 ... ... ... ... 2 0 Exceeding £10, but not exceeding £12 ... ... ... ... 2 6 Exceeding £12, but not exceeding £15 ... ... ... ... 3 0 Exceeding £15, but not exceeding £17 ... ... ... ... 3 6 Exceeding £17, but not exceeding £20 ... ... ... ... 4 0 The maximum amount of a telegraph money-order, issued in the colony for payment within the colony, was also raised to £20, and the commission reduced from 4d. to 3d. for each pound or fraction of a pound. The fee of Is. for telegraphing each order was not changed. Postal Notes. The postal-note business continues to increase at a satisfactory rate. 214,334 postal-notes, of the value of £78,808 10s. 1-J-d., were sold during the year, compared with 184,599 notes, for £69,461 19s. 7d., sold in 1890—an increase of 29,735 in number, and £9,346 10s. 6-Jd. in amount. The postal-notes paid numbered 212,645, for £76,865 Is. 6d. The commission amounted to £1,518 os. 1-Jd., an increase of £190 19s. 6Jd. over the amount received in 1890. From the 21st September last the currency of all postal-notes was extended from four to twelve months. • y~j Savings-banks. Fifteen savings-bank offices were opened—namely, Babylon, Dunback, Eltham, Fowler's, Hinds, Hunterville, Kaimata, Kuaotunu, Makaretu, Middiemarch, Nenthorn, Norsewood, Totara Flat, Waipiro Bay, Wellsford. The number of post-offices open for the transmission of savings-bank business at the end of 1891 was 311. The number of new accounts opened was 25,131, compared with 23,719 opened in 1890—an increase of 1,412. 17,872 accounts were closed, compared with 17,256 closed in 1890—an increase of 616. The total number of post-office savings-bank accounts open on the 31st December, 1891, with classified balances, and the number open at the end of 1890, are given in the table below : —

xiii

Postal District Not exceeding £20. Exceeding £20 and up to £50. Exceeding £50 and up to £100. Exceeding £100 and .up to £200. Exceeding .£200 and up to £300. Exceeding £300 and up to £400. Exceeding £400 and up to £500. H.S Total. Auckland Blenheim 3hristchurch Dunedin 3-isborne 3-reymouth Bokitika [nvereargill Napier (Sfclson Slew Plymouth.. Damaru Thames rimaru Wanganui Wellington Westport 9,137 1,881 15,482 12,521 784 1,616 709 2,977 3,597 2,575 1,716 1,310 2,289 2,370 3,448 12,729 936 1,336 253 2,798 1,917 119 225 128 532 562 330 301 223 314 391 551 3,010 167 792 157 1,549 1,092 73 167 93 319 367 230 191 180 174 246 310 1,467 97 759 107 989 802 56 124 57 207 253 182 118 119 140 174 192 809 82 276 38 291 279 10 24 14 64 75 58 40 24 41 48 80 200 18 80 16 104 71 6 10 0 10 18 15 9 6 13 9 15 95 6 46 6 36 37 2 3 4 6 8 13 10 8 6 7 15 50 4 30 3 38 25 1 4 4 6 2 2 1 5 'J 12 25 2 12,456 2,461 21,287 16,744 1,051 2,173 1,011 4,119 4,886 3,405 2,387 1,871 2,982 3,254 4,623 18,445 1,312 Totals, 1891 76,077 13,157 7,504 5,170 1,640 489 261 169 104,467 Totals, 1890 71,116 12,160 6,839 4,750 1,502 4G1 21S 162 97,208

F.—l

The number of accounts with balances not exceeding £20 increased by 4,961; with balances not exceeding £200 by 7,043 ; and with balances over £200 by 216. 104,467 accounts remained open at the end of the year. The proportion of accounts to the population was as lis to 6-07. The proportion in 1890 was Ito 6-44. 176,971 deposits for £1,842,987 15s. 2d. were made during the year—an increase of 14,033 in number, and £184,444 11s. 9d. in amount, on the deposits of 1890. The average amount of each deposit was £10 Bs. 3d., compared with £10 3s. 6d. in 1890. The withdrawals numbered 111,603, and amounted to £1,693,515 9s. 3d., being an increase over those of 1890 of 4,735 in number, and 19s. 10d. in amount. The average amount of each withdrawal was £15 3s. 5d., as against £14 os. 9d. in 1890. The amount of deposits for the year exceeded the amount of withdrawals by £149,472 ss. lid. The excess of deposits in 1890 was £158,105 14s. Depositors were credited with interest for the year to the amount of £104,098 175., compared with £92,319 os. 6d. in 1890. The total amount of interest credited to depositors since the establishing of the Post Office Savings Banks in 1867 has been £1,043,813 17s. Bd. The total amount of deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank at the end of 1891 was £2,695,447 Us. 6d., this being equal to £4 ss. per head of the population, compared with £3 17s. lid. in 1890. The average cost of each savings-bank transaction, deposit or withdrawal, for the year was 4-16 d., and for the period of the existence of the Post Office Savings Banks 4-99 d. The number of accounts opened during 1891 by means of stamps affixed to cards, the total number of such accounts open, and the amount at credit, on the 31st December last, may be gathered from the following table : — No. of Accounts No. of Accounts Amount at Credit Postal District. ■ opened open at of all during Year. close of Year. open Accounts. £ s. d. Auckland ... ... 33 ... 133 ... 82 6 6 Blenheim ... ... 8 ... 104 ... 122 10 11 Christchurch ... ... 13 ... 587 ... 634 15 5 Dunedin ... ... 19 ... 369 ... 124 8 2 Gisborne ... ... 5 ... 15 ... 1 15 6 Greymouth ... ... 9 ... 914 6 Hokitika ... ... 2 ... 0 14 0 Invercargill ... ... 24 ... 11 19 0 Napier ... ... 68 ... 41 3 7 Nelson ... ... 15 ... 335 ... 736 2 8 New Plymouth... ... 96 ... 24 8 0 Oamaru ... ... 68 ...• 210 2 5 Thames ... ... 2 ... 118 ... 145 3 9 Timaru ... ... 14 ... 131 ... 147 8 5 Wanganui ... ... *«2 ... 43 ... 7588 Wellington ... ... 8 ... 185 ... 76 3 7 Westport ... ... 14 ... 7 2 3 Totals, 1891 ... 119 ... 2,301 ... £2,451 7 4 Totals, 1890 ... 124 ... 2,328 ... £2,473 10 10 Mail Steam-sebvicer. The renewal of the San Francisco and Direct mail-services for a period of three years was approved by the House of Representatives last session, when the following resolutions , were adopted: — "Mail-service Resolutions (agreed to by the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, 15th September, 1891). " Besolved —1. That, in the opinion of this House, a two-weekly mail-service should be maintained between New Zealand and Great Britain. " 2. That, in the event of the Imperial Post Office agreeing to extend the present agreement for the apportionment of the cost of the San Francisco and Direct mail-services between that office and the colony, or any favourable variation thereof, this House empowers the Government to arrange with the present contractors for the renewal of the San Francisco and Direct services for a period not exceeding three years, on the following conditions :— (•t.) That the basis of payment shall be a rate of 11s. per pound on the net weight of the letters conveyed (excluding those from America by the San Francisco service). (b.) That all payments or contributions from Great Britain and other countries shall be receivable by the contractors. (c.) That the colony's direct liability to be for payment of its outward letters only. (d.) That at least one New Zealand steamer in three shall be employed in the San Francisco service. (c.) That the time between San Francisco and New Zealand shall not exceed twenty days ; the port of call in the colony to be Auckland or Wellington, at the option of the. contractors.

xiv

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(/.) That the time between New Zealand and Plymouth shall not exceed forty-two days homeward, and forty-five days outward, the contractors to be at liberty to arrive at and depart from any New Zealand port. (g.) No bonus to be paid for early arrival, and penalties at the rate of £4 an hour to be enforced only when late delivery exceeds forty-eight hours. (h.) That all the provisions of the existing agreements, where not at variance with any of the foregoing conditions, shall be applicable to any new contract or contracts made under this authority. " 3. That, in the event of it being impracticable to renew the four-weekly Direct service on the foregoing terms, then the Government to make temporary provision for the alternate fortnightly mail being sent by Direct steamer, at the ordinary ship-letter gratuity, or by the Federal packets, on such terms as it may be possible to arrange with the contracting colonies. "4. That this House also authorises the reduction of the Brindisi-Naples letter-postage to the universal rate of per half-ounce, and the rates for books and newspapers being assimilated to the rates via San Francisco and by Direct steamers." The New Zealand Shipping Company, however, refused to renew the Direct service under the amended conditions, or even on the then existing terms, but offered—(l) To continue the service for one year for £16,000 ; or (2) convey the London mails from Plymouth to the colony in fifty days (in the place of forty-five days), for lis. per pound for the letter portion of the mails, but with the proviso that the minimum payment should not be less than £8,000. The offers were declined. Negotiations were then begun for securing an alternate fortnightly service via Australia by the Federal packets, and the Union Steamship Company was invited to send in an offer for a regular connecting service between the Bluff and Melbourne, once every four weeks each way. In the meanwhile the San Francisco mail contractors agreed to renew the service on the terms approved by the House of Eepresentatives. It was impracticable, however, for the department to arrange for a renewal for more than twelve months, as the Imperial Government declined to definitely commit itself to the service for a longer term, in order, it is presumed, that it might be free, when the time arrived, to support a Canadian-Pacific service. But, in continuing to contribute to the cost of the San Francisco service to the extent of 12s. per pound on their letter mails, the Imperial authorities stipulated that the colony, besides defraying the transit-charges from San Francisco to New York of the homeward mails, should bear the cost of the Atlantic conveyance as well—in fact become responsible for the cost of the through services from Auckland to Great Britain. Under the previous arrangement the London Post Office provided the Atlantic service both ways. The United States territorial transit-rates of 2s. 3_d. per pound for letters, and B_d. per pound for other articles, are levied under a special agreement made in 1876 between the Imperial and the United States Governments. The railway mail-service between San Francisco and New York, which is about 3,210 miles in length, is recognised under the Postal Union as an " extraordinary " service, for which special transit-rates may be charged. (The Postal Union ordinary territorial transitrates are 8 r 7 od. per pound for letters, and per pound for other articles.) The rates for Atlantic transit are approximately Is. 9fd. per pound for letters, and 2|d. per pound for other articles. It is estimated that the colony will have to pay_about £6,000 on account of these transit-charges for the current year. Application has been made to the London and United States Post Offices to reduce the United States territorial transit-rates, which it is hoped may be complied with. The Postmaster-General of the United States has expressed himself strongly in this direction, and has recommended Congress to agree to a reduction. The negotiations with the Union Steamship Company were without result. The department failed to secure an intercolonial service providing for close connection with the Federal packets at Melbourne. The company was unable to provide the service required without disorganising its intercolonial trade, and this it was not prepared to do, except for such, a payment as the department probably would not be disposed to give. The ordinary intercolonial steamers had therefore to be utilised for the conveyance of the Federal mails to and from Australia. Homeward mails are also forwarded regularly by the passenger-boats of the Shaw-Savill-Albion Company's Direct line (the same vessels which performed the Homeward contract service), which leave the colony about a week after the arrival of the mails vid San Francisco. This despatch, with that by the steamer leaving the Bluff for Melbourne the day after the departure of the Direct boat, admits of replies from all the principal centres being sent to letters received by the San Francisco mail arriving in Auckland the previous week. The mails by the Direct steamer and the Federal packet on the average reach London in about 44 days ; the deliveries there being from about eight to ten days prior to the due elate of arrival of the succeeding mail vid San Francisco despatched from Auckland about three weeks later. Specially-addressed correspondence is also forwarded from the colony by every opportunity for transmission by the succeeding weekly Federal mails, and also by other direct steamers. Under the contract service for last year the Homeward Direct mails were despatched from the colony nine days after the due date of arrival of the San Francisco mail at Auckland, and were due in London eleven days in advance of the mail vid San Francisco, despatched from Auckland 21 days later; the contract times of transit being : Direct, 42 days, and San Francisco, 32 days, respectively. Mails from the United Kingdom for the colony are now forwarded in the foll#wing manner; Correspondence posted during the first and second weeks immediately succeeding the departure of the mails vid San Francisco is sent via Brindisi and Naples respectively, and the third and fourth weeks' collection held for the next despatch vid San Francisco, unless addressed to be sent by some other route. The principal mails by the Federal line, on the average, are delivered in the colony in 43 days.

XV

F.—l.

The absence of an intercolonial service with fixed dates, providing for prompt connection with the Federal packets, minimises the advantages to the colony of the Brindisi-Naples route as an alternate mail-line ; but, under present circumstances, this is unavoidable. '•fDvinNo tenders were received for a fast fortnightly San Francisco service—in response to the invitation of the Postmaster-General of the United States—owing, it is alleged, to the fact that the proposed subsidy and the general conditions were not considered sufficiently liberal by shipowners. The San Francisco and Direct services continued to be performed with the customary regularity. Where there were late deliveries of mails, the causes in the majority of instances were attributable to circumstances the contractors could not provide against. Now that the Direct steamers are no longer under contract, it will not be out of place to state that the service was carried out with marked regularity and to the satisfaction of the Post Office. The several contracts extended over a period of seven years; and it is not too much to assert that few mail-services have been performed more creditably, or with less friction between contractors and the Post Office. Forty bags of newspapers and books for New Zealand —a portion of the mails of the 21st of January last from the Gnited Kingdom—were received on the " Alameda," at San Francisco, damaged by sea-water. The bags were at once dried, and the mail-agent was able to distribute the contents of 27 bags ; the contents of the other 13 bags, comprising about 2,575 newspapers and 547 books, were sent to the Dead-letter Office as undeliverable. There, the addresses of 350 newspapers, &c, were deciphered and the articles delivered; and out of 115 inquiries 85 were satisfied. About five sackfuls were found to be almost reduced to pulp. It was ascertained that the damage occurred on the " Majestic" while crossing the Atlantic, through the sea-water pouring in through one of her ports, damaged, it was supposed, by floating wreckage. The average time within which mails were delivered by the San Francisco service was : From Auckland to London, 32-75 days, compared with 35 days in 1890 ; and from London to Auckland, 35, against 35-69 the previous year. The shortest delivery was made in 32 days. By the Direct service (12 voyages each way) the average time homeward was 4283 days (from Lyttelton), against 41-69 in 1890 ; and inward 45-92 days, compared with 46-15 days in 1890. The shortest delivery homeward was in 40 days, and inward 44 days. The maximum, minimum, and average number of days within which the mails were delivered at and from London and Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, and Bluff during 1891 by the Peninsular and Oriental and Orient lines, and by the San Francisco and Direct contract services, were: — Sail Francisco Sol-vice. I*B,o*1* 8,0 * P - aud °- Line - Orient Line. Lcmcion to Auckland .. .. 48 33 35-00 .. 50 47 48-25 .. 48 39 43-61 .. 53 39 42-19 Auckland to London .. .. 34 32 32-75 .. 51 42 44-92 .. 47 40 43-55 .. 42 38 39-67 London to Wellington .. 50 34 36-92 .. 47 44 45-92 .. 51 38 44-92 .. 52 39 43-96 Wellington to London .. 38 34 34-92 .. 50 40 4300 .. 47 39 43-91 .. 46 38 42-50 London to Dunodin .. .. 52 36 38-54 .. 49 46 47-50 .. 49 39 44-13 .. 47 39 44-48 Dunedin to London .. .. 39 35 35-92 .. 50 41 4333 .. 49 40 44-83 .. 47 40 44-23 London to Bluff .. .. 53 37 39-29 .. 50 47 48-25 .. 48 38 43-38 .. 46 38 4373 Bluff to London .. .. 40 36 36-07 .. 51 42 44-08 .. 48 39 44-08 .. 46 39 43-48 Beceipts and Payments on account of the San Francisco, Direct Contract, Peninsular and Oriental, and Orient Mail-services for the Year 1891. San Francisco Service. Dβ. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Payments by weight— On mails from New Zealand ... 7,201 2 11 On mails from the United Kingdom ... ... ... 5,533 6 3 On mails from the Australian Colonies, Fiji, &c. ... ...6,136 9 2 — 18,870 18 4 Interprovincial service, Mail Agents, &o. ... 3,416 6 6 Transit costs, San Francisco to New York ... 4,148 0 0 New York to Queenstown (two mails only) ... 271 14 0 26,706 18 10 Cβ. Postages collected in the colony ... ... 9,856 15 0 Postages from London ... .. ... 5,533 6 3 Contributions from non-contracting colonies ... 6,136 9 2 Payments by Dnion Company, half transit costs, San Francisco to New York (11 mails) ... 1,725 16 6 ■ 23,252 6 11 Net loss to the colony ... ... ..< £3,454 1111 387,332 letters, 166,101 books, and 721,600 newspapers were received from, and 449,840 letters, 59,509 books, and 361,361 newspapers despatched to, the United Kingdom via San Fmncisco. The letters received from the United Kingdom increased 28-15 per cent,, and those despatched to that country 16-18 per cent., over the numbers forwarded in 1890.

xvi

F.—l

It will be observed that the service shows a loss, instead of a profit, as was the case in 1889 and 1890. This is due to the reduction in the letter-postage from 6d. to 2|-d. per half-ounce, and to the department having to bear half-cost of the transit-charges of the Homeward mails from San Francisco to New York, and full cost (two mails) for Atlantic carriage. The actual payment earned by the contractors for the conveyance of the colony's mails from Auckland to San Francisco (at the rate of 12s. per pound for the letter portion of the mails for eleven voyages, and 11s. for two voyages), was £7.201 2s. lid., but, as the contractors were liable for half the cost of the American territorial transit-charges, the net payment received by them was £5,475 6s. sd. The postages collected in the colony amounted to £2,856 155., so that there was a balance of £4,381 Bs. 7d. to be set against the transit-charges, which was sufficient to cover these with the exception of £38 ss. sd. This latter sum, added to the cost set down for interprovincial service, mail agents, &c, make up the loss of £3,454 lie. lid. on the service for the year, as shown by the statement above. The effect of the reduction of the ocean letter-rate from 6d. to per half-ounce is shown by the fact that, while the Homeward letters for the United Kingdom by the San Francisco service in 1891 increased 1618 per cent., the postage collected showed a reduction of 51"59 per cent., compared with the figures for 1890. To New South Wales, the reduction in the letter-rate resulted last year in an increase of 28 per cent, in the number of letters, but a decrease of 46 per cent, in the postage receipts. The reduction had also the effect of increasing that colony's loss on the Federal service, from £564 in 1890 to .£13,729 in 1891. Victoria, for 1890, was able to show a profit of £3,891 on the Federal service, but for 1891 there was a loss of £7,853. The Federal weekly service, it may be stated, is subsidised at a cost of £170,000 per annum, of which £95,000 is borne by the Imperial Government, and £75,000 by the contracting colonies, shared between the colonies on the basis of population. Direct Contract Service, Neiu Zealand Shipping Company. Dβ. £ s. d. £ s. d. Payments on weight of correspondence— On mails from New Zealand ... £2,420 13 10 On mails from the United Kingdom, &c. ... ... ... 6,246 14 6 8,667 8 4 Interprovincial service ... ... ... 2,769 4 7 11,436 12 11 Gβ. Postages collected in the colony... ... 2,434 0 10 Postages from London, &c. ... ... 6,311 6 6 g 74y 7 4. Net loss to the colony ... ... ... £2,691 5 7 * ?i —— = 289,855 letters, 112,570 books, and 587,063 newspapers were received from the United Kingdom by the Direct Contract Service; and 144,357 letters, 19,063 books, and 90,706 newspapers despatched. P. and O. and Orient Lines (Federal Mail-service). Dβ. £ s. d. £ s. d. Payments to P. and O. and Orient Lines ... 801 0 4 Transit charges across Australia ... 5 13 10 Transit charges across European Continent 52 3 9 Gratuities (to and from Australia) ... 324 10 6 „ JLoO o «J Cβ. Postages collected in the colony ... 602 11 5 Postages from London and Foreign offices 210 7 7 ■ 812 19 0 Net loss to the colony ... ... ... £370 9 5 The number of letters, books, and newspapers conveyed from and to the United Kingdom, &c, by the Peninsular and Oriental and the Orient packets were : Eeceived—B2,sso letters, 33,745 books, and 158,461 newspapers; despatched—14,036 letters, 983 books, and 2,808 newspapers.

iii—F. 1.

xvii

F.—l.

Return showing the several Subsidised Mail Steam Services, the Subsidy Payments for the Year 1891, the Dates when established, and the Date on which each terminates.

TBLEGEAPHS. 1,968,264 telegrams of all codes were forwarded, a.n increase of 7,103 over the number forwarded in 1890. The telegrams forwarded were in the proportion of 3-13 to each head of the population. The number of ordinary and delayed, telegrams forwarded was 1,558,492, of the value of £77,954 6s. sd. The number dealt with in 1890, was 1,541,499, of the value of £77,168 16s. Bd. 187,623 press telegrams, of the value of £9,590 ss. 6d. were dealt with, a decrease of 5,259 in number, but an increase of £804 17s. Bd. in value, compared with the number and value for 1890. The proportion of press to ordinary and delayed telegrams was as 1 to 8 - 31, and the average valueof each press telegram Is. O-27d. compared with 10'93d. in 1890. The number and value of telegrams of all codes forwarded during the calendar years 1891 and 1890 were as under : — • ,-. Ordinary and Delayed Telegrams. Press Telegrams. Government Telegrams. Number. s. d. Number. £ s. d. Number. £ s. d. 1891 ... 1,558,492 77,954 6 5 ... 187,623 9,590 5 6 ... 222,149 24,840 5 7 1890 ... 1,541,499 77,168 16 8 ... 192,882 8,785 710 ... 226,780 26,070 12 7 The telegraph receipts for the financial year ended the 31st March last, including telephone exchange subscriptions, private-wire rents, &c, amounted to £110,163 13s. lid., compared with £111,786 17s. 10d., a decrease of £1,623 3s. lid., or 1-45 per cent. In explanation of the decrease of revenue, it may be stated that the receipts from telegrams, show an apparent falling-off of £2,530; the telephone exchange subscriptions, owing to the reduction in the rates, w T ere £1,929 less than the estimate ; and the private-wire rents fell off £600. The expenditure was £114,644 15s. 9d., compared with £104,391 3s. 10d. in 1890-91, an increase of £10,253 11s. lid. or 9-82 per cent. Of the increase, about £5,000 may be put down as increments to salaries under the classification, £2,800 on account of additional telegraph material used for repairs, &c, and about £2,000 in connection with the introduction of new telegraph forms. The total value of the services performed by telegraph for the year, inclusive of £24,840 ss. 7d. for Government telegrams, and £940, fees collected on money-order telegrams, was £142,474 Is. 4d. There was, therefore, after deducting the expenditure, a credit balance of £27,829 ss. 7d. on the year's transactions, which gave a return of 4-13 per cent, on the capital cost. 30,785 urgent telegrams, of the value of £4,178 11s. 6d., were forwarded, a decrease of 4,882 in number and £571 ss. 10d. in amount, on the figures for 1890. 562,927 delayed telegrams were forwarded, compared with 530,324 in 1890, an increase of 32,603 or 615 per cent. The proportion of delayed to ordinary telegrams was equal to 5654 per cent., compared with 54-36 per cent, in 1890. The delayed system, apparently, is steadily replacing ordinary telegrams, and, of course, keeping down the receipts. 222,149 Government telegrams, of the value of £24,840 ss. 7d., were forwarded, a decrease of 4,631 in number and £1,230 7s. in amount, compared with the number and value in 1890. The value of telegrams forwarded by each Government department will be found in Table No. 21.

xviii

Duration of Service. Service. Subsidy or Payment. Number of Voyages per Annum. Mileage for Complete Voyage. Cost per Mile. When established. When terminated or when terminable. Auckland and San Francisco Direct Steam Service Auckland and Fiji lew Zealand and South Pacific Islands .. Jew Zealand and Chatham Islands Auckland and Great Barrier lelensville and Matakohe Helensville and Dargaville Jawene and Omapere Uawene and Horeke iussell and Opua kelson and Golden Bay .. ilokitika, Bruce Bay, Paringa, Haast River, Okuru, Okarito, and Jackson's Bay iVestport and Karamea .. 31un* and Stewart Island .. !nterprovincial Service in connection with San Francisco Line Interprovincial Service in connection with Direct Contract Steamers .. s, s. a. 7,201 2 11 2,420 13 10 1,090 0 0 Nov., 1885 Dec, 1884 June, 1S80 Nov., 1892 Dec, 1891 13 12 13 11,916 23,019 2,334 s. d. 0 11-10 0 2-10 1 1-37 1,200 0 0 200 0 0 200 0 0 I 450 0 0 [ 290 0 0 June, 1885 Oct., 1891 Jan., 1881 March, 1893 Sept., 1892 Dec, 1892 8 4 52 I 52 t 104 ( 52 \ 52 [ 156 72 6,992 1,050 50 118 ) 170 J 34 12 8) 130 0 5-15 0 11-43 1 4-48 0 4-53 Jan., 1889 Dec, 1892 1 7-12' 150 0 0 Dec, 1892 0 3-85 400 0 0 120 0 0 225 0 0 Jan., 1880 June, 1886 July, 1886 Dec, 1892 Dec, 1892 Dec, 1892 0 13 52 280 102 40 4 9-14 1 9-72 2 l-'JO 3,000 0 0 Nov., 1880 Nov., 1S92 13 3,000 0 0 Dec., 1884 Doc, 1891 12

F.—l-

The number of forwarded telegrams to each hundred letters posted in the colony for delivery within the colony was 829, compared with 9-12 in 1890 and 8-57 in 1889. 18,800 money-order telegrams, for £62,407 6s. 5d., were transmitted, compared with 18,468, for £60,869 9s. 3d., in 1890. The telegraph fees amounted to £940. The number and value of moneyorder telegrams forwarded from offices in the several postal districts will be found in Table No. 20. Telephone offices were established during the year at the following places : — Addisons Kaponga Eamarama Ararimu South Kenuington Bata Ashley-Clinton Kew Eimu Awahuri Lake Takapuna Botherham Beaumont Lowburn Ferry South Norsewood Belfast Makaretu St. Helier's Bay Birchwood Maori Hill Stoke Burkes Pass Maori Point Tai Tapu Coal Creek Flat Maraekakaho Tariki Eoad East Oxford Merrivale Tarras Evans Flat Mount Linton Towai Eweburn Mount Pisa Tuapeka Mouth Fairfax Mount Eoskill Tuapeka West Gimmerburn Mount Somers Upper Eiccarton Glenham Ohariu Wadestown Glenorchy Pakuranga Waihi Half-way Bush Patutahi Woodbury Hawea Flat Petone Waikaka Siding Hunterville Punihu The telephone offices at Tahoraite, Te Mata, and Wallacetown Junction were closed. A Morse instrument has replaced the telephone at Waitotara, and the office has again been transferred to the railway-station. The names of the following offices have been changed : Newtown (receiving office) to Wellington South ; Eichardson to Stillwater ; Petone to Petone Eailway ; and Boatman's to Capleston. At the close of the year there were 338 offices connected by telephone. The total number of telegraph and telephone offices open at the end of the year was 573. The number of miles of line maintained during the year was 5,349, an increase of 201 miles. The average cost of maintenance per mile was £5 12s. 7d., compared with £5 13s. in 1890. The net expenditure out of loan for telegraph extension was £27,772 165., or £11,481 2s. more than in 1890. The number of private wires was 114, compared with 102 in 1890. The amount received by way of rent was £670 6s. 9d., compared with £1,286 16s. Bd. received in 1890. The regulation for opening the principal telegraph offices to the public on Sunday, morning and evening, has been amended by abolishing the morning attendance, without complaint from the public. The minimum salary for telegraph menage boys under the Classification Eeguiations is fixed at £26 for the first year, bub such of the lads as may be favourably reported upon at the end of their first year's service now receive a special allowance of £5 for clothing. The maximum number of words in the text of inland telegrams—urgent, ordinary, and delayed— accepted at the initial rates for such telegrams, was, in February last, increased from ten to twelve, and the number of free words in the address and signature reduced from ten to six. This, however, was not altogether acceptable to the public, and another amendment providing for eighteen words, but including address and signature, was substituted. The regulations for delayed telegrams, sent by members of Parliament during the of Parliament, and to members of the Cabinet during the recess, now provide for thirty words being forwarded for sixpence, and four additional words for a penny. In November last, new forwarded and received telegraph forms were introduced; duplicate or office-copies of received telegrams, except money-order and press, abolished; and received telegrams written with indelible instead of ordinary blacklead pencil. Each form has a " docket"—-a perforated line separating the docket from the telegram; on the docket is entered the code-time, office of origin, instructions, &c, and the value of the telegram in stamps is affixed; only the address, text, and signature being written on the other part. The docket and corresponding telegram are given the same number, and are date-stamped, to facilitate tracing or searches. After the forwarded telegrams are telegraphed, and the received handed over for delivery, the dockets are separated from the telegrams, and the dockets and telegrams made up in separate bundles, in numerical sequence,, for transmission at the proper time to the clearing-room, where the tracing and checking is now done by means of the dockets; the telegrams themselves not being handled except in the case of a search or for other special reasons. With the introduction of the foregoing changes another was instituted, providing that statements should be kept of the actual number of telegrams dealt with and the revenue received at each office, in lieu of the returns of periodical countings, on which the telegraph business had been estimated since prepayment by stamps was introduced. Brief reference must be made to the cable breaks and repairs. The single-core cable across Cook Strait broke on the evening of the 27th April last, during a heavy southerly -gale, and the three-core cable was completely severed on the evening of the 14th May, during the height of another southerly gale, accompanied by a very heavy sea. Owing to the length of time which would have elapsed before one of the Eastern Extension Company's repairing steamers could reach

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XX

the colony, and to the increased payment demanded for the services of the vessel, it was decided that the department should undertake the repairs. Accordingly, the paddle-steamer "Terranora," 199 tons, was purchased on the advice of the Superintendent, and fitted out under his supervision without loss of time. The Lyell's Bay end of the three-core cable was recovered on the forenoon of the 26th June, and repairs completed on the evening of the 30th. Eepairs to the single-core cable were finished on the evening of the 2nd August. Between the 14th May and the 30th June the whole of the telegraph work between the North and South Islands was thrown on the Wanganui-Wakapuaka cable. The cable was duplexed, and special arrangements made for working day and night. It is satisfactory to be able to state that the telegraph business between the two islands was overtaken without serious delay or inconvenience to the public. Negotiations are in progress for securing a material reduction in the cable rates, both on inter■colonial and European messages, the nature of which will be seen from the printed papers which will be laid before Parliament. The extent of New Zealand's outward telegraph cable business for 1891, compared with the business for 1890, is shown by the following statement: —

The Eastern Extension Telegraph Cable Company received £13,402 2s. for transmitting the messages from Wakapuaka to La Perouse. The number of international messages forwarded in 1890 was 4,422, and the value £23,099 Sβ. 6d. This very marked decrease is no doubt due to messages being "packed" to Melbourne •or Sydney for onward transmission, so as to secure the advantages of the lower rates to Europe. • > j Telephone Exchanges. The annual fee for a telephone exchange connection has been reduced to £5, with an entrance fee of £1 to new subscribers. The following amended regulations came into operation on the Ist October last: — The charge per annum, payable in respect of the hire of any telephone instrument connected with a Government telephone exchange shall be : To every subscriber for a single wire, £5 per annum for connection with a telephone exchange of warehouses, stores, shops, and business places not more than half a mile from the exchange, and of private residences not more than one mile from the exchange. For every additional mile or fraction thereof, for each year and for every following year, £1. Where any connection with an exchange is over two miles in length, the applicant will be required to hold the same for five years, and where the line is two miles and under the term will be one year. If a connection with a telephone exchange necessitates the erection of a new line of poles beyond the two miles, then the additional charge for every mile after the second mile will be at the rate of £2 10s. for every such mile or fraction thereof. In the event of such line being used for additional wires a proportionate reduction will be made to the original subscriber for every wire so erected, but in no case will the reduction be more than £1 10s. per mile after the second mile or fraction thereof. The reduction in the rates has resulted in a large accession of subscribers. For the year ■ended the 31st March, 1891, there was an increase of 208 subscribers. From April to the end of September, 110 additional subscribers were connected; while from October to the end of March last, being six months at the reduced rates, the new subscribers numbered 381. The total increase in the number of subscribers to the several telephone exchanges for the financial year ended the 31st March last was 491, as shown by the following table :—

Ordi: nary. Prei is. _ Destination. No. of Messages. No. of Messages. Value. Value. International ... Victoria .... South Australia New South Wales Queensland Tasmania Western Australia 3,533 6,355 642 7,035 729 801 175 £ s. a. 16,291 5 6 4,897 12 9 I 474 16 8 J 4,618 2 7 553 7 4 J 620 16 11 I 170 16 0 J 158 679 £ s. a. 70 12 10 862 2 10 Total 19,270 27,626 17 9 837 932 15 8 Total for 1890 20,228 ! 33,977 16 4 J I 1,044 1,460 3 5

F.—l.

Mar. 81, 1892. Mar. 31, 1891. Auckland ... ... ... ... ... 560 ... 507 Napier... ... ... ... ... ... 143 ... 125 Wanganui ... ... ... ... ... 74 ... 60 Wellington ... ... ~. ... ... 660 ... 512 Hutt ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Nelson.,. ... ... ... ... ... 53 ... 49 Blenheim ... ... ... ... ... 48 ... 46 Greymouth ... ... .. ... ... 51 ... 31 Christchurch ... ... ... ... ... 524 ... 446 Timaru ... ... ... ..'. ... 67 ... 55 Oamaru ... ... ... ... ... 58 ... 52 Dunedin ... ... ... ... ... 679 ... 607 Balclutha ... ... ... ... ... 13 Milton... ... ... ... ... ... 8 Port Chalmers ... ... .... "... ... 10 ... 10 Invercargill ... ... ... ... ... 100 ... 72 Bluff 13 ... 12 Gore ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 ... 8 Kiversdale ... .., ... ... ... 5 Totals ... ... ... ... 3,083 ... 2,592 Of the 3,083, there are 229 non-paying or free subscribers. Telephone exchanges have been opened at the Hutt, Balclutha, Milton, and Riversdale, bringing up the total number to 19. Twenty-three bureau-offices were opened during the year, and the number of bureaux connected with the exchanges was 60. The telephone exchange subscriptions received during the financial year amounted to £18,571 7s. Bd. compared with £19,252 4s. 3d. received the previous year; the reduced rates have been in force for six months only. The working expenses, maintenance, interest on capital cost, and allowance for depreciation absorbed £15,026 12s. 2d. The capital expended in connection with the several exchanges up to the 31st March last, Including spare material on hand, was £88,368 17s. 9d. With the view of testing the adaptability of women for the position of telephone exchange attendants, forty-eight have been appointed on probation—twelve at each of the four principal -exchanges. Should the experiment prove satisfactory in every way the employment of women in telephone exchanges will probably be extended. The following is from the District Inspectors' annual reports : — Auckland District. Construction. —New lines were constructed as follows : Ararimu, 6 miles of poles and 10 miles ■of wire; St. Helier's, 4 miles of poles and 8 miles of wire; Pakuranga, 7 miles of wire; Towai, 2 miles of poles and 12 miles of wire ; Waihi, 9 miles of poles and 9 miles of wire; Mount Eoskill, 1 mile of poles and 2| miles of wire. Bight new stations were opened. The total number of stations opened to the public on the 31st December was 137. Maintenance. —726 miles of lines were overhauled, including the reconstruction of 27J miles of line, repoling, and rebutting. The lines throughout the district are in first-class order, and will not require any exceptional ■expenditure for at least two years. Napibe Distbict. Construction. —The Waipiro Bay line has been extended to Port Awanui, a distance of 18 miles A line has been extended from Ongaonga to Ashley-Clinton, 14-J miles; and a wire from Waipawa to Ashley-Clinton, 23i miles, has also been run. 3 miles of wire has been run from Woodville to the Manawatu Gorge, forming a portion of the railway signalling line. Prom Hastings to Maraekakaho, 13 miles of wire, and a wire from Wairoa to Mohaka, 18 miles, has been erected. The Norsewood line has been extended three-fourths of a mile. Beconstruction. —The section of main line for 9 miles south of Napier has been reconstructed with larger poles. Works in Progress. —The construction of a loop-line to Blackburn; also the reconstruction of •6 miles of line north of Taupo, and butting poles between the latter place and Runanga. The line from Taupo to Cambridge is also under overhaul. The section between Porangahau and Tenui will be overhauled during the ensuing summer, as also section between Napier and Taupo, and Katikati and Thames. Overhauling. —The following sections have been overhauled during the year. Katikati to Taupo, Maketu to Opotiki, Maketu to Te Puke, Waipiro Bay to Gisborne, Napier to Woodville, Gisborne to Wairoa, Waipukurau to Wallingford. The working condition of the lines throughout the district is good. iv-~ F. 1.

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Wellington Disteict. All lines in this district were in perfect order during the year ending 31st December, 1891. The lines overhauled and placed in good repair were : from Foxton to Wanganui, from Foxton to Palmerston North, from Feilding to Greatford, and from Wellington to Lyell's .Bay. The remainder of the sections are due for overhaul in 1892 and 1893, in accordance with an arrangement by which all lines receive a careful overhaul and close inspection once every three years. Cook Strait Gables. These cables during the year worked well, and have given no trouble. The usual tests for insulation will be found amongst the tables attached to this report. Nelson Distbict. Construction. —4l miles of line erected, and 48|- miles of wire run as follows : Westport toCharleston, Motueka to Stanley Brook, Takaka to Waitapu Wharf, and Nelson to Stoke. Overhauls and Repairs. — Eichmond and Farewell Spit section, and Motueka and Spit. The Motueka and Eichmond section will be rebutted presently. Ahaura to Kumara has been overhauled ; also line from Nelson to W T estport. All other sections in this district are in very fair working order. Canteebury Disteict. Reconstruction. —Christchurch to Kaikoura : Three miles of this section has been entirely reconstructed, and an overhaul as far as Amberley will be completed as soon as possible. Overhauling Eolleston and Loopline : The work of overhauling the portion of the section between Sheffield and Loopline is in hand, and will be completed shortly. About a mile of line at the Bealey Eiver is being diverted, and half-a-mile near Eocky Point will be shifted to clear theTeremakau Eiver, and a mile between Eangiora and Old John's will be taken out of the low-lying flats over which the Teremakau Eiver runs during floods. In all, about 60 new poles are being, used for the work. Amberley to Waiau : Seven miles of this line at the Waiau end has been overhauled. Christchurch to Akaroa : Twelve miles of the Christchurch end of this line has had athorough overhaul. The Christchurch to Waitaki section will shortly be overhauled and strengthened. Between 4 and 5 miles between Addington and Hornby will require rebuilding. All other wires are in good order, and will require no repairs beyond ordinary maintenance. Otago and Southland Disteict. Construction. —Cromwell to Mount Pisa and Tarras, 5 miles of poles and 23 miles of wire; Dunedin to Kew, Half-way Bush, and Maori Hill, 6-| miles of wire ; Naseby to Gimmerburn, 16 miles of poles and wire ; Hindon to Flax Stream, 7 miles of wire ; Fairfax line, from Thornbury, 6 miles of wire ; Invercargill to Kennington, 5J miles of wire; Otautau to Merrivale, 9 miles of poles and 10 miles of wire ; Wairio to Birch wood and Mount Linton, 11 miles of poles and wire ;. Brighton and Taieri Beach wire extended to Dunedin, 6 miles of wire ; Middlemarch wire extended to Dunedin, 6 miles of wire; Lawrence to*Tpapeka Mouth, 16 miles of poles and 17 miles of wire;: Lawrence to Beaumont, 12 miles of wire ; Maori Point, on Skipper's line, j- mile of poles and 1-J miles of wire ; Pembroke to Hawea Flat, 6 miles of poles and 9 miles of wire ; Dunedin to Milton,. 35 miles of wire ; Milton to Balclutha, 16 miles of wire; Gore to Eiversdale, 18 miles of wire ; Hampden to Hillgrove, 3 miles of wire ; Balclutha to Bomahapa, 11 miles of poles and 12 miles of wire; Winton to Drummond, 10 miles of poles and 11 miles of wire; Alexandra to Baldhill Flat, 9 miles of wire ; Invercargill to Bluff, 17 miles of poles and 34 miles of wire. Overhauls. —Arrowtown to Queenstown, and Arrowtown to Cromwell. Many minor repairs have been made on different sections, and generally all lines put in safe condition. The work in progress is the reconstruction of sections Dunedin to Waitati, and Clinton to Kelso. The principal requirements for maintenance for the ensuing year are the renewal of poles and reconstruction of line between Merton and Palmerston, 16 miles; and about 10 miles of line between Oamaru and Waitaki; also the erection of new line from Eiversdale to Waikaia, 14 miles.. All other sections in this district are in good working order.

The usual circuit plans accompany the report.

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1

Table No. 1. Table showing the Money Orders issued in New Zealand on Offices beyond the Colony during the Years 1890 and 1891.

Table showing the Money Orders issued at Offices beyond the Colony on New Zealand during the Years 1890 and 1891.

Table No. 2. Table showing the Number and Amount of Money Orders issued and of Money Orders made payable in New Zealand, Year by Year, since the Year 1870.

Money Orders drawn on the Colony.

I—F. 1.

1890. 1891. Where payable. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. United Kingdom Foreign Offices through London United States of America .. Canada Victoria South Australia New South Wales Queensland Tasmania Western Australia 22,363 818 1,724 148 7.O52 429 12,336 356 525 35 £ s. d. 66,081 2 11 3,646 12 4 4,282 2 5 556 16 1 22,976 8 8 1,292 3 3 26,937 15 1 1,446 8 11 1,741 12 o 148 15 8 23,694 1.053 1,701 142 ■7,106 457 21,308 418 711 94 £ s - d - 68,513 o 5 4,675 1 8 3,787 6 4 505 14 4 22,753 2 4 1,499 13 10 41,105 19 3 1.343 6 o 2,628 1 2 343 17 5 Totals 45,786 129,109 17 4 56,684 147.155 2 9

1890. 1891. Where issued. I Number. Amount. Number. Amount. iMuinucr. Jnited Kingdom and Foreign Offices Jnited States of America .. Canada .. Victoria iouth Australia lew South Wales Queensland "asmania Vestern Australia 7,017 625 133 6,903 392 4,518 780 676 62 " £ s. d. 24,377 10 4 2,881 18 5 716 6 8 24,308 6 10 1,360 15 2 16,313 12 O 3,105 15 8 2,549 o o 252 12 10 7.17i 62 5 ii 4 5,345 420 5,i9i 776 j>77 1 ioi 25,204 II 6 2,728 18 2 585 4 4 17,100 15 1 1,327 2 3 18,719 15 6 3,420 12 5 7,733 17 5 398 6 10 Totals 21,106 21,106 75,865 17 II 21,514 77,219 3 6

ONEY IRDERS ISSUED IN THE OLONY. Where payable. Total. Year. Commission received. In 1 the Colony. United Kingdom and Foreign Offices. Australi ian Colonies, &C. -£- r&: 2,367 3 6 2,608 3 6 3,068 17 6 3,562 3 2 4,393 2 3 4,950 19 4 I 5,261 19 2 5,714 18 4 6,288 13 o 7,285 1 6 7,943 15 4 7,582 8 5 8,267 9 8 9,022 10 6 9,525 3 8 9,553 o 7 8,541 7 10 8,532 10 5 8,377 6 4 8,696 13 5 8,823 i° ° 9,649 14 9 No, Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 i6,S2i 20,514 28,156 34,288 40,968 48,611 55,748 64,000 7o,53i 83,479 97,2"5 99,523 108,916 132,232 144,227 146,406 .113,598 119,091 .122,042 127,323 130,641 H38,555 £ b. a. 73,344 11 9 88,546 9 7 120,125 14 8 142,642 4 10 171,683 6 1 193,551 13 9 1 6 233,804 15 10 250,861 6 o 297,290 13 8 320,260 19 11 321,635 3 3 360,196 4 9 402,558 12 11 430,446 iS 10 439,870 3 9 412,276 3 o 426,194 13 9 432,056 6 2 458,469 7 7 472,967 4 7 504,834 16 _g 9,624 10,407 io,6ig ">9*3 14>379 16,949 I7,33i 18,369 21,169 24,461 27,587 25,37 6 25,898 26,211 28,712 28,722 27,389 26,057 26,636 26,206 25,053 26,590 ' J s. d. 41,472 3 7 44,197 18 3 . 44,535 9 9 48,547 11 4 57,821 2 6 66,332 14 9 66,977 4 2 69,670 11 10 80,681 15 8 91,665 4 o 104,149 5 10 90,229 5 3 91,530 17 9 91,634 4 7 96,901 14 o 95,920 9 10 87,904 9 10 84,264 12 9 81,488 10 3 79,167 o 4 74,566 13 9 77,48l 2 9 5,419 5,370 5,885 6,150 7,365 7,467 7,176 8,303 9,317 10,059 10,786 10,657 I3,34 8 I4,"3 13,113 13,494 14,693 14,431 13,709 18,547 20,733 30,094 £ b. a. 25,637 12 7 24,653 5 9 26,347 17 7 28,068 5 5 33,659 19 2 33,597 2 3 31,202 o 3 31,498 o 1 36,711 15 2 39,717 2 4 40,994 15 4 40,317 ig 2 47,641 7 5 46,939 17 11 45,317 12 4 45,604 15 2 47,574 9 11 45,285 6 11 42,451 4 4 51,909 6 10 54,543 3 7 69,674 o o 31,864 36,291 44,660 52,351 62,712 73,027 80,255 90,672 101,017 117,999 135,648 135,556 148,162 ji72,556 186,052 188,622 155,680 159,579 162,387 172,076 176,427 195,239 -£ s. d. Ho,454 7 " 157,397 13 7 191,009 2 o 219,258 1 7 263,164 7 9 293,481 10 9 ; 310,268 5 11 334,973 7 9 368,254 16 10 428,673 o o 465,405 1 1 452,182 7 S 499,368 g 11 54i, J 32 15 5 572,666 5 2 581,395 8 9 547,755 2 9 555,744 13 5 555,996 o 9 589,545 14 9 I 602,077 I n I 651,989 19 6

Where issued. Total. In the Colony. United Kingi [om & Foreign Ofliccs Austr; lian Colonies, &c. Year. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 16,821 20,514 28,156 34,288 40,968 48,611 ! 55,748 i 64,000 1 70,531 j 83,479 i 97,275 I 99,523 ! 108,916 ! 132,232 144,227 146,406 113,598 119,091 122,042 127,323 130,641 138,555 £ s. d. 73,344 11 9 88,546 9 7 120,125 14 8 142,642 4 10 171,683 6 1 j 193,551 13 9 212,089 ! 6 I 233,804 15 10 250,861 6 o 297,290 13 8 320,260 19 11 321,635 3 3 360,196 4 9 402,558 12 11 ! 43C446 iS IO 439,870 3 9 412,276 3 o I 426,194 13 9 j 432,056 6 2 j 458,469 7 7 - 472,967 4 7 504,834 16 9 1,156 i,396 1,504 1,482 1,603 1,969 2,243 2,25s 2,260 2,544 3,466 3,466 3,42i 3,725 4.535 5,204 5,824 6,334 7,336 7,469 7.775 7,910 £ s. d. 5,523 4 4 6,217 11 5 7,078 8 6 6,625 X 4 5 7,284 10 7 9,262 9 7 10,202 13 6 9,744 8 S 9,833 18 6 10,673 3 11 14,811 14 8 14,07s 17 3 13,416 1 9 15.553 3 11 17,679 o 6 20,091 17 4 22,650 1 10 23,423 16 2 26,262 14 5 26,887 X 7 9 27.975 15 5 28,518 14 o 1,267 1,318 1,459 1,668 1,800 1,995 2,385 2,568 2,528 2,942 3,913 4,649 5,076 5,697 6,755 7.725 9,545 8,963 15,365 15,859 13.331 13,604 £ s. d. 6,055 6 11 5.9M l8 7 6,803 J 5 3 7,689 6 8 8,316 17 5 9,340 19 11 10,838 16 8 11,056 2 7 10,698 14 3 12,295 5 4 15,829 o 3 18,863 4 - 21,090 4 10 23,299 12 11 27,429 18 6 30,724 6 4 36,513 3 11 33,254 2 3 56,141 4 1 56,402 1 4 47,890 2 6 48,700 9 6 19,244 23,228 3I>"9 37,438 44.371 52,575 60,376 68,826 75,319 88,965 104,654 107,638 "7,413 141,654 155,517 159,335 129,242 I33,9IO 144,450 150,651 151,747 160,069 £ *■ d. 84,923 3 o 100,678 19 7 134,007 18 5 156,957 5 11 187,284 14 1 212,155 3 3 11 8 254,605 7 1 271,393 18 9 320,259 2 11 350,901 14 10 354,577 '4 8 394,702 11 4 441,411 9 9 475,555 17 10 490,686 7 5 471,185 7 o 482,437 17 4 513,728 8 2 541,759 6 8 548,833 2 6 582,054 0 3

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2

Table No. 3. Table showing the Number and Amount of Transactions at the several Money Order and Savings Bank Offices in the Colony of New Zealand during the Year 1891.

Money Orders. Saving! Banks. Office. Issued. Paid. III II <° Deposits. ft Withdrawals. No. 1 Commission. I Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. Auckland Alexandra Aratapu Avondale Babylon Bombay Cambridge Clevedon Coromandel Dargaville Devonport Drury Hamilton Helensville Huntly Kaeo Kaitaia Kamo Kaukapakapa .. Kawakawa Kihikihi Kohukohu Kuaotunu Lichfield Mangapai Mangawai Mangawhare .. Matakana Mauku Maungaturoto.. Mercer Mititai Mongonui Morrinsville Mount Eden .. Newmarket Newton Ngaruawahia .. Ohaeawai Ohaupo Omapere Onehunga Otahuhu Otorohanga Pahi .. Papakura Paparoa Parnell Parua Bay Pokeno Ponsonby Port Albert Pukekohe Raglan Rangiriri Rawene Rotorua* Russell Tairua Taupiri Te Awamutu .. Te Kopuru Tuakau Upper Symonds Street Wade Waharoa Waipu Waiuku Waiwera Wangarei Wangaroa Waotu Warkworth Wellsford Whangapoua .. Whitianga 12,498 no 530 37 46 133 577 96 524 872 200 142 723 603: 637 262 340 661 68 593 136 163 391 132 342 100 297; H3 48 137 277 1 r 75 526 92 17 259 612 284 287 114 213 582 251 181 196! 216 198 2 So 166 76 163 213 312 209 201 173 178 -44i 216 71 182 588; 219; 108 £ fl- d. 798 11 10 311 2! 20 11 6 1 13 10 1 13 6 4 7 2 23 7 2 3 11 2 22 18 d 45 5 4. 10 19 io 1 5 o o t 33 1 61 23 3 4 22 13 6 15 10 2 12 5 6 22 13 4 3 11 8 -jO II 2J "5 2 s; 12 7 2i 19 14 2, 63O. 11 3 2 4 9 10 11 7 o 4 o 2 1 8 10 6 I .8 10 9 4 5 14 °; 20 II 8 4 11 2 ! o 16 4! 12 18 8 ; 36 7 o 12 5 o; 19 18 2! 8 3 2: 10 9 ioi 30 8 10 11 10 6 I S. d. 44,861 3 3 291 14 5 1,522 12 7 104 17 10 152 17 4 373 o 6 1,743 3 2 260 7 4 i,532 10 7! 2,896 4 I 528 7 2! 467 14 4 2,210 o 6: 1,848 19 i ! 2,075 7 ioi 872 9 10 1,052 15 if 1,956 11 9 ; 172 3 3 2,231 9 1 354 16 4 700 19 o 1,516 3 8 569 6 I 1,245 5 o; 286 4 8 873 i 5 330 16 3 134 14 7 452 6 11 1,032 19 8 55O 16 4 1,645 7 2 304 6 4 30 14 7 603 16 3! 1,865 12 11 355 o 2 1,072 5 4 541 16 1! 583 19 9 1,729 6 10 680 18 11 573 " 7 484 6 1 582 o 7 545 15 5 802 3 1 559 9 9! 240 10 8 471 8 9 629 10 2 975 4 °\ 718 18 9; 595 18 6 610 9 Sj 651 14 5l 794 !5 7 657 17 31 340 o 8 541 10 ill i>793 7 8: 775 6 5 441 S 6 24,478! 100 66 62 451 33 197 175 272! 181 67S! 219: 137 H 61 177 19 22 5 | 104 49 130 27 59 46 58 81 118 13: 107 24j 72! 240: 931 I88 £ b. d. 84,285 12 9 432 12 8 376 5 2 255 10 10 11 19 ol 268 i 8 1,784 16 11 135 4 8 607 2 9 614 16 i [ | 948 18 7 783 o 3 |i ! 2,295 7 10 732 14 7' ! 469 4 7 349 19 4" 307 18 o 787 6 1 49 11 2 795 19 9 400 14 8 298 18 I 824 13 8; 53 16 10 339 2 5 84 9 11 228 17 8 151 4 6 ! 195 11 Z' 202 15 11 412 11 5 ! 38 3 °. 437 s n 117 8 9 219 18 7 1 732 12 11 I 2,890 2 9 710 19 5 195 9 8 jj 193 10 10 96 10 11 ! 2,398 19 3 851 1 o 1 287 18 6 210 o 2 806 11 9 381 11 o: 1,832 16 11 109 13 o 348 8 1 1,901 11 10 472 9 2 718 16 9 230 o 10 140 2 2 35° 13 2, 325 I O 601 19 8 ! 95 3 I, 294 19 10 851 7 8 466 IS 2' 334 5 4 3°fJ 4 5 I I, l86 2 48 4 r 7 12 51 13 32 102 25 4 74 67 28 12 13 37 15 69 11 12 36 14 5 11 44 7 12 13 26 16 7.649 38 321 39 45 63 378 71 267 474 193 31 539 320 232 81 72 478 101 554 86 58 "3 73 35 75 182 32 57 38 124 52 148 81 £ s. d. 150,17° 7 3 234 14 o 1,995 14 6 57 2 o 373 o o 456 13 2 2,836 8 3 523 14 o 2,874 13 o 5,223 16 4 729 4 7 244 3 o 3,321 12 6 2,566 8 7 1,884 18 o 959 16 o 474 13 o 2,705 3 5 598 19 6 3,317 7 ° 566 16 o 496 15 o 1,090 16 5 899 12 9 549 1 o 672 2 6 2 ,404 15 o 251 5 o 353 19 9 553 2 o 1,132 7 4 1,009 6 o 2,739 9 4 1,118 11 1 1,366 4 1 7 18. 2 15 43 6! I 19 13 17 6! 22 6 19 8 1 6 2 4 2 1 3 4 6 10 9,289 36 49 7 c 36 142 10 159 103 54 21 l6l 92 87 31 15 138 23 I06 58 26 34 6 18 14 48 24 19 18 70 27 52 15 8 16 69 101 34 11 £ s - d - 164,867 19 5 282 6 10 860 I o 940 75 7 5 177 18 1 2,292 5 4 82 12 o 1,931 16 1 1,524 14 1 328 2 11 79 17 9 2,277 I« 1 986 6 5 1,238 S 2 542 14 3 137 11 2 2,183 13 5 277 11 6 2,132 10 10 271 o 9 356 7 2 462 17 6 41 15 10 413 17 5 218 15 o 645 5 9 206 6 3 257 9 o 209 17 10 694 12 1 411 18 5 1,348 18 0 282 5 5 17 17 11 291 10 8 785 11 4 1,in o 5 419 13 1 192 16 10 90 3 6 532 7 9 348 15 10 179 18 2 155 2 o 546 12 6 535 5 6 32 14 7 221 13 o 557 16 4 20 12 o 507 9 10 617 13 10 1,955 7 11 41 o 4 148 14 1 535 8 1 1,070 18 4 214 15 9 101 19 11 2,966 6 7 1,006 18 1 243 3 1° 64 o 8 34 22 1 8 58 29 35 11 3 65 486 194 143 48 48 215 206 34 83 "5 89 294 20 46 122 149 208 102 21 11 o 300 4 9 2,670 3 6 1,311 7 10 r .578 4 ° 276 12 9 82 11 o 1,992 6 10 1,3°4 4 4 472 13 2 631 17 o 1,108 3 o 782 o o 310 7 2 88 12 o 597 i fi ° 239 1 5 1,337 5 o 1,180 13 o 1,446 15 8 67 17 o 853 15 o 4,108 2 o 732 3 o 803 18 0| 324 13 o 2,583 9 4 1.443 9 o; 423 16 5! 159 17 o 4 46 i 21 I 3 6 6 7 17 4 8 7 6 7 11 6 8 5 10 13 4 8 582 2 5 4 7 15 8 8 6 o ! 52! *5t 24: 7°4j 281 7 1 49 176; 81! 533! 30 66 600 3 36 32 9 9 23 13 38 3 9 22 21 26 22 9j 4 12 65 67 14 18 55 38 40 3° 29 24. 55 55 51 8 9 3 14 1 6 104 186 12 I4 i I3 1 6 11 13 4 ! 976 6 15 2 8 10 6 9 16 o 9 3 8; 12 7 10 3 3 6 8 6 io 1 25 18 6 766 9 3° 5H 31 107 56 132; 66| 214: 'I 721 29 3 13 63 15 35 34* 4 1 8 5 24 44 96 98 279 43 232 212 i ioj 3 23 20 37 34 18 75 68 9 9 3i 35 1 1 I 118 105 495 394 123 I.346 1 188 6oj 236! 46: 46 62g ; 4 11 6 3 13 2; 18 3 a 14 11 0 5 14 4 53 i° 8 10 11 6 3 18 6 8 8 6! 1 6 C> 2 17 o 27 9 2] * Froi 2go 10 11 309 18 6 1,632 1 4 1,174 1 4 506 8 6 4>3i6 19 7 584 6 3 147 4 10 713 13 9 84 4 I 123 6 o 1,910 10 0' q 1st September 43 28! 160 209 69 648 5i 13 169 28 S '• ■ ; for bu M5 17 3 98 4 4 719 18 3 786 11 10 414 12 0 2,480 9 2 212 13 8 55 2 2! 651 4 5 126 3 9 29 o 9 I 583 15 81 isiness to 31st An II 1 4! H 24 38 9 121 14 4 25 f 8 37 27 no 117 172 73 621 126 31 203 18 46 215 261 6 0 560 15 o, 1,457 4 9 1,601 3 o 624 12 31 6,357 o jo 2,337 7 o 77 6 o 1,726 15 6 178 o o ; 356 10 oi 1,640 3 ol 5 4 9 15 5 5° 3 16 17 56 87 3° 3i8 28 1 64 2 132 13 11 59 15 9 903 11 3 742 19 3 338 14 7 4,987 17 I 651 15 2 I 10 o 600 8 11 12 18 7 34 3 10 1,072 5 5 >» 7 1 3 97 12 fust, se< Thaim ;s District.

3

F.—l

Table No. 3— continued. Table showing the Number and Amount of Transactions at the several Money Order and Savings Bank Offices in the Colony of New Zealand during the Year 1891 — continued.

Money Orders. Saving; Hanks. Office. Issued. Commission, i Amount. I Paid. No. Amount. z n s,, „ < o No. Deposits. •eposits. Amount. 2 . With si u No. Withdrawals;. hdrawals. Amount. No. iLENHEIM Cullensville Havelock Kaikoura Kekerangu Picton Renwicktown .. Spring Creek .. )HKISTCHURCH . . Akaroa Alford Forest .. Amberley Ashburton Bealey Belfast Chertsey Cheviot Coalgate Culverden Darfield Dunsandel Duvauchelle Ellesmere Hanmer Plain .. Hinds Hororata Kaiapoi Kirwee Leeston Lincoln Little River Lyttelton Methven Oxford Papanui Pigeon Bay Rakaia Rangiora Rolleston Sheffield Southbridge Springfield Sydenham Tinwald Waiau Waikari Whitecliffs Woolston >UNEDIN Alexandra South Balclutha Blackstone Hill Caversham Clinton Clyde Cromwell Dunback Dunedin North Green Island .. Greytown Hamilton's Heriot Hyde Kaitangata Kelso Lawrence Macrae's Flat .. Middlemarch .. Milton Mosgiel Naseby Nenthorn Ophir Outram Owake Palmerston Pembroke 2,359 401 452 4321 113 832' 85i 109 11,220 426 81 277! 2,079] 255 101 67 108 126: 164! 125 85 136 23 63 48 130 447 148 245 99 238 1,581 174 37° 65 100 359 798 37 215 284 467 451 60 187 182 / s. a. 128 19 6 22 8 2 17 4 8 22 5 IO 4 I C 36 18 o 3 IS 2 6 17 10 C80 19 8 18 11 2 1 12 0 10 17 6 90 8 o 13 3 4 4 2 6 1 19 10! 5 16 8 6 13 8 9 12 oi 5 S o 3 9 10 5 11 a 1 4 8 2 17 6 1 18 S 5 4 20 7 8 7 19 o 11 15 10 5 9 4 8 i 4 2 92 o o 8 12 iOj 15 1 4 3 13 6 3 18 2 12 16 10 37 o 2 1 6 10 £ •■ d. 8,114 3 1,246 10 0 1,663 6 1 I,349 4 8 2S0 13 3 2,650 o 3 259 6 10 365 15 3 3 s ,057 5 3 1,246 11 4 233 5 5| 740 8 1 7,043 18 2 927 8 7 243 o o 177 10 8, 326 1 6 435 17 ° 645 7 6 360 1 o 287 13 6 1 507 19 o 84 o 7 247 2 81 136 5 1 433 18 3 1,545 14 4! 764 17 7 776 3 9 334 17 I 731 15 4 5,58i 9 3 569 10 o 1,201 4 6 181 5 8 295 19 9 999 16 2i 2,601 12 61 127 13 9! 853 5 3 1,009 9 8 1 1,879 7 3| 1,138 on 185 7 7 639 18 9 675 19 8 668 o 11 67 1 I 33,725 ° 2 1,636 2 4 2,645 3 1 255 8 11 376 18 7 1,142 16 3 1,024 6 6l 1,832 7 8 199 19 o 3,426 12 8 619 3 9| 362 10 01 820 o g 1 340 16 o 579 17 5 2,067 2 6 591 10 4 2,450 5 6 1,381 8 4 755 o 9 2,160 1 3 687 16 5 1,926 6 3 640 14 5 1,053 15 10 640 12 9 2,460 6 6 2,279 18 4 893 15 1 1,239 73 147 240 4 39° 29 29 16,191 214 9 173 899 9 18 17 8 22 58 s 61 8 2 l I 22 321 43 213 127 88 803 4 1 239 77 14 105 522 7 75 234 108 786 24 37 58 ; 33 37 21,057 87 412 15 374 US J 34 194 7 781 95 19 21 18 20 127 29 685 56 41 484 238 408 28 67 143 150 510 36 £ s - d - 4,577 14 3 240 7 3 549 2 5 923 3 3 16 19 9 1,605 15 1 72 17 9 99 19 7 54,537 4 10 724 1 9 35 3 10 630 3 o 3,004 5 5 20 18 o 104 15 o 74 19 3 43 « 8 75 " 3 195 16 5 in 17 9 119 15 2 314 17 o 30 13 11 121 17 9I 32 3 S' 102 15 6 1,171 5 3! 127 17 4 815 2 7 458 2 10! 371 19 9j 2,649 5 II; 137 5 11 898 8 10: 281 17 ill 48 15 11 361 19 9 1,830 9 9 17 16 6 *26fi 11 2J 986 1 3 397 4 I 2,297 7 * 94 13 5 124 4 5 213 10 11 152 4 5 80 15 3 73,886 16 7 267 13 7 1,530 9 10 55 7 3 1,190 9 11 439 12 5 332 5 2 659 5 7 31 2 o 2,881 6 2 300 19 4 96 7 o 80 3 8 53 1 10 93 13 ° 491 1 9 88 3 2 2,357 9 i , 292 4 8 173 6 8 1,819 19 4 S14 19 9, 1,148 10 7] 168 7 3 272 2 11 545 17 » 780 9 I 1,625 3 I 138 o 6i 35° 35| 38 43 4 69 20 13 2,820 ■43 2^ l6 11! 7! si 5 10 12 3 14 7 101 31 5 24 205 19 5i 22 16 28 174 3 23 32 29 130 7 26 19 X 7 2 2,207 222 278 273 46 430 129 72 24,559 323 2l8 1.579 6O 64 i "89 18 48 55 4 1 24 103 739| 37| 273 42 82 i,575 104 34 e 200 58 209 1,000 25 134 220 218 1,255 72 166 70 125 38 18,419 113 481 / s. d. 26,067 on 2,291 14 8 1,709 3 o 2,001 7 7 331 16 o 5,053 2 6 288 3 o 361 10 0 284,523 14 o 1,898 15 7 1,758 2 o 13,759 13 10 54° 5 o 300 12 o 212 5 o 810 o o 1,127 12 o 201 18 o 791 10 o 759 12 -o 100 15 o 160 13 10 803 3 o 5,824 o 5 227 19 o 2,687 I o 383 17 o 908 11 o II,408 8 3 1,288 o o 4,410 6 6 1,052 1 o 702 13 o 1,726 7 o 9,907 17 10 203 17 o 993 13 ° 1,170 o o 2,303 2 5 4,°32 15 9 486 1 o 1,699 J 4 6 656 5 o 494 2 o 166 15 o 202,750 9 7 728 16 4 5,343 10 7 2S8 16 11 25! 26! 3! 7 2,488 18 4 1 ! 150 2 I 1 I 2 7 6 3 1 58 4 12 1 10 125 5 13 1 1 II 107 2 1,693 in 69 76 7 134 20 13 19,845 89 no 671 7 18 16 7 23 24 20 7 15 8 251 19 67 9 48 673 61 108 18 11 53 426 15 40 60 £ S. d. 25,996 2 II 1,497 o 2 907 5 7 1,140 9 3 68 10 o 2,875 2 1 75 10 4 101 5 3 293,933 8 9 2,257 3 2 1,466 16 5 I1,886 9 4 57 o ° 88 9 2 107 3 8 158 8 9 216 18 2 179 7 11 289 1 2 393 2 3 145 10 o 132 12 5 92 12 11 3,947 ° 7 274 18 3 959 2 11 68 1 7 653 14 11 9,322 2 6 715 14 11 2,220 4 6 106 11 7 180 10 o 930 11 11 7,461 15 6 195 o 3 481 7 10 1,277 2 4 S25 7 11 1,094 7 2 407 8 7 974 i 2 234 2 10 432 1 10 14 16 7 207,961 2 11 910 1 8 2,744 o 5 7 17 o 13 2 10 19 9 10 23 J 4 2 4 8 10 o 6 9 17 l°i 7 6 6; 170! 593 12 10 18 5 o , 33 7 °| 2 3 6 515 ' 15 3 6 11 15 81 23 19 2 1 13 0 69 11 4 8 8 6 3 C 10 7 13 8 4 18 6 6 19 6 24 C o 6 15 8 35 12 21 13 J 3 6; 8 14 6' 27 12 2 II O 2 26 6 6 6 14 6 16 13 10 9 o 2 1 24 15 61 32 9 10 15 10 6 7 12 14 26 50 125 38 57 22 197 27 10,106 480 864 74 112 4 5 1 3 1 2,146 12 40 23 5 15,450 33 145 2,222 31 89 75 22 670 144 60 1,260 16 7 840 8 o 512 11 o 644 11 5 75 1 ° 19,400 17 o 1,811 18 o 385 17 Iβ 313 8 o 150 6 o 5 15 o 1,736 12 oj 949 IQ . o 3,959 16 6 72 10 oj 27 5 01 I 4,264 3 8 ! 2,143 5 o 1,423 16 9| 90 5 oi 368 7 2 769 19 8 1,295 J 8 4 i,5O3 1 7 98 1 7 7 9 5 11 1 176 3° 32 51 21 174 6 o 755 12 4 247 2 11 432 8 o 28 3 5 8,325 8 1 816 10 4 171 o 9 349 1 6 91 o 4 4*5 313 568 55 1,313 176 72 215 r 34 194 666 173 936 429 210 657 256 621 197 409 205 684 792 I 283 12 21 6 372 3° 9 5 5 59 13 74 4 84 35 39 6 II 20 29 52 5 no 10 3,7io 265 38 29I 41 2I 1 332: 97! 446! 13: 555! 328: 228I 4 5 4 44 2 42 I 21 2 888 77 16 17 9! 1X3 25 127 2 1 178 74 40 1,642 17 5 346 6 2 2,860 11 8 10 1 1 40 o o 2,39i 7 3 1,736 14 4 625 14 4 17 2 o 146 17 5 567 4 o 759 6 7 880 7 11 58 1 5 2 4 22 15 34 55 "5 123 592 25 1 5 18 7 29 5 4 12 -57 50 9 5

F.—l.

Table No. 3— continued. Table showing the Number and Amount of Transactions at the several Money Order and Savings Bank Offices in the Colony of New Zealand during the Year 1891 — continued.

4

Money Orders. Saving: Banks. Office. Issued. Paki. ■I is <° Deposits. Withdrawals. No. Commission. | I Amount. No. Amount. No. J Amount. 8 J < u No. Amount. Dunedin— cont'd. Port Chalmers Roxburgh St. Bathan's .. Seacliff South Dunedin Stirling Tapanui Waihola Waikaia Waikouaiti Waipori Waitahuna Waitati GlSBORNE Waipiro Bay .. Greymouth Ahaura Brunnerton Kaimata Nelson Creek .. Reefton Stillwater Totara Flat HoKITIKA Goldsborough .. Kumara Ross Stafford Invercargill .. Arrowtown Balfour Bluff Dipton Edendale Fortrose Gore Half-Moon Bay Kingston Lumsden Mataura Orepuki Otautau Pukerau Queenstown Riversdale Riverton Thornbury Waipahi Wairio Winton Woodlands Wyndham Napier Danevirke Hastings Herbertville Kaikora North Kumeroa Makaretu Makotuku Mohaka Norsewood Ongaonga Ormondville Porangahau Port Ahuriri .. Takapau Taupo Tikokino Waipawa Waipukurau .. Wairoa Nelson.. Belgrove Brightwater Collingwood Motueka Richmond Takaka 993 612 270 158 37° 155 744 103 492 368 126 176 91 2,452 53 2,373 545 946 24 161 1,983 141 64 1,156 81 1,068 296 286 3,O59 474 65 591 179 190 241 1,568 51 114 3°7 455 333 213 102 623 287 460 99 153 157 352 162 387 4,880 872 1,585 177 186 £ s - d - 55 16 6 23 13 4 10 18 10 5 9 8 17 3 10 5 18 o 23 11 o 3 10 10 17 9 2 13 o 2 488 6 6 8 3 10 o 147 o 10 320 135 14 o 22 I 4 56 10 o o 18 o 6 18 4 118 9 6 7 1 4 3 4 6 61 8 4 3 Io 2 49 15 4 14 8 8 10 6 8 152 12 4 21 16 2 3 3 2 24 18 8 7 4 10 654 904 62 10 8 1 16 o 4 3 6 11 17 4 16 1 8 11 10 10 8 10 8 380 27 17 o 11 17 10 18 12 o 468 5 18 o 6 13 5 13 12 8 6 3 10 14 o o 290 2 8 34 6 8 88 15 4 10 15 o 'o 3 4 7 1 10 1 5 o 692 584 10 19 10 610 10 10 6 14 o 2 39 3 2 14 14 2 14 7 2 3 15 2 48 8 8 29 17 8 31 J 9 4 130 19 2 15 15 ° 614 19 0 6 17 8 10 7 5 2 15 9 2 £ s - d -i 3,264 2 2 2,083 2 o 701 II I 510 2 9 948 16 I 469 7 9 2,121 14 oj 300 18 4 1.252 13 5: 97° 4 5 382 11 9 488 10 9! 260 12 8 8,330 10 5 134 15 2, 7,773 o 9 1,907 I 3 4 2,751 18 6, 84 19 3 574 r 7 ° 6,451 2 1 449 5 6 184 4 o 3.432 6 4 228 14 4 2,894 J 7 I 894 8 4 1.014 ! IJ 9,445 3 7 1,421 17 5 198 19 6 2,263 3 5 703 2 11 545 15 7 813 16 11 4,770 17 6! 246 13 9 406 16 10 1.015 7 4 1,216 11 11 l>155 14 6 670 3 8 296 o 9 2,045 18 9' 1,041 6 6 1,413 2 g< 271 12 7 505 o 10I 661 6 9] 934 8 2i 560 o 10 1,032 6 31 16,744 2 10J 2,885 ° ° 4,958 5 6 624 17 o , 637 16 1 614 15 6 127 19 o 593 o 2 268 o 6 1,055 14 Io 783 17 3 1.101 19 5. 97 6 3 7 2,109 2 7! 1,031 12 o 1,345 12 3 214 16 10 3,097 15 5 2.102 8 11 1,785 5 .8 8,213 8 9! 1,219 2 9! 409 11 o 2,159 9 5. 1,728 16 3 484 7 5 1,528 14 oj 935 148 52 168 5i8 60 M7 29 67 267 24 57 119 898 6 1,895 91 296 10 870 27 8 966 31 294 152 66 4,026 83 19 204 36 35 44 596 89 20 72 '-'42 36 31 241 68 339 23 35 43 158 7 1 109 4,467 260 623! 44i 59! 24 84! 3°; 58! 16; i°5i 37! 126 56| 57 18 62Q' I93i 206 4,245 56 86 £ * d. 3,310 19 6 566 8 3 243 2 9 628 8 5 1,765 1 6; 210 10 8 436 12 0 164 16 10 268 19 11 784 9 3 104 7 11 191 o 5 545 2 4 3,448 9 o 33 17 II 7,077 14 2 37° 14 9 1,161 4 7 28" 1 2 2,686 3 11 78 4 7J 33 8 o 3,480 2 o 134 11 8 917 6 6 537 I0 7 192 15 o 14,061 10 8 354 I 4 75 15 3 583 6 3 129 3 io| 184 8 o 205 9 9 1,756 16 2 728 6 2; 64 3 8 282 10 3 449 14 3 180 13 3 145 18 9 77 7 o 754 13 5 241 7 2 1,141 9 2 91 6 o 107 14 4 192 7 I 582 9 5 1 202 5 oj 430 16 8 16,469 7 11 957 13 4: 2,283 1 8 285 2 5 177 19 2 133 o 2 17 2 o 275 13 I 142 11 o 258 15 8 5i 4 a 327 5 6 184 17 1 452 12 7| 210 18 \ 252 15 o 46 8 10 1,825 I 9 o 628 19 11 796 16 1 16,841 1 6 268 14 7 405 6 f : 464 18 1 1,051 10 11 410 9 4 582 o 7. 204 32 19 9 106 14 35 11 17 21 10 12 445 6 274 26 84 5 8 92 8 3 103 5 62 19 13 465 20 13 36 9 11 125 4 26 21 13 20 1,560 212 75 i°3 97 1 101 249 57 108; 2i 3l 56 70 2,480 10 1,742 136 585| 15 30 523 37 17 578 24 313 112 94 3,325 98 72 259 63 60 699 12 24 124 181 75 77 49 230 153 360 52 23 28 £ s - d - 7,249 17 10 1,778 12 6 402 1 o 358 12 1 3,442 13 o 618 12 10 1,107 T 6 o 374 J 7 ° 767 8 11 761 1 2 589 13 o 546 16 9 21,685 1° 7 68 12 1 26,615 13 I0 1,321 16 5 4,912 13 8 106 o o 276 13 o 4,252 10 10 276 9 5 210 6 o: 8,277 14 i° 252 11 o 3,771 3 11 891 7 3 589 10 o 31,326 19 3 1,040 14 o 486 6 o 1,209 15 o ! 508 18 o 679 9 o 5,111 11 1 28 4 o 158 4 o] 1,069 14 °i 787 8 o 602 9 o 572 5 o 235 14 ° 1,769 14 4 690 7 9 2,517 9 II 101 8 e> 209 13 2 245 o o 1,049 10 II 317 9 o 1,997 n 8 56,482 10 S 2,310 9 10 9,603 6 9 626 o o| 631 1 6] 98 20 5 4 i 17 8! 12 II 1 295| '361 10 291 il 3 "I 2 108 45 22 9 402 10 2 12 6 6 "64 10 12 8 6 437 75 17 29 104 36 54 24 40 63 14 25 1,724 1,690 55 96 = 203! I9| 13 454| 10 170 90 52 2,269 J 7 7 l 21 16 2451 il 4! 35! 56 3i! 34 49 40 144 15 11 £ s. c 4,169 5 1,464 13 393 1 I 290 7 816 9 1 326 2 1 43.8 19 360 19 505 2 832 2 183 6 347 16 18,503 9 33,C38' 2 608 12 1,605 18 12 o 1 42 12 3,720 4 137 1 1 166 o 8,446 6 71 4 1 3,585 9 i,i53 7 660 19 34,305 10 1 576 6 99 12 997 7 203 5 584 9 3,305 14 10 o 31 o 981 5 1,305 7 1 403 16 908 18 196 14 953 18 3M 19 1 3,256 10 152 8 1 120 1 73 15 486 8 89 1 819 9 58,525 11 1,667 o 4,655 17 1 524 12 558 7 9 42 M 53 11 8 2 I? 13 37 10 1 9 25 3 30 736 58 189 144 52 225 5.217 283 904 68 108 2 8 4 9 C53 28 81 9 3ij 11 60 4.147 "■3 333 20 38 15 5 8 174 37 200 97 321 189 317 227 644 302 300 73 914 607 452 2,514 3°i 116 532 461 136 372 61 18 2 1 8 18 12 61 17 2 9 66 28 4 40 95 55 533 87 49 15 399 424 255 2,761 218 47 150 4°3 179 104 I 18 8 o 459 7 6 228 13 6 7° J 4 ° 524 18 6 878 5 o 1,015 5 ° 3,196 19 8 651 2 o 671 13 2 166 5 o 3,896 7 2 4,662 16 7 2,640 5 o 39,759 o 8 2,528 1 2 216 2 o* 1,563 18 9 3,412 5 9 1,896 6 10 I,/I3 2 2 3 3 4 3 4 1 32 8: 23 : 3§' 2Oj 94 49| 3! 125 157 73 2,155 31 27 34 T 34 58 43 5 o 303 14 26 8 359 11 437 14 340 2 468 1 737 2 160 o 50 o 3,440 2 3,058 19 1,135 6 36,648 16 410 16 272 13 764 15 1,942 8 i>193 lS 478 12 74 74 61 372 54 28 27 14 3 J 7 10 2 121 224 103 I47i 4 14 65 23 3° 11 27 1 5

5

F.—l

Table No. 3— continued. Table showing the Number and Amount of Transactions at the several Money Order and Savings Bank Offices in the Colony of New Zealand during the Year 1891 — continued.

Money Orders. Saving! Banks. Office. Issued. Paid. v s c .J! §" No. Deposits. Amount. i,- Wi « O w < u No. Withdrawals. ihdrawals. Amount. No. Commission. [_ Amount. No. Amount. Nelson— continued. The Port Wakefield New Plymouth .. Inglewood Opunake Pungarehu Stratford Waitara Oamaru Duntroon Hampden Herbert Kakanui Kurow Maheno Ngapara Thames Katikati Maketu Miranda Opotiki Paeroa Rotorua* Tapu Tauranga Te Aroha Te Puke Waiorongomai Whakatane TlMARU Fairlie Creek .. Geraldine Makikihi Pleasant Point.. St. Andrews Temuka Waimate Winchester Wanganui Bull's Eltham Fordell Hawera Hunterville Manaia Manutahi Marton Normanby Patea Turakina Waitotara Waverley Wellington Ashurst Campbelltown .. Carterton Castlepoint Chatham Islands Eketahuna Featherston Feilding Fowlers Foxton Greytown North Halcombe Hutt Johnsonville Kaitoke Kaiwarawara .. Martinborough Masterton Mauriceville .. Ngahauranga .. Otaki Pahiatua Palmerston North Petone 196 157 2,3°4 474 424 112 701 500 2,889 144 3 J 4 191 101 j 217 123 109 2,394 132 131 43 516 502 419 25 619 760 178! 97 236 2,640 152 693 29 185 1 122 557 885 81 ! 3>9°i 460 248 138 1,487 621 712 £ B. d. 12 13 10 5 19 O 113 18 8 l8 2 2 1520 5 I 2 25 12 4 23 19 4 132 7 6 550 IO 15 2 6 19 10 424 938 6 i 10 476 103 8 8 5 11 6 6 8 8 228 23 10 10 20 15 8 23 17 2 0 19 6 27 8 8j 29 7 2 8 14 8 4 16 4 9 4 I0 . 133 9 8, 6 8 8] 26 17 2 1 3 O 10 11 6 504 24 2 4 36 16 10 290 184 16 8 19 16 o 8 19 2 662 55 7 8 23 o 2 21 18 4 236 47 4 o 854 25 10 4 626 6 18 10 23. 7 8 827 9 4 15 3 o 5 13 o 31 11 6 2 8 10 440 16 17 2 17 9 8 53 o 2 4 16 6 37 1 4 36 9 10 12 11 4 12 18 2 410 226 £ s. d. 746 4 3 538 4 6 7.661 13 6 1,858 7 3 1,641 o 5 481 4 2 2,634 18 4 1,934 I 7 8 9,614 9 4 524 2 9! 1,165 5 5 674 8 2 387 10 10 853 17 o 440 10 11 323 2 5 6,975 14 5 349 o 1 360 o 7 107 2 8 1,800 5 6 1,664 8 5 1,767 15 7 80 o 6 2,021 18 10 2,464 2 11 393 18 8 394 6 11 675 7 7 8,568 18 10 541 9 0 2,007 9 11 84 o 3 716 4 3 438 7 ° 1,645 15 7 3,184 3 10 203 19 3 13,944 15 5 1,516 15 7 776 16 3 637 9 o 6,618 19 10 2,235 8 1 2,881 19 6 165 17 10 3,835 12 9 700 3 1 2,098 10 1 665 5 6 660 3 2 2,046 7 5 48,726 16 7 1,390 13 11 643 9 2 2,122 17 6: 199 13 I 434 3 5 2.662 14 6; 1,307 3 4 5,539 14 5 803 o 5 2,795 2 4 2,411 15 9 1,205 12 10 850 10 4 243 17 3 203 14 7 200 o 3 1,219 14 7 6,620 12 3 961 5 1 418 13 8 1,961 19 4 5,225 10 2 10,972 12 6 1,464 11 7 85 88 2,854 239 140 97 3°4 207 1,759 28 3" 37 34 138 57 11 1,198 92 5i 8 195 122 222 33 558 380 64 50 79 1,890 67 203 10 39 58 267 372 27l 2,724; 172 58 37 656 54 200 18 453i 114 232 76 32 109 21,132 143 21 315 26 16 33<5 133 632 34 311 300 116 222 68 11 10 £ s - d - 296 6 1 312 18 10 13,253 o 9 1,236 17 6 641 19 8 640 g 4 1,608 3 4 661 19 5 6,388 4 6 80 11 o! 9S0 5 9 156 o o 147 13 8 672 13 5 226 o 6 48 7 8 4,497 « IO 292 10 6 124 9 3 40 15 o 83O 2 10 475 11 1 1,064 15 6 239 7 1 2,061 12 11 1,635 IJ 8 288 19 4 211 o o 4°5 9 3 6,419 16 5 258 1 1 812 1 4 22 8 10 152 3 3 318 15 2 949 o 8 1,433 15 6 in 13 4 9,627 o 11 659 13 6 a 238 4 5 103 13 4 2,523 9 7 237 13 9 890 16 11 9416 1 1,603 19 o 488 17 I 819 12 7 273 12 O 153 10 9 412 8 7 81,380 8 5 587 15 1 64 13 1 1,157 3 11 199 16 10 94 17 n 1,810 3 9 422 8 9 2,412 o 6 142 17 6 1,033 13 10 1,041 17 S 466 6 7 818 19 8 243 9 7 59 3 6 26 2 o 203 3 2 4,408 2 2 151 9 1 1 16 5 1,145 17 9 1,361 18 6 6,219 9 4 951 10 8 17 sP 76J 23 II 89 64 410 5 14 9 3 17 10 5 293 13 4 34 33 3° 74 58 10; 21 497 4 hi 86| 86 12 701 83 34 7 127 5i 5° 8 T 45 166 2,617 468 122 83 292 353 2,698 96 62 65 13 72 57 22 2,53i 74 3° '184 183 X 45 435 392 52 74 3.504 95 452 II 73 388 604 88 4.3 6 4 530 98 73 793 93 269 •24 756 no 461 77 55 256 121,097 149, 51 634 16 £ ■■ d. 568 2 o . I,86O 2 O 39,86S 16 3 4,963 4 9 1,264 * 7 858 3 9! 5,579 11 4| 3,594 4 i°i 3O,66l I7 O; 471 17 o 497 19 o 348 8 o 58 14 o 570 2 2 373 8 7 330 7 o 21,622 6 3 640 19 6 409 9 0 2,192 5 o 1,356 15 7: 1,736 2 o 4,349 6 7 2,816 10 4 369 5 10 1,276 3 8 33,030 4 1 1,701 5 o 4,320 14 1 189 15 3 511 8 2 627 19 3 3,831 1 9 7,262 6 4 515 o 4 62,436 2 O 3,265 13 2 513 6 9 745 15 7 10,965 14 10 1,524 o 3 2,672 9 7 264 6 2 7, 118 4 6 1,258 9 9 2,725 3 4 876 4 11 349 13 o 2,947 1 8 5240,401 7 11 815 10 1 178 4 o 4,860 16 7 124 18 o 3 3' 3 2 3 2 4 : 9: 37 12 357 9: 3| 6 1 7 2 3 335 I 3 36 18 17 27 3 2 8 466 7 31 1 I 32 56l 38 42 2,049 183 64 26 182 112 1,787 3°l 24 28J 7 25 14 II 2,090 21 18 95; 66 64 'i 5 6 146 8 17 2,512 27 138 7 15 14 124 249 29 3.345 160 35 20 284 19 118 £ s. d. 331 19 11 953 13 10 39,37 s 13 o 3,003 o 9 I.315 4 i° 468 1 4 3,904 14 3 i,i35 o 9 31,696 o 1 343 7 ii 328 16 3 178 19 5 58 2 11 288 14 8 126 11 2 90 7 11 29,080 5 4 447 18 9 607 5 5 1,691 1 6 ! 2,185 1 7 543 19 9 2,583' 8 3 2,143 5 9 120 19 9 117 3 10 39,493 7 9 1,412 6 11 2,534 8 4 44 o o 380 7 4 101 17 3 1,787 1 o 6,278 1 5 374 H 4 57,412 13 6 2,635 6 9 440 19 4 168 o 9 8,577 15 7 357 7 7 i,945 10 3 419 3 10 3,824 11 6 1,041 9 7 2,351 8 8 192 on 159 9 9 1,714 18 6 259,444 lC 10 702 3 8 352 10 3 2,239 19 4 73 18 9 40 g c 76 9 22 8 44 1,118 197 633 173 165 504 14,205 451 183 672 52 no 587 430 1,395 200 813 745 314 271 88 7i 73 345 1,886 277 88 630 1.453 3.305 500 133 33 66 9 20 53 2,6441 3 i 82 3 44 15 16 6 4 24 2,57° 15 5 36 1 21 230 54 141 27 22 100 18,428 74 24 202 7 42 52 1341 83 40 78 26 157 249 881 14 797 494 166 1,943 8 7 2,221 19 10 8,420 11 3 189 16 10 5,655 4 9 3,693 8 o 1,309 6 7 4,733 13 3 I,560 7 6 187 15 o 421 14 o 816 8 1 14,175 8 7 1,158 17 o 356 17 o 1,872 14 8 5,240 19 3 25,973 3 4 4,806 14 3 12 23 90 2 47 42 16 137 75 365 7 260 197 87 98 76 3 41 28 546 66 2,664 8 3 964 6 8 7,408 11 8 78 13 10 2,697 ° 2 3,216 8 6 1,035 4 I 2,605 7 8 969 3 1 27 9 o 253 1 10 488 16 8 7,867 7 11 796 5 10 54 11 6 1,298 2 6 5,076 18 6 18,347 2 10 _3,O57 17 4 524 17 1 10 87 12 2 8 15 2 406 29 7 4 46 13 8 142 5 2 24 10 6 44 1,148 40 2 285 335 1,725 303 2 18 20 285 J 7 10 5i "5 447 i 96| 449 338 55 234 93 1,582 83 67 302 33° 2,227 767 23 4 3 4 9 98 4 1 26 % 197 43 M 118 284 1,001 ig8 * To SlBt Aui ;ust; for business from 1st September, see Auckland District.

F.—l

6

Table No. 3 — continued. Table showing the Number and Amount of Transactions at the several Money Order and Savings Bank Offices in the Colony of New Zealand during the Year 1891 — continued.

SUMMARY.

Money Orders. Saving; Banks. Office. Issued. Paid. < ° Deposits. c -a §1 Withdrawals. No. Commission. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. /ELLINGTON— continued. Sanson Te Aro Te Nui Upper Hutt .. Wellington South Woodville /estport Boatman's Cape Foulwind Charleston Dennistdn Longford Lyell Waimangaroa .. / s. d. £ s. d. / s. d. £ * d. £ s - d3°0; i,479 174 197 107. 1,870; 2,172 13* 175 227 1,521 190 568 223 9 17 10 ; 75 11 2 8 18 8 6 6 8; 4 15 8' 65 18 6 ( 121 2 o' 6 6 8 8 18 2J 10 14 2 93 3 ° : 8 19 6 : 23 6 4 10 11 o i,084 7 3 3,760 4 5 667 14 3 555 1C 7 3°3 14 3 6,362 8 8 7,678 4 1 447 18 o 508 14 10! 597 13 7 5,428 14 9 770 17 9 1,859 12 3! 808 5 5! 84 138 31 118 72 519 i,i93 16 11 68 347 2 10 522 8 o 140 14 10 436 9 5 251 8 7 1,976 6 7 4,286 16 1 62 9 o 35 19 6 230 11 11 585 19 10 179 7 6 102 9 4 246 4 4 20 353 22I J 5| 2 5! 156 256 13 28 16 3,795 112 227 237 578 1,416 89 r 37J 1,083 40 100 1 1,593 15 ° 13,410 15 8 1,094 ° Io 1,058 16 7 698 1 o 10,045 8 ! 17,708 2 9 1,013 18 o 970 19 o 641 10 o 5,953 10 ii, 466 8 o; 916 1 7 650 o 7I 6 79 9 8 10 71 345 1 4 1 293 49 54 30 369| I,i68j 34 21 36 121 644 14 3 2,210 8 o 699 8 1 1,006 11 6 246 15 9 7,971 10 11 25,865 3 5 932 12 10 128 18 4 416 15 4 I,160 12 6 236 13 o 433 5 3 158 12 4 153 32 37 64 r 74 10 24 20 3 6 11 13 25 i*7.l

Postal District of — Auckland Blenheim Christchurch Dunedin Gisborne Greymouth Hokitika Invercargill Napier Nelson New Plymouth .. Oamaru Thames Timaru Wanganui Wellington Westport £ •■ d. £ s. d. £ s- d- £ •■ d. £ s - d. 33,476 4,783 22,245 26,267 2,505 6,237 2,887 10,622 12,554 4,785 4,515 4,088 6,052 5,344 10,401 33,271 5,207 1,716 11 4 242 13 2 1,192 14 o 1,256 15 2 150 2 10 35O 17 o 139 9 2 454 o " 678 4 2 230 12 o 201 15 8 179 2 10 266 6 4 246 18 6 439 16 4 1,620 14 6 283 o 10 110,695 J 7 15,928 19 10 74,962 4 4 82,730 4 6 8,465 5 7 20,177 o 5 8,464 8 o 33,635 9 o 43,058 4 10 17,027 18 4 16,212 1 4 13,983 6 10 19,054 2 8 17,390 7 11 38,784 3 6 113,320 4 3 18,100 o 8 35,587 2,151 21,798 28,942 904 3,197 1,509 6,561 7,095 5,155 3,841 2,375 3,052 2,933 4,935 28,670 i,574 125,737 10 8 8,085 T 9 4 74,063 11 5 101,834 8 10 3,482 6 11 11,435 11 2 5,262 5 9 23,023 12 10 25,778 2 11 20,633 6 6 18,042 10 o 8,699 16 6 12,167 16 3 io,477 15 7 18,127 8 6 110,079 15 11 5,729 17 6 3,016 572 4,186 3,822 451 500 202 969 1,368 612 t>54 473 570 804 1,375 5,016 541 18,623 3,657 34,242 30,836 2,490 3>o85 1,121 6,385 8,639 4.173 3,935 3,085 4,100 5»279 7,959 36,298 3,064 241,797 19 9 38,103 17 8 360,481 18 11 270,925 9 S 21,754 2 8 37,972 3 2 13,782 7 o 52,715 15 1 88,734 8 10 53,517 I 4 56,128 2 6 33,312 12 9 36,769 3 9 51,989 14 3 97,662 5 6 359,020 1 6 28,320 10 10 1,969 376 3>H3 2,892 295 477 186 641 861 12,805 2,123 23,053 18,459 1,7 2 4 2,087 776 3,198 5,279 2,562 2,616 1,926 2,681 3,"5 4,576 23,177 1,446 213,162 5 7 32,661 5 7 344,180 9 9 245,216 17 2 18,503 9 3 39,930 13 o 13,917 7 2 50,176 2 5 76,453 10 .7 42,997 14 7 49,204 14 11 33,111 o 4 39,520 9 11 49,406 4 4 81,240 16 6 334,499 15 2 29,332 13 o 379 4°5 388 479 595 839 3.521 426 Totals 651,989 19 6 582,661 16 7 [ I7697I 1,842,987 15 2 17,872 II1603 1,693,515 9 3 195239 9,649 14 9 160279 • i P5,i3i

7

F.—l

Table No. 4. POST OFFICE SAVINGS-BANKS.— GENERAL STATEMENT. Table showing the Business of the Post Office Savings-Banks in New Zealand Year February, 1867, to the 31st December, 1891.

Number of Post Office SavingsHanks Open at the Close of the Year. Number of Deposits received during the \ Year. Total Amount of Deposits received during the Year. Average Amount of each Deposit received during the Year. Number j of With- 1 drawals during the Year. Average Total Amount of Am ° a ° f Excess of Deposits Withdrawals WithdraWa! over Withdrawals during the Year. " durirf " during the V ear. the Y^ar. Total Amount of Withdrawals during the Year. Excess of Withdrawals over Deposits during the Year. Cost of Management I during the Year. Average Cost of each Transaction, Deposit or Withdrawal. Interest for the Year. Number of Accounts Opened during the Year. Number of AccountsClosed during the Year. Number of Accounts remaining Open at Close of the Year. Total Amount standing to the Credit of all open Accounts, inclusive of Interest to the Close of the Year. Average Amount standing to the Credit of each open Account at Close of the Year. Postal Districts. Auckland Blenheim Christchurch Dunedin Gisborne Greymouth Hokitika Invercargill Napier ... Nelson ... New Plymouth Oamaru Thames Timaru Wanganui Wellington Westport I 76 8 37 40 2 8 5 23 19 9 6 8 9 9 14 30 8 I 18,623 3.657 34,242 2,490 3.085 1,121 6,385 8,639 4,173 3.935 3. 0 85 4,IOO 5,2/9 7.959 36,298 3>o64 £ e. d. 24i,797 '9 9i 38.10:5 17 8i 360,481 18 11 J 270,925 9 8| 2i,754 2 8; 37.972 3 2| 13,782 7 o 52,715 >5 1 88,734 8 10 53,5 > 7 1 4 56,128 2 6 33,312 12 9| 36,769 3 9! 51,989 14 3 97,662 5 6 359,020 1 6 28,320 10 10 £ s. d. 12 19 8 10 S 4 10 1 o 6 8 15 8 8 14 8 1262 12 510 8 5 1 10 5 5 12 16 5 14 5 3 10 <5 " 8 19 4 9 16 11 1254 9 17 9 9 4 10 1083 103 6 9 16 10 1012 6 9 12 8 9 011 10 4 1 9911 9 4 8 10 4 o 9 8 11 10 11 9 11 6 1 1018 o 11 3 6 11 1 1 9 11 14 4 13 5 8 14 16 2 1312 o 1213 6 12 18 o 12,805 I 2,123 i 23,053 18,459 1,724 2,087 776 3,198 5, 2 79 2,616 1,926 2,681 3,' 15 4,576 23,177 1,446 I £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 213,162 5 7 16 12 11 28,635 14 2 32,661 5 7 15 7 8 5,442 12 1 344,180 9 9 14 18 7 16,301 9 2 '245,216 17 2 13 5 8 25,708 12 6 18,503 9 3 10 14 8 3,250 13 5 39,93o 13 o 19 2 7 13,917 7 2 17 18 8 50,176 2 s 15 13 9 2,539 12 8 76,453 10 7 14 9 7 12,280 18 3 42,997 14 7 16 15 7 10,519 6 9 49,204 14 11 18 16 2 6,923 7 7 33,111 o 4 17 3 9 201 12 5 39,520 911 14 14 9 49,406 4 4 15- j 7 2 2,583 9 11 81,240 16 6 17"! 5 o ! 16,421 9 o 334,499 15 2 14 8 7 24,520 6 4 29,332 13 o 20 5 8 j £ - 1,958 9 10 135 ° 2 £ ... ! '"' i r. d. ... ... o 4' 16 o 4'45 o 3'79 ° 3'97 o 4-24 ; o 4'23 j o 4'44 I o 4'57 j o 4'66 ; o 4'82 o 4'5 2 . o 6'O4 , : o 5-69 o 5'33 o 5-98 O 6'2O o 6-44 o 6'55| o 7" J 4, I o 7'63i jo 8-23' j° 9 - 36| jO 1077: 0 9'77 1 io-i8j I £ 5. d. 13,759 ,o 7 2,215 i° 7 22,126 11 10 17,455 ° 8 j 918 1 9 1 2, 139 1 o 4 1,113 12 6 4, O 41 13 9 4,623 19 1 3,200 10 6 2,338 5 10 2,181 13 o 2,744 10 5 3,413 3 11 4,106 15 8 16,306 17 6 1,413 9 ■ 104,098 17 o 92,319 o 6 84,809 17 1 78,080 6 o 67,363 15 3 65,825 9 6 62,228 3 11 57>38i 13 7 56,046 17 3 54,9O9 13 'i 42,204 19 o 32,822 12 4 ! 31,715 18 2 I 31,664 12 9 J 29,193 14 6 28,762 4 7 28,565 3 s 26,935 6 8 20,106 16 10 i '4.71I ° 5 j 11,291 10 10 9,242 3 11 7,412 8 o 4,88o 7 3 1,241 5 o I 3,016 572 4,186 I 3.822 451 500 202 969 1,368 612 654 473 57° 804 ■,375 5,016 ' 541 1,969 376 3,143 2,892 295 477 186 641 861 379 405 388 479 595 839 3.521 426 12,456 2,461 21,287 l6,744 2,173 I,OI I 4,119 4,886 3.4O5 2,387 1,871 2,982 3,254 4,623 •8,445 1,312 104,467 97,208 90,745 84,488 79,724 74,871 69,957 65.717 61,936 57.517 51,008 38,667 34,747 32,1.32 28,761 26,117 24,334 21,742 i7»!3 2 13,566 10,549 6,290 4,252 2,156 358,654 H 5 59,49 2 1 7 5 6 5,485 15 2 448,894 8 3 25,008 o 2 53,442 3 8 28,228 10 4 101,898 3 11; 121,428 6 ioj 85,654 >3 c 6.3,353 19 4 53,735 '7 3 6/,54i H 6 85,445 2 9 113,820 13 8 428,406 6 5 34,957 o 3 2 ,695,447 11 6 2,441,876 8 7 2 ,i9i,45i H 1 2,048,441 10 9 1,813,084 18 8 i,6i5,979 9 6 1,638,035 19 5 1,499,112 o 7 1,409,751 16 7 1,470,950 13 6 1,232,787 16 9 903,765 16 10 787,005 19 o 819,071 8 2 767,375 17 8 723,910 17 5 727,295 7 8 770,836 18 o 664,807 5 10 490,066 7 o 357,6S4 H 6 295,372 1 7 231,3" S 3\ 163,518 IS 7 71,197 14 1 28 15 10 24 3 5 26 11 3 26 16 2 23 !5 IO 24 11 10 27 18 5 I 24 14 9 24 17 o 25 3 1 2610 9 J 28 14 4 I 22 12 11 26 5 2 24 12 4 23 4 6 26 12 10 ... I 2,751 6 2> I I,OI2 2 2 — l 25 16 o 25 2 4 24 2 11 24 4 IO 22 14 IO 21 II 8 23 8 4 22 16 3 Totals for Colon}' in 1891 ... „ ,, 1890 ... 1889 ... 1888 ... 1887 ... 1886 ... „ „ '885 ... „ ., 1884 ... 1883 ... „ „ 1882 ... 1881 ... „ 1880 ... 1879 .- 1878 ... 1877 ... 1876... 1875 ... „ ,, 1874 ... >S73 ■•• „ „ 1872 ... „ ,, 1871 ... 1870 ... „ .1869 ... „ „ 1868 ... Totals for Colony from 1st Feb. to 31st Dec, 1867 31' 296 294 290 283 256 2 43 222 207 190 .78 165 147 138 124 H9 J103 8i 7o 59 55 46 ; 176,971 162,938 '53.9 20 '45,355 136,197 137.989 '3i,373 129,279 127,609 129,952 ' 2 5, 8 55 81,660 71,865 69,908 60,953 57,295 56,129 52,627 39,223 31,681 24,642 20,489 i7>'33 13,014 6,977 1,842,987 15 2 1,658,543 3 5 1,515,281 11 3 1,544,747 7 " 1,312,151 ' 5 1,248,405 6 11 1,341,001 3 2! 1,227,909 1 1 4 1,178,474 4 1 1,325,852 2 11 1,189,012 2 7 864,441 18 10 812,399 11 11 762,084 12 o 681,294 13 2 664,134 12 6| 657,6S3 4 °| 699,249 ] 4 3 380,542 5 5 1 430,877 o o 312,338 18 4I 264,328 5 7 240,898 5 9 194,535 " 6: 96,372 7 10; 11 1,603 106,868 99,i85 96,204 89,962 89,182 84,832 80,800 78,405 69,308 60,137 57,446 54,698 42,746 39,363 39,486 36,977 29,778 21,268 17,254 14,773 ",934 9,292 6,365 1,919 1,693,515 9 3I 15 3 5i 149.4/2 5 n 1,500,437 9 5 14 o 9 158,105 14 o 1,457.081 5 O| 14 13 9 58,200 6 3 1,387,47! 1 id 14 8 5 157,276 6 1 1,182,409 7 6 13 2 10 129,741 13 ii 1,336,287 6 4J 14 19 8 J 1,264,305 8 3 14 18 0\ 76,695 14 >i 1,195,931 o 11! 14 16 o 3i,9/8 lo 5 1,295,719 18 3 16 10 6 J 1,142,599 o i; 16 9 8 i 183,253 2 10 902.195 i SI i<5 o 1 1286,817 o 11 780,504 13 4; 13 11 8 83,937 5 6 j 876,180 19 3 16 o 4 I 742,053 14 3, 17 7 * 20,030 17 9 667,023 7 5 16 18 10 14,271 5 9 696,281 7 4 1 17 12 8 729,759 '7 9 19 '4 8 620,1:55 8 9 20 16 5 79,094 5 6 425,908 3 5 20 o 5 154,634 2 o 313,176 7 11 1 18 3 o 117,700 12 1 261,347 16 3 17 13 9 5o,99i 2 1 209,509 13 2 17 11 1 54.8i8 12 5 180,518 4 1 19 8 7 60,380 i 8 107,094 17 3 16 16 6 87,440 14 3 26,415 18 9 13 15 3 69,956 9 1 ... 87,881 19 5 ... 117,245 14 2 !63,78i 7 4 5,000 5,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4.OOO ; 4,O0O j 4,OOO I 4,OOO J 4,000 3,5°° 3,000 i 2,500 j 2,5°° 2,500 2,500 2,250 1,800 i>55 6 i,35i 1,264 J 1,186 i 789 822 25,131 23,719 21,778 21,307 20,368 21,671 20,66 1 20,228 20,386 21,014 25.°59 ■ 16,137 15,401 13,005 n>235 ",255 11,273 10,346 7,382 6,205 4,615 4,304 3,839 3,282 2,520 17,872 17,256 15,521 i6,543 15,5 '5 i6,757 16,421 16,447 15.967 I4.5O5 . 12,718 12,217 12,786 9,634 8,591 9,472 8,681 5.736 3,816 3,188 2,383 2,277 1,801 1,186 364 22 15 2 25 u 5 24 3 4 23 7 6 22 12 11 25 9 9 26 13 7 27 14 4 29 17 9 35 9 ° 38 16 1 36 2 5 33 '8 i 35 10 3 36 IS 5 38 9 1 33 ° 5 32,146 14 10 72,106 13 9 14 1 2 14 18 11 13 16 3 ...

¥.— l.

Table No. 5. Balance-sheet of the New Zealand Post Office Account for the Year ended 31st December, 1891.

8

Balances on 1st January, 1891. Transactions. Balances on 31st December, 1891. Cr. Dr. Cr. Dr. Cr. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. \1oney Obdeb Accounts:— Money orders United Kingdom, &o. United States of America, &c. Victoria South Australia New South Wales Queensland Tasmania Western Australia Commission Savings-Bank Accounts :— Deposits and withdrawals Transfers .: ?ELEGKAPH ACCOUNTS \ — Beceipts New South Wales New Zealand & Australian Cable 'ostal Bevbnue Accounts: — Stamps Postal Guides Private box and bag rents Miscellaneous revenue Money-order commission Total revenue Jkneiial Accounts :— Post Office Account Postmasters and Telegraphists Investments Accrued interest on investments Advances to Treasury for payments to London office on Money Order Account Miscellaneous expenses License-fees —Game Government Insurance receipts Registration of births, &o. Beceipts under Live-Stock Acts Machinery fees Property-tax Postal notes Maintenance of private lines .. San Francisco contributions, moiety to Sydney Consolidated revenue Public Trust Native Land Bill Postage from London Customs Hospital and charitable aid .. Profit and loss 18,134 5 9 88 13 8 521 17 9 i 12,441,876 8 7 1,159 17 4 547 15 8 351 3 8 197 11 o 98,808 o 1 J 6,730 o 3 16,660 17 5 138 19 1 647 3 10 424 10 3 999 1 3 79 19 10 415 15 8 70,581 9 4 172,370 12 11J 2,337> l8 2 7 8 19,162 13 6 ' 729,917 3 1 74,128 11 11 4,33i 5 o 23,618 13 10 1,514 o 4 41,754 7 3 3,674 2 6 6,703 13 2 446 14 5 1,867 J 4 8 1,947,086 12 2 116,358 12 4 147,038 5 2 15,902 4 7 13,402 2 o 291,458 11 9 351 5 o 4,561 10 o 291 iS 10 9,649 14 9 192,941 13 nj 1,169,951 16 11J 3,432,582 8 io| 44,000 o o 19,162 13 6 730,438 12 6 73,010 o 9 3,400 11 8 21,406 3 3 1,346 8 9 I 42,057 o 11 3,455 2 3 7,799 2 9 404 10 4 1,581 16 11 1,693,515 9 3 "6,577 3 11 146,265 16 5 15,829 8 8 13,093 5 5 278,521 6 11J 351 5 o" 4,561 10 o 291 18 10 9,649 14 9 192,346 17 10 1,170,272 11 oi 3,447,ni 11 6 315,955 o o 20,645 9 5 17,612 16 4 79 1 14 3 1,565 6 9 256 5 3 219 4 1 ' -=,695,447 n 6 941 5 9 1,320 4 5 423 19 7 506 7 7 m,745 4 11 7,324 16 44 15,542 6 3 205 10 o 2,094 I0 I0 37 15 9 129 17 11 70,902 3 5 186,899 15 7 ! 2,609,137 7 8 20,645 9 5 • 1,272 9 1 11S 11 6 14,247 18 1 3,407 15 8 8,453 8 2 341,620 17 7 1,401 5 o 21,517 7 3 1,521 7 o 11,344 8 o 3,375 10 2 234,132 4 3 76,066 17 6 700 6 9 326,276 9 9 1,401 5 o 21,899 12 11 1,542 14 o ii,344 8 o 3,54 6 15 2 238,075 o o 78,401 14 6J 700 6 9 11,936 12 2 890 3 5 97 4 6 5,794 9 II. 239 ° ° 4,375 3 2 4o,358 5 3i I 67 15 o 432 7 5 38,023 8 3 125 1 9i 14 14 8 17 4 1 478 14 3 J 152 10 o 640 5,792 15 3 4,320 11 10 20 9 5 [37,O54 2 5 142 5 10J 488 7 5 5 1 6 152 10 o 3,000 9 o 314 11 6 640 7,445 o o 3,983 o 5 J 17 3 4 135,513 12 8 i,34 8 4 3 652 2 10J 3 e r 19,625 14 6 18,085 4 9 I Totals 2,636,319 4 6i 2,636,319 'I 6-i 9,140,671 18 iljj 9,140,671 18 11J 2,911,389 6 9 2,911,389 6 9

Table No. 6. Securities, &c., standing in the Name of the Postmaster-General on Account of the Post Office Savings-Bank Fund on the 31st December, 1891.

I*—F. 1.

9

8a

Description of Securities, &c. Nominal Value. Value at Cost Price. Interest accrued but not received at Close of Year. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Consolidated Loan 1867 Debentures, 4 per cent. 13,000 o o 12,480 o o 109 14 o Consolidated Stock 1867 Debentures, 4J per cent. 66,400 o o 66,400 o o 270 2 10 " Consolidated Stock Act 1884 " Debentures, 4J per cent. 662,339 o o 662,427 o o 2,596 16 4 " Consolidated Stock Act 1884 " Debentures, 5 per cent. 250,000 o o 250,000 o o 1,130 2 10 Defence Loan 1870 Debentures, 4 per cent. 75,000 o o 72,000 o o 632 17 6 Defence Loan 1870 Debentures, 4J per cent. 5,000 o o 5,000 o o Deficiency Bills, 5 per cent. 232,600 o o 232,600 o o District Railways Purchasing Act Debentures, 4 per cent. 42,000 o o 36,076 17 8 418 17 o District Railways Purchasing Act Scrip, 4 per cent. 34,100 o o 34,100 o o 340 1 3 General Purposes Loan 1873 Debentures, 4 per cent. 5,200 o o 4,342 o o 43 17 7 " Government Loans to Local Bodies Act 1886 " Debentures, 273,400 o o 273,400 o o 4,320 2 10 5 per cent. 2-, 000 O O 2,OOO O O " Government Loans to Local Bodies Act 1886 " Debentures, 4J per cent. 50,000 O O 50,080 o o Greymouth Harbour Board Debentures, 5 per .cent. 1,253 8 6 Hamilton Borough Debentures, 5J per cent. 3,000 o o 3,000 o o 68 14 3 Hokitika Harbour Board Debentures, 5 per cent. 10,000 o o 10,000 o o 68 g 10 Immigration and Public Works Loan 1870 Debentures, 4 per cent. 173,200 o 0 166,272 o o 1,461 10 4 Immigration and Public Works Loan 1870 Debentures, 4 J per 14,900 o o 14,527 10 o 141 8 11 cent. * ft Imperial Immigration and Public Works Loan 1870 Guaranteed 324,000 o o 324,000 o o 1,065 4 ° Debentures, 4 per cent. North Rakaia River Board Debentures, 5 per cent. 4,500 o o 4,500 o o 93 14 o Oamaru Borough Debentures, 5 per cent. 5,000 o o 5,000 o o 94 10 5 Oamaru Gas Bonds, 5 per cent. 8,800 o o 8,800 o o 36 3 3 Oamaru Harbour Mortgages, 5J per cent. 33,000 o o 33,000 o o 760 16 1 Oamaru Harbour Mortgages, 5 per cent. 30,000 o o 30,000 o o 628 15 4 Patea Harbour Board Mortgages, 5 per cent. 10,000 o o 10,000 o o 72 12 1 Thames Borough Debentures, 6 per cent. 6,500 o o 6,500 o o 190 3 9 Thames Harbour Board Debentures, 6 per cent. 4, 000 o o 4,000 o o 120 6 6 Treasury Bills, A.\ per cent. 88,000 o o 88,000 o o Westport Harbour Board Debentures, 5 per cent. 200,000 o o 200,632 o o 4,116 o 6 Post Office Account 610 19 6 Totals 2,625,939 o o 2,609,137 7 8 20,64.5 9 5

_.—1

10

Table No. 6a. POST-OFFICE SAVINGS-BANKS. Balance-sheet for the Year ended 31st December, 1891.

Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. 3alance to credit of depositors, 1st Withdrawals .. .. .. 1,693,515 9 3 Jan., 1891 .. .. .. 2,441,876 8 7 Balance to credit of depositors, 31st Deposits .. .. .. .. 1,842,987 15 2 December, 1891 .. .. .. 2,695,447 11 6 interest allowed to depositors .. 104,098 17 0 £4,388,963 0 9 £4,388,963 0 9 Dr. Liabilities and Assets. Cr. £ s. a. £ s. a. 3alance to credit o£ depositors, 31st Securities (vide Table No. 6) .. 2,609,137 7 8 December, 1891 .. .. .. 2,695,447 11 6 BalancePost Office Account, on 31st December, 1891 .. ..£70,202 3 5 Held by Postmasters.. 16,108 0 5 86,310 3 10 £2,695,447 11 6 £2,695,447 11 6 ~~——*~fi ============== Dr. Profit and Loss. Cr. £ s. a. £ s. a. 3alance forward, 1st January, 1891 .. 18,085 4 9 Interest credited to depositors, 1891 ..104,098 17 0 interest on investments ..£137,054 2 5 Paid Public Account, expenses of manageress— ment .. .. .. .. 5,000 0 0 Accrued in- Savings Bank profits carried to revenue .. 7,000 0 0 terest to Balance to next account .. .. 19,625 14 6 31st December, 1890 .. £19,162 13 6 Refunds to Treasury 252 2 2 19,414 15 8 ■ 117,639 6 9 £135,724 11 6 £135,724 11

Table No. 7.-SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE. Statement showing the Number of Days occupied in the Delivery of Mails between London and the under-mentioned Places by the San Francisco Mail Service.

2—F. 1.

F.—l.

TO LONDON VIA SAN FRANCISCO.

11

FROM LONDON VIA SAN FRANCISCO. Auckland. Wellington'. Dunedin. Sydney. ELBOURNE. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Auckland. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Wellington. No. ! Date of of i Despatch from j ' Days. ; London, Date of Arrival in Dunedin. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Sydney. No. of Days. Date of I Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Melbourne. No. of Days. ' I 1891. January 24 February 2 1 March 2 1 April 18 May 16 June 13 .1 uly 11 August 8 September 5 October 3 October 3 1 J891. March 13 March 2 7 April 24 May 2 1 June 18 July 17 August 13 September 10 October 9 November 7 December 3 1892. January 1 February 1 48* 34 34 33 33 34 33 34 35 33 1891. January 24 February 2 1 March 2 1 April 18 May 16 June 13 July 11 August 8 September 5 October 3 October 3 1 1891. March 15 March 29 April 26 May 24 June 19 July 19 August 15 September 12 October 10 November 9 December 5 1892. January 3 Februarv i 1891. 1891. 50* January 24 ! March 17 36 February 21 : March 31 36 March 21 April 28 36 April 18 May 25 34 May 16 June 22 36 June 13 July 20 35 Ju 1 )' i' August 17 35 August 8 September 13 35 September 5 , October 12 37 October 3 \ November 10 S5 October 31 ; December 7 1892. 36 November 28 : January 4 39 December 26 February 4 52 38 38 3 J 37 37 37 36 37 38 37 1891. January 24 February 2 1 March 2 1 April 18 May 16 June 13 July 11 August 8 September 5 October 3 October 31 1891. March 18 April 1 April 28 May 26 J une 22 July 22 August 18 September 15 October 14 November 12 December 8 1892. January 6 February 5 S3* 39 38 38 37 39 38 38 39 40 38 1891. January 24 February 2 1 March ' 21 April 18 j May 16 June 13 J uly 11 August 8 September 5 October 3 October 3 1 1891. March 19 April 2 April 29 May 27 June 23 July 23 August 19 September 16 October 15 November 13 December 9 1892. January 7 February 6 54* 40 39 39 38 40 39 39 40 43 39 November 28 December 26 34 37 November 28 December 26 37 40 November 28 December 26 39 41 November 28 I December 26 40 42 I Maximum Minimum Average 48 j 33 ! 35 5° 34 36-92 1 52 ! 36 38-54 53 37 39'77 54 38 4077 * Steamer delayed in San Francisco repairing broken shaft.

ELBOURNE. Sydney. DUNEDIN. Wellington. Auckland. Date of Despatch from Melbourne. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Sydney. Date of Arrival in London. No. of ] Bays. Date of Despatch from j Dunedin. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Wellington. 1891. January 24 February 26 March 26 April 23 May 21 June 18 July ] 6 August 13 September to October 8 November 5 Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Auckland. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. 1891. January February March April May June July August September October October 20 2 2 2 I 16 11 io 5 3' 1891. March j April 1 April 30 May 27 June 25 July 23 August 19 September 20 October 15 November 1 1 December 9 1892. January 7 1S91. 40 January 2 1 38 February [23 40 i March 23 39 j April 20 40 ! May 18 40 ] June 15 39 I July 13 41 ; August 1 1 40 September 7 39 J October 5 39 ; November 2 40 I November 30 1891. March 1 April 1 April 30 May 27 June 25 July 23 August 19 September 20 October 15 November 11 December 9 I 1892. January 7 j 39 37 38 37 38 38 37 40 38 37 37 38 189O. 1891. January 23 j March 1 February 25 April 1 March 25 April 30 April 22 I May 27 May 20 ! June 25 June 17 j July 23 July 15 ! August 19 August 12 ' September 20 September 9 i October 15 October 7 j November 1 1 November 4 | December 9 1892. December 2 : January 7 37 35 36 35 36 36 39 36 35 35 1891. March 1 April 1 : April 30 J May 27 I fune 25 July 23 August 19 September 20 October 15 November 11 December 9 1892. January 7 36 34 35 34 35 35 34 38* 35 34 34 1891. January 26 February 28 March 28 April 25 May 23 June 20 July 18 August 17 September 12 October 1 o November 7 1891. March 1 April 1 April 30 May 27 June 25 July 23 August 19 September 20 October 15 November 11 December 9 1892. January 7 34 32 33 32 33 33 32 34* 33 32 32 November 28 36 December 3 35 December 5 33 Maximum Minimum Average 41 - 39-S8 40 1 37 37-83 39 35 38 34 34 32 * Mail delayed in Auckland through lat; arrival of mail steamer from Sydney owing to stress of weather.

F.—l.

Table No. 8.-DIRECT MAIL SERVICE. Statement showing the Number of Days occupied in the Delivery of Mails between London and the under-mentioned Places by the Direct Mail Service of the New Zealand Shipping Company.

TO LONDON VIA PLYMOUTH.

12

■ROM LONDON VIA PLYMOUTH. Auckland. Wellington. J :ristchurch. Dunedin. [VERCARGILL. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Auckland. No. of D3vs. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Wellington. No. • of Days. Date of Despatch from London. Date of No. Arrival in of Christchurch. Days. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Dunedin. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Invercargill. No. of Days. iSgi. January 9 February 6 March 6 April 4 May i May 30 June 27 July 24 August 21 September 18 October 16 November 13 1891. February 28 March 28 April 23 May 21 June 17 July 18 August 15 September 12 October 7 November 5 December 2 December 30 50 48 47 47 49 49 50 47 48 47 47 1891. January 9 February 6 March 6 April 4 May 1 May 30 June 27 July 24 August 21 September 18 October 16 November 13 1891. February 25 March 25 April 21 May 19 June 14 July 15 August 13 September 9 October 5 November 3 December 1 December 28 47 47 46 45 44 46 47 47 45 46 46 45 1891. January 9 February 6 March 6 April 4 i May 1 May 30 June 27 ! J ul Y 24 August 21 September 18 October 16 November 13 1891. February 27 March 26 April 22 May 20 June 15 July 16 August 14 September 9 October 7 November 4 December 2 December 29 49 48 47 46 45 47 48 47 47 47 47 46 1891. January 9 February 6 March 6 April 4 May 1 May 30 June 27 July 24 August 21 September 18 October 16 November 13 1891. February 27 March 27 April 22 May 21 June 16 July 17 August 14 September 10 October 7 November 4 December 2 December 30 49 49 47 47 46 48 48 48 47 47 47 47 1891. January 9 February 6 March 6 April 4 May 1 May 30 June 27 July 24 August 21 September 18 October 16 November 13 1891. February 28 March 27 April 23 May 22 June 17 July 18 August 15 September 1 1 October 8 November 5 December 3 December 31 5° 49 48 48 47 49 49 49 48 48 48 48 Maximum Minimum Average 5° 47 48-25 47 44 45-92 49 45 47 49 46 47-5 50 47 48-42

Auckland. Wellington. HRISTCHURCH. DUNEDIN, Il rVERCARGILL. Date of Despatch from Auckland. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Dajs. Date of Despatch from Wellington. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Christchurch. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Dnnedin. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Invercargill. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Davs. i8gi. January 5 February 2 March 2 April 2 1 April 30 May *8 June 24 July 22 August 19 September 17 ! October 15 November 12 1891. February 19 March 18 April 16 May 23 June 14 July 11 August 6 September 4 October 7 October 30 November 28 December 24 45 44 45 51 45 44 43 44 49 43 44 42 1 891. January 8 February 5 March 4 April 3 May 2 May 29 June 26 July 24 August 21 September 18 October 17 November 14 1 891. February 19 March ' 18 April 16 May 23 June 14 July 11 August 6 September 4 October 7 October 30 November 28 December 24 42 43 43 43 41 42 47 42 40 1 89I. January 7 February 4 March 5 April 4 May 1 May 30 June 27 July 25 August 22 September 19 October 16 November 13 1891. February 19 March 18 April 16 May 23 June 14 July 11 August 6 September 4 October 7 October 30 November 28 December 24 43 42 49 44 42 40 4 1 46 4i 43 41 1891. January 8 February 4 March 4 April 3 May 1 May 29 June 26 July 24 August 21 September 18 October 16 November 13 189I. February 19 March 18 April 16 May 23 June 14 July 11 August 6 September 4 October 7 October 30 November 28 December 24' 42 42 43 50 44 43 41 42 47 42 43 4 1 189I. January 6 February 2 March 3 April 2 April 30 May 28 June 25 July 23 August 20 September 17 October 15 November 12 1891. February 19 March 18 April 16 May 23 June 14 July 11 August 6 September 4 October 7 October 30 November 28 December 24 44 44 44 51 45 44 42 43 48 43 44 42 j Maximum Minimum Average 51 42 .. 44-92 5° 40 43 49 40 42-83 41 43'33 51 42 44'5

F.—l.

Table No. 9.-PENINSULAR ORIENTAL MAIL SERVICE. Statement showing the Number of Days occupied in the Delivery of Mails between London and the under-mentioned Places by the Packets of the Peninsular and Oriental Line.

13

FROM. LONDON VIA P. AND 0. PACKETS. Melbourne. SVDNEY. BLurr. Christchurch. Wellinxton. Auckland. Date cf Date of Despatch from j Arrival in London. j Melbourne. No. of Days. Date of Date of Despatch from [ Arrival in London. Sydney. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival at Bluff. No. ' of Days. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Christchurch. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from London. Date of Arrival in Wellington. No. j Date of of ' Despatch from Days. ! London. Date of ■ No. Arrival in j of Auckland. ; Days. 1891. Feb. 17 46 Feb. 24 39 March 18 47 March 25 40 April 14 I 46 A P ril 25 ! 43 May 12 I 46 May 22 42 June 9 46 June 20 43 July 7 J 46 July 16 J 41 July 29 I 40 August 17 45 I August 28 ; 42 ! Sept. 12 i 43 ! Sept. 29 J 46 I October 9 ' 42 October 27 | 46 Nov. 6 i 42 Nov. 23 45 Dec. 4 j 42 Dec. 22 I 46 Dec. 30 ! 40 1892. 1891. 1891. Jan. 2 I Feb. 7 Jan. 16 Feb. 17 Jan. 30 March 6 [ Feb. 13 ! March 18 Feb. 27 I April 2 March 13 April 15 March 27 May 1 April 10 May 14 i April 24 j May 26 May 8 I June 12 i May 2 3 ' June 24 June 5 [ July 8 June 19 I July 20 July 3 I August 7 July 17 I August 18 July 31 i Se pt- 4 August 14 ! Sept. 18 August 28 i Sept. 29 Sept. 11 : October 16 Sept. 25 ] October 29 October 9 ! Nov. 10 October 23 i Nov. 26 : Nov. 6 j Dec. 10 j Nov. 20 ! Dec. 20 1892. 1 48 41 49 45 47 42 42 47 40 49 40 49 38 5 1 40 47 47 40 47 44 42 48 5° 38 ■ 1891. 1891. Jan. 2 Feb. 9 I 38 Jan. 16 Feb. 18 33 Jan. 30 March 7 3b Feb. 13 ; March 19 j 34 Feb. 27 April 3 | 35 March 13 April 16 34 March 27 ' May 2 | 36 April 10 ' May 15 ! 35 April 24 May 27 I 33 May 8 June 13 j 36 May 22 June 25 : 34 June 5 July 9 34 June 19 July 21 32 July 3 j August 8 36 July 17 August 20 ; 34 July 31 Sept. 5 i 36 August 14 ■ Sept. 19 36 August 28 Sept. 30 j g^ Sept. 11 October 171 36 Sept. 25 October 30 j 35 October 9 ; Nov. 11 33 October 23 Nov. 27 j 35 Nov. 6 : Dec. 11 35 Nov. 20 ; Dec. 22 { 32 1892. 1891. 1891. Feb. 17 Feb. 24 March 17 April 1 April 13 April 28 May * 11 Mayjy 25 June 1 June 23 June 29 J uly 2 1 July 27 August 20 August 24 Sept. 14 Sept. 28 October 5 October 26 Nov. 1 o Nov. 17 Dec. 7 Dec. 2 1 Dec. 28 1892. 39 46 • 47 45 45 45 38 46 38 46 38 48 38 45 45 38 45 46 39 45 45 38 1891. 1891. I Feb. 18 Feb. 26 March 18 I April 2 April 14 April 28 i May 12 May 26 June 2 June 24 June 30 July 22 July 28 August 21 August 25 Sept. 15 Sept. 29 October 6 October 27 Nov. 11 Nov. 18 Dec. 8 Dec. 23 Dec. 29 1892. 1891. 1891. Feb. 19 Feb. 26 March 20 March 30 April 1 J April 24 May 8 May 27 June 3 June 26 July 1 July 24 July 27 August 23 August 26 Sept. 16 Sept. 30 October 7 October 28 Nov. 8 Nov. 20 Dec. 1 o Dec. 26 Dec. 28 1892. 1891. 36 32 35 33 34 33 35 34 35 33 3' 35 32 35 35 35 34 32 34 34 3° Jan. 2 Jan. 16 Jan. 30 Feb. 13 Feb. 27 March 13 March 2 7 April 1 o April 24 May 8 May 22 June 5 June 19 July 3 July 17 July 3 ' August 14 August 28 Sept. 11 Sept. 25 October 9 October 2 3 Nov. 6 Nov. 20 Jan. 2 Jan. 16 Jan. 30 Feb. 13 Feb. 27 March 13 March 2 7 April 10 April 24 May 8 May 2 2 June 5 June 19 July 3 July 17 July 31 August 14 August 28 Sept. 1 1 Sept. 25 October 9 October 23 Nov. 0 Nov. 20 47 41 47 48 46 46 46 46 39 47 39 47 39 49 39 46 46 39 46 47 4° 46 47 39 Jan. 2 Jan. 16 Jan. 30 Feb. 13 Feb. 27 March 13 March 2 7 April 1 o April 24 May 8 May 22 June 5 June 19 July 3 July 17 July 31 August 14 August 28 Sept. 11 Sept. 25 October 9 October 23 Nov. 6 Nov. 20 Jan. 2 Jan. 16 Jan. 30 Feb. 13 Feb. 27 March 1 3 March 2 7 April ia April 24 May 8 May 2 2 June 5 June 19 July 3 July 17 July 31 August 14 August 28 Sept. 11 Sept. 25 October 9 October 23 Nov. 6 Nov. 20 Dec. 4 Jan. 8 Dec. 18 Jan. 21 35 34 Dec. 4 j Jan. 9 36 Dec. 18 ! Jan. 22 j 35 Dec. 4 Dec. 18 Jan. 19 Feb. 1 46 45 Dec. 4 Dec. 18 Jan. 20 Feb. 2 47 46 Dec. 4 Dec. 18 Jan. 22 Feb. 4 49 48 Dec. 4 Dec. 18 Jan. 2 1 48 Jan. 29 42 * 38 3 2 34 - 69 48 38 49 39 44-42 Maximum Minimum Average 36 3° 5' 38 44-92 48 39 43-62

F.—l

14

Table No. 9.-PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL MAIL SERVICE-continued. Statement showing the Number of Days occupied in the Delivery of Mails between London and the under-mentioned Places by the Packets of the Peninsular and Oriental Line— continued.

TO LONDON VIA P. AND 0. PACKETS. Auckland. Sydney. Melbourne. Wellington. Bluff. Date of Despatch from Auckland. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Wellington. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Bluff. Date of Arrival in London. No. Date of of Despatch from Days. Sydney. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Melbourne. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. 1891. January 7 January 27 February 10 1891. February 23 March 9 March 22 47 4i 40 1891. 1891. ■• 1891. January 9 January 23 February 6 February 20 Marcrt 6 March 21 April 4 April 19 May 2 May 15 May 29 June 15 June 26 July 11 July 24 August 7 August 21 Sept. 5 Sept. 18 October 3 October 19 October 30 November 14 1891. February 23 March 9 March 22 April 6 April 19 May 5 May 18 June 1 June 14 June 30 July 14 July 27 August 12 August 23 Sept. 8 Sept. 20 October 8 October 18 November 2 November 16 November 28 December 14 December 29 1892. January 10 January 24 45 45 44 45 44 45 44 43 43 46 46 42 47 43 46 44 48 43 45 44 40 45 45 1891/ January 19 February 2 February 16 March 2 March 16 March 30 April 13 April 27 May 11 May 25 June 8 June 22 July 6 July 20 August 3 August 17 August 31 Sept. 14 Sept. 28 October 12 October 26 November 9 November 23 1891. February 23 March 9 March 22 April 6 April 19 May 5 May 18 June 1 June 14 June 30 July 14 July 27 August 12 August 23 Sept. 8 Sept. 20 October 8 October 18 November 2 November 16 November 28 December 14 December 29 1892. January 10 January 24 35 35 34 35 34 36 35 35 34 36 36 35 37 34 36 34 38 34 35 35 33 35 36 1891. January 20 February 3 February 17 March 3 March 17 March 31 April 14 April 28 May 12 May 26 June 9 June 23 July 7 July 21 August 4 August 18 Sept'. 1 Sept. 15 Sept. 29 October 13 October 27 November 10 November 24 1891. February 23 March 9 March 22 April 6 April 19 May 5 May 18 June 1 June 14 June 30 July 14 July 27 August 12 August 23 Sept. 8 Sept. 20 October 8 October 18 November 2 November 16 November 28 December 14 December 29 1892. January 10 January 24 34 34 33 34 33 35 34 34 33 35 35 34 36 33 35 33 37 33 34 34 32 34 35 February 19 April 6 46 March 10 March 24 April 19 May 5 40 42 March 19 47 May 5 April 18 April 29 May 14 June 1 June 14 June 30 44 46 47 April 21 May 4 June 1 June 14 •• 41 41 May 30 July 14 •• 45 August 23 46 June 29 August 12 •• 44 July 8 45 August 5 46 July 25 Sept. 8 Sept. 20 November 14 December 29 1892. January 10 January 24 45 November 27 December 16 ' 44 39 November 27 December 14 44 4 1 December 7 December 21 1892. January 4 34 34 December 8 December 22 1892. January 5 33 33 December 30 1892. February S 40 December 24 February 8 46 December 31 February 8 39 February 8 35 February 8 34 Maximum Minimum Average 47 40 43'55 47 39 43'9i 48 39 4408 38 33 3500 37 32 34-00

F.—l

Table No. 10.-ORIENT MAIL SERVICE. Statement showing the Number of Days occupied in the Delivery of Mails between London and the under-mentioned Places by the Packets of the Orient Line.

15

FROM LONDON VI. ORIENT PACKETS. Melbourne. Sydney. Bluff. Christchurch. Wellington. Auckland. Date of Despatch from London. 1891. Jan. 9 Jan. 23 Feb. 6 Feb. 20 March 6 March 20 April 3 April 17 May 1 May 1 s May 29 June 12 June 26 July 10 July 24 August 7 August 21 Sept. 4 Sept. 18 October 2 October 16 October 30 Nov. 1 3 Date of Arrival in Melbourne. 1891. Feb. 11 Feb. 26 March 11 March 25 April 8 April 22 May 8 May 21 June 3 June 17 July 3 Ju'y '5 July 29 August 13 August 26 Sept. 10 Sept. 26 October 8 October 2 1 Nov. 6 Nov. 18 Dec. 2 Dec. 18 No. of Days. 33 34 33 33 33 35 34 33 33 35 33 33 34 33 34 36 34 33 35 33 33 35 Date of Despatch from London. t 1891. Jan. 9 Jan. 23 Feb. 6 Feb. 20 March 6 March 20 April 3 April 17 May 1 May 15 May 29 June 12 June 26 July 10 July 24 August 7 August 21 Sept. 4 Sept. 18 October 2 October 16 October 30 Nov. 13 Date of Arrival in Sydney. 1891. Feb. 12 Feb. 27 March 12 March 26 April 9 April 23 May 9 May 2 2 June 4 June 18 July 4 July 16 July 3° August 14 August 27 Sept. 11 Sept. 28 October 9 October 22 j Nov. 7 I Nov. 19 j Dec. 3 J Dec. 19 No. of Days. 34 35 I- 34 I 34 1 34 34 36 35 i 34 I 34 34 ! 34 35 34 i 35 38 35 36 34 34 36 Date of Despatch from London. ■ 1 1891. Jan. 9 Jan. 23 Feb. 6 Feb. 20 March 6 March 20 April 3 April 17 May 1 May 1 5 May 29 June 12 June 26 July 10 July 24 August 7 August 21 Sept. 4 Sept. 18 October 2 October 16 October 30 Nov. 13 Date of Arrival at Bluff. 189 1. Feb. 24 March 9 March 23 April 1 April 13 April 27 May 18 J une * 1 Junel" 15 June 23 July 13 July 2 1 August 10 August 20 Sept. 7 Sept. 2 1 October 5 October 19 Nov. 2 Nov. 17 Nov. 30 Dec. 14 Dec. 28 1892. Jan. 10 No. oi Days. 46 45 45 40 38 38 45 45 45 39 : 45 : 39 45 4' 45 45 45 45 j 45 46 45 45 i 45 : Date of Despatch from London. 189 I - Jan. 9 Jan. 23 Feb. 6 Feb. 20 March 6 March 20 April 3 April 17 May 1 May 15 May 29 June 12 June 26 July 10 July 24 August 7 August 21 Sept. 4 Sept. 18 October 2 October 16 October 30 Nov. 13 Date of Arrival at Christchurch. 1 189I. Feb. 26 March 11 March 24 April 2 April 14 April 28 May 19 June 2 June 16 June 24 July 14 July 22 August 11 August 21 Sept. 2 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 18 Dec. 1 Dec. 13 Dec. 29 1892. No. of Days. 48 47 46 4i 39 39 46 46 46 40 46 40 46 42 40 46 46 46 46 47 46 46 46 1891. Jan. 9 I Jan. 23 Feb. 6 Feb. 20 March 6 March 20 April 3 April 17 May 1 May 15 May 29 June 12 June 26 July 10 July 24 ! August 7 August 21 Sept. 4 Sept. 18 October 2 October 16 October 30 Nov. 13 Date of Despatch from London. 1891. Feb. 26 March 13 March 25 April 4 April 15 April 29 May 18 June 3 June 10 June 26 July 20 July 24 August 4 August 23 Sept. 3 Sept. 18 October 7 October 14 October 31 Nov. 20 Nov. 28 Dec. 11 Dec. 28 1892. Date of Arrival in Wellington. No. of Days. 48 49 47 43 40 40 45 47 40 42 52 42 39 44 ; 4. 42 I 47 40 43 i 49 43 42 45 Date of Despatch from London. 1891. Jan. 9 Jan. 23 Feb. 6 Feb. 20 March 6 March 20 April 3 April 17 May 1 May 15 May 29 June 12 June 26 July 10 July 24 August 7 August 21 Sept. 4 Sept. 18 October 2 October 16 October 30 Nov. 13 Date of ! No. Arrival in ; ot Auckland. | Days 1891. Feb. 17 ! 39 March 12 48 March 18 40 March 31 39 April 14 ! 39 April 29 40 May 20 ! 47 May 27 40 June 9 J 39 June 25 41 July 13 45 July 22 i 40 August 4 J 39 August 22 ] 43 Sept. 1 : s<) Sept. 16 40 October 9 49 October 19 45 October 27 39 Nov. 24 $3 Nov. 24 39 Dec. 9 40 Dec. 30 1 47 1892. Nov. 27 Dec. 30 1892. 33 Nov. 27 Dec. 31 1892. 34 Nov. 27 44 Nov. 27 Jan. 12 46 Nov. 27 Jan. 9 43 Nov. 27 J a "- 5 I 39 Dec. 11 Jan. 14 Jan. 28 34 34 Dec. 11 Dec. 25 Jan. 15 Jan. 29 35 35 Dec. 1 1 Dec. 25 Jan. 25 Feb. 9 45 1 46 I Dec. 1 1 Dec. 25 Jan. 26 Feb. 10 46 47 Dec. 11 Dec. 25 Jan. 25 Feb. 8 45 45 Dec. 1 1 Dec. 25 1 Jan. 21 J 41 Feb. 10 J 47 Dec. 25 1 I 4 Maximum Minimum Average 36 33 33-69 ) 38 34 3473 46 38 4373 48 39 4462 39 439 6 53 39 42"n

F.—l

Table No. 10.—ORIENT MAIL SERVICE— continued. Statement showing the Number of Days occupied in the Delivery of Mails between London and the under-mentioned Places by the Packets of the Orient Line— continued.

16

TO LONDON VIA ORIENT PACKETS. Auckland. Wellington. Bluff. Sydney. Melbourne. Date of Despatch from Auckland. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Wellington. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Bluff. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Sydney. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. Date of Despatch from Melbourne. Date of Arrival in London. No. of Days. 1891. January 5 January 20 February 3 February 18 March 18 March 31 April 14 May 27 June 9 June 23 1891. February 14 March 3 March 15 March 28 April 27 May 9 May 22 July 4 July 21 August 3 40 42 40 38 46 39 38 38 42 4 1 1891. January January March April May 17 3° 12 9 23 1891. March 3 March 15 April 27 May 22 July 4 45 44 46 43 42 1891. January 3 January 19 January 30 Febrtfary 27 Mar eh 13 March 30 April 13 April 24 May 8 May 23 June 6 June 19 July 3 July 18 August 3 August 14 August 28 Sept. 11 Sept. 25 October 9 October 23 November 6 1 891. February 14 March 3 March 15 April 11 April 27 May 9 May 22 June 9 June 21 Ju!y 4 July 21 August 3 August 18 Sept. 1 Sept. 13 Sept. 27 October 11 October 24 November 9 November 22 December 5 December 19 1892. January 4 January 16 January 30 42. 43 44 43 45 40 39 46 44 42 45 45 46 45 41 44 44 43 45 44 43 43 1891. January 12 January 26 February 9 February 23 March 9 March 23 April 6 April 20 May 4 May 18 June 1 June 15 June 29 July 14 July 27 August 10 August 24 Sept. 7 Sept. 21 October 5 October 19 November 2 November 16 1891. February 14 March 3 March 15 March 28 April 11 April 27 May 9 May 22 June 9 June 21 July 4 July 21 August 3 August 18 Sept. 1 Sept. 13 Sept. 27 October 11 October 24 November 9 November 22 December 5 December 19 1892. January 4 January 16 January 30 33 36 34 33 33 35 33 32 36 34 33 36 35 35 36 34 34 34 33 35 34 33 33 1 891. January 13 January 27 February 10 February 24 March 10 March 24 April 7 Aprii 2 1 May 5 May r 9 June 2 June 16 June 30 July 15 July 28 August 11 August 25 Sept. 8 Sept. 22 October 6 October 20 November 3 November 17 1891. February 14 March 3 March 15 March 28 April 1 1 April 27 May 9 May 22 June 9 June 21 July 4 July 21 August 3 August 18 Sept. 1 Sept. 13 Sept. 27 October 11 October 24 November 9 November 22 December 5 December 19 1892. January 4 January 16 January 30 32 35 33 32 32 34 32 3i 35 33 32 35 34 34 35 33 33 33 32 34 33 32 32 July 22 August 18 Sept. 2 Sept. 16 Sept. 29 October 13 October 27 November 10 Sept. 1 Sept. 27 October 11 October 24 November 9 November 22 December 5 December 19 1892. January 4 January 16 January 30 4 1 40 39 3S 4 1 40 39 39 July August August Sept. Sept. Sept. 18 15 3 16 29 Sept. 1 Sept. 13 Sept. 27 October 11 October 24 November 9 45 43 43 38 38 4 1 October 24 December 5 42 November 24 December 9 December 22 41 3S 39 November 20 December 4 December 18 45 43 43 November 30 December 14 December 28 35 33 33 December 1 December 15 December 29 34 32 32 Maximum Minimum AVerage 42 38 39-67 46 42-5 46 39 43'48 36 32 34'°4 35 31 33'°4

17

F.—l

Table No. 11. Table showing the estimated Number of Letters, Post-cards, Book-packets, and Newspapers delivered and posted, within the several Postal Districts of New Zealand, during the Year ended 31st December, 1891.

Table No. 12. Table showing the Number of Letters, Book-packets, and Newspapers received from and despatched to Places outside the Colony during the Year ended 31st December, 1891.

Table No. 13. Table showing the Number of Letters, Post-cards, Books, &c., and Newspapers delivered by the Letter-carriers from the Post Offices within the several Postal Districts during the Year ended 31st December, 1891.

Postal Districts. Delivered. j ■ Post-cards. Books, &c. Newspapers, Delivered. Letters. Posted. Post-cards. Books, &c. Newspapers, Posted. Letters. I Auckland rhames Mew Plymouth jisborne Napier vVanganui Wellington kelson vVestport j-reymouth Hlokitika Blenheim "hristchurch rimaru Damaru 3unedin jivercargill 5,705,466 446,693 4 I 5,7 I 4 215,852 1,060,553 1,148,667 4,068,402 510,471 201,201 317,629 175,864 344,643 3,442,140 I 801,034 , 463,242 3,272,386 !,277,445 232,362 17,550 28,028 5,395 44,746 66,911 138,645 3i,3i7 9,399 12,571 7>7°9 12,184 : 178,789 54,951 30,342 145,288 81,601 i 814,099 55,458 43.7O0 45,292 129,155 148,161 597,3" 63,089 29,276 53,222 3O,IO8 52,247 454,519 128,531 67,912 444, J 3 2 i 186,563 2,543,905 247,962 208,403 169,052 436,137 527,046 1,434,979 212,095 153,270 211,107 128,245 210,483 935,688 298,610 150,37 1 1,222,442 678,431 4,682,483 377,"7 i 382,551 184,587 1,191,918 1,189,084 4,072,614 519,662 I 99,355 338,429 168,311 347,880 3,723,59o 896,610 ! 472,355 3,631,979 1,366,937 273,533 9,737 23,595 5,564 43,836 101,686 126,204 25,155 4,3i6 9,399 3,458 8,242 228,345 50,284 25,298 155,259 87,230 753,558 30,641 29,848 24,531 205,491 207,857 685,789 92,573 12,35° 53,573 18,928 42,627 576,953 135,057 66,690 690,911 200,603 2,294,890 104,455 134,680 65,663 331,058 266,591 1,196,286 "9,379 76,752 147,004 71,916 103,740 1,651,910 161,317 92,365 i>477.377 438,503 Totals ■ 1 1 23,867,402 1,097,788 ! 3,342,781 9,768,226 231745>462 '1,181,141 991,065 3,827,980 3,320,801 8.733,681 I 8,691,52: Previous year.. 22,415,263 1,019,434 2,838,329 9,221,212 21,501,937

Received. Despatched. Letters. Books, Sec. Newspapers. Letters. Books, &c. Newspapers. I I Jnited Kingdom— Via San Francisco Via Direct contract packets Via Direct non-contract packets Via P. and O. and Orient lines .. .ustralian Colonies Ither places 387.332 : 289,855 6,617 82,550 728,391 116,197 166,101 ! 112,570 234 *3,% 745 814,952 84,291 '• 721,600 587,063 1,689 158,461 944,880 164,821 449,840 M4.357 36,509 14,036 659.37 6 103,685 i 59.509 19,063 5.911 983 78,"3 17,810 36l,36l 90,706 9,587 2,808 554,900 HO.437 Totals 1,610,942 J 1,211,893 ! 2,57 8 ,5i4 1,407,803 181,389 1,129,799 Previous year !>375,383 1,082,880 2,446,324 1,310,206 177,016 1,145,126

Postal Districts. Letters. Post-cards. Books, Circulars, &c. Newspapers. Auckland rhames .. New Plymouth Sisborne Napier .. Wanganui Wellington Nelson .. Westport Hokitika Blenheim "hristchurch rimaru .. 1 2,294,371 I57. 8 73 I 57>525 52,698 336,610 273,888 1,161,294 171,006 47, O 63 129,127 63,336 81,217 1,547,679 188,426 120,059 1,226,622 316,814 67,964 10,717 15,467 2,270 13,162 16,700 39,388 9,424 2,262 5,334 2,384 5,356 78,890 17,410 10,176 44,042 23,553 186,591 13,601 20,721 8,283 26,966 43,232 128,389 22,582 7,421 16,569 7,77i 18,128 204,699 29,449 19,575 174,563 74-581 465,209 53,936 92,027 25,378 57,O99 106,627 272,412 74,632 17,194 52,634 36,579 51,666 356,763 58,696 ' 23,132 316,674 r 23,i75 3amaru .. Dunedin invercargill Totals 8,325,608 364>499 1,003, I21 2,183,833 _

F.—l.

Table No. 14. Table showing the Estimated Postal Revenue, and the Estimated Number of Letters, Post-cards, Books, and Newspapers delivered and posted, within the several Postal Districts, during the Years 1875, 1885, 1890, and 1891.

18

Postal Districts. Revenue. Letter i Delivered. Letters. :rs. Posted. Post-cards. Book Delivered. Posted. ; Delivered. I Post-cards. Books. ks. Posted. Delivered. Posted. Newspapers. Auckland — 1875 1885 1890 1891 £ s. d. I3,i33 J 1 o 37,636 12 s 50,005 16 I 5',44O 11 3_ 782,329 3,776,630 5,08.3,429 5,705,466 779,617 3,206,294 4,286,499 4.682,483 126,646 208,780 232,362 127,946 233,845 273,533 277,927 620,217 814,099 176,150 660,281 753,558 647,325 [,400,906 2,152,878 2,543,9O5 326,248 ',339,468 2,i5S>°4° 2,294,890 hames — 1875 1885 1890 1891 1,664 ° 6 3,887 'I 3 3,920 5 7 3,980 1 o 119,418 369,100 435>656 446,693 io9,954 359,55° 347,538 377,'i7 io,374 15,041 17,55° 11,310 10,701 9,737 24,674 56,680 55,458 18,681 24,330 30,641 52,223 240,569 2 24,939 247,962 72,462 168,844 208,819 208,403 52,886 187,317 111,172 104.455 49,632 98,280 107,141 134,680 lew Plymouth — 1875 1885 1890 1891 1.815 9 5 3,210 16 4 3,812 1 7 5,261 15 3 97,040 261,426 323,49 3 4'5,7'4 89,469 225,966 308,016 382,551 23,'79 24,154 28,028 24,037 29,083 23,595 34,545 48,490 43,7o 6 26,676 20,076 29,848 Gisborne— 1885 1890 189! 1,545 13 ° 2,353 9 s 2,266 4 2 153,998 198,744 215,852 132,210 180,656 184,587 1,846 4,810 5,395 2,990 2, 5,564 10,699 63.232 45,292 12,870 34,99' 24,53' 115,089 167,193 169,052 71,682 "',151 65,663 apier— '875 '885 1890 1891 4,076 19 8 7,953 16 o 10,953 18 2 12,365 8 8 186,993 795,236 1,039,636 1,060,553 230.973 711,282 998,733 1,191,918 21,203 38,675 44,746 21,437 33,521 43-836 ■ 75,283 121,212 129,155 52,286 165,202 205,49' 128,480 354,'59 474,59' 436,1 37 '5°,75° 3°9,985 338,990 331,058 Wanganui — l8 75 1885 1890 1891 8,219 18 7 11.955 4 7 13,210 11 9 872,430 1,038,882 1,148,667 7io,775 1,078,236 1,189,084 34,658 63,089 66,91.1 36,504 65,440 101,686 137,956 109,850 148,161 52,871 146,583 207,857 441,792 469,352 527,046 193,700 229,893 266,591 Wellington — 1875 1885 1890 1891 5i,°5° 5 8 68,085 14 7 76,912 9 9 76,153 4 9 802,950 2,81 3,460 3,766,685 4,068,402 922,177 2,375,529 3,711,877 4,072,614 66,443 134,498 138.645 65,i°4 "a. 0 ?' 126,204 241,020 524,589 597,3" 337,14° 75 O .9O5 685,789 596,768 848,601 1,327,664 ',434,979 470,650 897,728 [,340,232 1,196,286 ,'elson— 1875 1885 1890 1891 2,399 ! ' 1O 4,667 18 1 5,103 6 o 5,625 15 1 1 205,716 456,222 464,477 5 '0,47' 180,707 411,034 443,755 519,662 10,543 22,334 3',3'7 '3.234 21,848 25,155 55,536 62,517 63,089 35,526 62,840 92,573 145,47° 203,346 234,767 212,095 1 1 1,769 117,923 124,341 119,379 Westport — '875 1885 1890 1891 1,053 6 2 1,432 19 2 1,967 2 1 2,193 8 o 73,527 121,589 190,879 201,201 57,447 114,699 169,889 '99,355 3,7 '8 5,642 9,399 2,73O 5,54' 4,3i6 10,634 21,164 29,276 5.547 9,112 12,350 95,2.37 83,772 '56,936 153,270 51,258 45,'19 73,686 76,752 Greymouth — '875 1885 1890 1891 2,17' '3 7 2,920 o 8 3,973 ' IO 3,761 o 8 146,702 266,682 368,108 317,629 167,980 • 3/5(7,929 347,354 338,429 6,240 9.165 12.571 5,33° 8,548 9,399 26,546 5 2 ,975 53,222 14,690 37,°79 53,573 13°,734 '9°,554 253,474 211,107 ■53,i°6 136,552 136,106 147,004 Hokitika — 1875 1885 1890 1891 1,816 o 9 2,154 3 1 1,996 5 4 1,998 11 ii 121,517 208,975 187,889 175,864 121,743 169,065 158,755 168,31 1 6,214 8,333 7,7°9 6,071 5,o°3 3.458 21,615 31,356 30, 108 10,361 16,675 18,928 151,832 168,706 i4i,i-93 128,245 68,695 85,003 65,781 71,916 Blenheim — 1875 1885 1890 1891 1,719 9 ° 2,952 6 o 3,908 14 7 4,121 9 7 153,723 308,529 334,81 5 344,643 131,624 242,619 3'7.5 23 347,88o 11.479 10,608 12,184 4,i/3 9,007 8,242 31,525 49,452 52,247 '3,936 41,176 42,627 153,124 '54,544 204,711 210,483 60,787 78,52° 89,323 103,740 Christchurch — '875 1885 1890 [891 17,582 19 8 31,836 10 o 36,226 7 6 39,720 10 7 1,052,071 3,212,638 3,398,291 3,442,140 1,000,864 2,848,443 3,398,556 3,723,S9 0 129,549 186,329 '78,78') '45,°54 181,128 228,345 266,223 384,475 454,5'9 269,438 505,820 576,953 529,554 i,o5i,934 949,806 935,688 295,420 ',' 95,558 1,260,362 1,651,910 Timaru — ■875 1885 1890 1891 6,454 6 2 8,783 14 4 9,761 18 7 783,900 782,184 801,034 607,5 16 7 7 1>36 1 896.610 33,670 5°,°37 54-951 33,553 45,745 50,284 69,593 97,786 I2«,K3I 35,204 99,2Si 135,°57 234,260 274,001 298,610 127,036 148,566 '61,317 Oamaru — '8/5 '885 1890 1891 3,998 7 6 4,355 '9 6 4,865 16 ii 569,101 447,213 463,242 37o,72i 409,695 472,355 15.587 3°.6i5 30.342 '5,99° 26,247 25,298 52,156 59.423 67,912 26,403 49.815 66,690 271,180 134,355 ' jjo.37' 106,444 85,7i3 92,365 Dunedin — ■875 1885 1890 1891 20,891 5 9 32,468 19 10 36,908 12 2 38,355 ' 8 1,106,168 3,231,124 3,147,69° 3,272,386 1,343,748 2,820,025 3,406,250 3,631,979 97.812 138,320 145,288 119, 119 136,841 155,25Q 240,409 396,162 444,132 373,035 495,592 690,911 1,142,015 1,168,778 1,233,895 1,222,442 872,706 1,284,114 ',954,939 ',477,'77 Invercargill — l8 75 1885 1890 1891 3,121 5 9 9,873 14 10 12,296 1 2 13,690 18 4 205,249 1,170,338 1.20;,193 1,277,445 238,145 924,820 1,167,244 1,366,937 54>S 6[ 69,004 81,601 31,629 60,936 87,230 94,367 138,749 186,563 87.438 201,073 200,603 181,133 588,276 612,638 6/8,43' 120,913 274,079 399,o86 438,503 Totals — 1875 1885 1890 1891 122,495 l8 9 229,299 7 6 275,432 9 " 288,772 9 o : 5> O 53,4 O 3 '9>37',378 22,415,263 23,867,402 5,374.448 16,458,477 2i,5 o[ >937 2.S,74;.462 653,722 1,097,788 666,211 991,065 [,181,141 1,670,708 2,838,329 3.342.78' ',595.252 3,320,80 [ 3,827,980 4,026,457 7,685.37° 9,221,2] 2 9,768,226 2,784,820 6,548,508 8,691,522 8,733,686

19

F.—l

Table No. 15. Table showing the Estimated Correspondence posted and delivered, and the Estimated Expenditure and Revenue for the several Postal Districts and of the General Post Office, for the Year 1891.

3—F. 1.

Total Estimated Correspondence posted and delivered. Estimated Expenditure. Estimated Revenue, Postal Districts. No. of Offices. Books Post-cards. and Parcels. Newspapers. Samples. Letters. Cost of Conveyance of Mails. Salaries. Contingencies. Total. From Stamps, &c. Official Postage. Total. North Island. Auckland Thames New Plymouth Gisborne Napier Wanganui Wellington 274 37 29 22 62 10,387,949 823,810 798,265 400,439 2,252,471 2,337,751 8,141,016 505,895 27,287 10,959 88,582 168,597 264,849 1,567,657 86,099 73,554 69,823 334,646 356,018 1,283,100 62,907 3,607 3,373 2,347 16,093 ",378 73,98i 4,838,795 352,417 343,o83 234,715 76f.i95 793,637 2,631,265 4,586 19 o 1,428 3 0 436 10 6 543 o o 1,738 6 1 770 11 o 2,665 o o 11,755 8 o 2,249 3 o 1,384 10 o 712 18 4 3,539 10 o 2,913 18 11 8,868 2 11 £ s- A. 2,9*3 17 7 398 8 4 224 7 2 146 4 8 460 19 10 129 3 o 3,172 1 4 £ s. d. 19,256 4 7 4,075 14 4 2,045 7 8 1,402 3 o 5,738 15 11 3,813 12 11 I4>7°5 4 3 £ s. d. 45,496 14 6 3,266 9 3 3,375 13 1 1,703 o 6 11,240 5 8 11, log 10 4 36,873 o 8 £ s - d. 5,943 16 9 7 J 3 11 9 1,886 2 2 563 3 8 1,125 3 o 2,101 1 5 39,280 4 1 51,440 11 3 3,980 1 o 5,261 15 3 2,266 4 2 12,365 8 8 13,210 11 9 76,153 4 9 44 ] Totals for North Island 573 I 125,141,701 1,117,792 J3,77O,897 173,686 9,961,107 12,168 9 7 31,423 11 2 7,445 I II 51,037 2 8 113,064 14 o 51,613 2 IO 164,677 16 10 Middle Island. Nelson Westport Greymouth Hokitika Blenheim Christchurch Timaru Oamaru Dunedin Invercargill 31 26 32 3° 165 44 23 159 116 I,O3O,I33 1 400,556 656,058 344,175 692,523 7,165,730 1,697,644 935,597 6,904,365 2,644,382 56,472 13,715 21,970 11,167 20,426 407,134 105,235 55,640 300,547 168,831 155,662 41,626 106,795 49,036 94,874 1,031,472 263,588 134,602 1,135,043 387,166 12,318 3,097 6,265 3,736 4,345 54.955 5,466 2,531 62,668 9,647 331,474 230,022 358,iii 200,161 3 T 4,223 2,587,598 459,927 242,736 2,699,619 1,116,934 1,440 16 8 383 1 o 529 5 7 1,340 14 o 990 18 8 2,634 Io 6 479 13 8 151 o o 5,031 4 7 2,254 1 ° 2,060 10 o 995 10 o 1,808 10 o 924 o o 1,416 10 o 9,344 4 3 2,002 9 2 1,217 o ° 9,925 o o 3,407 6 8 326 O O 231 9 8 I 156 o 1 ! 105 4 1 i 263 16 3 I 1,897 8 10 i 224 13 8 94 13 3 1,717 8 6 704 7 11 3,827 6 8 1,610 o 8 2,493 15 8 2,369 18 1 2,671 4 11 13,876 3 7 2,706 16 6 1,462 13 3 16,673 13 1 6,365 15 7 4,78o 13 7 1,715 11 8 3,188 7 4 i,57i 2 3 3,001 13 11 36,879 5 5 8,133 o 8 4,246 15 1 35,7i8 7 4 12,893 1 5 845 2 4 477 16 4 572 13 4 427 9 8 1,119 Z 5 8 2,841 5 2 1,628 17 11 619 1 10 2,636 14 4 797 16 II 11,966 13 6 5,625 15 11 2,193 8 o 3,761 o 8 1,998 11 11 4,121 9 7 39,720 10 7 9,761 18 7 4,865 16 11 38,355 1 8 13,690 18 4 Totals for Middle Island 1 658 ■ 22,471,163 1,161,137 165,028 8,540,805 15,235 5 8 5,721 2 3 54,057 8 o 112,127 18 8 3,399,864 33,101 o 1 124,094 12 2 General Post Office I • • 43,192 7 10 5,488 o o 759 19 3 49,440 7 1 20,2O2 16 5 20,202 16 5 Totals fpr the Colony .. 1,231 47,612,864 2,278,929 7,170,761 338,714 18,501,912 70,596 3 J 70,012 11 3 13,926 3 5 154,534 17 9 245,395 9 1 63.579 16 4 308,975 5 5

F.—l.

Table No. 16. Comparative Table showing the Progress of the Telegraph Department during the Financial Years ended 30th June, 1866, to 30th June, 1879; 31st March, 1880, to 31st March, 1882; and Calendar Years ended 31st December, 1882, to 31st December, 1891.

( a ) From this mileage 78 miles to be deducted before computing the cost per mile for maintenance. ( ! ) From this mileage 102 miles to be deducted before computing the cost per mile for maintenance - () b » 32 „ ~ 1, „ ( m ) „ 66 „ „ „ ( c ) „ 42 ~ » „ „ ( n ) „ 100 „ ( d ) * ~ 106 „ „ „ „ (0) „ igo „ „ „ „ (') v 174 » » » » («) » 83 ( g ) // 150 „ „ „ „ (') „ 100 „ „ „ (*■) » 85 „ „ „ . p) . 144 . *(') „ 116 „ „ „ „ (') „ 84 P) » io 9 » a » » ( n ) « 2 74 1, 1, » » ( k ) » 95 » » . . ( T ) . 201

20

o Number of Telegrams forwarded during the Year. Revenue derived from Private and Press Messages, Money-order Telegrams, and Incidental Receipts. Cost of Maintenance of Lines, excluding Australian cable subsidy. Year ended Number of Miles of Line. Number of Miles of Wire. Value of Government Messages. Total Value of Business done during the Year. Cost of Maintenance of Stations. Total Expenditure. Cost of Maintenance of Lines per Mile. Tariff in Operation. Private, and Press. Government. Total. 30th June, 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 I873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 31st March, 1880 1881 1882 31st Dec, 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 „ 1890 1891 699 757 1,110 1,329 1,661 i,976 ( a ) 2,185 H 2,356 ( c > 2,530 w 2,986 (e) 3,154 H 3,259 ( s ) 3,434 ( h ) 3,512 (i) 3.638 (J) 3,758 (k) 3,824 0 3,974( m ) 4,O74 ( n ) 4,264 (°) 4,463 ( p ) 4,546(«) 4,646 0 4,79° C) 4,874 0 5,i48( 11 ) 5,349 ( T ) 1,498 2,223 2,495 2,897 3,247 4,574 6,626 7,247 7,423 8,035 8,117 9,333 9,587 9,653 9,848 10,037 10,474 10,931 11,178 ",375 11,617 11,827 12,812 13,235 13 21 3 1 45 56 72 81 93 105 127 142 155 182 195 214 227 234 264 302 33O 375 412 437 473 489 520 573 24,761 55,621 72,241 106,070 122,545 253,582 344,524 485,507 645,067 786,237 890,382 952,283 1,065,481 1,201,982 824,734 1,058,342 1,215,849 1,361,817 i,379,4 8 3 1,433,458 i,533,4o6 1,583,717 1,589,77! 1,548,233 1,589,157 i,734,38i i,746,ii5 2,746 I5,33i 26,244 50,097 62,878 59,292 67,243 83,453 |io7,832 1130,891 1160,704 5172,159 194,843 246,961 183,675 246,370 222,923 208,372 219,917 220,847 1240,867 252,549 5245,623 217,630 213,830 226,780 222,149 27,407 70,952 98,485 156,167 185,423 312,874 411,767 568,960 752,899 917,128 1,051,086 1,124,442 1,260,324 1,448,943 1,008, 409 1,304,712 1,438,772 1,570,189 1,599,400 1,654,305 J .774, 273 1,836,266 !,835, 394 1,765,863 1,802,987 1,961,161 1,968,264 / s. d. 5,561 19 2 9,070 10 1 11,652 3 7 18,520 10 4 17,218 1 4 22,419 8 8 28,121 10 o 39,680 18 9 46,508 18 10 55,301 12 *3 62,715 ick'4 65,644 15 3 73,284 1 10 85,402 o 2 58,120 3 3 73,002 2 o 78,828 19 8 90.633 11 2 93,822 3 3 95.634 5 5 101,652 S o 106,638 12 2 106,54s 4 o 106,311 11 6 106,462 18 4 110,696 17 8 "7,633 15 9 £ s. d. 4 8 3 3 2 3,77O 4 8 6,672 o 3 13,430 11 9 12,252 6 o 9,876 17 6 11,043 3 9 11,105 2 o 12,618 11 6 13,679 10 9 16,154 6 o 17,024 8 9 19,148 12 4 26,949 2 2 19,707 6 3 27,021 3 8 22,737 16 4 20,608 11 11 21,555 19 2 20,855 19 7 24,860 9 o 27,281 4 g 30,205 11 10 23,164 13 11 24,218 9 3 26,070 12 7 24,840 5 7 6,045 2 4 12,840 14 9 18,324 3 10 31,951 2 1 29,47° 7 4 32,296 6 1 39,164 13 9 50,786 o 9 59,127 10 4 68,981 3 o 78,869 16 4 82,669 4 o 92,432 14 2 112,351 2 4 77,827 9 6 100,023 5 8 101,566 16 o 111,242 3 1 115,378 2 5 116,490 5 o 126,512 17 o 133,919 16 II 136,753 1 5 10 129,476 5 5 130,681 7 7 136,767 10 3 142,474 1 4 £ s. d. 3,934 3 4 8,017 14 7 9,489 17 10 14,266 12 7 16,417 7 4 21,254 4 3 23,593 9 9 27,040 18 10 38,801 19 4 45,814 11 4 61,696 14 5 63,353 10 10 69,340 1 8 79,502 o 5 68,651 10 10 78,224 1 8 69,165 5 o 73,554 9 1 73,O54 4 6 70,036 6 2 77,082 4 4 77,473 10 7 76,580 10 o 72,201 13 5 75,426 9 7 76,845 1 10 85,658 4 11 2,443 2 11 2,541 4 11 5,4O6 7 3 8,547 4 9 14,120 4 10 ii,344 3 8 8,85s 19 7 9,479 5 4 15,021 17 11 14,240 19 7 21,074 8 8 17,931 8 o 18,259 4 9 17,299 7 i° 14,758 4 5 23,154 8 3 18,292 13 4 22,451 6 3 19,210 6 6 20,041 15 10 20,900 6 2 21,402 18 2 21,321 2 9 23,262 1 o 26,007 1 5 27,546 2 o 28,986 10 10 6,377 6 3 10,558 19 6 14,896 5 I 22,813 J 7 4 30,537 12 2 32.598 7 11 32,452 9 4 36,520 4 2 53,823 17 3 60,055 Io Ix 82,771 3 1 81,284 J 8 10 87.599 6 5 96,801 8 3 83,409 15 3 101,378 9 11 87,457 18 4 96,005 15 4 92,264 11 o 90,078 2 o 97,982 10 6 98,875 8 9 97,901 12 9 95,463 14 5 101,433 11 ° 104,391 3 10 114,644 15 9 £ s. d. 3 9 10 3 7 1 4 17 4 6 8 6 8 9 11 5 19 6 4 2 3 4 1 11 6 3 11 4 16 4 5 18 10 5 12 11 5 10 o 5 0 9 4 3 4 667 5 17 5 4 16 8 4 18 4 4 15 9 4 15 11 4 13 9 5 o 1 5 8 7 5 13 o 5 12 7 Mileage tariff. Mileage tariff in operation up to 1st Sept.. 1869; uniform as. 6d. tariff from 1st Sept., 1869, to 31st March, 1870; and is. tariff from I3t April, 1S70. From 1st November, 1873, address and signature given in free. From 1st Jan., 1886, - delayed telegrams posted to addressees immediately after their receipt at offices of destination.

21

F.—l

Table No. 17. Table showing the Cash Revenue derived from Private and Press Messages, the Value of Government Messages, and the Number of Messages, transmitted in the several Postal Districts of New Zealand, for the Year ended 31st December, 1891.

Table No. 18. Number of Letters posted in each Postal District during the Year ended 31st December, 1891; Number of Telegrams forwarded in each Postal District during the Year ended 31st December, 1891; and the Proportion of Telegrams to every 100 Letters; together with a similar Return from 1867-68.

Postal Districts. Revenue derived from Private and Press Messages. Value of Government Messages. I Total' Total Number Number Number Value of of Private of of Messages of and Press Govt. Messages all Codes. Messages. Messages. of all Codes. Auckland Blenheim Christchurch Dunedin Gisborne Greymouth Hokitika Invercargill Napier Nelson New Plymouth Oamaru Thames Timaru Wanganui Wellington Westport £ s. a. 14.439 1 f> 2,107 ig 11 11,312 11 5 12,347 I 3 10 1,865 o o 3.356 18 1 1,112 10 1 4,590 . 6 5 5,782 15 6 2,515 ° 7 1,963 12 o 1,383 6 10 2,628 7 8 2,335 15 1 4,302 1 9 13.546 7 5 1,955 3 10 3.4 : 3 3 ° 687 9 2 i,6oi 4 9 2,528 7 10 453 13 8 694 1 4 307 6 4 777 18 11 995 o 6 721 4 10 636 14 9 239 19 2 606 17 3 409 4 6 830 7 8 9,113 o 8 824 11 3 £ s- a17,852 4 6 280,634 33,236 313,87c 2,795 9 1 3 6 ,443 6,266 42,70c 12,913 16 2 188,741 15,612 204,353 14,876 1 8 238,669 22,162 260,831 2,318 13 8 32,945 4,020 36,965 4,O5O 19 5 57,669 6,313 63,982 1,419 16 5 20,344 2,797 23,141 5,36S 5 4 92,847 8,732 101,57c 6,777 J 6 o 98,985 10,126 109,111 3.236 5 5 57,3" 6,870 64,181 2,600 6 9 37,515 5.741 43.256 1,623 6 o 24,296 2,186 26,482 3,235 4 11 5°,792 5.860 56,652 2.744 19 7 40,749 3,869 44,6iS 5,132 9 5 83,406 8,905 92,311 22,659 8 1 368,508 72,607 441,115 2,779 15 1 36,261 6,847 43,i°S £ s- a17,852 4 6 2,795 9 1 12,913 16 2 14,876 1 8 2,318 13 8 4,050 19 5 1,419 16 5 5,36S 5 4 6,777 16 o 3,236 5 5 2,600 6 9 1,623 6 o 3.235 4 " 2,744 19 7 5.132 9 5 22,659 8 1 2,779 15 1 280,634 36,443 188,741 238,669 32,945 57.669 20,344 92,847 98,985 57,3ii 37,515 24,296 5o,792 40,749 83,406 368,508 36,261 33,236 6,266 15,612 22,162 4,020 6,313 2,797 8,732 10,126 6,870 5.741 2,186 5,86o 3.869 8,905 72,607 6,847 313.870 42,709 204,353 260,831 36,965 63,982 23. H 1 101,579 109,111 64,181 43.256 26,482 56,652 44,618 92,311 44 I . II 5 43,108 Totals, iSgi Totals, 1890 87,544 11 11 85.954 4 6 24,840 5 7 26,070 12 7 112,384 17 6 112,024 17 1 1,746,115 i>734.381 222,149 226,780 1,968,264 1,961,161

1S90. 1891. Districts. Number of Letters. Number of Telegrams. Proportion of Telegrams to every ioo Letters. Number of Letters. ■Number of Telegrams, Proportion of Telegrams to every ioo Letters. Auckland Blenheim Christchurch Dunedin Gisborne Greymouth Hokitika Invercargill .. Napier Nelson New Plymouth Oamaru Thames Timaru Wanganui "Wellington Westport 4,286,499 313,983 317,523 42,899 3,398,556 213*880 3,406,250 289,0^5 180,656 32,930 347,354 7°>36i 158,755 23,553 1,167,244 98,442 998,733 102,140 443,755 61,506 308,016 37,855 409,695 33,851 347,538 61,052 77i,36i 47,664 1,078,236 74,662 414,131 169,889 43,237 732 I3'5i 629 8-48 18-22 20'25 I4-83 8-43 T.0'22 13-86 12-28 8-26 17-56 617 692 IOII 25-50 4,682,483 347,880 3.723,590 3)631,979 184,587 338,429 168,311 1,366,937 1,191,918 519,662 382,551 472,355 377,"7 896,610 1,189,084 4,072,614 199,355 313,870 42,709 204,353 260,831 36,965 63,982 23,141 ioi,579 109,111 64,181 43,256 26,482 56,652 44,618 92,3" 441,115 43,108 6-70 12-28 5'49 7-i8 2003 18-91 1375 743 9-15 12-36 W31 5-6i 15-02 4-98 776 1083 21-62 Year. Number of Lette: Number of )f Telegrams. 1 Tel, Proportion of jgrams sent tQ every ioo Letters. ■s. 1891 1890 icS8 9 188S 1887 18S6 1S85 1884 1883 1882 1881-82 1880-81 1879-80 (for nine months only) .. 1878-79 1377-78 1876-77 1875-76 1874-75 1873-74 1872-73 1871-72 1870-71 1869-70 1868-69 1S67-68 23.745,462 21,501,937 21,026,837 19,502,704 IS,711,329 18,188,144 16,458,477 16,020,056 14,834,217 14,546,748 11,059,677 10,895,998 7,065,510 7,374,786 6,078,384 5,540,920 4,731,873 4,059,517 3,209,837 2,82s,372 2,418,021 2,626,947 2 , 374, 060 2,749,488 l>938.578 1,968,264 1,961,161 1,802,988 1,765,863 1,835,394 1,836,266 1,774,273 1,654,305 1,599,400 1,570,189 1,438,772 1,304,712 I,008,409 1,448,943 1,260,324 1,124,432 1,051,086 917,218 752,899 568,960 411,677 312,874 185,423 146,167 106,104 8-29 9-12 8-57 9-05 g-8 10-09 10-78 10-32 10-78 1079 13-00 n-97 14-27 1964 20-71 20-29 22'2I 22-59 23'45 19-76 17-02 11-91 7-8x 6-12 5-47 mi

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Table No. 19. Ordinary and Press Telegrams forwarded during the Four Quarters ended 31st December, 1890, also for each Quarter of the Year ended 31st December, 1891, and the Revenue derived therefrom.

Table No. 20. Return of the Number and Amount of Telegraph Money Orders issued within the several Postal Districts during the Year ended 31st December, 1891.

Table No. 21. Value of Shipping, Weather, and Government Telegrams transmitted during the Year ended 31st December, 1891.

March Quarter. June Quarter. September Quarter. December Quarter. Total: s for Year. Class. Revenue. Number. Number. Revenue. Number. Revenue. Number. \ Revenue. Number. Revenue. 1891. Ordinary .. Press 426,231 53,°4° I s. d. 21,873 7 4 2,716 3 9 396,536 39,312 £ ■• d20,272 18 8 358,358 i,68g 17 2 56,042 £ *■ d. 17,117 19 6 3,382 10 4 377,377 39,229 £ s. d. 18,690 o 111,558,492 1,801 14 3! 187,623! 20,491 15 2^,746,113 £ •■ d. 77,954 6 5 9,590 5 6 Totals .. 479,271 24,589 11 1 435,848 21,962 15 10! 414,400 20,500 9 10 416,606 87,544 11 11 1890. Ordinary .. Press 417,619 38,904 20,961 14 2 1,809 l8 9 368,537 39,455 18,393 2 I! 365,615 1,690 8 8, 64,009 19,622 11 1 3-426 5 1 389,728 50,514 18,191 9 4 1>54 1 . 499 1,858 15 4 192,882 77,168 16 8 8,785 7 10 Totals .. 456,523 120,083 10 9 1 429,624 23,048 16 2 20,050 4 81,734,381 22,771 12 II 407,992 440,242 85.954 4 6

Districts. Number. Commission. Amount. Auckland .. Blenheim .. Christchurch Dunedin Gisborne .. Greymouth Hokitika Invercargill Napier Nelson New Plymouth Oamaru Thames Timaru Wanganui .. Wellington Westport .. ■'.'.* I\ 3.237 732 1.435 1,590 607 i.3" 285 542 1.731 476 372 151 654 239 939 3.361 1,138 £ s. d. 161 17 o 36 12 O 71 15 o 79 10 o 30 7 o 65 11 o 14 5 ° 27 2 o 86 11 o 23 16 o 18 12 o 7 11 o 32 14 o 11 19 o 46 19 o 168 i o 56 18 o £ •■ d. 11,604 J 3 f> 2,346 8 4 5,121 9 9 5,487 6 5 1,893 T 4 r 3,862 18 7 837 3 § 1,573 8 8 6,011 9 4 1.739 13 6 1,294 14 3 451 12 1 2,052 2 5 878 19 2 2,908 19 1 10,870 17 8 3,471 15 11 Totals 18,800 940 o O 62,407 6 5 Totals for 1890 18,468 923 8 o 60,869 9 3

Districts. No. Amount. Auckland Blenheim Christchurch Dunedin .. Gisborne Greymouth Hokitika Invercargill Napier Nelson New Plymouth .. Oamaru Thames Timaru Wanganui Wellington Westport 33.236 6,266 I5,6i2 22,162 4,020 6,313 2,797 8-732 10,126 6,870 5,74i 2,186 5,860 3-869 8,90s 72,607 6,847 £ ■■ d. 3,4 J 3 3 o 687 9 2 1,601 4 9 2,528 7 10 453 13 8 694 1 4 307 6 4 777 18 11 995 o 6 721 4 10 636 14 9 239 19 2 606 17 3 409 4 6 830 7 8 9,113 o 8 824 II 3 Totals 222,149 24,840 5 7 Totals for 1890 .. • • 226,780 26,070 12

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Table No. 22. Insulation Tests of the First and Second Cook Strait Cables for the Year ended 31st December, 1891, showing the Resistance per Knot after Two Minutes' Electrification in Megohms (British Association Units of Resistance).

Table No. 23. Insulation Tests of the Wanganui and Wakapuaka Cable for the Year ended 31st December, 1891, showing the Resistance per Knot after Ten Minutes' Electrification in Megohms (British Association Units of Resistance). Length of Cable laid, 108-69 Knots.

Table No. 24. Maintenance.

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First Cook Strait Cable. I Dielectric Resistance per Knot. No. I No. 2 No. 3 Wire. Wire. Wire. Second Cook Strait Cable. Dielectric Resistance per Knot. January February March April May (after repair) June July .. August September October November December 123 130 I Broke 103 120 123 "3 112 98 104 98 n. 148 152 133 155 162 165 114 141 o-i35 0-051 273 325 324 328 3i4 280 January February March April May (after repair) June .. July .. August September ' October November December 825 808 662 75o 806 967 927 i,338 867 845 904 830 H7 139 322 286

' Date. Dielectric Resistance per Knot. Copper Resistance per Knot in Ohms. Mean Temperature of Sea-bottom, calculated from the Observed CR. January .. February March April May June July August September October .. November December Twenty Cells. 4,732 4,639 5,035 5,416 5,658 6,712 8,054 6,896 7,010 5,314 5,467 4,956 11-066 10-989 II II-02 11 10-995 10-932 10902 I0'9 10-727 10-932 II-2 Deg. Fahr. 62 58-98 59 60 59 59 56 55 54'5 47 56 67-5

Section. No. of Miles. Travelling Expenses of Linemen and Inspectors. Extra Labour. Cost of Material used for Repairs. Salaries of Linemen and Inspectors. Total Cost of Maintenance. Average Cost per Mile. Riverton to Balclutha Tokomairo to Queenstown Balclutha to Waitaki Waitaki to Christchurch Christchurch to Greymouth .. Greymouth to Lyell Lyell to Nelson Nelson to Blenheim, including Tophouse Line Blenheim to Christchurch Wellington to New Plymouth .. Wellington to Napier Napier to Tauranga, including Napier to Gishorne Line Tauranga to Thames Auckland to Waikato and Coromandel Auckland to Kawakawa Kawakawa to Mongonui 417 323 547 385 204 165 242 140 £ s. d. 164 12 6 162 4 11 295 7 9 157 1 11 255 11 6 105 9 1 176 16 10 64 7 0 £ s. d. 173 3 4 169 0 5 264 9 0 290 1 7 174 18 6 85 6 3 124 4 9 110 9 0 £ s. d. 1,645 6 7 165 18 1 895 10 11 420 17 4 253 2 0 53 8 0 102 8 3 187 18 4 £ s. d. 306 13 4 306 13 4 586 13 4 673 6 8 630 16 8 292 10 0 267 10 0 345 0 0 £ s. d. 2,289 15 9 803 16 9 2,042 1 0 1,541 7 6 1,314 8 8 536 13 4 670 19 10 707 14 10 £ s. d. 5 9 10 2 9 9 3 14 7 4 0 0 6 8 10 8 5 0 2 15 5 5 1 1 316 558 355 520 215 11 0 450 10 6 456 4 7 399 17 5 233 19 9 593 4 6 718 5 4 473 14 7 220 8 11 1,630 14 8 1,414 17 8 270 4 9 670 16 8 1,145 0 0 921 5 0 672 10 0 1,340 16 4 3,819 15 8 3,510 12 7 1,810 6 9 4 4 10 6 16 10 9 17 9 3 9 0 76 527 89 14 5 412 18 4 222 5 10 700 5 2 80 1 5 1,305 5 1 188 15 0 512 10 0 5S0 16 8 2,930 18 7 7 12 10 5 11 3 453 115 251 8 1 169 5 4 773 13 6 249 5 0 554 10 4 47 5 10 410 0 0 50 0 0 1,989 11 11 515 10 2 4 7 10 4 9 8 Totals 5,349 3,827 7 8 5,356 6 6 !9,247 18 2 7,980 0 0 36,411 12 4 *4 18 9 * Average total cost per mile.

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Table No. 25. Cost of Telegraph Lines, Telephone Exchanges, and Cables throughout the Colony.

Section of Line. Number of Miles of .Line. Total Cost of Section. Cost per Mile. £ ■■ a. £ S. d. North Island. Total, North Island, to 31st December, 1890 Expenditure on sundry lines constructed during year 1891 .. 2.5014 64i 248,175 17 8 5.135 17 3 79 18 8 Totals 2,565! 253,3" 14 11 South Island. Total, South Island, to 31st December, 1890 Expenditure on sundry lines constructed during year 1891 .. 2,646! 1574 244,523 15 2 6,690 9 10 42 9 6 Total, South Island, to 31st December, 1891 2,8o 4 J 251,214 5 o Total, North Island, to 31st December, 1891 2.565! 253.3 11 H « Totals .. 5.37° 504,525 19 11 Cook Strait cables 81,280 2 4 Telephone exchanges .. 88,368 17 9 Total £674,175 o o

25

Diagram illustrating the Increase in the Amount of Money Orders Issued daring the Decennial Period ended 1891.

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Diagram illustrating the Increase in the Amount of Money Orders Paid during the Decennial Period ended 1891.

Diagram illustrating the Progress of the Post Office Savings Bank Business for the Decennial Period ended 1891.

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Diagram illustrating the combined Postal and Telegraph REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE PAST ELEVEN YEARS.

Diagram illustrating the Increase in the Number of Letters Posted during the Decennial Period ended 1891.

35

Diagram illustrating the Increase in the Number of Ordinary and Press Telegrams Forwarded during the Decennial Period ended 1891.

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UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION. [Translation from the French.] Oniveesal Postal Convention concluded between Germany and the German Protectorates, United States of America, Argentine Republic, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chili, Republic of Columbia, Congo Free State, Republic of Costa Rica, Denmark and Danish Colonies, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ecuador, Spain and Spanish Colonies, France and French Colonies, Great Britain and various British Colonies, British Colonies of Australasia, Canada, British India, Greece, Guatemala, Republic of Hayti, Kingdom of Hawaii, Republic of Honduras, Italy, Japan, Republic of Liberia, Luxemburg, Mexico, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Netherlands and Dutch Colonies, Peru, Persia, Portugal and Portuguese Colonies, Roumania, Russia, Salvador, Servia, Kingdom of Siam, South 'African Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Regency of Tunis, Turkey, Uruguay, and United States of Venezuela. The undersigned, plenipotentiaries of the Governments of the above-named countries, being assembled in Congress at Vienna, by virtue of Article XIX. of the Universal Postal Convention concluded at Paris on the Ist June, 1878, have by common consent, and subject to ratification, revised the said Convention, as well as the additional Act relative thereto concluded at Lisbon on the 21st March, 1885, in conformity with the following stipulations : — Article I. The countries between which the present Convention is concluded, as well as those which may adhere to it hereafter, form, under the title of " Universal Postal Union," a single postal territory for the reciprocal exchange of correspondence between their post-offices. Article 11. The stipulations of this Convention extend to letters, post-cards, both single and with reply paid, printed papers of every kind, commercial papers and samples of merchandise, originating in one of the countries of the Union and intended for another of those countries. They also apply to the exchange by post. of the articles above mentioned between the countries of the Union and countries foreign to the Union, whenever the services of two of the contracting parties at least are used for that exchange. Article 111. 1. The postal administrations of neighbouring countries, or countries able to correspond directly with each other without availing of the services of a third administration, determine, by common consent, the conditions of the conveyance of the mails which they exchange, across the frontier, or from one frontier to the other. 2. In the absence of any contrary arrangement, the direct sea conveyance between two •countries by means of packets or vessels depending upon one of them shall be considered as a third service; and this conveyance, as well as any performed between two offices of the same country, by the medium of sea or territorial services maintained by another country, is regulated by the stipulations of the following article. Article IV. 1. The right of transit is guaranteed throughout the entire territory of the Union. 2. Consequently, the several postal administrations of the Union may send reciprocally through the medium of one or of several of them either closed mails or correspondence a decouvert, according to the needs of the traffic and the requirements of the postal service. 3. Correspondence exchanged, whether a dScouvert or in closed mails, between two administrations of the Union, by means of the services of one or of several other administrations of the Union, is subject to the following transit charges, to be paid to each of the countries traversed, or whose services participate in the conveyance, viz.,— (1.) For territorial transits, 2 francs per kilogramme of letters or post-cards, and 25 centimes per kilogramme of other articles ; (2.) For sea transits, 15 francs per kilogramme of letters or post-cards, and 1 franc per kilogramme of other articles. 4. It is, however, understood— (1.) That in all cases where the transit is already gratuitous at present, or subject to more advantageous conditions, such state of things is maintained, except in the case provided for in paragraph 3 following ; (2.) That in all cases where the sea-transit charges are fixed at present at 5 francs per kilogramme of letters or post-cards, and at 50 centimes per kilogramme of other articles, those rates are maintained ; (3.) That every sea transit not exceeding 300 nautical miles is gratutitous if "%he administration concerned is already entitled, on account of mails or correspondence benefiting by this transit, to the remuneration applicable to territorial transit; in the contrary case, payment is made at the rate of 2 francs per kilogramme of letters, and 25 centimes per kilogramme of other articles ; 5—F. 1.

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(4. That, in case of sea conveyance effected by two or more administrations, the charge* payable for the entire transit cannot exceed 15 francs per kilogramme of letters or post-cards, and 1 franc per kilogramme of other articles; the charges in question are, in such case, shared between those administrations in proportion to the distances, traversed, without prejudice to other arrangements between the parties interested; (5.) That the rates specified in the present article do not apply either to conveyance by means of services depending upon administrations foreign to the Union, or to conveyance within the Union by means of extraordinary services specially established or maintained by one administration in the interest or at the request of one or several other administrations. The condition of these two categories of conveyance are regulated by mutual consent between the administrations concerned. 5. The expenses of transit are borne by the administration of the country of origin. 6. The general accounting for those charges takes place on the basis of statements prepared every three years, during a period of twenty-eight days, to be determined on in the detailed regulations referred to in Article XX. hereafter. 7. Correspondence between postal administrations, the reply-halves of double post-cards returned to the country of origin, articles redirected or missent, undelivered articles, acknowledgments of delivery, post-office money-orders, and all other documents relative to the postal service, are exempt from all charges for territorial or sea transit. Article V. 1. The rates of postage for the conveyance of postal articles throughout the entire extent of the U nion, including their delivery at the residence of the addressees in the countries of the Union where a delivery is or shall be organised, are fixed as follows : — (1.) For letters, 25 centimes in case of prepayment, and double that amount in the contrary case, for each letter, and for every weight of 15 grammes or fraction of 15 grammes; (2.) For post-cards, 10 centimes for single cards or for each of the two halves of cards with reply paid. Unpaid post-cards are charged as unpaid letters. (3.) For printed papers of every kind, commercial papers, and samples of merchandise, 5 centimes for each article or packet bearing a particular address, and for every weight of 50 grammes or fraction of 50 grammes, provided that such article or packet does not contain any letter or manuscript note having the character of actual and personal correspondence, and that it be made up in such a manner as to admit of its being easily examined. The charge on commercial papers cannot be less than 25 centimes per packet, and the charge on patterns or samples cannot be less than 10 centimes per packet. 2. In addition to the rates fixed by the preceding paragraph, there may be levied, — (1.) For every article subject to the sea-transit charges of 15 francs per kilogramme of letters or post-cards, and 1 franc per kilogramme of other articles, and in all the relations to which these transit charges are applicable, a uniform surcharge which may not exceed 25 centimes* per single rate for letters, 5 centimes per post-card, and 5 centimes per 50 grammes' or fraction of 50 grammes for other articles ; (2.) For every article conveyed by means of services maintained by administrations foreign to the Union, or of extraordinary services in the Union, giving rise to special expenses, a surcharge in proportion to those expenses. 3. In case of insufficient prepayment, correspondence of every kind is liable to a charge equal to double the amount of the deficiency, to be paid by the addressees ; but that charge may not exceed that which is levied in the country of destination on unpaid correspondence of the same nature, weight, and origin. (The Lisbon Congress decided to regard this article as meaning that in all cases of non-prepayment, as of insufficient prepayment, the whole deficit should be doubled, whether such deficit be in the fundamental rate or in the surcharge. The Vienna Congress did not rescind that decision, although the case contemplated by the words after "addressees"—which were added at Vienna—can only arise by ignoring the Lisbon decision.) 4. Articles other than letters and post-cards must be prepaid at least partly. 5. Packets of samples of merchandise may not contain any article having a saleable value; they must not exceed 250 grammes in weight, or measure more than 30 centimetres in length, 20 centimetres in breadth, and 10 centimetres in depth, or, if they are in the form of a roll, 30 centimetres in length, and 15 centimetres in diameter. Nevertheless, the administrations of the countries concerned are authorised to adopt by common consent, for their reciprocal exchanges, limits of weight or sizs greater than those fixed above. 6. Packets of commercial papers and printed papers may not exceed 2 kilogrammes in weight, or measure more in any direction than 45 centimetres. Packets in the form of a roll may, however, be allowed to pass through the post provided they do not exceed 10 centimetres in diameter and 75 centimetres in length. Article VI. 1. The articles specified in Article V. may be registered. 2. Every registered article is liable at the charge of the sender, — (1.) To the ordinary prepaid rate of postage on the article, according to its nature ; (2.) To a fixed registration-fee of 25 centimes at most, including a receipt**given to the sender. 3. The sender of a registered article may obtain an acknowledgment of the delivery of such article by paying in advance a fixed fee of 25 centimes at most.

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Article VII. 1. Registered correspondence may be sent marked with trade charges up to 500 francs to be collected on delivery between countries of which the administrations agree to introduce this service. These articles are subject to the same regulations and rates as registered articles. 2. The amount collected from the addressee is to be transmitted to the sender by means of a money-order, after deducting the rate chai-geable for ordinary money-orders, and a commission of 10 centimes for the service of collection. Article VIII. 1. In case of the loss of a registered article, and except in cases beyond control, the sender, or, at the request of the sender, the addressee, is entitled to an indemnity of 50 francs. 2. The obligation of paying the indemnity rests with the administration to which the despatching office is subordinate. To that administration is reserved a remedy against the administration responsible —that is to say, against the administration on the territory or in the service of which the loss took place. 3. Until the contrary be proved, the responsibility rests with the administration which, having received the article without making any observation, cannot establish the delivery to the addressee, or the regular transfer to the following administration, as the case may be. For articles addressed " Poste Ilestante," the responsibility ceases on delivery to a person who has proved, according to the rules in force in the country of destination, that his name and description correspond to those indicated in the address. 4. The payment of the indemnity by the despatching office ought to take place as soon as possible, and at the latest within a year of the date of the application. The responsible office is bound to refund to the despatching office, without delay, the amount of the indemnity paid by the latter. In a case where the responsible office has given notice to the despatching office not to effect payment, the former must repay to the latter office any costs which the non-payment may entail. 5. It is understood that the application for an indemnity is only entertained if made within a year of the posting of the registered article; after this term the applicant has no right to any indemnity. 6. If the loss has occurred in course of conveyance without its being possible to ascertain on the territory of what country the loss took place, the administrations concerned bear the loss in equal shares. 7. The administrations cease to be responsible for registered articles for which the owners have given a receipt on delivery. Article IX. 1. The sender of a letter or other article can have it withdrawn from the post or have its address altered, so long as such article has not been delivered to the addressee. 2. The request for such withdrawal is sent by post or by telegraph at the expense of the sender, who must pay as follows : — (1.) For every request by post, the amount payable for a registered single letter ; (2.) For every request by telegraph, the charge for a telegram according to the ordinary tariff. 3. The stipulations of this Article are not obligatory for countries of which the legislation does not permit the sender to dispose of an article in its course through the post. Article X. Those countries of the Union which have not the franc for their monetary unit fix their charges at the equivalents, in their respective currencies, of the rates determined by the foregoing Articles V. and VI. Such countries have the option of rounding fractions in conformity with the table inserted in the detailed regulations mentioned in Article XX. of the present Convention. Article XI. 1. Prepayment of postage on every description of article can be effected only by means of postage-stamps valid in the country of origin for the correspondence of private individuals. Nevertheless, reply post-cards bearing postage-stamps of the country in which these cards were issued are likewise considered as duly prepaid. 2. Official correspondence relative to the postal service, and exchanged between postal administrations, is alone exempted from this obligation, and from all liability to charge. 3. Correspondence posted on the high seas in a letter-box on board a packet or placed in the hands of the commanders of ships may be prepaid by means of the postage-stamps, and according to the tariff, of the country to which the said packet belongs or by which it is maintained. If the posting on board takes place during the stay at one of the two extreme points of the voyage or at at any intermediate port of call, prepayment can only be effected by means of the postage-stamps, and according to the tariffs, of the country in the waters of which the packet happens to be. Article XII. 1. Each administration keeps the whole of the sums which it collects by virtue of the foregoing Articles V., VI., VII., X., and XI., except-the credit due for the money-orders relerred to in paragraph 2 of Article VII. 2. Consequently, there is no necessity under this head for any accounts between the several administrations of the Union, excepting always the credit referred to in paragraph 1 of the present Article. G—F. 1.

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3. Neither the senders nor the addressees of letters and other postal packets can be called upon to pay, either in the country of origin or in that of destination, any tax or postal duty other than those contemplated by the Articles above mentioned. Article XIII. 1. At the request of the senders, all classes of correspondence are sent to the addressees by a special messenger immediately on arrival in those countries of the Union which consent to undertake this service in their reciprocal relations. 2. Such correspondence, which is called " express," is subject to a special charge for delivery ; this charge is fixed at 30 centimes, and must be fully paid in advance by the sender, in addition to the ordinary postage. It belongs to the administration of the country of origin. 3. "When an article is destined for a place where there is no post-office, the postal administration of the country of destination can levy an additional charge up to the amount of the price fixed for delivery by express in its inland service, less the fixed charge paid by the sender, or its equivalent in the money of the country which levies this additional charge. 4. " Express " letters, &c, upon which the total amount of the charges payable in advance has not been prepaid are delivered by the ordinary means. Article XIV. 1. No supplementary postage is charged for the redirection of postal packets within the Union. 2. Undelivered correspondence does not, when returned, give rise to the repayment of the transit charges due to intermediate administrations for the previous conveyance of such correspondence. 3. Unpaid letters and post-cards and insufficiently paid articles of every description, which are returned to the country of origin ■as redirected or as undeliverable, are liable, at the expense of the addressees or senders, to the same rates as similar articles addressed directly from the country of the first destination to the country of origin. Article XV. 1. Closed mails may be exchanged between the post-offices of any one of the contracting countries and the commanding officers of naval divisions or ships of war of the same country stationed abroad, through the medium of the sea or land services maintained by other countries. 2. Correspondence of every description enclosed in these mails must consist exclusively of such as is addressed to or sent by the officers and crews of the ships to or from which the mails are forwarded; the rates and conditions of despatch applicable to them are determined, according to its internal regulations, by the postal administration of the country to which the ships belong. 3. In the absence of any arrangement to the contrary between the offices concerned, the postoffice which despatches or receives the mails in question is accountable to the intermediate offices for transit charges calculated in accordance with the stipulations of Article IV. * Tkrticle XVI. 1. There shall not be forwarded— (a.) Commercial papers, samples, and printed papers, which are not prepaid at least partly, or which are not made up in such a manner as to admit of an easy examination of the contents; (b.) Articles of the same categories which exceed the limits of weight and size prescribed by Article V.; (c.) Samples of merchandise having a saleable value. 2. If occasion arise, the articles mentioned in the preceding paragraph should be sent back to the post-office of origin and returned, if possible, to the sender. 3. It is forbidden— (1.) To send by post— (a.) Samples and other articles which, from their nature, may expose the postal officials to danger, or soil or damage the correspondence ; (b.) Explosive, inflammable, or dangerous substances; animals or insects, living or dead, except in the cases contemplated in the detailed regulations. (2.) To insert in ordinary or registered correspondence consigned to the post— (a.) Current coin; (b.) Articles liable to Customs duty; (c.) Gold or silver bullion, precious stones, jewellery, and other precious articles, but only in case their insertion or transmission is forbidden by the legislation of the countries concerned. 4. Packets falling under the prohibitions of the foregoing paragraph 3, which have been erroneously admitted to transmission, should be returned to the post-office of origin, except in cases where the administration of the country of destination is authorised by its laws or by its internal regulations to dispose of them otherwise. 5. The right is, moreover, reserved to the Government of every country of the Union to refuse to convey over its territory, or to deliver, articles passing at reduced rates in regard to which the laws, ordinances, or decrees which regulate the conditions of their publication or circulation in that country have not been complied with, or correspondence of any kind bearing obviously inscriptions, designs, &c, forbidden by the legal enactments or regulations in force in the same country.

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Article XVII. 1. Offices of the Union which have relations with countries situate outside the Union admit all the other offices of the Union to take advantage of these relations for the exchange of correspondence with the said countries. 2. Correspondence exchanged a decouvert between a country of the Union and a country foreign to the Union, through the medium of another country of the Union, is treated, as regards the conveyance beyond the limits of the Union, in conformity with the conventions, agreements, or special provisions governing the postal relations between the latter country and the country foreign to the Union. 3. With regard to the charges for transit within the limits of the Union, correspondence originating in or addressed to a country foreign to the Union is assimilated to that from or for the country of the Union which maintains the relations with the aforesaid country. 4. With regard to the charges for transit outside the limits of the Union, correspondence addressed to a country foreign to the Union is subject to the under-mentioned transit charges, which are credited to the Union country maintaining the relations with the country foreign to it: —■ (a.) For sea transits outside the Union, 20 francs per kilogramme of letters or post-cards, and 1 franc per kilogramme of other articles ; (b.) For territorial transits outside the Union, if any, the charges per kilogramme notified by the country of the Union which maintains the relations with the intermediate country foreign to the Union. 5. In the case of sea conveyance effected by two or more administrations, the charges for the total sea transit, within and without the Union, may not exceed 20 francs per kilogramme of letters or post-cards, and 1 franc per kilogramme on other articles; these charges are divided between such administrations in proportion to the distances traversed, without prejudice to other arrangements between the parties concerned. 6. The above-mentioned charges for transit outside the Qaion are payable by the administration of the country of origin. They apply to all correspondence despatched, whether a decouvert or in closed mails. But in the case of closed mails sent from a country of the Union to a country foreign thereto, or from a country outside the Union to a country within it, an arrangement concerning the mode of payment of the transit charges must be concluded beforehand between the administrations concerned. 7. The general accounting for the transit charges on correspondence exchanged between a country of the Union and a country foreign to it, through the medium of another country of the Union, takes place on the basis of statements which are prepared at the same time as the statements drawn up, by virtue of the foregoing Arcicle IV., for determining the charges for transit within the Union. 8. The rates to be levied in a country of the Union on correspondence addressed to or coming from a country foreign to the Union, and using the services of another country of the Union, can never be lower than the normal Union tariff. These rates belong entirely to the country which levies them. Articte XVIII. The high contracting parties undertake to adopt, or to propose to their respective Legislatures, the necessary measures for punishing the fraudulent use of counterfeit postage-stamps, or stamps already used, for the prepayment of correspondence. They also undertake to adopt, or to propose to their respective Legislatures, the necessary measures for prohibiting and repressing, the fraudulent manufacture, sale, hawking, or distribution of embossed and adhesive stamps in use in the postal service, forged or imitated in such a manner as to be mistakable for the embossed and adhesive stamps issued by the administration of any one of the contracting countries. Article XIX. The services concerning letters and boxes of declared value, postal money-orders, postal parcels, collection of bills and drafts, certificates of identity, subscriptions to newspapers, &c, form the subject of special arrangements between the various countries or groups of countries composing the Union. Article XX. 1. The postal administrations of the various countries composing the Union are competent to draw up, by common consent, in the form of detailed regulations, all the measures of order and detail which are judged necessary. 2. The several administrations may, moreover, make amongst themselves the necessary arrangements on the subject of questions which do not concern the Union generally, provided that those arrangements do not derogate from the present Convention. . 3. The administrations concerned are, however, permitted to come to mutual arrangements for the adoption of lower rates of postage within a radius of 30 kilometres. Article XXI. 1, The present Convention does not involve alteration in the legislation of any country as regards anything which is not provided for by the stipulations contained in this Convention. 2. It does not restrict the right of the contracting parties to maintain and to conclude treaties, as well as to maintain and establish more restricted Unions, with a view to the improvement of postal relations.

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Article XXII. 1. Under the name of the " International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union," is maintained a central office, which is conducted under the supervision of the Swiss Postal Administration, and the expenses of which are borne by all the administrations of the Union. 2. This office is charged with the duty of collecting, collating, publishing, and distributing information of every kind which concerns the international postal service ; of giving, at the request of the parties concerned, an opinion upon questions in dispute ; of making known proposals for modifying the Acts of the Congress ; of notifying alterations adopted; and, in general, of taking up such studies and labours as may be confided to it in the interest of the Postal Union. Article XXIII. 1. In case of disagreement between two or more members of the Union as to the interpretation of the present Convention, or as to the responsibility of an administration in case of the loss of a registered article, the question in dispute is decided by arbitration. To that end each of the administrations concerned chooses another member of the Union not directly interested in the matter. 2. The decision of the arbitrators is given by an absolute majority of votes. 3. In case of an equality of votes the arbitrators choose, with the view of settling the difference, another administration equally uninterested in the question in dispute. 4. The stipulations of the present article apply equally to all the agreements concluded by virtue of the foregoing Article XIX. Article XXIV. 1. Countries which have not taken part in the present Convention are admitted to adhere to it upon their demand. 2. This adhesion is notified diplomatically to the Government of the Swiss Confederation, and by that Government to all the countries of the Union. 3. It implies, as a matter of course, accession to all the clauses and admission to all the advantages stipulated by the present Convention. 4. It devolves upon the Government of the Swiss Confederation to determine, by common consent with the Government of the country concerned, the share to be contributed by the administration of this latter country towards the expenses of the International Bureau, and, if necessary, the rates to be levied by that administration in conformity with the foregoing Article X. Article XXV. 1. Congresses of plenipotentiaries of the contracting countries, or simple administrative conferences, according to the importance of the questions to be solved, are held, when a demand for them is made or approved by two-thirds at ( least of the Governments or administrations, as the case may be. 2. A Congress shall, however, be held at least once in five years. 3. Each country may be represented either by one or by several delegates, and by the delegation of another country. But it is understood that the delegate or delegates of one country can be charged with the representation of two countries only, including the country they represent. 4. In the deliberations each country has one vote only. 5. Each Congress settles the place of meeting of the next Congress. 6. For conferences, the administrations settle the places of meeting on the proposal of the International Bureau. Article XXVI. 1. In the interval which elapses between the meetings, any postal administration of a country of the Union has the right to address to the other administrations belonging to it, through the medium of the International Bureau, proposals concerning the regime of the Union. 2. Every proposal is subject to the following procedure : — A period of five months is allowed to the administrations of the Union to examine the proposals and to furnish to the International Bureau their observations, amendments, or counter-proposals, as the case may be. The answers are tabulated by the International Bureau and communicated to the administrations with an invitation to declare themselves for or against. Those who have not furnished their vote within a period of six months, counting from the date of the second circular of the International Bureau notifying to them the observations which have been received, are considered as abstaining. 3. In order to become binding, the proposals must obtain — (1) Unanimity of votes if they involve the addition of new articles or any modification of the stipulations of the present article or articles 11., 111., IV., V., VI., VII VIII IX., XII., XIII., XV., and XVIII.; (2) Two-thirds of the votes if they involve a modification of the stipulations of the Convention other than those of articles 11., 111., IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., XII. XIII XV., XVIII., and XXVI.; (3) Simply an absolute majority if they affect the interpretation of the stipulations of the Convention, except in the case of dispute contemplated by the foregoiiag article XXIII.

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4. Eesolutions duly adopted are sanctioned, in the first two cases, by a diplomatic declaration, which the Government of the Swiss Confederation is charged with the duty of preparing and transmitting to all the Governments of the contracting countries, and in the third case by a simple notification from the International Bureau to all the administrations of the Union. 5. No modification or resolution adopted is binding until at least two months after its notification. Article XXVII. For the application of the foregoing articles XXII., XXV., and XXVI. the following are considered as forming one single country or administration, as the case may be : — (1.) The Empire of British India. (2.) The Dominion of Canada. (3.) The whole of the British Colonies of Australasia. (4.) The whole of the Danish Colonies. (5.) The whole of the Spanish Colonies. (6.) The whole of the French Colonies. (7.) The whole of the Dutch Colonies. (8.) The whole of the Portuguese Colonies. Article XXVIII. The present Convention shall come into operation on the Ist of July, 1892, and shall remain in force for an indefinite period ; but each contractiug party has the right of withdrawing from the Union by means of a notice given one year in advance by its Government to the Government of the Swiss Confederation. Article XXIX. 1. From the date on which the present Convention comes into effect, all the stipulations of the treaties, conventions, agreements, or other acts previously concluded between the various countries or administrations, in so far as those stipulations are not in accordance with the terms of the present Convention, are abrogated, without prejudice to the rights reserved by the foregoing Article XXI. 2. The present Convention shall be ratified as soon as possible. The acts of ratification shall be exchanged at Vienna. 3. In faith of which the plenipotentiaries of the above-named countries have signed the present Convention at Vienna, on the fourth of July, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one. [Here follow the signatures.] The I. and E. Minister of Foreign Affairs certifies that this is a correct copy of the original deposited in the archives of the Department. Vienna, 7.th July, 1891. [Here follow the signatures of the plenipotentiaries.] The Director of the Chancellerie of the I. and E. Minister of Foreign Affairs. (Signed) Mittag. Final Peotocol. At the moment of proceeding to sign the Conventions, settled by the Universal Postal Congress of Vienna, the under-mentioned plenipotentiaries have agreed as follows :— I. —In modification of the stipulation of Article VI. of the Convention, which fixes a maximum registration-fee of 25 centimes, it is agreed that the States outside Europe are authorised to maintain this maximum at 50 centimes, including a receipt given to the sender. II. —In modification of the stipulations of Article VIII. of the Convention, it is agreed that, as a temporary measure, the administrations of countries outside Europe, whose legislation is at present opposed to the principle of responsibility, retain the option of postponing the application of that principle until they shall have been able to obtain from the Legislature authority to introduce it. Up to that time the other administrations of the Union are not bound to pay an indemnity for the loss in their respective services of registered articles addressed to or originating in the said countries. 111. —Bolivia, Chili, Costa Eica, the Dominican Eepublic, Ecuador, Hayti, Honduras, and Nicaragua, which form part of the Postal Union, not having been represented at the Congress, the protocol remains open to them in order that they may adhere to the Conventions which have been concluded at it or only to one or other of them. The protocol also remains open to the British Colonies of Australasia whose delegates to the Congress have declared the intention of those countries to enter the Universal Postal Union on the Ist October, 1891. It also remains open to the South African Eepublic, whose delegate to the Congress has declared the intention of that country to adhere to the Universal Postal Union, reserving the fixture hereafter of a date for its entry into that Union. Finally, with the view of facilitating the entry into the Universal Postal Union of other countries which are still outside it, the protocol remains equally open to them. IV. —The protocol remains open to those countries whose representatives have signed to-day the principal Convention only, or only a certain number of the Conventions settled by the Congress, in order to admit of their adherence to the other Conventions signed this day, or to one or other of them. V. —The adhesions contemplated in the foregoing Article 111. must be notified tojihe Imperial and Eoyal Government of Austria-Hungary by the respective Governments in diplomatic form. The term accorded to them for that notification will expire on the Ist June, 1892. VI. —In case one or more of the contracting parties to the Postal Conventions signed to-day at Vienna shall not ratify one or other of those Conventions, that Convention shall be none the less valid for the States which shall have ratified it.

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In faith of which the under-mentioned plenipotentiaries have drawn up the present final protocol, which shall have the same force and value as if its provisions were inserted in the text itself of the Conventions to which it relates, and they have signed it on a single copy which shall remain in the archives of the Austrian Government, and of which a copy shall be handed to each party. Done at Vienna, the 4th day of July, 1891. [Here follow the signatures of the plenipotentiaries.] The I. and E. Minister of Foreign Affairs certifies chat this is a correct copy of the original deposited in the archives of the department. Vienna, 7th July, 1891. The Director of the Chancellerie of the I. and E. Minister of Foreign Affairs. (Signed) Mittag.

DETAILED REGULATIONS. Detailed Regulations for the execution of the Convention concluded between Germany and German Protectorates, United States of America, Argentine Eepublic, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chili, Eepublic of Colombia, Congo Eree State, Eepublic of Costa Eica, Denmark and Danish Colonies, Dominican Eepublic, Egypt, Ecuador, Spain and Spanish Colonies, Prance and French Colonies, Great Britain and various British Colonies, British Colonies of Australasia, Canada, British India, Greece, Guatemala, Eepublic of Hayti, Kingdom of Hawaii, Eepublic of Honduras, Italy, Japan, Eepublic of Liberia, Luxemburg, Mexico, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Netherlands and Dutch Colonies, Peru, Persia, Portugal and Portuguese Colonies, Eoumania, Eussia, Salvador, Servia, Kingdom of Siam, South African Eepublic, Sweden, Switzerland, Regency of Tunis, Turkey, Uruguay, and United States of Venezuela. The undersigned, having regard to Article XX. of the Universal Postal Convention concluded at Vienna on the 4th of July, 1891, have, in the name of their respective administrations, settled by common consent the following measures for insuring the execution of the said Convention: — I.— -Route of the Correspondence . 1. Each administration is bound to forward, by the most rapid routes at its disposal for its own mails, the closed mails and the correspondence a decouvert which are delivered to it by another administration. 2. Administrations which avail themselves of the option to levy supplementary charges, as representing the extraordinary expenses pertaining to certain routes, are free not to forward by those routes, when other means of communication exist, any insufficiently paid correspondence for which the employment of the said routes has not been expressly prescribed by the senders. ll.— Eicfkmge in Closed Mails. 1. The exchange of correspondence in closed mails between the administrations of the Union is regulated by common consent between the administrations concerned, and according to the necessities of the service. 2. If an exchange of correspondence is to take place through the medium of one or more countries, due notice must be given to the administrations of those countries. 3. It is, moreover, obligatory in this latter case to make up closed mails whenever the amount of correspondence is such as to hinder the work of an intermediate administration, according to the declaration of that administration. 4. In case of alteration in a service of closed mails established between two administrations through the medium of one or several other countries, the administration which has originated the alteration gives notice thereof to the administrations of the countries through the medium of which this exchange is maintained. lll.— Extraordinary Services. The extraordinary services of the Union giving rise to special charges, the fixing of which is reserved by Article IV. of the Convention for arrangement between the administrations concerned, are exclusively — (1.) Those which are maintained for the accelerated conveyance by land of the Indian mail; (2.) That which the Postal Administration of the United States of America maintains upon its territory for the conveyance of closed mails between the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. (3.) That which is established for the conveyance of mails by railway between Colon and Panama. IV. — Fixing the Bates of Postage. 1. In execution of Article X. of the Convention, the administrations of the countries of the Union which have not the franc for their monetary unit levy their rates of postage according to the following equivalents ; —■

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2. In case of alteration in the monetary system of any one of the countries above mentioned, the administration of that country must come to an understanding with the Swiss Postal Administration in order to modify the above equivalents; it devolves upon this latter administration to notify the change to all the other offices of the Union through the medium of the International Bureau. 3. Any administration, if it deems it necessary, may have recourse to the understanding contemplated by the preceding paragraph in case of an important modification in the value of its money. 4. The monetary fractions resulting either from the complement of the charge applicable to insufficiently paid correspondence, or from the fixing of the charges for correspondence-exchanged with countries foreign to the Union, or from the combination of the Union charges which the surcharges contemplated by Article V. of the Convention, may be rounded by the administrations which levy the payments. But the sum to be added to this account must, in no case, exceed the value of one-twentieth of a franc (5 centimes).

Countries of the Union. 25 Centimes. 10 Centimes. 5 Centimes. Germany German Protectorates— Territory of Camcroons, German New Guinea, Territory of Togo, German Territory in South-west Africa, German Territory in Bast Africa, Marshall Islands Argentine Republic Austria-Hungary Bolivia Brazil Canada Chili Colombia Costa Eica Denmark Danish Colonies — Greenland Danish West Indies Dominican Republic Egypt 20 pfennig. 10 pfennig. 5 pfennig. I 20 pfennig. 10 pfennig. 5 pfennig. 8 centavos. 10 kreutzer. 5 centavos. 100 reis. 5 cents. 5 centavos. 5 centavos. 5 centavos. 20 ore. 4 eentavos. 2 centavos. 5 kreutzer. 3 kreutzer. 2 centavos. 1 oentavo. 50 reis. 25 reis. 2 cents. 1 cent. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. 10 ore. 5 ore. 20 ore. 5 cents. 5 centavos. 1 piastre. 10 ore. 5 ore. 2 cents. 1 cent. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. 5-thousandths of a 2-thousandths of a pound. pound. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. Ecuador Spanish Colonies — Cuba, Porto Rico, Philippine Islands and Dependencies, and Establishments on the Gulf of Guinea United States of America ... Great Britain British Colonies— Antigua, Bahama Islands, Barbados, Bermuda, Gold Coast, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Gambia, Grenada, Jamaica, Lagos, Malta, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Christopher, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sierra Leone, Tobago, Trinidad, Turk's Islands, and Virgin Islands British Guiana, Hong Kong, Labuan, Straits Settlements, and Newfoundland British North Borneo British Honduras Mauritius and its Dependencies Cyprus Ceylon Australasia Guatemala Hayti Hawaii Republic of Honduras British India Japan Liberia Mexico Montenegro Nicaragua Norway Paraguay Netherlands and Dutch Colonies 5 centavos. I 5 centavos. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. 5 cents. 2J pence. 2 cents. 1 cent. 1 penny. J penny. 5 cents. 6 cents of a dollar. 6 cents. 10 cents of a rupee. 2 piastres or 80 paras. 14 cents of a rupee. 2J pence. 5 centavos. 5 centavos of a piastre. 5 cents. 5 centavos. *2 .frnnas. 5 sen. 5 cents. 5 centavos. 10 soldi. 5 centavos. 20 ore. 5 centavos de peso. 12J cents. 5 centavos. 7 shahis. 1 penny. J penny. 2 cents. 1 cent. 3 cents of a dollar. 1 cent of a dollar. 3 cents. 1 cent. 4 cents of a rupee. 2 cents of a rupee. 1 piastre or 40 paras. £ piastre or 20 paras. 5 cents of a rupee. 2J cents of a rupee. 1 penny. J penny. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. 2 centavos of a piastre. 1 centavo of a piastre. 2 cents. 1 cent. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. § anna. J anna. 2 sen. 1 sen. 2 cents. 1 cent. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. 5 soldi. 3 soldi. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. 10 ore. 5 ore. 2 centavos de peso. 1 centavo de peso. 5 cents. 2J cents. 2 centavos. 1 centavo. 3 shaliis. 1 shahi. Peru Persia Portugal and Portuguese Colonies, except Portuguese India .. .. .. Portuguese India .. .. .. Russia Salvador Siam Sweden .. .. ... Turkey Uruguay .. I 50 reis. 2 tangas. 10 kopeks. 5 centavos de peso. 7£ atts. 20 ore. 40 paras. 5 contavos of a piastre. 20 reis. 10 reis. 10 reis. 5 reis. 4 kopeks. 2 kopeks. 2 centavos de peso. 1 centavo de peso. 3 atts. 1J att. 10 ore. 5 ore. 20 paras. 10 paras. 2 centavos of a piastre. 1 centavo of a piastre.

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V.— Correspondence with Countries foreign to the Union. Offices of the Union which have relations with countries foreign to the Union furnish to the other offices of the Union a list of those countries, indicating the conditions of transmission to which the correspondence is subject in the relations in question. Vl.— Application of the Stamps. 1. Correspondence despatched from countries of the Union is impressed with a stamp indicating the place of origin and the date of posting. 2. On arrival, the office of destination applies its date-stamp on the back of letters and on the front of post-cards. 3. The application of stamps on correspondence deposited on board packets in the movable boxes or in the hands of the commanders devolves, in the cases contemplated by paragraph 3 of Article XI. of the Convention, upon the postal agent on board, or, if there be none, of the postoffice to which the correspondence is delivered. 4. Correspondence originating in countries foreign to the Union is marked, by the office of the Union which first receives it, with a stamp indicating the place and date of entry into the service of that office. 5. Unpaid or insufficiently paid correspondence is, in addition, impressed with the stamp " T " (tax to be paid), the application of which devolves upon the office of the country of origin in the case of correspondence originating in the Union, and upon the office of the country of entry in the case of correspondence originating in countries foreign to the Union. 6. Articles to be sent by express are impressed with a stamp bearing in large letters the word "Express." The administrations are, however, authorized to replace that stamp by a printed label or by a written inscription underlined with a coloured pencil. 7. Every article of correspondence which does not bear the stamp "T " is considered as paid and treated accordingly, unless there be an obvious error. VII. — Indication of the Number of Bates. 1. When a letter or other article of correspondence is liable, by reason of its weight, to more than a single rate of postage, the office of origin or of entry into the Union, as the case may be, indicates in the upper left-hand corner of the address, in ordinary figures, the number of rates levied or to be levied. 2. This procedure is not essential in the case of correspondence fully prepaid. VIII.— Insufficient Prepayment. 1. When an article is insufficiently prepaid by means of postage-stamps, the despatching office indicates in black figures placed by the side of the postage-stamps the amount of the deficiency, expressing it in francs and centimes. 2. According to this indication, the office of exchange of the country of destination taxes the article with double the deficiency noted. 3. In case postage-stamps not available for prepayment have been employed, no account is taken of them. This circumstance is indicated by the figure naught (0) placed by the side of the postage-stamps. IX.— Acknoivledgments of Delivery. 1. Articles for which the sender requires an acknowledgment of delivery must be marked very clearly with the inscription " Avis de Beception," or be stamped with the letters " A.E." 2. Acknowledgments of delivery must be prepared by the offices of destination on a form in accordance with or analagous to the pattern A annnexed, and sent by those offices to the offices of origin, whose duty it is to deliver the acknowledgments to the senders of the articles to which they relate. Acknowledgments of delivery must be drawn up in French, or must bear a sublineary translation in that language. X.— Letter-bills. 1. The letter-bills which accompany the mails exchanged between two administrations of the Union are in conformity with pattern B appended to the present regulations. They are placed in coloured envelopes marked distinctly " Feuille d'avis " [" Letter-bill."] In cases of exchanges by sea which, although periodical and regular, are not daily or on fixed days, the despatching offices must number their letter-bills in an annual series for each office of origin and for each office of destination, mentioning, as far as possible, in the letter-bill the name of the packet or vessel which carries the mail. 2. The registered articles are entered in Table No. 1 of the letter-bill with the following details : the name of the office of origin and the number given to the article at that office; or the name of the office of origin, the name of the addressee, and the place of destination. In the column headed "Observations" the word " Bemb." is added against the entry of registered articles marked with trade charges. Articles to be sent by express are entered numerically in Table No. 1 of the letter-bill. Acknowledgments of delivery are entered in the above-named table, either individually or collectively, according as they are more or less numerous. The part of the letter-bill headed "Recommendations d'Office" ["Official Eegistrations "] is intended for the entry of verification certificates, of open letters on service addressed by one office of exchange to another, and of communications from the despatching office. 3. When the number of registered articles usually sent from one office of exchange to another requires it, a special and separate list may be used to take the place of Table No. 1 of the letterbill.

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The number of registered articles inscribed on that list and the number of packets or bags containing those articles must be entered on the letter-bill. 4. In Table No. 11 are to be entered, with such details as the table requires, the closed mails contained by the direct mail to which the letter-bill relates. 5. The number of separate packets or bags composing each despatch for a single destination is indicated in the right-hand top corner of the letter-bill. 6. When it is deemed necessary for certain exchanges to make new tables or headings in the letter-bill, the necessary steps may be taken after an understanding between the administrations concerned. 7. When an office of exchange has no correspondence to forward to a corresponding office, it must, nevertheless, make up in the usual form a mail consisting simply of the letter-bill. 8. When closed mails are sent by one administration to another, to be conveyed by means of private ships, the number of letters or other articles is indicated in the letter-bill or on the address of the mails. XI. — Transmission of Registered Articles. 1. Registered articles, acknowledgments of delivery, express letters, and, if there be one, the special list contemplated in paragraph 3 of Article X., are made up in a separate packet, which is to be suitably enclosed and sealed so as to preserve the contents. 2. To the outside of this packet the special envelope containing the letter-bill is attached with string tied across and across. The packet is then placed in the centre of the mail. 3. The presence in the mail of a packet of registered articles, of which the description is given upon the special list mentioned in paragraph 1 above, is to be announced by the application at the head of the letter-bill, either of a special entry, or of the registration label or stamp in use in the country of origin. 4. It is understood that the mode of packing and forwarding registered articles, prescribed by paragraphs 1 and 2 above, applies only to ordinary exchanges. For important exchanges it is for the offices concerned to prescribe by common consent special arrangements, subject in the one case as in the other to exceptional measures to be taken by the heads of the offices of exchange, when they have to insure the transmission of registered articles which, from their nature, form, or size, would not be capable of being enclosed in the principal mail. In such case, however, the despatching offices indicate at the head of the letter-bill the number of registered articles sent in the principal mail outside the special packet or bag, among the ordinary correspondence, and insert in the " Observations " column of the list the inscription "en dehors " [" outside "] against the entry of each of those articles. The above-mentioned articles are made up as far as possible in packets tied with string and having labels affixed to them bearing in plain characters the words " Becommandes en dehors" [" Registered—outside "], preceded by figures indicating the number of articles which each packet contains. 5. Acknowledgments of delivery are placed in an envelope by the office delivering the registered articles to which those acknowledgments relate. These envelopes, bearing the inscription " Avis de reception; Bureau de poste de (Pays) " ['.' Acknowledgment of delivery : Post Office of (Country) "] * site submitted to the formalities of registration and despatched to their destination as ordinary registered articles. Xll.— lndemnity for the Loss of a Registered Article. When the indemnity due for the loss of a registered article has been paid by one administration on behalf of another administration which is responsible for the loss, the latter is bound to repay the amount within three months after receiving notice of the payment. This repayment is effected either by means of a postal money-order, or a draft, or in specie current in the country to which payment is due. When the repayment of the indemnity involve expenses, they are always borne by the indebted office. Xlll.— Making up the Mails. 1. As a general rule, the articles of which the mails consist must be classified and tied up according to the nature of the correspondence, the prepaid correspondence being separated from the unpaid and insufficiently prepaid. 2. Every mail, after having been tied with string, is enclosed in strong paper sufficient in quantity to prevent damage to the contents, then tied again with string on the outside, and sealed with wax, or fastened by means of a gummed paper label bearing an impression of the seal of the office. The mail is furnished with a printed address bearing, in small characters, the name of the despatching office, and in larger characters the name of the office of destination : " From for 3. If the size of the mail requires it, it is placed in a bag properly closed, sealed with wax or with lead, and labelled. 4. The packets or bags containing articles to be sent by express must bear on the outside an inscription calling the attention of the postal officials to those articles. 5. When paper labels are used, they must be pasted on blocks. 6. No bag must exceed 40 kilogrammes in weight. 7. The bags must be returned empty to the despatching office by the next mail, in the absence of other arrangements between the corresponding offices. XlV.— Verification of the Mails. 1. The office of exchange which receives a mail ascertains whether the entries in the letter-bill and in the registered letter list, if there be one, are correct. 7—F. 1.

#.— i.

The mails must be delivered in good condition. Nevertheless, the receipt of a mail cannot be refused on account of its bad condition. In the case of a mail for an office other than that which has received it, it must be packed up afresh, but the original packing should be preserved as far as possible. The repacking is preceded by a verification of the contents, if there is reason to suppose that they are not intact. 2. When the office of exchange detects errors or omissions, it immediately makes the necessary corrections on the letter-bills or lists, taking care to strike out the erroneous entries with a pen in such a manner as to leave the original entries legible. 3. These corrections are made by two officers. Except in the case of an obvious error, they are accepted in preference to the original statement. 4. A verification certificate, in conformity with the pattern C annexed to the present regulations, is prepared by the receiving officer, and sent without delay, officially registered, to the despatching office. At the same time a duplicate of the verification certificate is sent by the receiving office to the administration to which the despatching office is subordinate. In the case contemplated in paragraph 1 of the present article, a copy of the verification certificate is inserted in the repacked mail. 5. The despatching office, after examination, returns the verification certificate with any observations to which it may give rise. 6. In case of the failure of a mail, of a registered article, of the letter-bill, or of the special list, the fact is immediately reported, in such form as may be desired, by two officers of the receiving office, and notified to the despatching office by means of a verification certificate. If needful, the latter office may also be advised thereof by telegram, at the expense of the office which sends the telegram. 7. In case of the loss of a closed mail, intermediate offices become responsible for the registered articles contained in the mail, within the limits of Article VIII. of the Convention, provided that the non-receipt of such mail shall have been notified to them as soon as possible. 8. In case the receiving office shall not have forwarded by the first mail to the despatching office a verification certificate reporting errors or irregularities of any kind, the absence of that document is to be regarded as evidence of the due receipt of the mail and its contents, until the contrary be proved. XV. — Stiindations respecting Registered Articles. 1. Correspondence addressed to initials or in pencil is not admitted to registration. 2. No special conditions as to form or fastening are prescribed for registered articles. Each office has the right to apply to such articles the regulations in force in its inland service. 3. Eegistered articles should bear labels in conformity with or analogous to the pattern D annexed to the present regulations, indicating the name of the office of origin and the number under which the article is entered in the records of that office. Nevertheless, administrations whose inland regulations do not at present admit the use of labels may postpone the introduction of this arrangement, and continue to use stamps for the indication of registered articles. 4. Eegistered articles marked with trade charges must bear a manuscript inscription, or the impression of a stamp or a label 'bearing the word "Bembourseinent" [" Eecovery of trade charges "]. 5. Unpaid or insufficiently paid registered articles are forwarded to the addresses without charge, but the office which receives an article in these conditions is bound to report the case to its administration, in order that it may inform the administration to which the office of origin is subordinate. That administration proceeds in accordance with the rules followed in its inland service. XVI. — Post-cards. 1. Post-cards must be sent unenclosed. The face is reserved for the postage-stamps, for indications relating to the postal-service (registered, acknowledgement of delivery, &c.) and for the address, which may be written in manuscript or be shown upon a gummed label not exceeding two centimetres by five. Moreover, the sender has the option of indicating his name and address on the face or on the back, either in writing or by means of a stamp, autograph-stamp, or any other typographical process. Engravings or advertisements may be printed on the back. Except stamps for prepayment and the labels mentioned in paragraph 1 and paragraph 6 of the present article, it is forbidden to join or attach to post-cards any article whatsoever. 2. Post-cards may not exceed the following dimensions : Length, 14 centimetres; width, 9 centimetres. 3. As far as possible, post-cards issued for circulation in the Postal Union must bear on the face, in the French language, or with a sublineary translation in that language, the following superscription:— POST-CARD. Univeesai. Postal Uxion. (Side reserved for the address.) 4. The postage-stamp representing prepayment appears in one of the top corners of the face, as should also any supplementary stamp which may be added. 5. As a general rule, post-cards with reply paid must bear on the face the printed superscription, on the first half, " Post-card with reply paid ; " on the second half, " Eeply post-card." Each of the two halves must, moreover, fulfil the other conditions laid down for single post-cards; onehalf is doubled over the other, and they must not be closed up in any manner whatsoever. ,

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6. The sender of a post-card with reply paid may indicate his name and address on tho face of the " Eeply " half, either in writing or by sticking a label on to it. 7. The prepayment of the "Eeply" half by means of the postage-stamp of the country which has issued the card is valid only if it is attached to the address of that country. In the contrary case, it is charged as an unpaid letter. 8. Post-cards, both single and with reply paid, emanating from private industry, are admitted to international circulation, if agreeable to the laws of the country of origin, and if they be in conformity with the post-cards issued by the Post Office of that country, at all events in regard to size and the substance of the paper. 9. Post-cards not fulfilling, so far as regards dimensions, external form, &c, the conditions laid down by the present article for this class of correspondence are treated as letters. XVII. — Commercial Papers. 1. The following are considered as commercial papers, and allowed to pass as such at the reduced postage specified in Article V. of the Convention : All papers and all documents, whether writings or drawings, produced wholly or partly by hand, not having the character of an actual and personal correspondence, such as papers of legal procedure, deeds of all kinds drawn up bj' public functionaries, way-bills or bills of lading, invoices, the various documents of insurance companies, copies of or extracts from Acts under private signature written on stamped or unstamped paper, musical scores or sheets of music in manuscript, the manuscripts of works or of newspapers forwarded separately, &c. 2. Commercial papers are subject, so far as regards form and conditions of transmission, to the regulations prescribed for printed papers (Article XVIII. following). XVIII. — Printed Papers of every kind. 1. The following are considered as printed papers, and allowed to pass as such at the reduced postage sanctioned by Article V. of the Convention : Newspapers and periodical works, books stitched or bound, pamphlets, sheets of music, visiting-cards, address-cards, proofs of printing with or without the manuscript relating thereto, papers impressed with points in relief for the use of the blind, engravings, photographs, pictures, drawings, plans, maps, catalogues, prospectuses, announcements and notices of various kinds, printed, engraved, lithographed, or autographed; and, in general, all impressions or copies obtained upon paper, parchment, or cardboard, by means of printing, engraving, lithography, autography, or any other mechanical process easy to recognise, except the copying-press and the type-writer. The mechanical processes called chromography, polygrapliy, heetography, papyrography, velocigraphy, &c, are considered as easy to recognise ; but, in order to pass at the reduced postage, reproductions obtained by means of these processes must be brought to the post-office counter, and must number at least twenty copies, precisely identical. 2. Postage stamps, whether obliterated or not, and all printed articles constituting the sign of a monetary value, are excluded from transmission at the reduced postage. 3. Printed papers of which the 'text has been modified after printing, either by hand or by means of a mechanical process, or bears any mark whatever of such a kind as to constitute a conventional language, cannot be sent at the reduced rate. 4. The following exceptions to the rule laid down by the preceding paragraph 3 are allowed : — (a.) To indicate on the outside of the missive the name, commercial standing, and address of the sender; (b.) To add in manuscript, on printed visiting-cards, the address of the sender, his title, as well as conventional initials (p., f., &c.); (c.) To indicate or to alter in a printed paper, in manuscript or by a mechanical process, the date of despatch, tho signature and the commercial standing or profession as well as the address of the sender ; (d.) To make manuscript additions to corrected proofs, and to make in those proofs , alterations and additions which relate to correction, form, and printing (in case of want of space these additions may be made on separate sheets); (c.) To correct also errors in printing in printed documents other than proofs ; ( f.) To erase certain parts of a printed text in order to render them illegible; (g.) To make prominent by means of marks passages of the text to which it desired to draw attention; (/(.) To insert or correct, in manuscript or by a mechanical process, figures, as well as the name of a traveller and the date of his visit, in prices- current, tenders for advertisements, stock- and share-lists, and trade circulars; (i.) To indicate in manuscript, in advices of the departures of ships, the dates of those departures; (k.) To indicate in cards of invitation and notices of meetings the name of the person invited, the date, the object, and the place of the gathering ; (7.) To add a dedication on books, sheets of music, newspapers, photographs, and engravings, as well as to enclose the invoice relating to any such work ; (m.) In requisitions sent to libraries (printed and open, and intended as orders for books, newspapers, engravings, pieces of music), to indicate o.n the back, in manuscript, the works required or offered, and to erase or underline on the front the- whole or part of the printed communications ; (n.) To paint fashion-plates, maps, &c. 5. Additions made in manuscript, or by means of a mechanical process, which would deprive a printed paper of its general character and give it that of individual correspondence are forbidden •

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6. Printed papers must be either placed in wrappers, upon rollers, between boards, in covers open at both sides or at both ends, or in unclosed envelopes, or simply folded in such a manner as not to conceal the nature of the packet, or, lastly, tied with a string easy to unfasten. 7. Address-cards, and all printed matter of the form and substance of an unfolded card, maybe forwarded without wrapper, envelopes, fastenings, or fold. 8. Cards bearing the inscription " Post-card " are not allowed to go at the rate for printed matter. XIX. — Samp les. 1. Samples of merchandise are only allowed to pass at the reduced postage which is allotted to them by Article V. of the Convention, under the following conditions : — 2. They must be placed in bags, boxes, or removable envelopes, in such a manner as to admit of easy inspection. 3. They must possess no saleable value, nor bear any writing, except the name of the sender or that of his firm, the address of the addressee, a manufacturer's or trade-mark, numbers, prices, and indications relative to weight or size, or to the quantity to be disposed of, or such as are necessary to determine the origin and nature of the goods. 4. By common consent between the administrations concerned, that is to say, between the administration of the country of origin and of the country of destination, and of the country or countries, if any, performing the transit a decouvert or in closed mails, packets of liquids, oils, fatty substances, dry powders, whether dyes or not, as well as packets of live bees, may be admitted to transmission as samples of merchandise, provided that they be packed in the following manner: —■ (1.) Liquids, oils, and fatty substances easily liquefied must be enclosed in glass bottles hermetically sealed. Each bottle must be placed in a wooden box adequately furnished with sawdust, cotton, or spongy material, in sufficient quantity to absorb the liquid in case the bottle be broken. Finally, the box itself must be enclosed in a case of metal, of wood with a screw top, or of strong and thick leather. (2.) Fatty substances which are not easily liquefied, such as ointments, soft-soap, resin, &c, the transmission of which offers less inconvenience, must be enclosed in an inner cover (box, linen bag, parchment, &c), which itself must be placed in a second box of wood, metal, or strong and thick leather. (3.) Dry powders, whether dyes or not, must be placed in cardboard boxes which themselves are enclosed in a bag of linen or parchment. (4.) Live bees must be enclosed in boxes so constructed as to avoid all danger and to allow the contents to be ascertained. XX.— Articles grouped together. It is permitted to enclose in one and the same packet samples of merchandise, printed matter, and commercial papers, but subject to the following conditions: — (1.) That each article taken singly does not exceed the limits which are applicable to it as regards weight and size ; (2.) That the total weight does not exceed 2 kilogrammes per packet; (3.) That the minimum charge be 25 centimes if the packet contains commercial papers, and 10 centimes if it consists of printed matter and samples. XXl.— Bedirected Correspondence. 1. In execution of Article XIV. of the Convention, and subject to the exceptions specified in paragraph 2 following, correspondence of every kind circulating in the Union addressed to persons who have changed their residence is treated by the delivering office as if it had been addressed directly from the place of origin to the place of the new destination. 2. With regard to inland letters or packets of one country of the Union which enter, in consequence of redirection, into the service of another country of the Union, the following rules are observed:—■ (1.) Articles unpaid or insufficiently paid for their first transmission are treated as international correspondence, and subjected by the delivering office to the charge applicable to articles of the same nature addressed directly from the country of origin to the country in which the addressee may be; (2.) Articles regularly prepaid for their first transmission, and on which the complementary postage pertaining to the further transmission has not been paid before their second despatch, are subjected, according to their nature, by the delivering office to a charge equal to the difference between the amount of postage already prepaid and that which would have been chargeable if the articles had been originally despatched to the new destination. The amount of this difference must be expressed in francs and centimes by the side of the stamps by the redirecting office. In both cases the charges above referred to are leviable from the addressees, even if, owing to successive redirections, the articles should return to the country of origin. 3. When correspondence originally addressed from one part to another of a country of the Union, and prepaid in money, is redirected to another country, the redirecting office must indicate on each article the amount of the postage levied in money. 4. Missent correspondence of all kinds is reforwarded, without delay, by the quickest route, to its destination. 5. Correspondence of all kinds, ordinary or registered, which, being wrongly or insufficiently addressed, is returned to the senders in order that they may rectify or complete the address, is not, when reposted with the direction rectified or completed, regarded as redirected correspondence, but as being really fresh correspondence ; and it is consequently liable to a fresh postage.

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XXII.— Undelivered Correspondence. 1. Corespondence of all kinds which is not delivered, from whatever cause, must be returned as soon as possible after the period for keeping it required by the regulations of the country of destination, and at latest at the expiration of six months in relations with countries beyond sea, and at the expiration of two months in other relations, through the medium of the respective offices of exchange, and in a special bundle labelled " Bebuts," and bearing indication of the country where the correspondence originated. The periods of two months and six months count from the end of the month in which the correspondence has reached the office of destination. 2. Nevertheless, undelivered registered correspondence is returned to the office of exchange of the country of origin, as if it were registered correspondence addressed to that country, except that opposite the nominal entry in Table No. 1 of the letter-bill, or in the separate list, the word " Bebuts " is entered in the column of observations by the returning office. 3. As an exception, two corresponding offices may, by mutual consent, adopt a different mode of returning undelivered correspondence, and may also dispense with the reciprocal return of certain printed papers considered as destitute of value. 4. Before returning to the office of origin correspondence which for any reason has not been delivered, the office of destination must indicate in a clear and concise manner in the French language, on the back of such articles, the cause of the non-delivery in the following form : " Not known" (" inconnu"), "refused" {"refuse"), "gone away" ("parti"), "not claimed" (" non reclame"), "deceased" (" decide"), &c. This indication is furnished by the application of a stamp or by affixing a label. Bach office has the option of adding a translation, in its own language, of the cause of non-delivery, and any other useful particulars. XXlll.— Statistics of Transit Charges. 1. The statistics to be taken once every three years, in execution of Articles IV. and XVII. of the Convention, for the settlement of transit charges within the Union and outside the limits of the Union, are prepared according to the stipulations of the following Articles, during the first twentyeight days of the month of May or of November alternately of the second year in each triennial period, to take effect retrospectively from the first year. 2. The statistics of November, 1892, will apply to the years 1892,1893, and 1894 ; the statistics of May, 1896, will apply to the years 1895, 1896, and 1897 ; and so on. 3. If during the period to which the statistics apply a country having important relations should enter the Union, the countries of the Union whose situation with regard to the payment of transit dues might be modified in consequence of this circumstance have the option of demanding special statistics relating exclusively to the country which has lately entered. 4. The charges falling upon the despatching office under the head of territorial transit and sea conveyance are fixed invariably in accordance with the statistics for the whole period which they embrace, except in the case contemplated in the preceding paragraph. But when an important modification takes place in the flow of correspondence, and provided that that modification affects a period of six months at least, the intermediate offices come to an understanding for settling among themselves the division of those charges in proportion to the part taken by the said offices in the conveyance of the correspondence to which the charges relate. XXlV.— Correspondence a decouvert. 1. The office serving as the medium for the transmission of correspondence exchanged a decouvert, either between two countries of the Union or between a country of the Union and a country foreign to it, prepares beforehand, for each of its correspondents of the Union, a table according to the pattern B annexed to the present regulations, in which it indicates, distinguishing, if needful, the different routes of transmission, the rates of payment by weight due to it for the conveyance within the Union of the two categories of correspondence by means of the services at its disposal, as well of the rates of payment by weight to be allowed by the office itself to any other offices of the Union for the further conveyance of the said correspondence within the Union. If necessary, it communicates in due time with the offices of the countries to be traversed as to the route which the correspondence should take, and as to the rates.to be paid upon it. 2. When several routes, each involving different transit charges applicable to the routes which the intermediate offices use, are available for the transmission of correspondence to one and the same country, the despatching office pays the intermediate office according to a single rate based upon the average of the several transit rates. 3. A copy of the Table E is forwarded by the said office to the corresponding office interested, and serves as the basis of a special account to be established between them with reference to the intermediate conveyance of the correspondence in question. This account is prepared by the office which receives the correspondence, and is submitted to the examination of the despatching office. 4. The despatching office prepares, according to the particulars given in the form E furnished by its correspondent, tables in comformity with the pattern F hereto annexed, intended to show, for each mail, the charges for intermediate conveyance of the correspondence, without distinction of origin, sent in the mail for transmission by the medium of said corresponding office. With this view the despatching office of exchange enters in a Table F, which it sends with its despatch, the total weight, according to its nature, of the correspondence of this class, which it delivers a decouvert to the corresponding office of exchange ; and the latter, after verification, accepts such*, correspondence, and sends it to its destination, mixed with its own correspondence in respect of which the charges (if any) for further conveyance are the same. If required by the offices concerned, it is necessary to distinguish on the Table F the origin of

F.—l.

the correspondence subject to the sea-transit charges of fifteen francs a kilogramme for letters and post-cards, and one franc a kilogramme for other articles, to be shared among several administrations. 5. Any error in the statement of the office of exchange which has despatched the Table F is immediately communicated to that office by means of a verification certificate, notwithstanding the correction made in the table itself. 6. If there be no correspondence liable to a charge for intermediate or foreign conveyance, a Table F is not prepared, and the despatching office enters at the head of the letter-bill the words "No Table F." In case of the erroneous omission of this table the irregularity is equally reported, by means of a verification certificate, to the office in fault, and must be immediately rectified by that office. XXV.—Closed Mails. 1. Correspondence exchanged in closed mails between two offices of the Union, or between an office of the Union and an office foreign to the Union, across the territory or by means of the services of one or more offices, forms the subject of a statement in conformity with specimen G annexed to the present regulations, which is prepared according to the following stipulations : — 2. As regards mails from one country of the Union for another country of the Union, the despatching office of exchange enters in the letter-bill for the receiving office of exchange the net weight of letters and post-cards and that of other articles, without distinguishing the origin or destination of the correspondence. These entries are verified by the receiving office, which.prepares, at the end of the statistical period, the statement above mentioned in as many copies as there are offices interested, including that of the place of despatch. 3. In the four days which follow the close of the statistical operations, the statements G are transmitted by the offices of exchange which have prepared them to the offices of exchange of the administration indebted, for acceptance by them. The latter offices, after accepting these statements, send them to the central administration to which they are subordinate, and on which falls the duty of distributing them amongst the offices concerned. 4. As regards closed mails exchanged between a country of the Union and a country foreign to the Union, by the medium of one or more offices of the Union, the offices of exchange of the Union country prepare, for each mail despatched or received, a statement G, which they send to the office of departure or entry. This latter prepares, at the end of the statistical period, a general statement, in as many copies as there are offices interested, including itself and the office of the Union which has to pay. One copy of this statement is sent to the indebted office and one to each of the offices which have participated in the conveyance of the mails. If required by the offices concerned, the offices of exchange must distinguish on the letter-bill the origin and destination of such correspondence as is subject to the sea-transit charges of fifteen francs and one franc, to be shared among several administrations. 5. After each statistical period, those administrations which have despatched transit mails send a list of such mails to the several administrations whose services they have used. 6. The mere warehousing at a port of closed mails brought by one packet and intended to go on by another does not involve payment of territorial transit charges to the post-office of the place where the mails are warehoused. • , r j XXVl.— Mails exchanged with Ships of War. 1. The establishment of an exchange of closed mails between a post-office of the Union and naval divisions or ships of war of the same nationality must be notified, as far as possible, in advance to the intermediate offices. 2. The address of such mails should be in the following form : — From the post-office of tj, ■ (the [nationality] naval division of [name of the division] at . . 01 (the [nationality] ship [name of the ship] at or From the [nationality] naval division of [name of the division] at From the [nationality] ship [name of the ship] at For the post-office of [country]. 3. Mails addressed to or sent from naval divisions or ships of war are forwarded, unless specially addressed as to route, by the most rapid routes, and in the same condition as mails exchanged between post-offices. 4. If the ships are not at the place of destination when mails addressed to them arrive there, those mails are kept at the post-office until fetched away by the addressee or redirected to another place. Eedirection may be demanded either by the post office of origin, or by the commanding officer of the naval division or the ship addressed, or, lastty, by a Consul of the same nationality. 5. Such of the mails in question as bear the inscription " To the care of the Consul at " are delivered at the Consulate of the country of origin. At the request of the Consul they may afterwards be received back into the postal service and redirected to the place of origin or to another address. 6. Mails addressed to a ship of war are regarded as being in transit up to the time of their delivery to the commanding officer of that ship of war, even when they shall have j)een originally addressed to the care of a post-office or to a consul intrusted with the duty of acting as forwarding agent; they are not, therefore, regarded as having arrived at their address so long as they shall not have been delivered to the ship of war concerned. 7. It is incumbent on the administration of the country to which the ships of war belong to

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prepare tables G for the mails exchanged. During a statistical period these mails must bear on labels the undermentioned particulars : — (a.) Net weight of letters and post-cards ; (b.) Net/weight of other articles; and (c.) Route followed or to be followed. • In a case where a mail addressed to a ship of war is redirected during a statistical period, the redirecting office informs the office of the country to which the ship belongs. XXVII. — Account of Transit Charges. 1. The tables F and G are incorporated in a special account, in which is shown, in francs and centimes, the annual amount of transit payment accruing to each office by multiplying the totals by thirteen. In case the multiplier does not correspond with the periodicity of the service, or when a question arises as to exceptional despatches made during the statistical period, the administrations concerned arrange for the adoption of another multiplier. The of preparing this account devolves upon the office to which payment is due, which transmits it to the indebted office. The multiplier agreed upon holds good on each occasion for the three years of one and the same statistical period. 2. The payment which results from balancing the reciprocal accounts between two offices is made in hard cash (francs) by the indebted office to the office to which the payment is due, by means of bills drawn upon a place in the creditor country at the option of the indebted office. The costs of payment, including the discount charges, when there happen to be any, are borne by the indebted office. 3. The preparation, transmission, and payment of the accounts of the transit charges pertaining to a particular year must be effected with as little delay as possible, and at the latest before the expiration of the first six months of the following year. In any case, if the office which has ssnt the account has not received in that interval any notes of correction, that account is regarded as duly accepted. This stipulation applies equally to uncontested observations made by one office on the accounts furnished by another. When this term of six months is passed, the amounts due from one office to another office are subject to interest at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum, dating from the day of the expiration of the said term. The payment of transit charges for the first year in each triennial period, and at need for the second year, are made provisionally at the end of such year, on the basis of the previous statistics, subject to an eventual adjustment of the accounts in accordance with the results of the new statistics. 4. Nevertheless, the option is reserved to the offices concerned to make by common consent other arrangements than those which are set forth in the present Article. XXVIII. — Exceptions in the matter of Weight. As an exceptional measure it is agreed that States which, by reason of their internal regulations, are unable to adopt the decimal metrical system of weight, have the option of substituting for it the ounce avoirdupois (28-3465 grammes), assimilating a half-ounce to 15 grammes and 2 ounces to 50 grammes, and of raising, if needful, the limit of the single rate of postage of newspapers to 4 ounces; but under the express condition that, in the latter case, the postage on newspapers be not less than 10 centimes, and that an entire rate of postage be charged for each copy of the newspaper even though several newspapers be included in the same packet. XXlX.— Applications for Ordinary Articles lohich have failed, to reach their Destination. 1. Every application respecting an ordinary article of correspondence which has failed to reach its destination gives rise to the following procedure : — (1.) A form in conformity with the pattern U annexed hereto is handed to the applicant, who is requested to fill up as exactly as possible the portion which concerns him. (2.) The office at which the application originates transmits the form direct to the corresponding office. It is transmitted officially without any written communication. (3.) The corresponding office causes the form to be handed to the addressee or sender (as the case may be), with the request that particulars on the subject may be furnished. (4.) With these particulars added, the form is sent back officially to the office which prepared it. (5.) When the application proves to be well founded it is transmitted to the central administration, in order to serve as a basis for further investigations. (6.) In the absence of any understanding to the contrary, the form is drawn up in French or bears a French translation. 2. Any administration can demand, by notification addressed to the International Bureau, that the exchange of applications, so far as such administration is concerned, shall be effected through the medium of the central administrations or of an office specially designated. XXX.— Withdrawal of Correspondence and Correction of Addresses. 1. For requests to have correspondence returned or redirected, as well as for requests to have addresses corrected, the sender must use a form in accordance with the specimen I annexed to the present regulations. In handing this application to the post-office the sender must establish his identity and produce the certificate of posting if there be one. The administration of the country of origin assumes the responsibility in regard to identity, and after its establishment therfourse is as follows : — (1.) If the request is meant to be sent by post, the form, together with a perfect facsimile of the envelope or address of the missive, is despatched in a registered letter direct to the office of destination ;

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(2.) If the request is to be made by telegraph the form is handed over to the telegraph service, which is intrusted with the transmission of its terms to the office of destination. 2. On receipt of the Form J, or of the telegram taking its place, the office of destination searches for the correspondence in question, and takes such steps as may be necessary. If, however, the case be one of an alteration of address requested by telegraph, the office of destination only retains the letter, and awaits the arrival of the necessary facsimile before complying with the request. If the search is fruitless, or if the article has already been delivered to the addressee, or if the request by telegraph is not so explicit that the article indicated can be recognised with certainty, the fact is at once communicated to the office of origin, which informs the applicant accordingly. 3. In the absence of any understanding to the contrary, Form J is drawn up in French, or bears a sublineary translation in that language; and in case the telegraph is used, the telegram is sent in French. 4. A simple correction of address (without modification of the name or description of the addressee) can also be claimed directly from the delivering office—that is to say, without fulfilling the formalities prescribed for the alteration of the address properly so called. 5. Any administration can require, by notification addressed to the International Bureau, that the exchange of applications, so far as such administration is concerned, shall be effected through the medium of the central administrations or of an office specially designated. In cases where the exchange of applications is effected through the medium of the central administrations, requests sent directly by the offices of origin to the offices of destination must be taken into account to the extent that the correspondence concerned shall be withheld from delivery until the arrival of the application from the central administration. The administrations which avail themselves of the option accorded by the first paragraph of the present clause bear the charges involved by the transmission, in their inland service, by post or by telegraph, of the communications to be exchanged with the delivering office. XXXI. — Use of Postage-stamps presumed to be Fraudulent for the Prepayment of Postage. 1. Subject to the regulations laid down by the laws of each country, even in cases where this reservation is not expressly stipulated in the provisions of the present Article, the under-mentioned procedure is followed for detecting the use of fraudulent postage-stamps for the prepayment of postage : — (a.) When the presence of a fraudulent postage-stamp (counterfeit or already used) on any article whatever is detected at the time of despatch by the post-office of a country whose law does not require the immediate seizure of the article, the stamp is net altered in any way, and the article, enclosed in an envelope addressed to the delivering office, is forward officially registered. (&.) This formality is notified without delay to the administrations of the countries of origin and destination by means of an advice in conformity with specimen X annexed to to the present regulations. A copy of that advice is, moreover, transmitted to the delivering office in the enyeLope which encloses the article bearing the supposed fraudulent postage-stamp, (c.) In order to establish the contravention, recourse is had to the addressee. The delivery of the article takes place only in case the addressee or his representative consents to make known the name and address of the sender, and to place at the disposal of the post-office, after having taken cognizance of the contents, the entire article, if it is inseparable from the offence itself, or else the part of the article (envelope, wrapper, portion of letter, &c.) which contains the address and the stamp stated to be fraudulent. (d.) The result of the representations made is set forth in a formal report in conformity with the specimen L annexed to the present regulations, in which report are recorded the incidents that have happened, such as failure to appear, refusal to receive the article or to open it or to make known the sender, &c. This document is signed by the postal official and by the addressee of the article or his representative ; if the latter refuses to sign, the refusal is recorded in place of the signature. The formal report is transmitted, with the relative vouchers, through the medium of the administration of the country of destination, to the postal administration of the country of origin, which, with the aid of those documents, takes proceedings, if necessary, to repress the infringement, according to its internal laws. XXXII. — Division of the Expenses of the International Bureau,. 1. The ordinary expenses of the International Bureau must not exceed the sum of 125,000 francs annually, irrespective of the special expenses to which the meeting of a Congress or of a conference gives rise. 2. The Swiss Postal Administration supervises the expenses of the International Bureau, makes the necessary advances, and prepares the annual account, which is communicated to all the other administrations. 3. For the apportionment of the expenses, the countries of the Union are divided into seven classes, each contributing in the proportion of a certain number of units, viz.,— Ist class ... ... ■' 25 units. sth class... ... ... 5 units. 2nd ... ... 20 „ 6th „ ... ... ... 3 „ 3rd „ ... ... ... 15 „ 7th „ ... ... ... 1 „ 4th „ 10 „

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4. These coefficients are multiplied by the number of countries of each class, and the total of the products thus obtained furnishes the number of units by which the whole expense is to be divided. The quotient gives the amount of the unit of expense. 5. The countries of the Union are classified as follows, in view of the division of expenses : — Ist Class: Germany, Austria-Hungary, United States of America, France, Great Britain, British India, British Colonies of Australasia, the whole of the other British Colonies and Protectorates (except Canada), Italy, Russia, Turkey. 2nd Class : Spain. 3rd Class: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Japan, Netherlands. Eoumania, Sweden, Spanish Colonies or Provinces beyond sea, French Colonies, Dutch East Indies. 4th Class: Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Portuguese Colonies. . sth Class: Argentine Bepublic, Bulgaria, Chili, Colombia, Greece, Mexico, Peru, Servia, Tunis. 6th Class : Bolivia, Costa PJica, Dominican Bepublic, Ecuador, German Protectorates, Guatemala, Hayti, Bepublic of Honduras, Luxemburg, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Persia, Salvador, Kingdom of Siam, Uruguay, Venezuela, Danish Colonies, Colony of Curacoa (or Dutch West Indies), Colony of Surinam (or Dutch Guiana). 7th Class : Congo Free State, Hawaii, Liberia, Montenegro. XXXlll.— Communications to be addressed to the International Bureau. 1. The International Bureau serves as the medium for regular notifications of a general kind concerning international relations. 2. The administrations belonging to the Union must communicate to each other specially through the medium of the International Bureau :— (1.) The particulars of the surcharges which, by virtue of Article V. of the Convention, they levy in addition to the Union rate, whether for sea-postage or for expenses of extraordinary conveyance, as well as a list of the countries in relation to which these surcharges are levied, and, if needful, the designation of the routes giving rise to the surcharges; (2.) Five complete sets of their postage-stamps; (3.) Notice whether they mean to use the option left to administrations to apply or not to apply certain general stipulations of the Convention and the present regulations. 3. Every modification adopted hereafter in regard to one or other of the three points above mentioned must be notified without delay in the same manner. 4. The International Bureau receives besides from all the administrations of the Union two copies of all the documents which they publish, whether relating to the inland service or to the international service. 5. Correspondence addressed by the administrations of the Union to the International Bureau, and vice versa, is assimilated, as regards freedom from postage, to correspondence exchanged between administrations. XXXIV. — General Statistics. 1. Every administration sends to the International Bureau at the end of the month of July in each year as complete a series as possible of Statistical returns relating to the preceding year, arranged in tables in conformity with or analogous to the patterns M and N annexed. 2. Those services in which each transaction is recorded are dealt with in periodical statements based upon the entries made. 3. All other transactions are counted, during one week at least for daily exchanges, and during four weeks for exchanges other than daily, each administration having the option of counting separately the correspondence belonging to each category. 4. To each administration is reserved the right of counting the correspondence at those periods in which the postal business approaches most nearly to the average. 5. To the International Bureau is intrusted the duty of printing and distributing the statistical forms to be filled up by each administration, and of furnishing to any administration on application all necessary information as to the rules to be followed, in order to insure as far as possible uniformity of practice in taking the statistics. XXXV.— Duties of the International Bureau. 1. The International Bureau prepares general statistics for each year. 2. It publishes, by the aid of the documents which are put at its disposal, a special journal in the German, English, and French languages. 3. All the documents published by the International Bureau are distributed to the administrations of the Union, in the proportion of the number of contributing units assigned to each by the foregoing Article XXXII. 4. Any additional copies and documents which may be applied for by these administrations are paid for separately at prime cost. 5. The International Bureau must, moreover, hold itself always at the disposal of the members of the Union for the purpose of furnishing them with any special information they may require upon questions relating to the international postal service. 6. The International Bureau makes known demands for the modification or interpretation of the stipulations which regulate the Union. It notifies the results of each application, aad no modification or resolution adopted is binding until two months at least after its notification. 7. The International Bureau effects the balance and liquidation of accounts of every description between the administrations of the Union which declare their wish to use that bureau as a medium under the conditions laid down by Article XXXVI. following. 8. The International Bureau prepares the business to be submitted to Congresses or conferences. It undertakes the necessary copying and printing, the editing and distribution of amendments, minutes of proceedings, and other information. B—F. 1.

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9. The Director of the International Bureau attends the sittings of the Congresses or conferences, and takes part in the discussions, but without the power of voting. 10. On the subject of his proceedings he makes an annual report, which is communicated to all the administrations of the Union. 11. The official language of the International Bureau is the French language. 12. It is the duty of the International Bureau to publish an alphabetical dictionary of all the Post Offices of the world, with special indications of such of those offices as undertake services which have not yet become general. That dictionary is kept up to date by means of supplements, or in any other manner which the International Bureau shall consider suitable. The dictionary mentioned in the present paragraph is delivered at prime cost to the administrations which apply for it. XXXVI. — Central Office of Accounting and Liquidation of Accounts betiveen the Administrations of the Union. 1. It is the duty of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union to effect the balance and liquidation of accounts of every description relative to the international postal service between administrations of countries of the Union which have the franc for their monetary unit, or which are agreed on the rate of conversion of their money into francs and centimes (specie). The administrations which intend to claim for this service of liquidation the assistance of the International Bureau arrange accordingly with each other and with the bureau. Notwithstanding its adhesion each administration retains the right of preparing at will special accounts for different branches of the service, and of effecting the settlement of them at its own convenience with the corresponding administrations, without employing the medium of the International Bureau, to which, according to the tenor of the preceding paragraph, it merely indicates for what branches of the service and in respect of what countries it applies for the help of the bureau. At the request of the administrations concerned, telegraph accounts can also be notified to the International Bureau, to be included in the setting off of balances. Administrations which shall have used the medium of the International Bureau for the balancing and liquidation of accounts may cease to use that medium three months after giving notice to the said bureau to that effect. 2. After having checked and accepted their accounts, the administrations furnish to each other reciprocally acknowledgments of their debit, made out in francs and centimes, stating therein the nature, the period, and the result of the account. 3. Bach administration addresses monthly to the International Bureau a table showing the total credit due to it on the individual accounts, as well as the total of the sums which are due to it from each of the contracting administrations ; each credit appearing in this table must be substantiated by an acknowledgment from the indebted office. This table should reach the International Bureau not later than the 19th of each month ; otherwise its liquidation is liable to be deferred until the following month. 4. The International Bureau ascertains, by comparing the acknowledgments, if the tables are correct. Every correction that is necessary is notified to the offices concerned. The debit of each administration to aftQtjher is carried forward into a summary; and, in order to arrive at the total amount owing by each administration, it suffices to add up the different columns of this summary. 5. The International Bureau combines the tables and the summaries in one general balancesheet showing— (a.) The total of the debit and of the credit of each administration ; (b.) The balance against or in favour of each administration, representing the difference between the total of the debit and the total of the credit; (c.) The sums to be paid by some of the members of the Union to a single administration, or, reciprocally, the sums to be paid by the latter to the former. The totals of the two categories of balances under (a) and (b) must of necessity be equal. It shall be arranged, as far as possible, that each administration, in order to liquidate its debts, shall have to make only one or two distinct payments. Nevertheless, an administration which habitually finds a sum exceeding 50,000 francs due to it from another administration has the right to claim remittances on account. These remittances on account are entered, both by the creditor administration and by the debtor administration, at the foot of the tables to be forwarded to the International Bureau (see § 3). 6. The acknowledgments (see § 3) transmitted to the International Bureau with the tables are classified according to the different administrations. They serve as the basis for settling the accounts of each of the administrations concerned. In this settlement there should appear — (a.) The sums relating to the special accounts concerning the different exchanges ; (b.) The total of the sums resulting from all the special accounts with respect to each of the administrations concerned ; (c.) The totals of the sums due to all the creditor administrations on account of each branch of the service, as well as their general total. This total should be equal to the total of the debit which appears in the summary. At the foot of the liquidation account, the balance is prepared between the totalOT the debit and the total of the credit resulting from the tables forwarded by the administrations to the International Bureau (see § 3). The net amount of the debit or of the credit should be equal to the debit balance or to the credit balance carried into the general balance-sheet. Moreover, the liquidation account determines the manner of settlement —that is to say, it indicates the administrations to which payment must be made by the administration indebted. The liquidation accounts must be transmitted to the administrations interested by the International Bureau not later than the 22nd of each month.

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7. Debit or credit balances not exceeding 500 francs can be carried forward to the settlement of the following month, provided, however, that the administrations concerned are in monthly communication with the International Bureau. The amount brought forward is entered in the summaries and in the liquidation accounts in respect of ths creditor and debtor administrations. The debtor administration furnishes in such case to the creditor administration an acknowledgment of the sum due, to be carried into the next table. XXXVII.— Language. 1. The letter-bills, tables, statements, and other forms used by the administrations of the Union in their reciprocal relations must, as a general rule, be drawn up in the French language, unless the administrations concerned arrange otherwise by direct agreement. 2. As regards official correspondence, the present state of things is maintained, unless any other arrangement should subsequently be agreed upon by common consent between the administrations concerned. XXXVIII.— Scope of the Union. The following are considered as belonging to the Universal Postal Union : — (1.) The German Post Offices established at Apia (Samoa Islands) and Shanghai (China), as subordinate to the Postal Administrations of Germany. (2.) The Principality of Lichtenstein, as subordinate to the Postal Administration of Austria. (3.) Iceland and the Faroe Islands, as forming part of Denmark. (4.) The Spanish possessions on the North Coast of Africa, as forming part of Spain ; the Eepublic of Andorra, and the postal establishments of Spain upon the West Coast of Morocco, as subordinate to the Postal Administration of Spain. (5.) Algeria, as forming part of France ; the Principality of Monaco and the French Post Offices established at Tangiers (Morocco), at Shanghai (China), and at Zanzibar, as subordinate to the Postal Administration of France; Cambodia, Annam, and Tonquin, as assimilated, so far as regards the postal service, to the French Colony of Cochin China. (6.) The postal agencies which the Postal Administration of Gibraltar maintains at Tangiers, Laraiche, Eabat, Casablanca, Saffi, Mazagan, and Mogador (Morocco). (7.) The Post Offices which the Administration of the English Colony of Hong Kong maintains at Hoihow (Kiung-Schow), Canton, Swatow, Amoy, Foo-Chow, Ningpo, Shanghai, and Hankow (China). (8.) The Indian postal establishments of Aden, Zanzibar, Muscat, the Persian Gulf, and Guadur, as subordinate to the Postal Administration of British India. (9.) The Eepublic of Saint Marino and the Italian Post Offices at Tunis and Tripoli in Barbary, as subordinate to the Postal Administration of Italy. (10.) The Post Offices which the Japanese Administration has established at Shanghai (China), Fusanpo, Genzanshin, and Jinsen (Corea). (11.) The Grand Duchy of Finland, as forming an integral part of the Empire of Eussia. XXXlX.— Proposals made in the Interval between Meetings. 1. In the interval which elapses between'ihe meetings, the Postal Administration of every country of the Union has the right of addressing to the other participating administrations, through the medium of the International Bureau, proposals concerning the present regulations. 2. Every proposal is subject to the following procedure : — A period of five months is allowed to the administrations of the Union to examine the proposals and furnish to the International Bureau their observations, amendments, or counter-proposals (as the case may be). The answers are tabulated by the International Bureau, and communicated to the administrations with an invitation to express their views. The administrations which have not declared their votes within a period of six months, counting from the date of the second circular of the International Bureau notifying to them the observations made, are regarded as abstaining. 3. In order to become binding, the proposals mast obtain — (1.) Unanimity of votes, if they relate to the addition of new articles or to the modification of the stipulations of the present article and of Articles 111., IV., V., XII., XXVII., XXX., XXXI., and XL. ; (2.) Two-thirds of the votes, if they relate to the modification of the stipulations of Articles 1., 11., VIII., IX., XL, XIV., XV., XVI., XVIII.. XIX., XX., XXL, XXIII., XXIV., XXV., XXVI., XXVIII., XXXIV., XXXVI., XXXVII., and XXXVIII.; (3.) Simply an absolute majority, if they relate to the modification of stipulations other than those indicated above, or to the interpretation of the various stipulations of the regulations, except in the case of litigation as contemplated by Article XXIII. of the Convention. 4. Eesolutions adopted in due form are made binding by a simple notification from the International Bureau to all the administrations of the Union. 5. No modification or resolution adopted is binding until at least two months after its notification. XL.— Duration of the Regulations. The present regulations shall be put into execution on the day on which the Convention of the 4th July, 1891, comes into force. They shall have the same duration as that Convention, unless they be renewed by common consent between the parties concerned. Done at Vienna, the 4th of July, 1891. [Here follow thz signatures of the plenipotentiaries.] The I. and E. Minister of Foreign Affairs certifies that this is a correct copy of the original deposited in the archives of the department. Vienna, 7th July, 1891. The Director of the Chancellerie of the I. and E. Minister of Foreign Affairs. (Signed) Mittag.

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APPENDIX.

JUBILEE OP IMPEEIAL PENNY POSTAGE. The fiftieth anniversary of the introduction of uniform penny postage in the United Kingdom was celebrated in London, and in other parts of the country, in 1890. The Penny Postage Jubilee Dinner, which was held in the Holborn Restaurant on the 15th January, proved a most successful initial gathering. But the Corporation of the City of London, anxious to celebrate the jubilee in a fitting and more public manner, asked the Post Office to co-operate in arranging for an important conversazione at the Guildhall. The conversazione was opened on the 16th May, and the proceedings were brought to a pleasant conclusion on the 19th by a dinner at the Albion Tavern, under the presidency of Alderman Sir James Whitehead, Bart., at which the Postmaster-General and the principal officers of the Post Office were present. The official celebration of the jubilee took the form of a grand conversazione at the North Kensington Museum on the 3rd July. There was a double object in holding this gathering: not only to mark in a fitting manner the jubilee of a great reform, but to increase the Eowland Hill Memorial and Benevolent Fund, which, it may be explained, has for its object the giving of relief to Post Office servants, before or after retirement, who, through no fault of their own, have fallen into necessitous circumstances, or to their widows and orphans. Her Majesty the Queen consented to become the patron of the fund, and extended her patrona.ge to the conversazione. A special jubilee post-card (some of which have reached the colony) had been issued for sale at the Guildhall, for the benefit of the fund, and it was so popular that the entire issue of 10,000 was bought up in less than three hours. In view of this success, it was resolved to issue a limited number of a special jubilee envelope, impressed with a penny postage-stamp, and containing an appropriate correspondence card; the proceeds of which were also devoted to the Benevolent Eund. The efforts to increase the fund by subscriptions, and by the sale of tickets, cards, and envelopes, resulted in a sum of £22,000 being added thereto. In other words, one of the direct results of the jubilee celebrations was to more than double the Eowland Hill Eund. The Post Office Jubilee Celebration Committee published, in book form, a highly interesting account of the celebration proceedings, and "a brief account of the Post Office, with especial reference to the progress of the fifty years ended 1890." Beyond the fact that universal pennypostage was introduced in the Mother-country in 1840, little perhaps is known in the colony of what really led up to this, or of the enormous expansion of postal business which has taken place during the half-century ended in 1890. The following extracts, including an account of what was witnessed in the London Post Office Christmas season of 1890, are, therefore, reproduced for the information of officials and public : — A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE POST OFFICE, WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PROGRESS OF THE FIFTY YEARS ENDED 1890. The system of uniform penny postage for letters throughout the United Kingdom, originated by the late Sir Eowland Hill, was introduced on the 10th January, 1840, and during the fifty years which have elapsed since that date the business of the post-office has developed to an extent far exceeding his utmost anticipations. Before 1840 the rates of postage on letters sent from one part of the United Kingdom to another was almost prohibitive. It is true that in regard to letters posted in London and other largo cities for delivery within their local posts there existed, as shown hereafter, a " penny post " and a "twopenny post," but beyond these limits the rates for a "single letter," unless "franked" by a Member of Parliament, were as follows : — a. Erom any post-office to anyplace not exceeding 15 miles from such post-office 4 Above 15 miles and under 20 ... ... ... ... ... 5 „ 20 „ „ 30 6 „ 30 „ „ 50 7 . 50 „ „ 80 8 „ 80 „ „ 120 9 „ 120 „ „ 170 10 „ 170 „ „ 230 ... ... ... ... ... 11 „ 230 „ „ 300 1/and Id. for every additional 100 miles; while, as regards Scotland, an additional charge of -|d. was made on every letter sent across the border. Only "single letters," i.e., letters written on a single sheet of paper, could be sent at these rates. Hence the use, which some of the present letter-writers can remember, of the large square sheets of letter-paper, folded in four, and secured with a seal. The use of an envelope or cover, or of two sheets of paper, or the transmission of any enclosure, rendered the letter liable to double postage, and two enclosures involved treble postage. Also, if the letter weighed loz. the postage was quadrupled, and every additional Joz. in weight led to an additional rate of postage. Thus, the postage on a "single letter" from London to Brighton was Bd. ; to Manchester, lid. ; to Edinburgh,

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13-|d.; and to Cork, 17d., instead of Id. as at present. But if the letter weighed just over lfoz. the postage was :to Brighton, 4s. Bd.; to Manchester, 6s. sd. ; to Edinburgh, 7s. 7Jd.; and to Cork, Gs. lid. The inconvenience which these high rates inflicted on the public is stated to have been forcibly brought home to Sir Eowland Hill by the fact that, when engaged to his future wife, he and she found it ne3essary, from motives of economy, to sacrifice sentiment, and to restrict their correspondence to a letter once a fortnight. An article in the " Blackfriars Magazine " —a journal the place of which has since been taken by the " St. Martin's-lc-Grand Magazine " —traces the inception of the idea of penny postage:— " It was the practice of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wright Hill to encourage their children to select and discuss, in the long dark evenings of the winter months, topics of general interest; political questions, social, physical, and other problems. Each was at liberty contribute his views, the parents guiding the discussion, and throwing in now and again a shrewd remark or two, born of their well-ordered minds and ripe experience. It was, no doubt, a home debating-society, at which, however, the ' previous question ' was never put, and ' calls to order ' were superseded by the sense and moderation of the disputants. " On a previous occasion they had debated the printing-press and the feasibility of its improvement ; on this particular evening the family circle discussed, the heavy postage which the lightest letter cost between any two distant points —between, for instance, London and Liverpool, for which the postage was lid.; or even between places so near each other as Birmingham and Wolverhampton, the postage being in such cases at least 4d. " Out of that family council arose great things, with most of which the readers of' Blackfriars,' by reason of their occupation, are well acquainted. " Of the five boys, Matthew, the eldest, intended for the Bar, took, one may be sure, an active part of the discussion, the budding advocate detecting at once the .strong and weak points of a possible adversary's case; Edwin, the next, with a turn for mechanical contrivances, reflecting what sort of machinery a postal service might require, would address himself to locomotion and its cost; Arthur, with an inborn gentleness which never forsook him, would cast about, perchance, for excuses for those who permitted the levying of extravagant rates ; Frederic, the fifth son, then but a child (the sixth and youngest being probably in the nursery), waiting with deference for the settled opinions of his elders, would in due season express himself, young as he was, with sagacity and prudence; while Eowland, the third son, debating the whole proposition with such energy and grasp as to make it clear that further inquiry on this important track was his particular forte, carried with him the whole of the councillors in his youthful demand for postal reform. Then the council resolved that the question of the printing-machine should be for Edwin further to take up, and that the field of the post-office should be left free to Eowland. So from that or a subsequent family council the brothers went on their way through life —Matthew to become a barrister, King's Council, and Eecorder of Birmingham; Edwin, chief of the Stamp Office at Somerset House, and Improver of its Printing and Stamping Machinery ; Arthur, Head of the famous Bruce Castle School at Tottenham; Frederic, Inspector of Prisons in Scotland, and afterwards Assistant Secretary in the Post Office; and Eowland —the great postal reformer—Secretary of the Post Office and Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. "It has been said that great things arose,, put of that family council. Among others, it has led to the expansion of a total of seventy-six millions and a half of letters, delivered annually, into the wondrous aggregate of nearly one thousand eight hundred millions. If we throw in some other odds and ends, such as a trifle of four hundred millions of book-packets, forty millions of parcels, and two or three millions of samples, it may not be wide of the mark to say, for the sake of roundness of numbers, that two billions of postal articles under the vivifying schemes of Sir Eowland Hill are passing through the post." Now, penny postage brings within the reach of every class the means of correspondence, and that as frequently as the exigencies of the busy life of to-day may require. The growth of the post-office business during the last fifty years has not, moreover, been confined to articles sent through the post. The establishment in the autumn of 1861 of the Post-Office Savings-Bank, the deposits in which amounted in that year to £735,000, but have now reached £60,000,000; the transfer to the State in 1870 of the telegraphs, the number of messages sent by which was then 8,900,000, but amounted last year to 62,368,000 ; the introduction in 1881 of postal-orders, of which upwards of 178,000,000 were issued last year ; the introduction in 1883 of the parcel post, by which 2,000,000 of parcels were sent that year, and upwards of 39,000,000 last year ; together with the transaction of life insurance and annuity business, and facilities for investment of small sums in Government stocks, have all contributed to render the Post Office one of the largest and most important departments of the State. The advantages of cheap postage have, however, been enormously increased by the simultaneous development of railway communication, which has afforded the means of rapidly transporting the immense quantity of matter sent through the post at the present day. Mail-coaches. One of the greatest reforms ever made in the Post Office was effected by the introduction in 1784 of Mr. John Palmer's plan for sending mails by coach. Mr. Palmer, who was the manager of the theatre at Bath, had observed that when the tradesmen of that city were particularly anxious to have a letter conveyed with speed and safety they were in the habit of in a brownpaper cover and sending it by the coach, notwithstanding that the charge was much higher than the postage of a letter. He therefore suggested that mail-bags should be sent by passenger-coaches in charge of well-armed and trustworthy guards, and that the coaches should be so timed that they should all arrive in London, as far as possible, at the same time, in order that the letters might be

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all delivered together. Up to this time the mail-bags had been carried by postboys on horseback at an average rate, including stoppages, of from three to four miles an-hour ; and Mr. Palmer, in submitting his plan to Mr. Pitt, in 1783, pointed out that " the post, instead of being the swiftest, is about the slowest conveyance in the country," and that " the mails were generally intrusted to some idle boy, without character, mounted on a worn-out hack, and who, so far from being able to defend himself, or escape from a robber, is much more likely to be in league with him." The officers of the Post Office vehemently opposed Mr. Palmer's plan, but its merits were recognised by Mr. Pitt, and under his auspices an Act was passed authorising its adoption. Mr. Palmer was appointed Controller of the General Post Office to carry out his plan, with a salary of £1,500 a year and 2-J- per cent, on any excess of revenue over £240,000 a year, and he appears to have performed his duties with great ability. The speed of the mails was at once increased from three and a half to six miles an hour, and subsequently still greater acceleration was attained, accompanied by a large immediate increase of correspondence and of revenue. ■ In 1792, Mr. Palmer was suspended from his functions, an allowance of £3,000 a year being made to him in lieu thereof. This sum was much below what he was entitled to under his agreement, and, after unsuccessfully memorialising the Treasury against the arrangement, he laid his case before Parliament; and in 1813, after a struggle lasting many years, a parliamentary grant of £50,000 was made to him. About the year 1814, Mr. Macadam's improved svstern of road-making enabled a great acceleration to be effected in the speed of the mail-coaches. The speed gradually increased to ten miles an hour, and even more, until in the case of the Devonport mail the journey from London of 216 miles was punctually performed, including stoppages, in twenty-one hours and fourteen minutes. Mails fikst sent by Bailway. In 1830, on the opening of the line between Liverpool and Manchester, the mails were, for the first time, conveyed by railway, and the payment to railway companies for conveyance of mails amounted last year to £900,000. ' The first travelling post-office, for the purpose of sorting correspondence in transit, was established on the Grand Junction Eailway, between Liverpool and Birmingham, on the Ist July, 1837 ; and on the completion of the railway to the metropolis, in July, 1838, that travelling post-office began to run throughout between London and Liverpool. The speed was then a gentle twenty miles an hour, as even at a somewhat later period, when the railway northward had been completed as far as Lancaster, the mail-train took eleven hours and a half to perform the journey from London to Lancaster, a distance of 241 miles. Now, when the mail-train to the north has travelled eleven hours and a half it is pulling up at Forfar, so distant as 471 miles from London. Travelling postoffices are attached to numerous mail-trains on all the principal lines, those under the control of the London Postal Service running in the aggregate about 3,000,000 miles annually over the principal railway systems of Great Britain. About 1,800,000 miles, or three-fifths of the total distance traversed by the mail-carriages, are run on the London and North-Western and Caledonian Railways ; about 270,000 miles are run on the Midland and North-Eastern lines, and nearly 300,000 miles on the Great Western Eailway. The total number of letters, &c, dealt with in the travelling post-offices annually is about 210,000,000, besides about 4,000,000 parcels. Extensive use is made of the apparatus fgr receiving mails into, and leaving mails from, mailtrains travelling at full speed. Mr. Eamsay, formerly an officer of the General Post Office, is said to have suggested the machinery for the purpose. To Mr. Dicker, also an officer of the department, must be ascribed many important improvements of the apparatus, which made it fit for general use, Mr. Dicker receiving his reward in the shape of a grant of £500 from the Board of Treasury, and the appointment of Supervisor of Mail-bag Apparatus. Mr. Pearson Hill, only so.i oi Sir Eowland Hill, is credited with further advantageous changes, and still further improvements have been made of late years by the present supervisor, Mr. Garrett. The total number of apparatus stations in England, Scotland, and Wales is 220, and there are 355 standards and 372 nets erected at these stations for the despatch and receipt of mails. There are fourty-four travelling post-office carriages, to which the apparatus, nets, &c, are fixed. The number of exchanges of mails daily from the station standards into the carriage-nets is 516, and from the carriage to the stationary nets 530. The total number of mail-bags included in these exchanges is about 2,000. It rarely happens that a bag is missed or dropped. On an average about 110,000 letters, &c, a day are exchanged by the apparatus at a normal period, of which about 85,000, or nearly four-fifths, are sorted in the travelling post-offices, the remainder being sent direct in bags from one town to another through the travelling post-offices unopened. FOBEIGN AND COLONIAL MAIL-PACKET SERVICE. The foreign and colonial mail service benefited almost as much by the introduction of steam packets as the inland service did by the introduction of railways. The state of the mail-service to Ireland in old times is illustrated by the fact that in 1693 a piteous petition was received from James Vickers, the captain of the " Grace Dogger," who, while his vessel lay in Dublin Bay, waiting for the tide to take him over the bar, was captured by a privateer, the captain of which, he complains, stripped the " Grace Dogger " of all her rigging and the furniture " wherewith she had been provided for the accommodation of passengers, leaving not so much as a spoone or a nail-hook to hang anything on." The vessel herself had to be ransomed for the sum of fifty guineas, which the Postmaster-General had to pay. The result of this and similar misfortunes was-ihat the Post-master-General resolved to build swift packet-boats that should escape the enemy, but built them so low in the water that a report states, " We doe find that in blowy weather they take in soe much water that the men are constantly wet all through, and can noe ways goe below to change themselves, being obliged to keep the hatches shut to save the vessels from sinking, which is such a

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discouragement to the sailors that it will be of the greatest difficulty to get any to endure such hardshipps in the winter weather." It is difficult to realise this state of things now, when the mailpacket service is performed by splendid steam-vessels of extraordinary power and speed—the voyage from Dover to Calais being performed in little over an hour, and that from Holyhead to Kingstown in three hours and a half; while the mails for the United States, India, and the colonies are conveyed with the utmost rapidity and regularity by magnificent fleets of the finest steam-vessels in the world. When the Pilgrim Fathers settled in America they could never have imagined that the mails would traverse the Atlantic in less than six clays in floating palaces like the " Teutonic," nor could the East India Company have anticipated that the mails which occupied six months in voyaging round the Cape in a sailing-vessel would complete the journey to Bombay in seventeen days by means of the splendid steam-vessels of the Peninsular and Oriental Company; while it would have been equally incredible to the first settlers in Australia that the vast distance intervening between them and the mother-country would be accomplished in thirty-two days. The great facilities which thus exist for communication with India and the colonies have, of course, been still further enhanced by the recent reduction of the postage to 2Jd. for a letter under half an ounce in weight. The feat of delivering letters in London within a week of their despatch from New York was accomplished for the first time in October last. The Inman steamer " City of New York " and the White Star liner " Teutonic " passed Sandy Hook at 7.35 a.m. and 7.51 a.m. respectively on Wednesday, the 15th October. Mails were carried by both vessels, those on board the " City of New York " numbering 392 sacks, and those on the " Teutonic " 31 sacks. The bulk of the mails was sent by the Inman steamer, while only correspondence specially addressed was forwarded by the " Teutonic." The White Star liner, however, made the quicker passage, and arrived off Eoche's Point at 12.45 p.m. on the 21st, or one hour forty-seven minutes in advance of her rival. Post-Office Sayings-Bank. The establishment in 1861 of the post-office savings-banks afforded great facilities for thrift to the industrial classes. In that year 3,532 post-offices throughout the Kingdom were opened for savings-bank business, but the number is now upwards of 9,000. The public appreciation of these facilities is shown by the fact that the number of depositors has increased from 91,965 to 4,220,927, and the amount annually deposited has increased from £735,253 to £19,052,226, while the average amount of each deposit has diminished from £3 12s. Bd. to £2 10s. 6d. Since 1880 depositors have been enabled to invest their savings in Government stocks with little or no trouble. In this way, £3,785,600 of stock is now held by 43,000 persons, the dividends being credited to their savings-bank accounts. The smallest sum which a depositor can invest in the purchase of Government stock is one shilling. The post-office savings-bank is much used by friendly societies, provident institutions, and penny banks as a safe place of deposit for their funds. The idea of establishing this branch of the department is largely, and with justice, attributed to the late Sir C.W. Sikes, a merchant of Huddersfield. The machinery which rendered the idea practicable was in the main reduced to a workable form within the department, the late Mr. F. I. Scudamore, C.8., and Mr. G. Chetwynd, those chiefly concerned. Telegraphs. The year 1870 was rendered notable in the history of the Post Office by the acquisition by the State of the telegraphs, which had previously been in the hands of various companies. On the 29th of January in that year the transfer of the business to the Postmaster-General took place, but for another week the telegraph companies continued to perform, as agents of the Post Office, most of their practical functions, until at midnight (or more strictly speaking at 7 o'clock on the morning) of the sth February, the Postmaster-General —then the Marquis of Hartington, M.P.— took up the management of inland telegraphy. The history of telegraphy in this country yet remains to be written. The postal share of it may perhaps be briefly indicated by parliamentary papers, which show that, in 1854, Mr. Thomas Allan, a well-known electrician, published a paper entitled " Reasons for the Government annexing an Electric Telegraph System to the General Post Office." Mr. Allan proposed a uniform charge for telegrams of one shilling for twenty words. In 1858, Mr. F. E. Baines, C.8., an officer of the department, submitted to the Lords of the Treasury, by permission of the Duke of Argyll, then Postmaster-General, and with the concurrence of the late Sir Eowland Hill, a plan " For the establishment in connection with the Post Office of a comprehensive system of electric telegraphs throughout the Kingdom." Mr. Baines advocated a sixpenny rate of charge, free delivery within prescribed limits, a legal monopoly, and extension of postal-telegraph wires, first to post-towns and ultimately to eight thousand or nine thousand sub-post-offices, separation of the railway from the public telegraph service, consolidation of the public telegraph system under one management, and an extension of underground wires. All these suggestions have now been realised. When Mr. Baines framed his proposals, 470 post-towns had no telegraphic communication whatever ; at 210 post-towns the telegraph-office was to be found only at the railway-station ; while the smaller towns and villages were without any telegraphs whatever, or, at best, had to depend on a railway-service wire at the nearest railway-station. In 1865 the late Lord Stanley of Alderley, Postmaster-General, took up the question, and he directed the late Mr. Frank Ives Scudamore to examine it. Mr. Scudamore's report was laid before Parliament in April, 1868. At that time the Duke of Montrose was Postmaster-General. He advised the Government to bring in a Bill for the acquisition of the telegraphs. This Bill became law, and was followed by a Money Bill in 1869, which confirmed and extended the Bill of 1868. •

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The burden of organizing the acquisition of the telegraph companies' property, and of establishing the system of post-office telegraphs, fell on Mr. Scudamore. It was a work of excessive labour, and was performed in an incredibly short space of time. Under post-office management the facilities afforded to the public have been greatly increased, and the business developed in all directions. In 1870 a uniform minimum charge of one shilling for each inland message was introduced, and the total number of messages sent in the first year was nearly 9,472,000, excluding about 700,000 Press messages; the number of telegraph-offices throughout the kingdom being 3,700. In October, 1885, the minimum charge for a message was reduced to sixpence, and the total number of messages last year was 62,368,000. The cost of the telegraph-service last year was £2,042,394, while the total receipts amounted to £2,129,699. Vast strides have been made in telegraphy since Cooke and Wheatstone, in July, 1837, transmitted their first signals between Euston Square and Camden Town. The post-office has now duplex, quadruples, and multiplex apparatus, transmitting many messages on one and the same wire at the same time, while the capabilities of the more recently invented Wheatstone automatic apparatus have been developed to an extent unthought of by the inventor. This apparatus can now transmit as many as 600 words in a minute. The first attempt to connect England and the Continent was made in 1850 by a wire laid from Dover to Calais, and in the following year permanent communication was established by a cable, of which a portion is in use at the present time. There are now no less than nineteen cables between Great Britain and the Continent. Those which were established by the Submarine Telegraph Company between England and the Continent were acquired last year by the British and foreign Governments, the concessions to the company having expired. On the sth of August, 1858, the first line to the United States was completed, and telegraphic communication established between the two hemispheres ; but the cable soon broke, and although another cable was laid in 1865, it also failed, and it was only in 1866 that the third cable was successfully laid. The second cable was subsequently restored, and at the present time there are no less than twelves cables crossing the Atlantic. The telephone and the microphone are recent productions of telegraph science ; but, although the Post Office has established several telephones exchanges, the application of these inventions, so far as this country is concerned, is chiefly in the hands of companies. Pabcel-post. The latest great addition to the Post Office business is the parcel-post, which came into operation on the Ist of August, 1883. This beneficent measure was introduced into Parliament and carried into law by the energy and skill of the late Professor Fawcett, the blind PostmasterGeneral. Mr. Eawcetfc took the deepest interest in every detail of the new post, personally examining all the regulations and satisfying himself of the justice and propriety of every condition attaching to it. During the first year the number of inland parcels (for the foreign and colonial parcel-post was not inaugurated till the Ist of July, 1885) was upwards of 22,900,000; but the number last year, including foreign and colonial parcels, was upwards of 39,500,000, the gross postage upon which amounted to £878,547. Close upon 1,500,000 parcels were dealt with in London during the Christmas week of 1890y*185,000 being posted on the 23rd of December alone. The parcel-post has been extended to all the colonies, except Queensland, and to almost every foreign State, and the number of parcels sent last year between Great Britain and colonial and foreign States, in both directions, was about 867,000. The total postage amounts to not far short of £100,000 a year. The number of outgoing parcels is to the number of incoming ones in the proportion of almost two to one. Many parcels are of great value and sometimes contain between £2,000 and £3,000 in gold. In connection with the parcel-post the department has, in a few instances, reverted to coachservice, and parcel-coaches or vans run nightly between London and Brighton, London and Oxford, London and Chatham, London and Tunbridge Wells, London and Ipswich, London and Watford, London and Hertford, and Liverpool and Manchester, a less expensive mode of conveyance being thus obtained than the railways afford. Bevenue. The Post Office revenue has increased enormously in the last two centuries. When it was settled by Act of Parliament, in 1663, upon the Duke of York and his heirs in perpetuity, the net amount was £5,000, and in 1685, when, owing to the Duke having become King, it became necessary to resettle the revenue upon His Majesty and his heirs, it had reached £65,000 ; but last year the gross revenue, including the telegraphs, was £11,770,000, and the estimated expenditure about £8,400,000, leaving a net revenue of about £3,370,000, or upwards of six hundred times the amount settled on the Duke of York. The Seevice in London. In order to show what an advance has taken place since 1840, it may be remarked that the staff employed in the circulation department and metropolitan area at that time was about 1,540. In 1890 it had risen to 17,456, or over eleven times as many as in 1840. The total number of letters, &c, now; delivered in London per year is 690,000,000 (or about 30 per cent, of the total for the United Kingdom), averaging about 138,000 per postman in the year, or about 430 per man per day. The letters, &c, collected throughout London in one year now number 850,000,000 (or more than one-third of the total number posted in the United Kingdom), as against 564,000,000 in the year 1881.

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The number of letters despatched from London on the 10th January, 1840, was 112,104. The number of letters and newspapers now sent out from London daily is about 2,000,000. The mails despatched from London to the provinces by railway weigh 28,000 tons a year, and those received in London 18,000 tons. The number of telegrams delivered in London annually is 18,500,000, and of parcels nearly 8,000,000, the rate of delivery per head of the population being about 138 letters, etc., 3 J telegrams,. 1|- parcels. The postmen employed in delivering and collecting letters, &c, were, in 1881, 3,751, and now 5,321, or an increase of 41'8per cent. The complaints made by the public of late delivery of letters, &a., in the London postal area during the year ended the 31st December, 1889, numbered 220 only. The female staff employed on counter and telegraph duties in the London postal service numbers 560 persons. On the average twenty retirements take place annually. About twelve leave to be married, four on account of ill-heath, and three to better their position. The death-rate of the female staff is less than o's per cent. In 1890 there were in the metropolitan area 8 principal distributing-offices for letters and parcels and 6 separate depots for parcels, together with 93 secondary sorting and posting-offices for the collection into and delivery from of letters and parcels. The public business, such as the sale of stamps, &c, is conducted at 98 Crown offices and 770 letter-receiving houses. In 1839 there were about 70 letter-receivers in the London district. Stamps can be purchased by the public from about 3,000 shopkeepers, licensed for the purpose by the inland revenue authorities. There are 11 head, 96 branch, and 304 receiving-offices in the metropolis where telegraph business is transacted. The area included in the London postal system, which extends from Mill Hill and Whetstone in one direction to South Norwood and Sydenham in another; from Chiswick to North Woolwich ; from Wimbledon to Greenwich, and from Hanwell to Woodford, is about 250 square miles; and the population is estimated at 5,000,000. This gives about 2-J- square miles to each of the 107 centres of letter- and parcel-distribution. As about 35 miles of new streets, and 15,000 new houses are built in every year, new centres have been arranged for letter-delivery. The annual increase adds houses and streets to the postal zone equal annually to Oxford and Cambridge. . The conveyance of the letter and parcel mails between the various districts of London, and to and from the respective railway termini, is performed by means of vehicles of different descriptions, amounting to about 550 in number. The total distance traversed daily by these conveyances is about 5,750 miles, or nearly a fourth of the circumference of the globe. The distance travelled by these vehicles in one year amounts to about 1,800,000 miles. About 380 regular and 95 casual drivers are employed, and 1,100 horses are used. The valentine has nearly had its day. Missives of this description in London, have dropped from 3,000,000 in 1883 to 342,000 in 1890, and of the latter about 12,000 circulated by the comparatively new parcel-post system. Easter cards are gaining in.public favour. The number circulating within London bounds in 1890 was about 640,000, as against 520,000 in 1889. Christmas cards dealt with in London have reached the prodigious number of 50,000,000. And now the commemoration of another festival has to be watched in its effect on postal duties— that of Primrose Day. Last year the tfelivery of primrose pai'cels by letter and parcel-post was 55,000, or about double the number in 1886. Of these over 3,000 were brought into London by the Brighton parcel-coaches

SOME REMINISCENCES. (Prom ail article in the Blackfriars 'Magazine.) When penny-postage came into force the Earl of Lichfield was Postmaster-General. When the jubilee of that reform of the 10th of January, 1340, was celebrated, the Eight Honourable Henry Cecil Eaikes, M.P. —chairman of the feast of the 15th January, 1890 —reigned in his stead. When the old rates of postage were abolished, Lieut.-Colonel Maberly occupied the secretarial chair, but the. guiding spirit was Sir Eowland Hill. Soon ho became sole Secretary. After him, in 1864, came Sir John Tilley, X.C.8., who, at the jubilee banquet (January, 1890), recalled his experiences,, gained before most of the guests in the Venetian Chamber, in which he spoke, were born—before, indeed, the actual Secretary of the Post Office himself —the vice-chairman of the evening—Sir Arthur Blackwood, X.C.8., had seen the light. Between Lord Lichfield and the Eight Honourable Henry Cecil Eaikes there came as PostmastersGeneral the Earl of Lonsdale, the Earl of St. Germains, the Marquis of Cianricarde, the Earl of Hardwicke, Viscount Canning, the Duke of Argyll, Lord Colchester, the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Duke of Montrose, the Marquis of Hartington, Mr. Monsell (Lord Emly), Sir Lyon Playfair, Lord John Manners (Duke of Eutland), Professor Eawcett, Mr. Shaw-Lefevre, and Lord Wolverton. Now, in the administrations of these thirteen Ministers of the Crown, assisted by the four Secretaries named, what has been accomplished ? Who have been active figures in the minor parts ? Why is a period of fifty years of official work cause of jubilation ? The army of one hundred thousand Post Office servants —established and auxiliary—scattered over the face of the land must be as exact and well-ordered in their movements as would be an actual army in the field, in the finest condition and under the severest discipline. But, unlike an army whose component parts move in masses, each man in the Post Office ha* his distinct sphere of action, and yet must move in such exact harmony with his distant comrades that loitering of the rural postman at John o' Groats may not trouble the dwellers at the Land's End; and, inlieu of martial law, the working-bees are held together by no more potent bond than the value of their situations, a short set of rules, and a British sense of duty. 9—F. 1.

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What servant of the Post Office has been ever known to shrink from his post of duty, even when danger threatens ? Marine mail-guard Mortleman on board the " Violet," in a storm in midchannel, knowing that the vessel into whose hold the water was swiftly pouring must soon be lost, goes down darkling into the flooded mail-room to rescue, if it may be, the bags in his charge, and so, dying in the act, leaves his life a memory. The Scotch, rural messenger, blinded and frozen by the snow-storm, hangs the mail-bag on a tree, so that it may at least be saved, and then lies down to die beneath it. The mail-guard Bennett, sorely hurt in a railway collision, thinks less of his mangled body than of collecting the fragments and contents of the scattered mail-bags. The Northumberland mail-cart contractor, not daunted by a raging storm, heroically drives across the moor because he sees his duty plain before him, and lays down his life in doing it. So in all grades •of the service, in all the varying conditions which official duty presents, and regardless of time and circumstance, the grand old signal of what England expects her sons to do is ever to the fore. Who would not find cause for jubilation in belonging to a service whose honourable watchword is "Duty," and whose labours rarely cease; a service in which there is daily something to be attempted, and, if Heaven wills, to do? Who would not see in the completion of fifty years of the operations of a great and world-wide fiscal reform, which has brought unnumbered blessings to the human race, a fit occasion for giving utterance to some not unreasonable rejoicings? In these fifty years the plan of penny-postage has been worked out, a book-post established, halfpenny post-cards introduced, a. sample-post set at work, a parcel-post which benefits the million, cheap and widely extended telegraphy, telephones, and the vast Savings Bank, established. Perhaps, after all, these are trifles, and more remains for mightier men to do. Lord Canning sanctioned the book-post, and Sir Lyon Playfair the post-cards and postal-orders. Mr. Eaikes introduced the sample-post; Professor Fawcett, parcels. The Duke of Montroso began upon, and Lord Hartington finally brought out, the telegraph system. The name of Lord Stanley •of Alderley is linked with the Savings Bank ; and Mr. Shaw-Lefevre, although out of office, virtually carried in Parliament the sixpenny rate for telegrams. Few can remember the first posting of penny-post letters on the 10th of January, 1340. Some can. Mr. William James Godby is certainly able to do so. He was a surveyor for fifty years, so that he can recall 1840 with ease, ard, as a young clerk, have a good margin to spare. A few months ago there died a very ancient Post Office servant, Mr. Job Smith, of Islington, N. He had been a postman in the old days, nearly seventy years ago ; and was in 1889 still a pensioner, aged ninety-three. He died on the very day on which, trudging- to St. Martin's le Grand as usual, ho received his monthly stipend. Mr. Moses Henry Nobbs, the last surviving mail-guard, began work June 27th, 1836, and still does duty as mail-officer at Paddington. He could remember a good deal in his fifty-four years of service. Old memories must have revived as he went down from London to Brighton, two or three years ago, as guard-in-charge of the special trip of the New Brighton parcel-coach. Ho was fully equipped, as of yore, for that perilous journey, a timepiece from Jamaica serving to complete the outfit. A blunderbuss, from Exeter, was handed in at the last moment to make the armament fourfold, and had to be tied on to the hind seat with official string.- Several valued colleagues, still in active service, date from prehistoric—that is, ante penny-postage —times. If we knew their names for certain wo would chronicle in these pages all the good men and true who have for so many years borne, like our famous flag, " the battle and the breeze " of official life. Once, some time in November, 1867, wnen Mr. Disraeli was Chancellor, there came a little note from the late Mr. George Ward Hunt, at the Treasuiy, to the late Mr. Scudamore. It contained only a few words : " You may give the notices for the Telegraph Bill." That brief intimation, like the magician's wand, has largely changed the face of the Post Office, given the postal side perhaps eighteen or twenty thousand colleagues, erected one hundred and eighty-three thousand miles of telegraph-wires, produced an annual transmission of fifty millions of telegrams, and an annual receipt of two millions of money. Many years ago some miscreants blew down a prison-wall in Clerkcnwell with gunpowder. As a result, fifteen hundred special'constables were sworn in at the post-office. The astute Colonel John Lowther dv Plat Taylor, C.8.., an old servant of the Post Office and a soldier born, swiftly saw his opportunity, and formed therefrom, and has over since maintained, his splendid Post Office Eegiment of a thousand Volunteers, fit to go anywhere and do anything, as was shown by their services in Egypt. M!ore power to his elbow —and theirs i Once half a dozen clerks in the Post Office bought a chest of tea, kept it in a cupboard, and <lealt it out among themselves at cost-price, a few pounds at a time. Look out of the windows of the Savings Bank, craning your head a trifle, and there you will see the modern replica of the postal cupboard, a building and a business with an annual turnover of a million and three-quarters sterling. So do great things grow from small beginnings. One day, about thirty years ago, a bank director of Huddersfield, Sir Charles William Sikes, wrote a little paper on a possible Postal Savings Bank. How many hundreds of millions sterling, the savings of the people, have passed, mainly as a result of Sir Charles's suggestions, through the coffers of the Post Office on their way to the National Debt Office for care and investment ? In the past there have boon (as there are in the present) many active figures on whom, uniting as they did a sound discernment with an absorbing power for official work, must rest, in a large degree, the merit of what has been accomplished. Of the brilliant statesmen who have adorned the office of Postmaster-General, a volume could be written ; but, good as were their services to the State at the Post Office, it is mainly in other spheres of public duty that their substantial reputation has been acquired. Sir Eowland Hill rests in Westminster Abbey, and he, " though dead, yet speaketh " in the administration of the Post Office. A foreign grave has closed over the remains of one of the ablest and most devoted of officials, the late Mr. Frank Ives Scudamore, C.B. He might often be seen

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dictating official minutes from nightfall until daybreak with untiring vigour when time was known to be of consequence, and when personal convenience had to be wholly thrust aside. His power of work was prodigious ; his faculty of attracting men to work with him unsurpassed. Organization had a charm for him ; the telegraphs pre-eminently, the savings-bank, the system of accounts, the packet-service, and the registered-letter system all felt the power of his grasp. His pupil, as it were, and, perhaps, his favourite disciple, the late Mr. C. H. B. Patey, C.8., justified all Mr. Scudamoro's confidence, and realised all—perhaps more than all —that he had foreseen of aptitude and capacity. The absorbing nature of the duties in connection with the telegraphs withdrew Mr. Patey in great degree from an active participation in the management of the purely postal side of the department. But not altogether : for he could find time, even amongst his most pressing engagements, to identify himself with the inner life of the office, to share in its social or benevolent gatherings, and to stamp his mind on whatever official questions came before him. In fact, in the later years of his life, important branches of postal work were added to the main duty of conducting telegraph business which was confided to his care, and in all of these he showed the insight and good judgment which made him eminent in the Post Office. The late Mr. Benthall was a valued and most trustworthy servant of the State. He had taken a good degree at Cambridge, and soon rose in oflicial life. He supervised the relations of the department with the railways with an astuteness and cordiality which left nothing to be desired. He was greatly respected in the railway world. Numerous Crown post-office buildings throughout the country are witnesses of the careful hand and experienced judgment of John Strange Baker. He was much beloved. Mark Beauchamp Peacock, W. H. Ashurst, and Henry Watson bore the brunt of the legal work of the department in London, as did the genial and accomplished Robert Thompson in Dublin. They were all. men of capacity and honour. William Bokenhain, Thomas Boucher, and Thomas Jeffery will long be remembered as Controllers in succession of the Circulation Office, and men of great experience and shrewd judgment. Controllers of the Savings Bank who have passed away are no fewer than four in number —the energetic and many-sided Chetwynd, better known, however, as Receiver and Accountant-General; A. Milliken, A. 0. Thomson, and G. Ramsay. They built up that great edifice in which so many of our officers look after the finance of the toiling million. The "eyes of the department," once said a great authority, "are the Surveyors." Since penny-postage times, how many of these valued officers have fallen away from the side of their old and honoured colleague and doyen, Mr. W. J. Godby. South Wales still remembers Mr. Gay; Cambridgeshire, the versatile Anthony Trollope; and Manchester has reared a monument to the beloved St. Lawrence Beaufort. There are other names to be recalled — Creswell, Smith, Johnson, Ridcout, Stow, and Neal of old; those of Edward Page, Hodgson, and Churchill; of Wedderburn and West; of John Allen, Henry James, T. B. Harkness, and J. P. Good; and of John Kains in the far-away West Indies. The telegraphs are still young in the history of the Post Office. Mr. R. S. Culley is with us yet, but for Mr. T. H. Sanger and Messrs. Shaw, Tansley, and Walsh, the tale of years is told. What would the Post Office bo without accounts? Where could abler men. be found than in the latest three—George Richardson (the last to pass away), G. Chetwynd, C.8., and F. I. Scudainore, C.8., who filled in turn the heavy post of Receiver and Accountant-General? What wonders the three accomplished in making accounts.»clear and simple—in dealing with the vast mass of financial work which presents so many aspects as that arising out of the postal revenue, and how the last-named two, especially, diverging from the beaten track, were always ready successfully to grapple with new problems and untie the tightest knots ! As to the Medical Department, Dr. Gavin, of the cholera year, sleeps in the far-off Crimea, and Dr. Waller Lewis in his native land. Happily, all that have written Finis on their postal work have not yet gone to the great majority. Sir John Tilley, X.C.8., is as vigorous as over. 'Fifty or sixty years of hard and responsible work have made little difference in him. He built—or at his instance was built up— the new post-office now about to be devoted to the purpose of a central telegraph-station. He reduced rates of postage, and prepared the way for a parcel-post. Mr. Frederic Hill still lives at Hampstead, at an age frosty yet kindly—advanced indeed, but still, at eighty-six, full of vigour. At the Post Office he was the main agent in reducing the cost of the packet-service, in cheapening postage to the Continent, and in at least preparing the way for the postal-order scheme which the late Mr. Chetwynd brought to maturity. In a hundred other ways he did good service to the State. Shall we not rejoice that the Post Office is so rich in the record of good and faithful servants — men whose lives have been spent within, as it were, the official walls; of whose labours, diligence, devotion, and consummate skill the general public have heard but little, but who have done —some, perhaps, unseen, unthanked, unknown —with all their might the duty which lay to their hand? Long may this spirit still prevail with us, and keep our Office foremost in efficiency, usefulness, and zeal for the public good amongst the several branches of Her Majesty's Civil Service. In fifty years the Post Office, in its modern garb, has been before the public, working under its eye, and, even though it be its servant, hand-in-hand with it. So a strong bond of mutual good-will and confidence has grown up. The servant has been not ungenerously treated; and the master is, with no ungrudging hand, heartily well served. Shall we not rejoice that it is so —that, looking back on these fifty years of labour, whether of ourselves or our predecessors, we are conscious of ever striving for the public good ? We might, perhaps, claim that, as officials, we are not always mindful of what is pleasant and convenient; and, in giving of our best, whether of brain or muscle, we' have at least earned the right to hug the flattering thought that Diogenes, looking around for the State's bad bargains, need not trouble himself to bring his lantern to the Post Office. . . .

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CHRISTMAS TIME, 1890, AT THE LONDON POST OFFICE. The Controller of the London Postal Service thus graphically describes the operations of the Post Office in London at the Christmas season in the jubilee year of the inland uniform pennypostage : — It may fairly be asserted that one of the minor wonders of the century is the diffusion, through the agency of Her Majesty's Post Office, of social greetings, cards, and presents at the Christmasseason, numbering, with the ordinary correspondence, more in a few days than the missives in postal circulation throughout the whole of the first year after the introduction of the marvellous-penny-postage system, the jubilee of which has during the last few months been so gloriously celebrated. What has been accomplished this year once more demonstrates that, as the postal service is one of the most powerful levers in the nation's progress at ordinary times, it can add vast enjoyment to the classes and masses by its quick and wide-spreading circulation on exceptional occasionssuch as that just over. The busy and impressive scenes witnessed at the last Christmas season in the old General Post Office building at St. Martin's-le-Grand, and its rapidly-developing parcel-post sister office at Mount Pleasant; at the 200 district, branch, and sub-offices dotted over the metroplis ; and in the travelling post-offices running through the length and breadth of the country, were such that they could not well be dismissed, even temporarily, from the minds of those who in probable course would have to shape the arrangements for the season of 1890; and it may be said that the echoes of the previous Christmas had scarcely died away ere preparations were commenced, and were going on all the year, to put the department in a position to undertake its great annual task,. and to overcome all the difficulties inherent to it. Primarily, attention had to be paid to the question of additional space in which to do the work. The valentine has had its day, the number dealt with in London having dwindled from 4,000,000 in 1876 to 320,000 in 1890. " The Christmas card is still as popular as over, but that, too, may in the near future cease to be a fashionable medium of conveying an expression of kindly feeling. Neither one nor the other affected the question of space so much as the Christmas parcels. It must be expected that the parcel-traffic will bring in its train year by year a greater task for the Post Office to accomplish, and for this work to be satisfactorily and expeditiously got through, ample room in buildings and yards is a sine qua non. . . . A few weeks before Christinas in a short leader in one of the daily newspapers it was stated that there was a serious falling-off in the Christmas-card wholesale trade ; but this was speedily contradicted in the same newspaper by a large manufacturer, who stated that the demand for cards was equal to, if not greater than, that in any former year. That statement accorded with information previously supplied by the principal wholesale vendors of Christmas cards in London, and was borne out by the large increase in the number of Christmas and New Year's cards despatched to places abroad, which was a clear indication of what might be expected as regards the inland postings later on. Irrespective of these signs, however, with the previous Christmas season in mind, when the stress of both letter- and parcel-work was so great as to be quite beyond the utmost efforts of the regular and extra force to deal with it in a satisfactory manner, it was deemed prudent to prepare for the strain this year by tho engagement of a much larger supernumerary staff than on the last occasion. The total number of extra officers employed was 4,050, or 410 more than in the preceding year. These, added to the officers regularly employed in or on behalf of the London postal service, made up a total of about 20,000. The men required for sorting duties had to be placed in training several weeks beforehand to fit them for the work. The first outgoing Christmas letter-mails were those for the Colony of New Zealand. The two fortnightly mails affected took 9 per cent, more letters, &c, between them than were despatched by the corresponding mails in the previous year. The increase over two ordinary mails was 35 per cent. The next principal mails to be despatched were those for the Australian Colonies. Those sent by the all-sea route were not appreciably affected by the Christmas cards, but by the overland route, via Brindisi, there was a considerable increase. The postal articles sent by the four-weekly Australian mails which took the Christmas and New Year's cards rose by 10 per centover the previous year's figures, and the increase over an ordinary period was 36 per cent. The heaviest mail was carried by the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer " Massilia," which took 622 mails-bags, containing about double the usual number of letters, &c. The Christmas and New Year's correspondence caused a very considerable addition to the mails for India, China, and the Bast. The four mails affected thereby consisted of 2,633 bags, as against 2,060 by four ordinary mails, and 2,395 by the four corresponding mails of last year. The letters, &c, sent by the three Cape mails which carried the bulk of the Christmas and New Year's cards were 50 per cent, in excess of the letters, &c, sent by three ordinary mails. One mail alone consisted of 280 bags, whereas 257 was the largest number sent by a single mail at the previous Christmas season. Nearly 100 additional bags were despatched by the Christmas mails to the West Indies, as against about 70 at the previous Christmas season. The splendid steamers of the .Cunard, White Star, and Allan lines, which are constantly crossing the waters which divide the Old from the New World, carried heavier mails than usual. The posting of Christmas and New Year's cards for the United States and Canada was spread over three weeks, and the mail-bags despatched to the United States during that period were 2,739, and to Canada 797. This exceeds the number of bags despatched during three ordinary weeks by 1,164 and 317 respectively. During the week ended the 13th December, 1,455 bags in all were sent from London to the North American continent, being an increase of 259 on any previous record. . . The mails from India, China, and the East, which arrived on the 15th December, consisted of 56 bags more than usual. The excess letters were 23,000 and the newspapers 12,250, while the registered letters rose from 2,800, the normal number, to 4,200. Tho succeeding mail, which arrived four days before Christmas, was correspondingly heavy. By the mail from Australia, which arrived on the 23rd December, 90 extra bags and 40,000 additional letters, &c, came to hand. About 600 extra

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mail-bags, containing 176,000 letters, &c, were received from the United States during the week ended the 27th December. The heaviest mail ever received from that country arrived by the North German s.s. " Trave " on the 26th December. It consisted of 718 bags, as against 716 received by the same vessel on the same date in the previous year. During the season 600 extra bags, and nearly 400,000 additional letters, &c, were despatched from this country to the Continent. The inward mails showed an increase of 900 bags and over 600,000 letters. The five mails for New Zealand, which were more or less affected by Christmas postings, took out 3,839 parcels, being an increase of 1,424 over an ordinary period, but only 24 over the corresponding season in the previous year. The heaviest mail consisted of 1,106 parcels, or nearly three times as many as the usual number. As regards the parcels for the Australian Colonies the results are very satisfactory. The number of mails taken into account was eight, and the total number of parcels despatched by them was 9,532, as against 7,815 at the previous Christmas season and 5,232 at ordinary times, being an increase of 22 per cent, and 82 per cent, respectively. The heaviest mail of the eight left the Tilbury Docks by the Orient steamer " Cuzco " on the 20th November, and consisted of 58 boxes, containing nearly 2,000 parcels, or over three times the normal number. This is the largest parcel-mail to the Australian Colonies yet on record. It must be remarked, however, that it was too late for the Christmas and New Year's deliveries in most cases. . . . There was a marked difference in the contents of the outward and inward colonial parcels. Those going out contained a great many Christmas cards, puddings, and other articles incidental to the season; but very few parcels of the kind were imported. Out of 1,142 parcels received from Bombay for the Christmas delivery in this country only 29 contained Christmas cards. The incoming parcels, however, consisted for the most part of miscellaneous articles suitable for Christinas presents. Very marked indeed was the increase in the Continental parcel-traffic. During the Christmas week the parcels despatched from London numbered 20,230, that being an increase of 11,713 on a like number of days at an ordinary period. The inward Continental parcels rose from the usual weekly number of 4,970 to 11,800 for the Christmas week. The greatest number despatched was on Sunday the 21st December, when 3,585 parcels were forwarded, as against 1,420 on an average day. On Saturday, the 27th instant, 2,816 parcels were received from the Continent, or 2,000 in excess of an ordinary day's arrival. Of this number 1,800 were imported from Germany via Hamburg. The excess number of parcels forwarded from London to places abroad during the whole season was not far short of 60,000, and about 28,000 extra parcels were imported. In the week preceding the Christmas season the fog, frost, and snow gave rise to the gloomiest apprehensions. The mail-trains arrived from one to three hours behind time, and the services throughout London were dislocated in consequence. The drivers of the mail-vans and carts were in a benumbed condition. The horses were jaded and worn out, owing to the slippery state of the streets and to the great strain caused by the heavy fall of snow. Altogether, it was difficult to look forward to the Christinas week with any degree of equanimity. The usual difficulties of the season were intensified from the fact that Monday, the 22nd December, when it was expected that there would be considerable activity in tlie ( . was the blackest day of all the year, and private, and, indeed, business posting was only carried on where absolutely unavoidable. Truly that day will be marked in Post Office annals as " darkest Monday." The fog, the frost, and the snow combined had the effect of putting all the mail-van arrangements out of gear. The horses, not recovered from the fatigue of the previous week, were not up to the mark to encounter the Christmas heavy work, and the contractors were at their wits' ends. So slippery were the roads that in the hilly districts of Highgate and Hampstead the postmen had to meet the carts and carry the bags to the sub-district sorting office on their backs. The officers were much tried by the fog. The night mail-trains from the several London termini were despatched very late, some of them starting nearly two hours behind the proper time. Matters considerably brightened on Tuesday morning, the 23rd December, when the fog lifted ; the thoroughfares became passable, and by about 3 o'clock in the day something like a restoration of ordinary working was achieved. The Christmas correspondence now poured into the Chief Office, at St. Martin's-le-Grand, there seeming no limit to the postings, and from that time it was a continuous struggle for the mastery. The work went on there by night and day without intermission, and it was not until 7 o'clock in the morning of Christmas Day that the primary sorting of the letters, &c, was finished. The large accumulation of letters which had taken place in the railway division-rooms began to be overcome at about 8 o'clock, and soon after that time some of the supernumeraries, who had been on for a very lengthened spell, were permitted to leave. A general clear-up was made at about 9 a.m., when the bulk of the staff was allowed to go home. The despatching-officers had, however, to stop till noon to make up the bags for despatch by the night-mails. The letters, although not more numerous than last year, were received equally late, but on the whole very satisfactory despatches were effected. The letters, which were included in the bags for the night mails, bore no earlier date of provincial posting than the 24th of December. It was noticeable that about nine out of every ten letters in circulation on the 24th December contained Christmas cards. The cards on the whole were considered to be rather smaller in size than in previous years. At the General Post Office the brunt of the battle has always to be encountered, as, being the large forwarding-office of the world, it becomes, at times, congested with its " through " work. This year was no exception to the rule; but it can safely be said that the circulation branches were never more than about six hours behind the work, and that is borne out by the fact of the absence of complaints of delay. Vast as the preparations have been, and large as was the extra force employed throughout London, not a single penny was expended unnecessarily. In order to keep important letters from bankers, merchants, &c, unmixed with the mass of Christmas 10— F. 1.

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correspondence, and thus insure their due despatch, arrangements were made for such letters to be specially collected or handed in over the counter at the General Post Office, or at Lombard Street branch office. Altogether 80,000 important letters were thus saved the risk of delay, and satisfaction was given to city bankers and merchants. This year's record of numbers does not exceed that of last year, and it may be assumed therefore that the excess cards, letters, circulars, &c, dealt with in London during the season amounted to about 50,000,000 —that is, about treble the normal numbers for one week, or nearly four letters at Christmas for one at an ordinary period. That through the channel of the General Post Office in St. Martin's-le-Grand alone close upon 25,000,000 more letters than usual passed during the Christmas week, shows the vast capabilities of Post Office head-quarters. Heavy as the correspondence was, no difficulty was experienced in rapidly transmitting it from one point of London to another, or from railway-station to station, as about 1,000 vehicles and drivers, 1,500 horses, and 300 handcarts were available for the purpose. From the busy duties at the General Post Office and district letter-offices, thoughts had to be turned from time to time towards the parcel-offices. It might be supposed that from the bold display of " Post early " notices, people would take care to post their parcels sufficiently early to admit of delivery at latest on the morning of Christmas Day; but they have yet to become alive to the fact that bulky parcels cannot be handled so easily and with such rapidity as letters. And while such is the case, it is out of the question for them to expect that the one should be dealt with in as little time as the other at the Christmas season. It is evident that the public now place great confidence in the parcel arrangements of the Post Office, for, although there is Free-trade in parcel carrying, yet the increase in the parcel-traffic of the Christmas season shows nearly as great an expansion as the letter-service. The troubles caused by the adverse elements to the letter-service affected the parcel-service even in a more marked degree. The fog in the East End was so dense that the mail-cart drivers could not see their horses' heads, and the guard who accompanied the Indian and Australian parcel mails to the docks had the utmost difficulty in finding the ship. The mail-van arrangements were entirely upset by the late arrival of trains, the vehicles being kept waiting at stations for hours,- anil having in many cases to be driven off to perform other services. The same thing happened with the force ; men were up all night at the stations with little to do, and when they had gone home to rest and the trains arrived the platforms were crowded with baskets for a time with scarcely any one to touch them, and with few vans to carry them away. Then a jaded force had quickly to be got together again. Reserve vans had been placed at each station, but even these were drawn away. At the Mount Pleasant Parcel Office, which is the chief depot in London, from the 23rd December, was a most remarkable scene. The very large premises and the temporary sheds erected for the occasion were literally choked with parcels of all shapes and sizes. The baskets, bag-protectors, barrels, and other receptacles were opened as rapidly as possible, but notwithstanding this there was scarcely room to move in any part of the building. The vans were unloaded immediately they arrived, so that there was no detention of them, and consequently no dislocation of the vehicular service. Inside the building the receptacles were opened and the parcels carefully packed in heaps against the walls, in order to confine the bulk within the narrowest possible limits. At 5 p.m. on the 24th December so numerous were the parcels that it seemed as though it would be a matter of impossibility to clear the office for many days; as parcels disappeared others came in. Never before had so many parcels under 111b. in weight been aggregated in one depot. On Christmas morning it was evident that the vast accumulation of parcels could not be cleared off by the tired and jaded men who had been on duty for about twenty-four hours, and there was nothing for it but to disperse the staff, which was done at noon. When the order was given for all the men to break off and to resume their labours at midnight, there was a cheer, showing that the men were animated with British pluck, and would be ready and willing to recommence the struggle after a little rest. By noon on the 26th December (Boxing Day) the accumulation was disposed of, but there were heavy and late arrivals from the provinces on that morning, and on the following morning also. The business transacted at the public counters was far in excess of any previous year. Taking the three days immediately preceding Christmas Day, the number of transactions, excluding the sale of stamps, was 18 per cent, more than last year, and about 66 per cent, more than in ordinary. A similar comparison shows an increase of 60 per cent, over the usual sale of stamps. But even this large increase in transactions and sales does not fully indicate the extra work involved. The stamp sales were largely made up of very small purchases, and these involve as much work individually as large ones. Thousands of demands were made for single stamps, and the number of inquiries and requests to weigh letters was much higher proportionately than at ordinary times. At many offices on the busiest days the parcels handed in were seven or eight times, and postalorders and registered letters from four to five times, more numerous than usual. There was a constant stream of people at the counters from early morning till late at night, and many offices were crowded to the doors for hours together. At many of the more important of these offices the business is conducted by a female staff, which coped with the extra work in a most satisfactory and creditable manner. At the Chief Office, on the 23rd December, 6,000 parcels were handed in over the counter, the ordinary daily number being about 2,500. The largest number handed in on any one day last year was 4,600. At the Putney branch post-office the average day's posting of parcels is about 100. On the 23rd December this number rose to 800. At the High Street, Hampstead, branch office the number of parcels posted on the same date were twelve times as many as on an ordinary day. A considerable increase took place even in telegraph business; there were 27,000 more messages handed in, and 29,000 more sent out for delivery from the telegraph-offices in London than ordinary. Fortunately, this very important branch of the service was not affected by adverse elements, and the other services, crippled as they were, derived much assistance from its powerful agency. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation (not given); printing (1,900 copies), £75.

By Authority : George Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB92. Price 3s.]

NORTH ISLAND N.Z. TELEGRAPH and TELEPHONE CIRCUITS AUCKLAN D DISTRICT

NORTH ISLAND N.Z. TELEGRAPH and TELEPHONE CIRCUITS

NORTH ISLAND N.Z. TELEGRAPH and TELEPHONE CIRCUITS

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SOUTH ISLAND N.Z. TELEGRAPH and TELEPHONE CIRCUITS

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