POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR 1917-18.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1918 Session I-II, F-01

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1918.

NEW ZEALAND.

ANNUAL REPORT OP THE POST ANT) TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT FOE THE YEAR 1917.

Contents. PAGE PAGE Introduction ... ... ... 1 Ocean Mail-services ... ... 7 Receipts and Payments ... ... 2 Inland Mail-services ... ... 7 Expenditure ... ... ... 2 Buildings... ... ... ... 8 Staff ... ... ... ... 3 Money-orders ... ... ... 8 Health of Staff ... ... ... 3 Postal Notes ... ... ... 8 Personal and Staff ... ... ... 3 British Postal Orders ... ... 8 Examinations ... ... ... 4 Savings-bank ... ... ... 8 Curtailment of Services ... ... 4 Work performed for other DepartAuckland Post-office Inquiry ... 4 ments ... ... ... ... 8 Post-office Safe-deposit System ... 4 Telegraphs ... ... ... 9 Sugar for Soldiers ... ... ... 4 New Zealand Submarine Cable Service 10 The War and the Department ... 5 Ocean Cable Services ... ... 10 War Loans ... ... ... 5 Wireless Telegraphy ... ... 11 Telegraph Concession to Patriotic Telephone Exchanges ... ... 11 Bodies ... ... ... ... 5 Automatic Telephone Installations ... 11 Post and Telegraph Concession to Slot Telephones ... ... ... 12 Members of Legislature ... ... 5 Post Office ... ... . ... 5 Rates of Postage for Packets and Parcels 6 APPENDIX. Dead and Missing Letters ... ... 6 Prohibited Correspondence ... ... 6 Designation of Offices changed or corNewspapers ... ... ... 6 rected ... ... ... ... 13 Automatic Stamp and Post-card Vend- Inland Mail-services established ... 13 ing Machines ... ... ... 7 Subsidized Sea Mail-services ... 14 Postage-stamps ... ... ... 7 Cable Business ... ... ... 15 Registered-letter Envelopes ... ... 7 Radio-telegrams ... ... ... 16 (For Index to Tables see page ii, and for Detailed Index see pages iii and iv.)

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TABLES. No. I.—Money-orders issued and paid — page (a.) Issued in the Dominion ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 (b.) Drawn on the Dominion ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 No. 2.—Money-orders issued— (a.) In New Zealand, on Offices beyond the Dominion ... ... . . 18 (b.) At Offices beyond the Dominion on New Zealand ... ... ... 18 No. 3.—Number and Value of Postal Notes sold ... ... ... ... ... 19 No. 4.—Number and Amount of Transactions at the Money-order Offices and Post Office Savings-banks in New Zealand ... ... ... ... 20 No. s.—Number and Value of British Postal Orders sold and paid in New Zealand, 1916-17 and 1917-18 ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 No. 6. —General Statement of Post Office Savings-bank Business for Year ended 31st December, 1917 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 21 No. 6a.—General Statement of Post Office Savings-bank Business from 1867 to 1917 ... 22 No. 7.—Balance-sheet of Post Office Account ... ... ... ... ... 23 No. 8. —Securities, &c, standing in the Name of the Postmaster-General on account of Post Office Savings-bank Fund ... ... ... ... • ... 26 No. 9.—Post Office Savings-bank Receipts and Payments for Year ended 31st December, 1917 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 29 No. 10.—Number of Post Office Savings-bank Accounts open ... ... ... 30 No. 11.—Estimated Number of Letters, Letter-cards, Post-cards, Book-packets, Newspapers, and Parcels dealt with ... ... ... ... ... 31 No. 12.— (a.) Registered Articles... ... .... ... ... ... ... 32 (b.) Dead Letters ... ... ... ... ... 32 No. 13.—Parcel-post ... ... ... ... ... ... 32 No. 14.—Comparative Table showing the Progress of the Telegraph Department ... 33 No. 15. —Cash Revenue derived from Paid Telegrams of all Codes, the Value of Franked Government Telegrams, and the Total Number of Telegrams transmitted ... 34 No. 16.—Paid Telegrams of all Codes ... ... ... ... ... ... 35 No. 17. —Class and Number of Instruments and Batteries in Use at Telegraph-offices ... 35 No. 18.—Cost of Maintenance of Telegraph and Telephone Lines ... ... ... 36 No. 19.—Cost of Construction of Telegraph and Telephone Lines ... ... ... 37 No. 20.—Capital Cost, Working-expenses, and Revenue of the Telephone Exchanges since their Establishment ... ... ... ... ... ... 39 No. 21.—Number of Connections at Telephone Exchanges in Engineers' Districts ... 40

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DETAILED INDEX. A. PAGE L. PAGE . „ . , , t. . . n Land-tax collected .. .. .. .. 9 Allotment warrants: payments by Department .. 9 Leave sick 3 Alteration in postage-rates 6 Letter '. cardB _" Articles delivered .. 6 Poat ed and delivered .. .. 5,30 Automatic stamp-vending machines .. ..7 unaddressed 6 Automatic telephone installations .. ..11 Letters Dead, dealt with .. .. .. 6, 32 „ proportion to number delivered .. .. 6 Balance-sheet of Post Office Account .. 23,24, 25 Delivered .. .. .. .. 5, 31 Batteries, class of, and number in use .. 35 Posted and delivered .. .. .. 31 Beer-duty stamps sold .. .. .. ..9 Posted: average number per head of population.. 6 Birth, death, and marriage fees .. .. .. 9 Js unaddressed .. .. .. 6 Book-packets posted and delivered .. 31 fJ with previously used stamps .. .. 6 British postal orders paid and sold .. 8, 20 Registered, unclaimed .. .. .. 6 Building, destruction of, by fire .. .. .. 8 With libellous addresses .. .. .. 6 Buildings opened .. .. .. .. 8 Wrongly addressed .. .j .. .. 6 Bureau messages: number and value .... 9 , Business done for other Departments .. 8, 24, 25 jl. Machinery fees collected .. .. 9 Cable messages- °' Magazines registered .. .. ' .. ..6 Deferred 11 Mail-services, inland .. .. .. o, li Expeditionary Force '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. 11 Contractors joining Expeditionary Force .. 7 Intercolonial traffic .. .. 10,11,15,16 Established 13 International traffic .. .. 10,11,15,16 Loss of mails 8 Number .. 10,11 Renewal of contracts .. .. .. / y a j u0 15, 16 Suspension of, owing to floods .. .. 8 Weekend 11 Mail-services, ooean— Cables, New Zealand- ' P ate » f olo f n S? overseas mail: publication .. 7 Length of 10 Loss of mails 7 State of 10 San Francisco 7 Cables, ocean 10 VancouverCensorship: Post-office inquiry, Auckland.. .. 4 Extension of contract 7 Concession, postal and telegraph, to members of Mail-services, sea, subsidized 14 Legislature 5 Maintenance of linos, cost of .. .. 9, Jo Concession, telegraph, to patriotic 'bodies '.'. '.'.5 Material, abnormal increase in cost of .. ..1,2 Correspondence prohibited 6 Military pensions paid 9 Curtailment of services 1,4 Miners pensions paid 9 Custody of Treasury bonds 5 Mining Act receipts 9 Customs duty collected 9 Missing letters 6 Money-order— -q Commission .. .. .. 8,17,20 Dead letters 6,32 Exchange with other countries.. ■• ■• » Declaration of secrecy, witnessing .. ..4 Issued and paid .. .. 8,17,18,20 Deferred cable message 11 Offices open, &c 8 Departments, other, work performed for .. 8, 24, 25 Prohibited .. .. .. .. Designations of offices changed .. .. 5, 13 Discount-stamps sold .. .. .. .. 9 N. -„ National Provident Fund : contributions collected 9 -ih , th h i.i ' Newspapers — Eastern Extension cable— Posted and delivered 31 Number and value of messages forwarded and unaddressed 6 received 11,15,16 Registered 6 Press cablegrams lb R emo ved f rom regis ter 6 Share of business . .. .. 10 Returned to publishers 6 Transfer of terminus from Wakapuaka to Wellington .. .. .. •. 10 Economy in use of food-supplies, promoting .. 5 v ' Employment of women .. .. .. 4 Ocean cable services (see " Cable messages," Examinations .. .. .. .. 4 «p ao ifi c cable," &c.). Exchanges, telephone (see " Telephone exchanges "). >; mail-services (see " Mail "). Expeditionary Foree — OfficersAssistance from Department .. .. .. 3 Absence of, average .. .. ■ ■ .. 3 Casualties: free inquiries .. .. .. 5 Casualties with Expeditionary Force .. .. 3 Employment of returned soldiers .. .. 3 Death of .. .. • • .. 3 Number of officers joining .. .. ..1,3 Declaration of secrecy, dispensing with necessity Postal staff with Force .. .. 3 0 f witnessing, by Justice of Peace .. .. 4 Roll of honour .. .. .. .. 1,3 Examinations, efficiency .. .. .. 4 Telegraphists and linemen with Force .. .. 3 Health .. .. .. • • .. 3 Week-end messages .. .. .. .. 10 Number .. .. .. • • .. 3 Wiroloss unit with Force .. .. .. 3 Release of, for service with Expeditionary Force.. 1 Expenditure and revenue .. .. ..1,2 Retirement of .. .. •• ..3 Salary, payment of, twice monthly .. .. 4 F. War decorations .. .. .. .. 1 Fishing licenses issued .. .. . - .. 9 -\yjth Expeditionary Force .. .. .. 3 " Fragile " fee (see " Parcels "). Offices (see under " Post," " Telegraph," &c). „ designations changed .. .. 5, 13 G- Old-age pensions .. .. •. .. 9 Game licenses issued .. .. .. .. 9 Girls, employment of, as telegraph messengers .. 4 Government Insurance premiums collected .. 9 Pacific cable— Inquiries regarding condition of sick and wounded H. soldiers .. .. .. • • .. 5 Health of staff.. .. .. .. .. 3 Number and value of messages forwarded and Hours, alteration of .. .. .. 4 received .. .. .. • • 15,16 Press telegrams .. .. .. ..11 I. Share of business .. .. .. .. 10 Imperial pensions paid .. .. .. 9 Packets alleged to have been posted and not dehvered 6 Income-tax collected .. .. .. .. 9 Parcels — Inland mail-services (see " Mail-serviceß"). Dehvered .. .. .. .. 5, 31 Inspection of post-offices .. .. .. 5 Foreign (inwards), declared value of, and Customs Instruments, telegraph, class of, and number in use.. 35 duty collected on .. .. •• ..6 Inquiry, Auckland Post-office .. '.. .. 4 Foreign (outwards), declared value of .. .. 5

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DETAILED INDEX— continued. Parcels— continued. . page Telegrams— continued. page " Fragile" fee, adoption of .. .. 6 Forwarded— Posted and delivered .. .. 31,32 Fraudulent: proceedings taken .. .. 10 Rates and postage increased .. .. .. 6 Government: number and value .. 9, 33, 34 Sugar for soldiers .. .. .. .. 4 Increase in number .. .. .. 9 Pensions, Imperial, paid .. .. .. 9 Of all codes .. .. .. 9. 33, 34, 35 „ old-age, military, and widows' .. .. 9 Ordinary : number and value . . 9, 33, 34, 35 ~ war, miners' . . .. .. .. 9 Per 100 letters .. . . .. .. 9 Personal and staff .. .. .. .. 3 Press . . .. .. .. 9, 33, 34 Postage-stamps— Urgent .. .. .. .. .. 9 Change in colour .. .. .. . . 7 Paid— Cook Island, over-printing of .. .. .. 7 Number and revenue .. .. 9, 33, 34, 35 Island dependencies, over-printing of .. 7 Telegraph— New issues .. .. .. .. .. 7 Communication with Puysegur Point restored .. 9 Official, supply of, to members of Legislature .. 5 Installation of repeaters .. .. 10 Postal and telegraph concession to members of Legis- Instruments and batteries in use .. 10, 35 lature .. .. .. .. .. 5 Lines — Postal notes— Cost of construction .. .. 37, 38 Commission .. .. .. .. 8 Length of .. .. .. 10, 33, 34 Offices opened .. .. .. .. 8 Maintenance .. .. .. - 36 Paid .. .. .. .. .. 8 Overhauled, &c. .. .. .. .. 9 Sold .. .. .. .. 8,19 Superimposed .. .. .. ..10 Postal orders, British, paid and sold .. 8, 20 Maintenance of lines, &c. .. .. 9, 36 Post-cards— Message-girls, employment of .. .. ' .. 4 Delivered .. .. .. .. 5, 31 Offices : converted from Morse to telephone, &c... 10 Posted .. .. .. .. ..31 „ designations changed. . .. 5,13 Vending-machines .. .. .. .. 7 „ opened, &c. .. . . 9, 33, 34 Post Office Account : balance-sheet .. 23,24,25 Private wires: number and rental .. .. 9 Post-offices — Receipts and payments .. .. 9, 33, 34 Closed .. .. .. .. .. 5 Revenue ~ ' .. .. .. 9, 33, 34 Designations changed .. .. 5, 13 Telephone-bureau messages ~ . . 9, 35 Established . . .. .. .. .. 5 Telephone— Inspection . . .. .. .. .. 5 Cost of construction of lines .. .. 37, 38 Opened, &c.. . .. .. .. .. 5 Exchanges— Private wires: number and rental .. , .. 7 Automatic .. .. .. ..11 Prohibition of correspondence .. .. .. 6 Capital cost, working-expenses, &c. .. 39 Public Service superannuation payments .. .. 9 Connections: proportion to population .. 11 Public Trust receipts and payments .. .. 9 Line, length of .. .. .. 10, 33, 34 Opened .. . . .. .. ..11 R. Party-line circuits .. .. .. ..11 Radio-telegrams (see " Wireless"). Revenue .. .. .. .. 2,11,39 Rarotonga, wireless station, erection of .. ..11 Subscribers connections .. .. 11,40 Rates of postage, alteration of 6 Ij ine : ca P ,ta ] cost, &c 39 Receipts and payments 2 » cost of construction .. .. 37,38 Registered articles 32 Lines overhauled, &c. 9 Registered-letter envelopes— Maintenance of lines . .. .. 9, 30 Retail price increased 7 Metallic circuits erected ,11 Withdrawal of .. .. .. .. 7 officea converted to Morse .. .. .. 10 Registration of births, &c. : fees collected .. 9 Trunk-line Dunedin- Christchurch, opened .. 10 Returned soldiers, employment of, by Department .. 3 Telephone, slotRevenue of Department .. .. 1,2 Number and revenue 12 Machines wilfully damaged .. .. ..12 g Treasury bonds— Safe-deposit system .. .. .. .. 4 £" sto( *y of " ••• • • • .. 5 Salaries 2,4,9 Sale of . .. .. ..5 Sanatorium receipts 9 Treasury, payments on account of .. .. 9 San Francisco mail-service (see " Mail-servioes "). Savings-bank— Accounts open, &c. .. .. ..8,21,22,30 V. Accumulated savings of depositors .. 1 Valuation Department, fees collected .. .9 Cost of working .. .. .. ?•£>%* Vancouver mail-service (see " Mail-services"). Deposits : amount, &c. .. 1, 8, 21, 22, 29 Excess of deposits over withdrawals .. 1, 8, 21, 22 Fixed deposit of a war fund, interest on .. 8 Interest .. .. .. .. 8,21,22 War _ W. Liabilities and assets .. .. ..29 Automatic exchanges, effect on . 12 Nominations by depositors .. .. «.. 8 Casualties, free inquiries .. .. 5. Offices open, &c. .. .. .. 8, 21, 22 Concession granted by Department .. 5 Profit and loss .. .. .. .. 29 Departmental Roll of Honour 1 3 Receipts and payments .. .. .. 29 Economy in food-supplies, promoting .. .. 5 Securities .. ••.•'. -.26 Experts supplied by the Department .. .. 3 Transfer of accounts to United Kingdom and Mail-services, effect on .. 7 Australia, &c. .. .. " •• J Officers with Expeditionary Force, number of 1,3 Withdrawals .. .. 8,20,21,22 Payment of soldiers' allotments .. .9 Securities in name of Postmaster-General .. .. 26 Pensions paid 9 Services, curtailment of .. .. .. 4 Prohibition of correspondence for certain'firms " 6 Ships' wireless installations: possession taken by Supplies, abnormal rise in cost of .. .'. 2 Government.. .. .-.- .. 11 Transmission of free inquiries regarding sick and Slot telephones .. .. .. ..12 wounded soldiers .. .. . 5 Soldiers, parcels for, containing sugar .. .. 4 ar | oan Staff — Advertising .. .. .. .. 5 Employment of returned soldiers, &c 3 Certificates, sale of, and custody, by Department ■ 5 Female assistants employed .. .. .. 4 Contributions received by Post Office .. .. 5 Hoalth .. .... .. '' , Week-end cable messages— Number .. ... .. .. ..3 Number .. .. .. .. 11 With Expeditionary Force .. 1,3 widows' pensions 9 Stamp-vending machines: purchase of patent rights 7 wir6; S e CO nd-hand, sale to soldiers ' ' 10 Stamps, beer duty, sold .. .. .. 9 wireless telegraphydiscount, sold .. .. .. ..9 Apia Station .. .. .. 11 new issues .. .. .. ..7 Effect of war on .. .. . 11 State Advances receipts and payments .. ..9 Rarotonga Station, opening of.. . " 11 Submarine cables, New Zealand .. .. .. 10 Returns of business .. .. 10 Supplies, increased cost of .. .. .. 2 ghip station> un der control of Naval authorities '.'. 11 Signals, improved method of detecting .. .. 11 Shore stations, control of .. .. ..11 Teachers' Superannuation Fund payments .. 9 Stations in New Zealand .. .. ..11 Telegrams — Women, employment of .. .. .. 4 Bureau messages, number and value .. 9, 10, 34 Work performed for other Departments .. 8, 24, 25

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Session 11. 1918. NEW ZEALAND

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR 1917-18.

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

My Lord,— General Post Office, Wellington, 18th October, 1918. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Post and Telegraph Department for the financial year 1917-18. Notwithstanding the state of war the business of the Department during the year was very satisfactory. The total revenue amounted to .£1,837,260; the expenditure amounted to £1,489,446 : there was thus a balance of receipts over payments of £347,814. The regular expenditure shows a serious increase due to the rise, amounting in some cases to 300 per cent., in the cost of materials required for the maintenance of the Department's services. The confidence of the public in the Post Office Savings-bank is markedly maintained. The deposits during the year ended on the 31st December, 1917, exceeded the withdrawals by £2,645,360. The returns disclose that the accumulated savings of depositors in the Post Office Savings-bank now exceed twenty-nine million pounds sterling. Matters of detail with reference to the revenue, expenditure, and business are fully set out in the report. Your Excellency will be pleased -to learn that over 52 per cent, of the permanent staff eligible for military service and over 300 of the casual staff have joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. I deeply regret to state that some of the Department's officers have lost their lives, and many have been wounded. I have pleasure in stating that many have received decorations and other signal marks of distinction. Despite the fact that the loss of the services of many officers of long experience and proved efficiency was involved, the Department was able to release every medically fit man of the First Division of tho Expeditionary Force Reserve, exclusive of a few wireless operators retained at the request of the British Government, and at the same time to continue to the public full services. Put with the calling-up of the Second Division the Department was faced with the alternatives of appealing for the exemption of the majority of the members of that division to enable it to continue its pre-war services, or curtailing the services to enable it to release men as they were required by the military authorities. The latter course was adopted without hesitation; and it is gratifying to report that, while the curtailments are materially assisting the Department to achieve the object with which they were made, the inconvenience to which the public is put is not serious. During my absence from the Dominion this important Department was ably administered by the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald. I have, &c, J. G. Wahd, His Excellency the Governor-General, Wellington, Postmaster-General.

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EEPOET.

Receipts and Payments. The receipts and payments of the Department for the financial year 1917-18 are shown in the following table :—

The total receipts exceeded those of 1916-17 by £27,943. The receipts and payments for the ten years ended 31st March, 1918, and for the years 1881-82, 1891-92, and 1901-2, are shown hereunder:—

Expenditure. The regular expenditure has been seriously increased by the abnormal rise in the prices of materials that are absolutely necessary for the upkeep of telegraph and other business. The price of iron wire has gone up some 300 per cent.; mechanics' tools, 75 to 100 per cent.;

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i Item. Postal. Telegraph. Total. Receipts. Postages Monoy-ordor and postal-note commission Money-order commission received from foreign offices Private box and bag rents Miscellaneous receipts Paid telegrams Telephone exchanges .. .. .. .. £ s. d. 930,371 14 4.1 20,225 10 9 784 3 I 16.747 11 2 1,897 16 8.! £ s. d. £ s. d. 930,371 14 4J 26,225 16 9 784 3 I 16,747 11 2 64,540 4 11 454,222 9 0J 344,368 10 0 62,642 8 2.', 454,222 9 OJ 344,308 10 0 Totals 976,027 2 1 £ s. d. 243,620 2 8 20,800 0 0 861,233 7 3 1,837,260 9 4 Payments. £ s. d. 428,049 0 0 40,345 0 0 £ s. (I. 672,269 2 3 61,145 0 0 Salaries (classified officers) Salaries (country Postmasters and telephonists, anil contributions to Railway Department) Conveyance of mails by sea Conveyance of inland mails Conveyance of mails by railway Money-order commission credited to foreign offices Maintenance of telegraph and telephone lines Miscellaneous 56,817 2 4 113,678 16 1 80,319 3 5 2,301 10 1 56,817 2 4 113,678 16 1 80,319 3 5 2,301 10 1 124,379 11 3 378,536 0 2 168,218 1 9 124,379 11 3 210,317 18 5 Balance of receipts over payments 685,754 15 11 '290,272 6 2 803,091 9 8 57,541 17 7 1,489,446 5 7 347,814 3 9 Totals 976,027 2 1 801,2,3.'! 7 3 1,837,260 9 4

Year. Receipts. Payments. Balance of Receipts over Payments. 1881-1882 £ 234,529 £ 233,291 £ 1,238 1891-1892 320,058 268,343 51,715 1901-1902 488,573 465,756 22,817 1908-1909 1909-1910 1910-1911 1911-1912 1912-1913 1913-1914 1914-1915 1915-1916 1916-1917 1917-1918 i.. 913,994 961,500 1,037,265 1,087,710 1,167,826 1,269,921 1,359,059 1,695,757 1,809,317 1,837,260 807,652 858,059 914,069 988,911 1,069,272 1,173,314 1,246,850 1,296,522 1,370,810 1,489,446 106,342 103,441 123,196 98,799 98,554 96,607 112,209 399,235 438,507 347,814 Total for ten years 13,139,609 11,214,905 1,924,704

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switchboards and parts, 75 to 100 per cent.; dry cells, 100 per cent.; brass screws, 300 per cent.; telephones, 70 per cent.; copper earth-plates, 50 per cent.; insulators, 75 to 200 per cent.; battery zincs, 160 per cent.; soldering preparations, 300 per cent.; lead seals, 88 per cent.; checking and copying pencils, about 300 per cent.; the cheaper qualities of paper, 300 per cent.; canvas for mail-bags, according to quality, from 91 to 173 per cent.; twine, 90 per cent.; and stationery generally, about 40 per cent. These are simply quoted as leading examples, and will give some idea as to how the increased expendilure has arisen. Staff. Comparative Be turn of Officers of the Post and Telegraph Department for the Years ended 31st March, 1917, and 31st March, 1918. The total number of officers on the staff on the 31st March, 1917 and 1918, was as under :— 31st March, 31st March, 1917. 1918. Postmaster-General ... ... .. ... 1 1 Classified staff— Permanent— Administrative Division ... ... ... 3 3 Professional Division ... ... ... 38 38 Clerical Division ... ... ... ... 3,266 3,463 General Division ... ... ... .... 3,652 3,464 Temporary— Night-watchmen ... ... ... ... 4 2 Postmistresses and assistants ... ... 118 164 Switchboard attendants ... ... ... 337 520 Note-sorters, distributors, &c. ... ... 69 146 Postmen, messengers, and chauffeurs ... 185 306 Night telephonists ... ... ... ... 21 50 Total, classified staff ... ... 7,694 8,157 Employees not on classified staff— Country Postmasters and Postmistresses ... 2,357 2,303 Postmasters and telegraphists or telephonists who are Eailway officers ... ... ... 143 140 Total ... ... ... ... 10,194 10,600 Health of Pebmanent Staff. The following table gives the average absence of officers on sick-leave: — Number Average Absence Average Absence on Staff. per Sick Officer. employed! Days. Days. Men ... ... ... 6,121* 126 37 Women ... ... ... 847 1831 1209 Thirteen officers died during the year, exclusive of casualties in the Expeditionary Force. Peesonal and Staff. The decoration of the Imperial Service Order was conferred in June, 1917, on Mr. W. R. Morris, Secretary of the Department. Mr. J. Orchiston, who filled the position of Chief Telegraph Engineer for the Dominion for over seven years, retired on superannuation at the end of May, 1918. The following senior officers, each with many years of service to his credit, retired during (lie year: C. Hill, Chief Postmaster, Timaru; S. Inder, Postmaster, Palmerston North; C. Whelan, Chief Postmaster, Blenheim; M. C. Corliss, Superintendent, Telegraph-office, Wanganui; A. W. Oxley, Superintendent, Telegraph-oilice, Nelson; F. Perriu, Postmaster, Hastings; and W. Callaghan, Postmaster, Hawera. Mr. R. M. Baird, Telegraph Engineer, Auckland, died on the 7th October, 1917. He had completed over forty years' service in the Department. Up to the 31st March, 1918, the number of permanent and temporary officers of the Department accepted for service with'the Expeditionary forces was '2,302. Of these officers, 154 have been killed in action or have died from wounds or sickness, and 330 have been wounded. The Department has supplied regular reinforcements to the wireless-telegraphy troop recruited in 1916 from its officers. It has provided also a number of expert telegraphists, mechanicians, linemen, and postal sorters for special military service. During the year the Department has employed many returned soldiers, mostly men with no previous training in clerical duties. In the ballots for Second Division Reservists many of the Department's most useful officers have been selected for service, but up to the 31st March the Department has sought exemption for

* Including 1,508 officers absent with the Expeditionary Force.

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ten men only. In the ballot of Class A 199 departmental officers were selected, and of these 139 passed as fit for service. The strain on the Department to make good the losses has been heavy and constant. During the year the Department has found the need of considerably extending the employment of girls as telegraph messengers. The services of the girls are satisfactory. Hitherto the Department has required that the declaration of secrecy (non-statutory) of a. telegraph officer or a, telephone-exchange officer be made before a Justice of the Peace. Pending an amendment of the Post and Telegraph Act, it has been arranged, as a matter of convenience, for the declarations to be made before the Inspector of Telegraph-offices, a Superintendent of a Telegraph-office, a Post Office Inspector, a Telegraph Engineer, or any Postmaster. This will permit of dispensing with the appointment in future of post and telegraph officers as Justices of tho Peace, as such officers were appointed solely for the purpose of witnessing these declarations in isolated places. It was arranged that, commencing with the mouth of April, 1918, payment of salary should be made by twice-monthly instalments to those officers who so desired; other officers to continue to be paid monthly. Examinations. The number of officers who sat for efficiency examinations during the year 1917-18 was 939. Of this number, 538 (57 per cent.) were either wholly or partially successful. Curtailment of Services. Notwithstanding the severe drain upon its man-power due to military requirements, the Department was able to give the public practically a pre-war service up to the end of June, 1918. When it was found that the calling-up of members of the Second Division of the Expeditionary Force Reserve would make it impossible for the full services to be continued, the question of reducing the faculties to the public was exhaustively considered; and the curtailments decided on were made from the Ist July, 1918. Generally, they are in the direction of shortening the hours during which post and telegraph offices are open to the public, reducing the number of deliveries by postmen in the cities and towns, allowing a greater margin of time between the closing and despatch of mails, and reducing the frequency of clearances of street posting-boxes. The alterations, involving a considerable reduction of night-work, have enabled women to be employed to a greater extent than formerly, when a large proportion of the work was done at night. The policy under which women are engaged for the period of the war instead of permanently is rendered necessary by the undertaking of Government to keep open against his return to civil life the position of every man released to join the military Forces. The loss of the services of permanent officers of experience is felt in every office in the Dominion, and as the same skill and local knowledge cannot be expected of the temporary substitutes, it is felt seriously. Controlling officers, working with depleted and inexperienced staffs, find their duties most exacting and responsible .and their executive abilities tried to the utmost. Auckland Post-office Inquiry. Allegations against the Auckland postal service were made by the Rev. Howard Elliott at a public meeting of the Protestant Political Association held at Auckland on the 11th July, 1917. Mr. 11. W. Bishop, Stipendiary Magistrate, was appointed by Royal Commission to investigate the charges. The Commissioner was empowered to inquire— (a.) Whether correspondence addressed to post-office box 912 at Auckland had been corruptly or improperly suppressed or detained by the officers of the Post-office. (6.) On what, grounds military censorship has been established over the correspondence of the persons using the said post-office box. The Commission sat in Auckland from the 13th to the 23rd August, 1917. The Commissioner reported (a) that he was convinced that no postal official was responsible for any improper or corrupt dealing with any of the letters in question ; (b) that the charge that the military censorship had been established in the interests oi' the Roman Catholic Church was completely disproved. The Commissioner's report and the minutes of evidence taken at the inquiry have been printed in parliamentary paper F.-8, 1917. Post Office Safe-deposit System. A safe-deposit system has l>een inaugurated by the Department, and special safes for the purpose have been installed at twenty-five principal post-offices. The system will enable the public to place in safe keeping sealed packages not exceeding 11 in. in length containing valuable documents, such as wills, insurance policies, debentures, ■ deeds, Ac. Coin, bank-notes, jewellery, precious stones, or other articles of value will not be received. The charges for the service, which range from ss. to £1 per annum, will be according to the thickness and the weight of the packages deposited. Sugar for Soldiers. During August, 1917, complaints reached the Department that parcels containing sugar addressed to persons in the United Kingdom were not being delivered. As no official intimation of any embargo had been received, the London Post Office was asked by cable on the sth September whether, in the event of the report being correct, an exception could be made in favour of New

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Zealand. On the 20th September a reply was received to the effect that the Royal Commission was unable to issue licenses for private importation of sugar from any quarter, and that no exception in favour of New Zealand could be made. On the 15th October the High Commissioner was requested to urge that small quantities of sugar addressed to soldiers and despatched before receipt of notice of prohibition be allowed delivery. On the 31st October he replied that he had secured the removal of the prohibition so far as it applied to gift parcels to soldiers in England and in France. Such packages and tins of condensed milk can be forwarded only by parcel-post. Tile War and the Department. Early in the war it was arranged for three free inquiries to be made by cable about the condition of soldiers officially reported to be sick or wounded, on application being made by the next-of-kin. The cable companies and the Pacific Cable Board transmitted the messages without charge. As the work of obtaining the reports is now undertaken by the Defence Department under a. new system, the arrangement with the cable companies was terminated from the Ist May, 1918. There is, however, to be no change in the acceptance of the,free inquiries from the public or supplying the information sought for. With the object of promoting economy in the matter of food-supplies and as a means of advertising the war loan, it was arranged for the post-marking machines at the principal postoffices to print on correspondence the following : — Food wins the War : Save it. Food moans Victory. Waste of Food moans Defeat. Invest in the War Loan. Buy War-loan Certificates. Your Money is required for tho War. It is holp'thcjWar^Loan. War Loans. The Department has continued without, intermission its work in connection with war loans, Since the date of the last report two loans have been placed in New Zealand —one in September, 1917, and the other in March, 1.918, and the sale of war-loan certificates has been steady throughout the intervening periods. The contributions received towards war loans by the Post Office now amount to £10,876,000, of which sum £3,955,000 represents the sale of war-loan certificates, and the balance Treasury bonds: The public has lodged in custody of the General Post Office certificates to tho value of ,£1,553,314. Many inquiries were made as to the custody of Treasury bonds. This is provided for by the safe-deposit system recently established at post-offices. Telegraphic Concessions to Patriotic Bodies. At the beginning of the war free telegraphic privileges were granted to the various Patriotic Societies in order that their work might be facilitated as much as possible. Recently the concession was withdrawn as not required generally. In lieu thereof the Central Advisory Board of the Patriotic Societies has been supplied by the Department of Internal Affairs with official postage-stamps to the value of £500 for distribution, at the Board's discretion, to approved societies. Postal and Telegraphic Concessions to Members of the Legislature. Members of the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council are now supplied with official postage-stamps up to the value of £24 and £12 per annum respectively. The stamps are provided to cover payments for postages, cable messages, inland telegrams, and telephone-bureau communications, and for the subscription due on a telephone-exchange connection held in the name of the member. The privileges of members of sending through the post free of charge baskets of books addressed to the Parliamentary Library, and of franking correspondence during the session with the franking-stamp in Parliament Buildings, still continue. Post Office. During 1917, Inspectors of Post-offices visited 2,723 offices, and permanent Postmasters inspected 41 non-permanent offices in their vicinity. Twenty-three post-offices were established and 56 closed. The number of post-offices open on the 31st December, 1917, was 2,346. The names of 4 offices were changed to meet local circumstances. The number of articles delivered in the Dominion, including those received from places beyond, during the year 1917, compared with the number in 1916, was as under : — 1917. 1910. Increase. Decrease. Letters and letter-cards.. 124,753,070 12.1,609,306 3,143,764 Post-cards .. .. 4,254,705 4,602,910 .. 348,205 Other articles .. .. 43,488,744 46,456,046 .. 2,967,302 Totals .. 172,496,519 172,668,262 Parcels .. .. 3,019,336 2,981,392 37,944

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The letters and letter-cards increased 259 per cent., post-cards decreased 756 per cent., other articles decreased 639 per cent., and parcels increased 1 "27 per cent. In 1916, letters and letter-cards increased 172 per cent., post-cards decreased 936 per cent., other articles decreased 427 per cent., and parcels increased 330 per cent. The average number of letters and letter-cards posted per unit of population during 19.17 was estimated at 11027. The average in 1916 was 10954. The declared value of par-eels received from places outside the Dominion in 11)17 was £580,126, as against £668,377 in .1.916. The Customs duty amounted to £107,432 15s. 3d. The declared value of parcels despatched to places beyond the Dominion in 1917 was £31,215, as against £39,133 in 1916. lla'i us of Postage for Packets and Parcels. On the 15th October, 1917, the rates of postage on inland packets (comprising commercial papers, books and printed papers, pattern ami sample packets, and unregistered magazines) were amended to for each 2 oz. or fraction thereof up to lib., and 2d. for each additional lib. up to 5 lb. The inland parcel rates were also altered to 4d. for the first pound and 2d. for each additional pound up to 6 lb., and Id. for each additional pound up to 28 lb. In regard to the rates on inland packets, a concession has been given in respect of commercial papers up to 2 oz. in weight, but the postage on inland packets above 12 oz. in weight has been slightly increased. The postage-rates on parcels up to 12 lb. in weight have been somewhat increased, but this was found necessary as the cost of handling had absorbed more than the postage collected for some years. A special rate of 6d. on inland fragile parcels has also become necessary owing to the heavy expenses incurred in tho conveyance of all parcels in hampers or boxes. It was found that in the case of light-weight bulky parcels the cost of conveyance far exceeded the postage. All inland parcels on which the " fragile " fee is not paid are now conveyed in bags. Dead and Missing Letters. There were 6,241 inquiries made during 1917 for postal packets alleged to have been posted and not delivered. In 3,695 of the inquiries—nearly three-fifths of the total number —the investigations made by the Department resulted in the missing articles being traced or accounted for. These may be summarized as follows : — Number of ... Traced Cases. Result " 831 .. .. Sender responsible for delay. 1,177 .. .. Addressee responsible for delay. 479 .. .. Post Office responsible for delay. 1,208 .. .. No delay, or responsibility not fixed. Total .. 3,695 The proportion of dead or unclaimed letters, letter-cards, and post-cards to the total number delivered within the Dominion was o'sl per cent. 296,472 letters (including letters addressed to soldiers and registered letters) were opened and returned to writers through the Dead Letter Office; 39,413 were returned unopened to other countries; 65,088 (including those addressed to soldiers) were reissued; 39.098 were destroyed; 212,568 were returned by Chief Postmasters to senders within New Zealand ; 13,790 were returned by Chief Postmasters to other countries: a total of 666,429 letters, as compared with 630,014 in 1916. 8,483 other articles were returned to foreign countries; 2,791 were returned to the senders through the Dead Letter Office, and 86,115 by Chief Postmasters; 13,625 were returned by Chief Postmasters to other countries : a, total of 111,014 other articles, as compared with 163,238 in 1916. 14,153 letters were wrongly addressed; 81 letters were discovered to have been posted with previously used stamps; 8,480 unclaimed registered letters were dealt with. 3,858 newspapers and 3,541 books and other articles without addresses were received, many of which were subsequently applied for and delivered. 17,628 newspapers were returned to publishers; 7,661 letters and 1,662 letter-cards were posted without addresses. 293 letters with libellous addresses were intercepted. Prohibited Correspondence. The correspondence of 21 persons or linns was prohibited transmission, under section 28 of the Post and Telegraph Act, 1908. Letters addressed to prohibited persons or firms withheld from delivery during the year numbered 223. Prohibition was withdrawn in the case of 4 persons. Under the authority of the regulations made under the War Regulations Act, 1914, postal packets were prohibited transmission to 40 persons or firms. Telegrams may not be transmitted to, or money-orders issued in favour of, such persons or firms. Newspapers. Twenty-one newspapers were registered for transmission by post, and 14 were removed from the register. Three magazines were registered, and 1 was removed from the register.

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Automatic Stamp and Post-card Vending-machines. Automatic stamp and post-card vending-machines are in use throughout the Dominion, and have proved themselves efficient and economical. With the curtailment of hours during which post-offices are open for the sale of stamps, &c, they will be found a still greater convenience. The patent rights of the stamp-vending machines for New Zealand have recently been purchased by the Department. Postage-stamps. The twopenny official stamp of the pictorial series was superseded by an overprinted King George stamp on the 20th April, 1917. The sixpenny and twopenny stamps of the King George series were overprinted and issued for use at Samoa on the sth May, 1917, and 14th February, 1918, respectively. As the various stamps in use in the Island dependencies of Niue, Aitutaki, and Penrhyn Island comprised three distinct issues, several denominations being of the New Zealand pictorial series of 1898, it was decided to bring them up to date by overprinting King George stamps. It was also decided to discontinue indicating the values in the respective native languages. The following stamps have accordingly already been issued: Aitutaki, 1 Jd., 3d., Is.; Niue, Id., IJd., 3d., and 2s. and ss. (New Zealand fiscal); Penrhyn Island, l|d., 6d., Is. Similar action is proposed with regard to the present issue of Cook Island stamps, which has now been in use since 1902. As soon as circumstances permit, arrangements will be made to replace the existing series with current stamps of the Dominion suitably overprinted. The denominations at sd. and 10d., which do not exist in the King George series, will be omitted from the new set. The new series will consist of the denominations |d., Id., l'Jd.', 2d., 2jd., 3d., id., 4|d., 6d., 7Jd., 9d., and Is. As the black colour of the l|d. postage-stamp does not show the obliterating-mark satisfactorily, it has been arranged to print the stamp in cadmium-brown colour. The change dates from the 11th September, 1908. Registered-letter Envelopes. As a consequence of war conditions the cost of manufacture of registered-letter envelopes has increased to such an extent that it was found necessary to increase the price at which the envelopes are retailed to the public. The small-sized in. by 3£ in.) registered-letter envelope was withdrawn from issue during the year, as the demand for it had ceased. Ocean Mail-services. Four bags of mails for the United Kingdom and two bags for Malta, despatched from Wellington on the 3rd and 10th May, 1917, were lost in the " Mongara," which was sunk at the entrance to Messina Harbour, in the Mediterranean Sea. The P. and 0. Company's " Mongolia," which was sunk off Bombay on the 23rd June', 1917, carried 925 bags of mail for New Zealand. These mails, all of which were lost, comprised letters awaiting despatch from London from the I.6th to the 31st May, and printed papers awaiting despatch from the 16th to the 30th May. The " Port Kembla," which left Melbourne on the 12th September, 1917, was sunk on the 19th idem by an explosion when near Cape Farewell. The mails on board included correspondence from Australia, India, Aden, South Africa, and a transport. None of the mails were recovered. The s.s. " Wimmera " left Auckland for Sydney on the 25th June, 1918. An external explosion occurred at 5 a.m. on the following day, and the vessel sank in ten minutes. The eighty-five bags of mail on board were lost. In accordance with the provisions of the additional war regulations made on the 9th January, 1917, the time of closing of oversea mails, and any particulars about the dates of sailing and the names of vessels carrying such mails, ceased to be published. Publication of the times of closing of mails only, without any reference to vessels, was resumed on the 7th February, 1918. On the 10th May, 1918, permission was given to advertise as freely as before the war the despatch of mails via Vancouver and San Francisco. San Francisco Service. This service has been carried out during the past year by the " Moana " and " Paloona," and until recently a fairly satisfactory time-table has been maintained. Vancouver Service. The Vancouver contract, which was due to expire in October, 1918, has been extended for a further twelve months. A satisfactory time-table has been observed by the " Niagara " and "Makura." Inland Mail-services. Inland mail-service contracts generally were due to expire on the 31st December, 1918. Owing to the abnormal conditions it was'decided to renew them if satisfactory arrangements could be made; and in accordance with this decision the greater number have been extended for a further period of one year, or two or three years. In cases in which contractors were not willing to accept a renewal, or in which their demands for additional subsidy were considered to be exorbitant, and in other special cases tenders .will be invited. Many mail contractors have joined the Expeditionary Force, and in every case a suitable arrangement has been made for the continuance of the service,

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Serious floods in Hawke's Bay in June, 1917, caused considerable damage to roads and railways, and in consequence a number of mail-services were temporarily suspended. On the 12th of the month, owing to a washout near Napier, mail communication between Wellington and Napier was interrupted. Owing to heavy floods the mail-services Kaikoura-Waiau and Kaikoura-Parnassus were suspended from the 13th to the 18tn September, 1917. In January, 1918, the coach running between Oturehua and Cambrian was wrecked. One bag of mail from St. Bathan's was lost. The s.s. " Himitangi," which had carried the mails between New Zealand and the Chatham Islands for a number of years, was wrecked at Chatham Islands on the 29th July, 1918. Of tho mails carried on the trip, those for Waitangi had been landed, but those for Kaingaroa, Owenga, and Pitt Island were lost. Buildings. New buildings were opened at the following places : Aria, Heretaunga, Horotiu, Piopio, Tauherenikau Military Camp, Te Karaka, Turua. The departmental buildings at Lumsden were destroyed by fire. All contents were saved. Money-orders. The money-order business for the year shows a decrease in the number of transactions and in the total of the amount remitted. Thirteen money-order offices were opened and 8 closed, leaving 809 offices open at the close of the year. The money-orders issued numbered 642,683, for a total of £3,476,645; those paid 550,921, for £3,130,574. The business with countries outside New Zealand also shows a decrease, the total amount sent abroad being £498,648, and the amount received from abroad £168,710. The total commission received for the transaction of money-order business amounted to £16,077. Postal Notes. The postal-note business shows a slight decrease; 2,166,597 postal notes, for- £638,246, were issued, and 2,150,613 were paid. On this business the commission of £9,326 was received. Twenty-one offices were opened and 13 closed, leaving 1,024 postal-note offices in operation at the end of the year. British Postal Orders. The number of British postal orders sold was 93,058, as compared with 108,612 for the previous year. The amount sent away by means of this very useful form of remittance was £55,481). The twenty-shilling and ten-shilling notes still continue to have the greatest sales. Savings-bank. The business of the Post Office Savings-bank again shows a remarkable increase in the excess of deposits over withdrawals. It amounted to no less than £2,645,360; and, in addition to this, there was credited to depositors' accounts an amount of £947,821 for interest. Thus the total amount at credit of depositors was increased during the year by £3,593,181. The total balance at credit of depositors on the 31st December, 1917, was £29,196,38!). These results are an indication of the unabated confidence reposed in the institution by the people of the Dominion. There were 13 new savings-bank offices opened during the year and 8 closed, leaving a total of 791 offices open. 82,200 new accounts were opened and 53,921 closed, leaving 566,351 still in operation at the end of the year. This gives a proportion of one account in every 203 of the population. Full particulars as to the numbers of deposits and withdrawals will be found in the tables. The total transactions show a material increase. The deposits reached a total of £17,106,529, and the withdrawals £14,461,169. The average deposit amounted to £14 2s. 3d., and the average withdrawal to £20 2s. 4d., while the average amount at credit of each depositor was £51 lis. If the total at credit were divided equally among the whole of the people, the amount at credit of each person would be £25 Bs. lOd. Fixed deposits, if part of a war fund within the War Funds Act, 1915, and exceeding £50 in amount, are accepted for a period of five years at 4 per cent, per annum. The working-expenses of the Savings-bank amounted to 3'97d. per transaction, which gives a cost per cent, on the total amount at credit of depositors of O'll per £100. The system of nomination by depositors in favour of relatives wdio receive moneys at their credit in case of death is steadily growing in favour. During the year 301 nominations were made. The system of transfer of accounts between the Dominion and the United Kingdom resulted in £12,551 being transferred to the United Kingdom and £3,251 to New Zealand. A similar arrangement with the Australian Savings-banks resulted in £26,286 being transferred to Australia and £31,810 to New Zealand. Work performed for other Departments. The scope of the Department's usefulness to the State is constantly being widened, and there are very few services under State control for which the Post Office is not in some measure the agent dealing directly with the public,

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Among the many branches of work undertaken during the year those deserving of particular mention are Customs duties collected of a total amount of £97,723, and for the same Department £15,132 for beer duty. The agencies for the State Advances, Public Trust, and Government Insurance Departments lead to a vvvy large amount of business. The amount received for the State Advances reached a total of £1,444,137, for the Public Trustee £1,047,408, and for the Government Insurance £268,255; while the amounts paid were £1,461,323 for the State Advances and £1,041,870 for the Public Trustee. Land and income taxes may be paid al any money-order office; and the total amount of these taxes received during the year was £3,761,895. For the Valuation Department fees amounting to £7,041 were collected. A very large number of claims chargeable to the appropriations made by Parliament are paid through the medium of the Post Office on behalf of the Treasury. Last year the amount so paid in cash was £5,775,145. For the Pensions Department £564,183 was paid on account of old-age pensions, £47,293 on account of military pensions, £49,628 on account of widows' pensions, £377,291 on account of war pensions, and £1.1,816 on account of miners' pensions. Contributions to the National Provident Fund collected by Postmasters amounted to £28,920. £215,853 was paid out on behalf of the Public Service Superannuation Fund, and £71,202 on behalf of the Teachers' Superannuation Fund. Among the items which do not bulk largely with regard to amount but involve numerous transactions may be mentioned the sale of fishing licenses, to the value of £1,303, and game licenses, £3,837; machinery- and boiler-certificate fees collected, £11,549; mining'licenses, £190; and sanatorium receipts, £1,822. On behalf of the British Government £30,167 was paid to Imperial pensioners resident in New Zealand. For the registration of births, deaths, and marriages and the performance of the marriage ceremony Postmasters collected £2,714. Discount stamps valued at £582 and numbering 558,720 were sold, but the popularity of these stamps seems to be steadily diminishing,,the sales being practically confined to Wellington. The work performed in connection with the payment of allotments made by members of the New Zealand military Forces has assumed very large proportions, the number of payments made reaching the large total of 753,632, of an amount of £3,455,333. Some idea of the other services performed may be obtained from the balance-sheet of the Post Office Account. Telegraphs. The telegraph revenue shows a marked increase, which is due principally to two causes —(1) the increased telegraph rates which are in force, and (2) payments received from the Defence Department on account of the immense amount of work performed for that Department. The grand total of the telegraph revenue, including telephone exchanges and miscellaneous receipts, amounted to £861.233, equivalent to an increase of almost T97 per cent. If to this be added the value of "free" Government telegrams, the total amounts to £868,182. The payments made on account of these services amounted to £803,691, an increase equal to about 1524 per cent. The expenditure for salaries is below normal on account of the large number of officers at the war who are replaced by temporary and other lower-paid officers. There is still a steadily increasing number of bureau communications, the number having increased from 4,382,823 to 5,040,672, an increase of 657,849. The number of telegrams increased from 5,742,739 to 5,828,198, an increase of 85,459. The total number of offices open on the 31st March was 2,371. Of these, 335 are Morse telegraph-offices and 2,036 telephone-offices. From the 535 private wires and subsidized lines the amount of rent and maintenance received was £3,540. The various telegraph tables give full particulars with reference to telegrams handled. The total number of all codes dealt with was 11,624,720, an increase of 749,600 over the previous year. The proportion of paid telegrams per unit of population was 1003. While ordinary telegrams show the increase in number already referred to, the revenue therefrom increased by £1.4,687. Urgent ordinary telegrams show an increase of 67,074, the increase of revenue being £9,927. The number of Press telegrams fell from 304,1.92 to 270,352, and the revenue derived therefrom fell from £25,373 to £24,092. The bureau business, in addition to showing an increase in number, gave a greater revenue by £24,571. At the same time the average value of each bureau message increased from 6'B9d. to 7'l6d. The Government messages for which no payment was received totalled during the year 114,010. Their value at ordinary rates amounted to £6,949. The number of paid telegrams forwarded amounted to B'9 messages for every 100 letters posted in New Zealand. The maintenance of existing telegraph arid inter-urban telephone lines has been given careful attention during the year, the number of miles overhauled or reconstructed in each Telegraph Engineer's district being as follows: Auckland, 389 miles; Wellington, 860 miles; Canterbury, 40 miles; Otago, 183 miles; Nelson, 263 miles. The very difficult work of restoring communication with Puysegur Point was successfully accomplished.

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Owing to increase in business, four offices were converted from telephone to Morse, and in four other cases where the business did not justify the retention of Morse instruments the offices were converted from Morse to telephone. The total number of telegraph instrument sets of all classes in use in the Dominion is 867. The use of Morse repeating sets has been further extended during the year, and a satisfactory saving in staff has resulted therefrom. The length of telegraph and telephone line and wire on the 31st March, 1917 and 191.8 respectively, was as follows :—

A trunk telephone circuit, between Dunedin and Christchurch has been completed and brought into use. The total length of telephone circuits derived by phantom working over ordinary telephone metallic circuits is now 1,878 miles, and the total length of telegraph circuits obtained by super imposed Morse working over telephone circuits is 7,678 miles,. In pursuance of the Department's policy of instituting direct telegraph working between distant centres wherever possible, instead of the traffic being handled at one or more intermediate offices, repealers have been installed at Nelson, through which the Wanganui office Works direct with Christchurch. Repeaters are also installed at Wanganui, so that in case of need for an additional outlet Auckland, Napier, Wellington, and Palmerston North may work through Wanganui direct with the South Island. In the matter of the sale by the Department of second-hand wire, it was arranged that the needs of returned soldiers who require fencing-wire for their own use arc to be given first consideration. The wire is very suitable for fencing purposes. During the year proceedings were taken under section 147 of the Post and Telegraph Act, 1908, against a person who presented a telegram addressed to himself at another place, and signed, without authority, with the name of a merchant, to the effect that a certain commodity had fallen considerably in price. The telegram was fraudulent, and the sender was convicted and fined. New Zealand Submarine-cable Seevice. The negotiations which had been in progress for the transfer of the terminus of the Eastern Extension Company's cables from Wakapuaka to Wellington were completed during the year, and direct communication between Wellington and Sydney was established on the 23rd May, 191.7. The buildings at Cable Bay which have been in use as a cable station were handed over to the Public Works Department. During tho year an additional cable, 42 knots in length, was laid across Cook Strait from Titahi Bay to Dieffenbach Point (Queen Charlotte Sound). The length of submarine cable for the Dominion now totals 416 knots. Three faults occurred in the Cook Strait cables during the year, and.were; repaired. The Centre Island - Colac Bay cable is still out of action. Satisfactory arrangements having been made with the Pacific Cable Board for the repair of the Department's submarine cables. The s.s. " Tutanekai " was no longer required for the work, and from the 2nd November, 1917, the vessel was retransferred to the control of the Marino Department. Ocean Cable Services. The cable business during the year shows an increase in the traffic, and also discloses the fact that the Pacific.route, which in the previous year took 71 per cent, of the ordinary outward business, received 63 per cent., while the Eastern Company's proportion of the business increased from 29 per cent, to 37 per cent. The following table tshows tho total number of ordinary telegrams forwarded by each route during each of the past five years, and the percentages of tho total of such business falling to each : — Pacific. Eastern.- -,» Percentage , r ~.' Percentage Year. Messages. „£ Year. Messages. ()f 1913-14 .. .. 104,638 73 1913-14 .. ... 38,023 27 1914-15 .. .. 106,018 74 1914-15 .. .. 37,446 26 1915-16 .. .. 114,151 67 1915-16 .. .. 56,684 33 1916-17 .. .. 114,718 71 1916-17 .. .. 47,790 29 1917-1.8 .. .. 114,046 63 1917-18 .. .. 66,318 37 The number of international cable messages forwarded during the year shows an increase of 2059 per cent, on the number sent during 1016-17, and the number forwarded to Australia shows an increase of I'o7 per cent.

Mil is of Pole Li: e. Miles of Wire. Year ended 31st March, 1917. Year ended 81st March, 1918. Increase. Year ended Year ended 31st March, 31st March, 1917. 1918. Increase. 'elegraph and inter-urban telephone 'elephone-exchange plant 18,566* 3,897 13,687 4,403 121 506 49,608*' 50,291 142,469 j 154,799 683 12,330 Totals 17,463 18,090 627 192,077 I 205,090 13,013 * Amend led figures.

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Messages received from international stations increased by 3242 per cent., and there was a decrease of 287 per cent, ill the traffic, received from Australia. 230 Press telegrams were sent via Pacific and 1,316 via Eastern, compared with 492 and 1,123 respectively last year. The number of cable messages sent as " deferred " during the year shows all increase of 59 per oent. over the previous year's figures. The number of week-end and Expeditionary Force messages forwarded from New Zealand shows a decrease of 1577 per cent.; the total number of messages for the years 1917-18 and 1916-17-was 23,818 and 28,277 respectively. During the year 1917—18 the number of free casualty remittance messages forwarded was 2,730, representing (>•">,7(>M words, and the payment by the Department lo the Atlantic cable companies amounted In £664 .~>s. For 1917-18 the number of casualty messages (messages regarding the condition of wounded or sick soldiers) forwarded via. Pacific, was 108, containing 12,311 words, and the number received 723, containing 27!),285 words. Wireless Telegraphy. The live-wireless stations of the Dominion continue to work satisfactorily. The volume of traffic is not great, owing to the exigencies of (he limes. Attentive watch is kept at all the stations lo nice! any shipping emergencies that may arise. The erection of a wireless station at Karotonga was completed, and the lirsl official message sent on the 2nd September, 1918. The Apia station is generally in good condition, and maintains touch with the Awanui Station, north of Auckland. In regard to the improved methods of detecting wireless signals referred to in the last report, by which the area from which signals can be received has been greatly extended, patent litigation in the United Stales has established I lie fad that the apparatus there mentioned is thai invented by Dr. Fleming, of the Marconi (' pany. On the 21st February, 1918, Captain I'eicival Henry Hall-Thompson, Government Naval .Adviser, was by warrant appointed by the Minister of Telegraphs to take possession of all apparatus for wireless telegraphy on board any foreign merohant ship or any British merchant ship nol registered in New Zealand, while in the territorial waters of New Zealand, and by warrant daled the (illi March. L9lB, was given similar authority with respect In ships- registered in New Zealand. This action was taken as it was considered desirable in the public interest to transfer to the naval authority Hie control of all wireless traffic in New Zealand during the time of war. Such control has been virtually in existence since the outbreak of the war. Regulations for the control of wireless-telegraph stations on merchant ships while in New Zealand waters were issued by Captain Hall-Thompson on the 9th March, and gazetted on the 14th March, 1918. As far as. shore stations are concerned, they remain under the administrative control of the Post and Telegraph Department, and carry out their work in accordance with the requests of the naval authority. Telephone Exchanges: The expansion of the telephone-exchange system continued steadily throughout the year. Thirteen new exchanges were opened, and the number of subscribers increased by 4,415 and connections by 5,240. The total number of exchanges is 280, of which 62 are central exchanges— i.e., self-contained—and 218 suli exchanges. The total number of connections of all kinds amounts to 67,763, of which 53,501 are directpaying connections, 10,567 extensions, and 3,695 bureau and service connections. The increase in the conned ions during the year amounted to B'3B per cent. The telephone-exchange system includes 4,403 miles of line and 154,799 miles of wire. The total revenue received was £344,368, an increase of £27,093 on last year's figures. The conversion of earth-working exchanges to metallic circuit is steadily proceeding, and 20 exchanges have been changed to the latter system during the year. Of the existing exchanges, 228 are on the metallic circuit system, II on the single-line system, and 8 are in course of conversion from single line to metallic. , ( The party-line system has been effective in greatly extending the radius of subscribers lines and in reaching country settlers. Its popularity and success have been maintained, and resulted in the opening of several new exchanges and the extension of others. There are now 3,749 partyline circuits, with a total of 12,786 subscribers, an increase in this particular branch of exchange work of 600 lines and 2,125 subscribers. The proportion of exchange connections of all kinds to the population of the Dominion on the 31s1 March, 1918, was 609 per cent. The percentages in each of the four principal centres are as follows: Wellington, 856; Auckland, 617j Christchurch, 685; Dunedin, 7"33. The number of telephone connections at the ten principal telephone exchanges on the 31st March. L9lB, was as follows : Auckland, 8,246; Wellington. 8,169 j Christchurch, 6,366; Dunedin, 5,148; Wanganui, 1,790; Gisborne, 1,785; Napier. 1,627; Hastings, 1,561; Invercargill, 1,527; Palmerston North, 1,362. Automatic-telephone Installations. At Wellington the Courtenay Place Exchange, with equipment for 2,500 lines, is expected to be completed in a few months. Wellington South Exchange is also well advanced. The quantity of material now wanting for these exchanges is small, and is expected early. When

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these exchanges are brought into service considerable relief to Hie operating staff will result, and if will become practicable to accept connections that have had to be refused for some months in the southern portion of the city. Portion of the apparatus for the Stout Street main exchange has arrived. Arrangements are being made for the erection of the necessary building. Buildings at Kelburn and Khandallah to accommodate exchange equipments at those places will be put in hand during the year. Masterton Exchange is nearing completion. It is expected that it will be in operation in a few months. Blenheim : Only a small quantity of apparatus has now to arrive for this exchange. With thai exception the equipment is installed. When it will be finished depends on the time of arrival of the rest of the material. Palmerston North : The switch-room and other rooms to accommodate the automatic equipment have been ready for some time. About half of the equipment has arrived. The outside plant is being converted to provide for metallic circuit. Wanganui : A contract has been let for the erection of a new exchange building to accommodate an automatic installation. The Strowger system has been adopted for this exchange. A large quantity of material and the telephones are to hand, and a start will be made-to install the apparatus as soon as the building is ready. Auckland District : At Ponsonby, Remuera, and Mount Eden the bulk of the equipment has been installed in suitable buildings, and the work is still going on. A contract has been let for the Wellesley Street combined post-office and automatic-exchange building. A large quantity of automatic material has arrived. Its installation will begin when the buildingis ready. Sections have been secured at Devonport and Takapuna upon which suitable buildings will be provided. The Onehunga apparatus will be housed in the post-office building. At Hamilton the bulk of the apparatus is in place. Some has still to arrive to complete the equipment. This is one of the exchanges that may be expected to be brought into operation in a few months. For Christchurch 1,200 lines of Strowger equipment have been obtained, and will be installed in a, building a short distance from the existing exchange. This is to enable business to be carried on until the Western Electric Company's apparatus for St. Albans and Sydenham Exchanges is received, installed, and ready to operate. Alterations are being made to the large upstairs room of the Sydenham Post-office to render it suitable for the equipment. At. Dunedin apparatus has not yet come to hand for the buildings at South Dunedin and Roslyn, which are ready. It is expected about the end of the year. The Oamaru installation is well advanced, and the work is still in progress. A portion of the post-office building has been used to accommodate the equipment. Telephones of the Western Electric system have not yet been received. It is expected, however, that sufficient will be received early to enable exchanges that are nearing completion to be brought into service. The delays that have occurred in the delivery of goods for these works are attributable to the war. Slot Telephones. During the year twenty-five new slot-telephone installations have been made, bringing the total number in the Dominion up to 261. It is found that wherever these instruments are erected in business centres the revenue pays the expenses of management and upkeep, while the reverse is usually the case in purely residential areas. During the year the Department has experienced considerable trouble owing to wilful damage and to disregard of the instructions by the users of machines. The type of machine is being altered to a uniform design as rapidly as circumstances will permit. Generally, the slot machines have proved to be not. only a great public convenience, but a very considerable success. The total revenue derived from them during the year amounted to .£11,264, an increase of £2,371 over the previous year.

12

13

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APPENDIX.

DESIGNATION OF OFFICES CHANGED OR CORRECTED.

INLAND MAIL-SERVICES ESTABLISHED.

Postal District. Changed from Changed to Blenheim kelson Waitaria... Croixelles Motueka Wharf ... Maranui ... Waitaria Bay. Oroisilles. ... Port Motueka. Lyall Bay. Wellington

District. Name of Service. Frequency, Auckland Onehunga Wharf-C.P.O., Auckland Onerahi Wharf -Onerahi Post-office Raurimu Railway-station-Post-office Hamilton (delivery of parcels) Kaipara Plats Post-office Railway-station Okahukura Post-office- Railway-station Okoroire Rangitinuku (rural delivery) Waharoa Wardville (rural delivery) Tauhoa Hoteo Bridge (rural delivery) As required. >> j? Daily. )) >> 33 Mititai-Okehu A point near Marua-Matapouri Kaawa - Glen Murray .. Oparau - Okupata Road Cabbage Bay-Poihakene Cambridge - Frankton Junction Mangapai Wharf - Waikiekie Mangatawhiri-Kaiaua Oruru-Paranui Owhango - Oio Road (rural delivery) Rangiahua-Umawera Te Waitere - Waerengahou Waioteniarama - Junction of Main Road .. Hapuku- Chisnall's Homestead (rural delivery) Ashburton Post-office-Railway-station Spotswood Post-office-Railway-station Pembroke-Glendhu Tarras - Lindis Pass 33 Thrice weekly in summer ; twice weekly in winter Ditto. Twice weekly. 3) Weekly. m j, )) >> ,, (one way only) j) Blenheim Christchurch 33 Thrice weekly. Four times daily. Daily. Weekly. Weekly (1st May to 31st October). Twice daily. Daily. Four times weekly. Dunedin Gisborne Te Karaka Post-office - Railway-station Waerengaahika Post-office - Railway-station Kahukura - Port Awanui Ruatorea-Tuparoa Waitakaro Post-office - Coach Road Te Puia Springs - Tinaaruhe Waimata Valley - Arakihi Road Blackball- Roa • .. Jackson's Hokitika .. ... Riverside-Waikaia Wi nton-TTedgchope Chasland's-Waipati Gore-Waikaka Porangahau-Manawaangiangi Settlement.. Ruakituri - Te Reinga Kohuratahi Post-office - Railway-station .. Eltham-Rotokari Elttam Rawhitiroa (rural delivery) 33 Greymouth Hokitika Invercargill Weekly. 33 Daily. Twice weekly. Thrice weekly. Napier Twice weekly. 33 New Plymouth Weekly. As required. Daily. 33

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14

INLAND MAIL-SERVICES ESTABLISHED— continued.

SUBSIDIZED SEA MAIL-SERVICES. The several subsidized sea mail-services, the subsidy-payments for the year ended 31st December, 1917, the dates when established, and the date on which each terminates are shown below :—

District. Name of Service. Frequency. New Plymouth Eltham Te Roti (rural delivery) New Plymouth Iluirangi Kaimiri Egniont Village Oamaru .. Island Cliff Railway-station Thames .. Omaia Beach - Post-office Paengaroa - Mount Maunganui Kopuarahi Post-office- Wharf Waihi -Maungapuke Kutarere—Waiotahi .. ... Opotiki llaupoto .. Wanganui '.. Junction Ohura and Erua Roads - Duncan's Waverley—Junction of Mataimoana and Moeawatea Roads Mataimoana Post-office .Junction of Mataimoana and Moeawatea Roads Turakina Post-office - Turakina South Post-office Wellington .. Greytown Post-office - Matarawa Ohau Post-office —Railway-station Westport .. Umere-Karamca Daily. Tlirice weekly. Weekly. Twice daily. As required. Four times daily. Daily. Thrice weekly. Weekly. 3) 33 Twice weekly. As required. Weekly.

Service. Annual Subsidy or Payineut. Duration of Service. Number of Voyages When When terminated jj»* m established. termi uable. Mileage for Complete Voyage. Cost per Mile. Luckland and Great Barrier .uckland, Whangaroa, and Mangonui )argaville and Kuawai iargaville and Tangiteroria lelensville and Matakohe lelensville and Dargaville loreke, Kohukohu, Rawene, Koutu, R>mgi Point, Opononi, and Omapere Iffices in Whangarei Harbour tawene and Horeke .. ■ .. I,ussell and Opua lew Zealand - San Francisco few Zealand - Vancouver Vellington, Wakatahuri, Homowood (and other offices), and Havelock 'icton, offices in Sounds, and Havelock 'ioton, Grove Wharf, Te Awaite, and Resolution Bay 'ioton and Portage 'ortage and Kenepuru Head •ort Nelson and Waikawa Bay .. Jgakuta, Hakahaka, Kakapo Bay, Ocean Bay, Robin Hood Bay, and Blenheim 'ortage and Crail Bay 'ort Nelson and Groieilles Vaitai and French Pass Wellington or Lyttelton and Ghatham Islands (including . Pitt Island) Huff and Half-moon Bay (tug) .. iluff and Half-moon Bay (schooner) I £ s. d. 250 0 0 120 0 0 140 0 0 198 0 0 150 0 0 1,000 0 0 200 0 0 150 0 0 32 0 0 110 0 0 25,000 0 0 20.000 0 0 460 0 0 410 0 0 208 0 0 72 0 0 90 0 0 25 0 0 77 10 0 105 0 0 110 0 0 36 0 0 500 0 0 300 0 0 26 0 0 Oct., 1891 Dec, 1918 j 52 Nov., 1907 Dec, 1918 52 Jan., 1916 Dec, 1918 . 312 Nov., 1893 Dec, 1918 200 Jan., 1881 Dec, 1918 ! 104 Jan., 1881 Dec, 1918 | 312 Jan., 1889 Dec, 1918 i 156 Sept., 1912 Dec, 11)18 150 Jan., 1916 Dec, 1918 '' 52 Jan., 1889 Dec, 1918 312 Oct., 1910 June, 1919 13 Aug., 1911 Sept., 1919 13 Dec, 1891 Dec, 1918 26 Jan., 1907 Dec, 1918 20 124 308 40 62 116 128 52 22 .9 8 12,180 12,000 300 330 s. d. 0 9'31 0 1-58 0 2-70 0 2-95 0 2-98 0 6-01 0 5-92 0 8-18 1 4-43 0 10-58 8 1-89 2 6-16 1 2-15 0 11-47 Jan., 1913 Dec, 1918 156 88 0 3-04 Jan., 1913 Dec, 1918 312 Jan., 1913 Dec, 1918 I 104 Jan., 1913 Doc, 1918 20 April, 1911 Dec, 1918 I 52 14 46 62 86 0 3-96 0 4-51 0 3-72 0 4-10 Jan., 1910 Dec, 1918 j 52 Jan., 1904 Dec, 1918 > 52 June, 1914 Dec, 1918 52 Sept., 1913 6 106 01 24 1,050 0 7-18 0 8-32 0 6-92 1 7-05 July, 1880 Dec, 1918 I 52 Mar., 1910 Dec, 1918 I 52 44 44 2 7-47 0 2-73

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15

CABLE BUSINESS. Hereunder are shown the number and value of cable messages forwarded from New Zealand during the financial year 1917-18, in comparison with the figures for 1916-17 : —

The Dominion's outward International and Australian cable business, excluding Press, for the same two years was as follows : — International. Number of Value. Messages. £ 1917-18 ... ... ... 99,585 ... ... 140,21.3 1916-17 ... ... ... 82,582 ... ... 100,752 Increase 17,003 = 20-59 per cent. 39,461 = 39-17 percent. Australian. Number of Value. Messages. £ 1917-18 ... ... ... 80,779 ... ... 21,601 1916-17 ... ... ... 79,926 ... ... 20,716 Increase 853 = 1-07 per cent. 885 = 4-27 per cent. There was a total increase of 17,856 messages, and an increase in value of £40,346,

Via Pacific. Ordinary. iary. Prei IB. Destination. Number of Messages. Value. Value. Number of Messages. Value. i £ £ 78,061 14,085 £ 301 54 International. . Australian ... 60,662 78,061 ... 53,384 14,085 112 118 Totals for 1917-18 ... 114,046 I 92,146 92,146 230 355 Totals for 1910 17 ... ... 114,718 80,553 492 384 Vta Eastern. . Destination. Ordinary. Number of 1 ya , ue Messages. Press. Number of T , , Messages. Value ' International... Australian c ..; ... 38,923 62,152 ... 27,395 7,516 £ 42 58 1,274 590 Totals for 1917-18 ... 66,318 69,668 66,318 69,668 —I I 1,316 648 Totals for 1916-17 ... 47,790 40,915 47,790 40,915 —i 1,423 892 I

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16

RECEIVED CABLES. The number of cable messages received in New Zealand during the years 1917-18 and 1916-17, exclusive of Press, was as follows: — Via Pacific. International. Australian. 1917-18 ... ... ... ... ... 41,873 43,812 .1916-17 ... ... ... ... ... 61,234 47,168 Decrease... ... ... ... 19,361 Decrease 3,356 Via Eastkrn. International. Australian. 1917-18 ... ... ... ... ... 84,257 33,189 1916-17 ... ... ... ... ... 34,021 32,105 Increase ... ... ... ... 50,236 Increase 1,084

PRESS. The forwarded and received cable Press business for the past five years was, —

RADIO-TELEGRAMS. The radio business transacted by the New .Zealand Coast Stations during the years 1917-1918 and 1916-1917 was as follows :—

r The number of radio messages shows a decrease of 5-53 and 673 per cent, on the forwarded and received traffic respectively. The amount earned by New Zealand shows a decrease of 4-67 per cent, on the forwarded traffic, and an increase of 4-95 per cent, on the received traffic.

Forwarded. Recei Received. ived. Year. Nui iber of Words. Numr. Value. — Messages. Number of ber of Words. Messages. .913-14 914-15 915-16 .916-17 .917-18 .. 3,846 .. 2,732 ., 2,505 .. 1,9151,546 3,846 2,732 2,505 1,915 ■ 1,546 455,175 212,120 201,665 • 161,923 129,162 1 £ 2,729 1,390 1,384 1,276 1,003 6,212 i 8,056 9,739 8,112 I 6,763 i 621,923 796,352 967,485 851,087 679,710

Fa •warded. Received 1917-18 1916-17 Year. Number of Messages. Words. 2,851 60,393 3,018 63,872 Amount earned by ' New Zealand. \Dtal Value. Number of Amount earned by New Zealand. Messages. Words. £ 1,347 1,413 £ 3,082 3,023 | 4,338 4,651 4,338 4,651 73,050 73,149 £ 1, 781 1,697 167 ! 3,479 Decrease.'Decrease. 66 Decrease. 59 313 Increase. Decrease. 99 Decrease. 84 Increase.

17

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Table No. 1. Table showing the Number and Amount of Money-orders issued and of Money-orders payable in New Zealand since the Year 1863.

3-F. 1.

Issued vn the Dominion. Where payable. Year. Commission received. In the Dominion. United Kingdom.* A j ,s . tra , li * and other British Possessions. Foreign C ,— Countries. Total. No. Amount. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. No. Amount. 1863 £ 1,057 2,201 £ 9,614 4,74° £ 21,944 48,548 4,645 6,150 £ 24,145 £ 11,586 £ 55,703 1873 3,562 34,288 142,642 ",9I3 28,068 52,351 219,258 1883 9,023 132,232 402,559 26,211 9 r ,634 14,"3 46,940 172,556 54 I ,'33 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 10,249 10,601 11,434 12,671 13,836 14,747 15,533 16,513 17,519 14,916 15,882 16,385 17,073 18,279 18,847 12,556 13,783 14,300 15,307 16,399 16,872 16,336 15,819 16,966 16,077 146,133 155,534 162,600 ! 181,505 '■ 193.867 i 206,265 221,354 239,565 255.344 1 258,110 i 273.535 1 281,655 ] 287,394 l 301,650 305,424 338,752 383,283 : 4*3,3*4 444,169 ! 493.345 ■ 516.536 : 536,674 : 511,487 ! 520,476 ; 508,209 : 576,359 608,042 635,063 717,218 762,593 798,726 864,513 951,860 1,002,057 1,014,724 1,108,067 1,148,226 1,189,386 1,312,271 1,389,800 1,611,968 1,841,030 1,981,877 2,262,366 2,702,469 2,821,624 2,933,9" 2,986,021 3,108,197 2,977,997 29,616 28,513 28,882 29,238 31,770 35,377 38,528 40,925 45,701 53,9io 63,309 60,490 57.4M 60,120 58,565 67,384 74,893 79,651 88,364 98,452 100,634 87,774 81,483 60,876 54,852 86,545 79,349 78,465 82,499 93,649 107,140 122,064 122,935 125,549 '38,755 157,790 165,245 177,610 186,903 193,356 226,409 256,804 273,449 289,857 322,037 336,992 299,155 263,371 214,254 216,835 35,208 38,631 52,015 58,823 68,002 76,728 84,782 89,344 104,922 55,187 59,468 65,638 72,633 77,250 77.498 81,948 80,564 76,692 75.231 74,628 73.575 67,070 71,890 70,817 63,662 88,025 89,393 99,077 102,443 114,589 123,375 132,231 140,058 158,902 123,580 150,368 163,416 174,716 187,058 190,434 212,308 209,759 202,197 207,170 206,843 199,158 !94>439 222,426 221,700 212,144 210,957 222,678 243,497 269,566 293.659 318,370 344.664 369,834 405,967 367,207 396,312 407,783 417,441 439,020 441,487 488,084 538,740 569,657 607,764 666,425 690,745 691,518 664,860 669,355 642,683 750,929 776,783 812,605 902,160 970,831 1,029,241 1,118,808 1,214,853 1,286,508 1,277,059 1,416,225 1,476,887 i,54i,7i2 1,686,231 I.773.59I 2,050,684 2,307.593 2,457.523 2,759.393 3.231,350 3,357,774 3,427,505 3,471,818 3,607,087 3,476,645 17,186 15,960 62,936! 69,669t rawn m t, ;e Domii ■ion. Where issuei Total. Year. j No. In the Dominion. Amount. United Kingdom." No. Amount. Australia and other British Possessions. No. ' Amount. Foreign Countries. No. Amount. No. Amount. 1863 2,067 £ 9,169 415 £ 1,824 558 £ 3.078- £ £ 14,071 3,040 1873 34,288 142,642 1,482 6,626 1,668 7,689 37,438 156.957 1883 132,232 402,559 3,725 15,553 5,697 23,3°° 141,654 441.4" 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 I9I.5 1916 1917 146,13.3 155,534 162,600 181,505 193,867 206,265 221,354 239,565 255.344 258,110 273,535 281,655 287,394 301,650 305,424 338,752 383,283 4'3,3I4 444,169 493,345 516,536 536,674 5",487 520,476 508,209 576,359 608,042 635,063 717,218 762,593 798,726 864,513 951,860 1,002,057 1,014,724 1,108,067 1,148,226 1,189,386 1,312,271 1,389,800 i,6n ,968 i,841,030 1,981,877 2,262,366 2,702,469 2,821,624 2,933.9" 2,986,021 3,108,197 2,977,997 8,746 9,293 9,938 10,254 10,085 10,671 10,624 10,342 11,082 n,732 r 3,035 ".567 10,338. 10,314 10,315 10,970 11,783 ",954 11,866 13,195 12,693 ",439 r 2,409 8,337 6,872 32,617 33,787 35,155 35,553 35,239 36,106 37,290 36,014 40,022 41,371 49,181 45,793 47,649 50,560 55,032 58,500 61,290 63,196 65,074 72,743 70,084 60,324 58,189 39,908 34,973 10,679 10,690 ",520 11,507 11,407 12,753 13,399 15,271 16,688 16,527 17.777 19,277 19,669 20,462 21,697 21,886 . 23,592 24,172 27,561 30,266 31,450 30,974 30,356 35,800 36,97 8 40,929 38,571 39,863 40,836 40,105 44.559 48,534 59,304 63,800 62,160 68,340 71,824 72,438 75,092 77,118 80,500 82,410 82,501 97,532 100,831 110,487 110,032 107,510 128,370 123,390 " 165,558 175,517 184,058 203,266 215.359 229,689 245.377 265,178 283,114 286,369 304,347 312,499 317,401 332,426 337,436 371,608 418,658 449,440 48.3,596 536,806 560,679 579,087 554.252 567,058 554,37° 049,905 680,400 710,081 793,608 837.93D 879.391 950.337 1,047,179 1,105,879 1,118,254 1,225,589 1,265,844 1.309.473 1,437,922 i.52i,95i 1,750,968 1,984,730 2,127,575 2,424,973 2,876,044 3,002,194 3,104,268 3,151,720 3,287,162 3,146,708 .. 2.445 110,587+2,311 10,348! * Includes foreign offices io year 1915. \ In previous years included in United Kingdom and foreign offices.

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18

Table No. 2. Table showing the Money-orders issued in New Zealand on Offices beyond the Dominion, and Money-orders issued at Offices beyond the Dominion on New Zealand, during the Years 1916 and 1917.

r SX1Wl vn New Kit land. 1916. 1917. Where payable. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. United Kingdom and Foreign Offices through United Kingdom United States of America Austria Canada Ceylon Fiji .. France Germany Hong Kong India New South Wales Norway Queensland Samoa South Australia Straits Settlements Tasmania Tonga Union of South Africa Victoria Western Australia 62,100 15,302 1,650 358 364 461 613 1 ,655 33,348 139 2,503 £ 220,154 54,488 9,498 1,784 1,979 1,587 2,646 13,577 95,439 962 8,925 55,874 14,585 1,448 292 455 271 452 1,754 29,778 82 2,146 £ 221,971 63,551 7,111 1,865 2,641 723 1,911 18,686 90,365 259 7,598 1 ,745 29 4,295 45 540 21,180 2,492 5,765 77 12,943 197 2,681 59,747 6,441 1,538 30 3,528 114 503 19,440 2,184 5,426 112 11,358 688 2,288 56,715 5,380 Totals 134,474 498,648 1.48,879 498,890 Drawn on New Zealand. 1910. 1917. Where issued. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. United Kingdom and Foreign Offices through United Kingdom United States of America Austria Canada Ceylon Fiji .. Prance Germany Hong Kong India New South Wales Norway Queensland .. .. Samoa South Australia Straits Settlements Tasmania Tonga Union of South Africa Victoria WesternJAustralia 8,553 £ 40,965 6,991 £ 35,650 2,151 9,224 2,158 9,520 823 33 906 59 2,852 99 5,004 259 738 52 956 23 2,653 175 5,946 110 60 263 16,357 19 2,860 351 1,189 51,241 47 8,576 36 214 17,567 II 2,898 62 897 54,139 40 8,711 1,260 29 2,008 586 354 8,731 1,530 6,519 96 8,388 9,642 2,133 26,798 5,482 1,437 20 2,003 378 344 8,736 1,599 4,714 72 8,160 3,118 1,996 26,852 5,895 Totals 46,582 178,865 46,161 168,710

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Table No. 3. Table showing the Number and Value of Postal Notes sold from 1st January, 1886— the Date upon which they were first issued— to 31st March, 1918.

19

Number of Postal Notes sold. Total. Year. At Is. At Is. 6d. At 2s. At 2s. 6d. At 3s. At 5s. At 7s. 6d. At 10s. At 12s. 6d. At 15s. At 17s. 6d. At £1. At £5.* Number. Value. Quarter ended Mar. 31.1886 1886-87 1887-88 1888-89 1889-90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 1900-1901 1901-1902 1902-1903 1903-1904 1904-1905 1905-1906 1906-1907 1907-1908 1908-1909 1909-1910 1910-1911 1911-1912 1912-1913 .. 1913-1914 .. .. ! 1914-1915 1915-1916 .. .. I 1916-1917 1917-1918 3,019 2,046 .. 1,012 .. 2,039 16,605 12,283 .. 6,647 .. 11,566 22,467 17,167 .. 9,162 .. 15,553 27,428 21.900 .. 11,912 .. 19,741 32,754 25,387 .. 14,478 ..I 23,550 35,915 28,559 .. 16,092 .. | 25,204 42.416 33,722 .. 19,383 .. 29,550 48,612 38,849 .. 22,038 .. 33,012 56.761 44,706 .. 25,461 .. 37,771 62,306 49,846 .. 28,975 .. 43,829 68.454 56,18-5 .. 32,801 .. 49,204 i 74,534 62,0-56 .. 35,322 .. 54,219 81,958- 69,981 .. 38,617 .. 60,843 86,529 72,710 .. 41,991 .. 64,386 93.762 77,431 .. 44,384 .. 70,416 85,478 68,068 13,834 52,691 14,702 80,630 49,529 30,255 ; 62,285 70,683 65,467 109,663 54,268 33,409 . 70,122 76,613 75,700 •■ 119,593 61,379 37,514 85,909 86,626 89,276 , 134,270 65,484 40,263 86,711 96,228 99,739 ! 154,281 74,389 45,358 98,503 108,493 ': 114,411 j 167,430 82.417 54,375 106,311 120,321 128,384 \ 187,083 89,906 58,202 124,052 136,392 ■. 143,854 j 205,500 97,285 59,484 153,925 162,588 I 146,148 227,471 113,825 67,406 181,791 195,168 i 166,486 261,045 130,645 79,792 211,298 244,941 , 201,569 301,707 141,504 85,130 236,665 263,829 : 215,984 337,338 154,201 92,342 264,844 279,311 220,109 367,942 172,400 103.753 ' 298,669 324,417 256,231 418,712 182,733 107,483 307,934 346,011 263,522 , 444,427 186,873 114,570 319,115 364,086 267,383 ' 461,137 184,873 112,639 322,946 343,031 260,956 j 440,215 187,005 j 115,867 | 316,266 337,418 258,421 ! 401,696 969 5,729 7,671 9,477 10,894 12,229 14,019 16,072 18,096 20,423 22,802 24,871 26,968 28,448 30.680 24,497 2,379 13,103 17,487 21,149 24,011 25,906 30,132 32,747 ' 37,687 43,167 47,787 51,963 55,748 59,631 63,787 71,001 92,708 102,641 114,755 130,430 143,216 159,045 171,951 188,677 214,453 242,854 261,600 283,206 312,870 325,071 334,277 i 301,825 252,396 695 4,090 5,278 6,618 7,809 7,969 9,058 9,904 11,016 11,864 13,601 14,365 15,463 16,202 16,957 13,304 992 5,187 6,940 8,243 9,386 10,172 11,611 12.330 13.800 15,567 17,191 18,102 19,477 19,990 21,393 23,875 32,128 34,508 38,030 42,317 46,228 51,559 57,637 62,916 70,967 82,253 88,693 95,535 106,560 107,506 111,095 108.978 103,348 425 2,375 2,952 3,633 4,158 4,366 4,953 5,369 6,156 6,790 7.020 7,406 7,904 8,193 8,539 6,799 2.866 14,961 17,578 19,778 22.596 23,503 25,839 28,969 33.935 36,601 33,390 32,868 32,179 32,696 33,491 35,067 43,042 48,852 58,629 69,206 76,508 91,193 104,714 123,786 143,611 171,900 190,823 213,153 245,230 229,640 211,543 211,000 194,180 1,192 1,090 728 673 607 560 556 558 656 688 788 954 423 £ 16,442 6,910 92,546 37,659 122,255 47,729 149,879 56,842 175,023 65.484 189,915 69.722 220.683 79.326 247,902 87,857 285,389 101.002 • 319,368 112,308 349,627 123,368 376,796 ! 129,012 409,866 ! 134,378 431,449 139,957 461,447 147,686 490,506 154,436 556,316 173,317 616,264 191,905 707,044 220,070 785,347 250,123 875,324 276,279 981,642 314,053 1,092,631 347,300 1,222,280 389,143 1,414,752 447,619 1,666,959 524,943 1,821,566 574,980 1,970,643 636,473 2,238,842 721,743 2,314,327 725,118 2,370,079 723,314 2,286,463 595,819 2,166,597 633,246 * Issued onl; f from 17th June, 1895, to 31st October, 1907.

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20

Table No. 4. Table showing the Number and Amount of Transactions at the Money-order and Savings-bank Offices of New Zealand during the Year 1917.

Table No. 5. Statement showing the Number of British Postal Orders of each Denomination sold and paid in the Dominion of New Zealand during the Financial Years 1916-17 and 1917-18.

Money-orde; :s. Savings-b lanks. Postal District. Issued, Paid. Number of New Accounts opened. Deposits. Number Wlthi of Accounts closed. Number. Lrawals. Number. Commission. Amount. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. Amount. Auckland Blenheim Christchurch Dunedin Gisborne Greymouth Hokitika invercargill Napier Nelson New Plymouth Oamaru Thames Timaru Wanganui Wellington Westport 159,623 8,392 52,975 53,37.1 16,249 15,629 3,225 25,654 33,653 15,291 26 362 7,663 28,011 15,435 35,878 134,006 11,200 4,117 182 1,433 1,292 439 347 69 552 811 338 600 146 562 345 780 3,816 248 £ 792,465 38,391 287,246 258,068 94,608 72,855 15,757 121,461 201,838 76,343 142,802 83,840 144,790 146,640 207,830 738,551 53,160 165,753 4,539 64,483 55,426 7,005 7,345 2,502 17,156 23,258 12,906 15,618 4,117 11,263 9,013 20,125 126,017 4,395 £ 868,306 34,483 383,688 320,836 43,832 38,821 11,685 89,134 158,621 75,099 104,870 24,713 07,807 53,452 109,861 721,599 24,267 16,887 • 995 9,124 7,019 2,222 936 274 3,245 4,388 1,428 3,812 955 2,531 2,110 4.519 21,115 640 231,002 14,894 173,868 125,321 30,487 13,051 3,101 45,372 60,971 22,848 47,564 13,801 26,618 32,805 58,851. 302,169 9,1.86 £ 3,317,734 201,995 2,412,953 1,811,678 430,382 180,008 39,463 647,374 895,296 348,743 771,727 225,965 368,897 516,096 842,155 3,974,314 121,149 10,626 666 6,507 4,872 1 ,626 860 197 2,012 2 993 1,327 2,201 614 1,896 1,501 3,255 12,146 , 532 155,395 7,609 110,910 71,034. 17,698 7,048 1,489 21,565 31,942 12,740 22,195 6,858 13,928 17,577 34,448 181,915 4,556 £ 2,861,942 169,856 2,043,510 1,568,103 359,283 1.76,41.2 39,885 535,137 744,169 310,538 061,477 190,244 320,715 451,160 711,989 3,206,577 110,172 Grand totals .. 642,683 16,077 3,476,645 550,921 ! 3,130,574 82,200 1,211,909 17,106,529 53,921 1718,907 14,461,169

Sold. Paid. Denomination. 1916-17. 1917-18. 1916-17. 1917-18. s. d. 0 6 1 0 1 6 2 0 2 6 3 0 3 6 4 0 4 6 5 0 *5 6 *6 0 *6 6 *7 0 7 6 *8 0 *8 6 *9 0 •9 6 10 0 •10 6 •11 0 •11 6 •12 0 12 6 •13 0 •13 6 •14 0 •14 6 15 0 •15 6 •16 0 •16 6 •17 0 17 6 •18 0 •18 6 •19 0 *19 6 20 0 •21 0 1,085 4,734 2,124 4,241 5,895 3,079 1,133 2,289 939 14,637 2,352 18,058 982 2,762 1,314 2,811 5,766 2,387 742 1,585 695 14,112 1,619 17J842 183 902 309 932 . 1,371 520 217 346 102 2,579 71 169 69 117 272 102 29 49 25 2,798 82 46 33 141 123 71 33 77 29 784 17 36 16 21 44 34 14 IP 22 10,093 280 394 1,183 510 1,257 1,387 911 241 458 201 2,682 1,533 1,007 131 131 265 134 51 65 39 2,957 218 969 327 209 161 97 38 105 36 715 24 92 154 112 ■ 79 64 24 35 30 9,949 612 1,195 '850 3,753 2^838 850 612 41,648 36,'141 Number 108,612 93,058 23,177 29,587 £16,809 Value .. £63,456 £55,489 £14,474 * British Postal Orders of these denominations were withdrawn from issue at all oi 1st September, 1910. ices in the Dominion on the

21

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Table No. 6.—POST OFFICE SAVINGS-BANKS.— GENERAL STATEMENT. Table showing the Business of the Post Office Savings-banks in the various Postal Districts in New Zealand during the Year ended the 31st December, 1917.

Average . Amount of Number Average ,,.,,-v, „f,, r ,i t„..,i a . { Amount of Excess of each ot With- total Amount of . ,-. ..„ „ „ Deposit drawals Withdrawals during he the U Yea S , d "'"S "-e Yea, I l III l Postal Districts. Number of Post Office Number of Savings- Deposits banks : received Open at duringthe the Close I Year. of the Year. Total Amount of Deposits received during the Year. Excess of Withdrawals over Deposits during the Year. Average C ° st ° f C e°a S ch° f Manage- T^ c _ , Ine . nt tion, Dethe U Yefr P° sit ° r the Year. wuh _ drawal. Interest for the Year. Number Number ""'"of" Amount of of Accounts S ?" d i, n t gt f ° , he Accounts Accounts remain- r\ \ * opened closed ing Open Open Accounts, during during afciSS ,^« ™ ° ne the Year, the Year. cJSEKJg,. Average Amount standing to the Credit o each Open Account at Close of the Year. £ s. d. £ s. d. 3,317,734 19 14 7 3 £ s. d. £ s. d. 2,861,941 16 3 18 8 4 169,855 17 11 22 6 5 2,043,510 5 7 18 8 6; 1,568,102 13 8 22 1 6 ! I £ s. d. 455,792 5 6 £ s. d. £ d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 176,063 17 11 16,887 10,626 j 108,183 5,437,592 3 9 13,348 12 9 995 666 8,156 403,424 1 4 140,389 1 3 j 9,124 6,507 85,347 4,306,056 1 10 £ s. d. 50 5 3 Auckland 232 231,002 155,395 Blenheim 15 14,894 201,994 18 6 13 11 3 7,609 32,139 0 7! 49 9 3 Christchurch 71 ■ I 50 9 1 173,868; 2,412,952 13 7 ! 13 17 7 110,910 369,442 8 0 I 243,575 17 7 71,098 5 2 3,595 19 9 422 oil Dunedin 69 125,321 1,811,678 11 3 ! 14 9 1 71,034 I .. . ._. .. ,. 57 1 1 116,145 9 0 t 7,019 4,872 61,407 : 3,503,599 9 2 21,008 3 10 2,222 1,626 14,079 650,409 1 4 Gisborne .. 22 30,487 : 430,381 11 4 14 2 4 17,698 359,283 6 2 ' 20 6 0 46 3 11 Greymouth is : 13,051, 180,008 0 0 13 15 10 7,048 176,412 0 3 : 25 0 7 14,815 12 5 936 860 8,588 441,344 2 10 51 7 10 Hokitika 7 3,101 39,462 17 9 | 12 14 6 1,489 39,885 3 8 ; 26 15 9 3,980 4 1, 274 197 ' 2,475 | 116,387 15 10 47 0 6 Invercargill 34 45,372 647,373 11 10 14 5 4 21,565 535,137 4 8 24 16 4 112,236 7 2 42,388 14 1 3,245 j 2,012 23,395 j 1,284,170 6 3 54 17 10 - Napier 46 60,971 895,295 14 4 14 13 8 1 31,942 744,169 2 3 23 5 11 I 151,126 12 lj ,_:.— _,__-„_ 48,878 19 1 ; 4,388 j 2,993 29,170 1,522,672 1 2 52 4 0 Nelson 27 i 22,848; _.-.... _ ... J 348,742 12 0 15 5 3 12,740 310,537 14 1 24 7 6 1 38,204 17 11 22,174 8 9 ; 1,428 1,327 I 13,145 661,071 0 5 50 5 10 30 ■ 59 7 0 New Plymouth .. 47,564: 771,727 9 2 16 4 6 22,195 661,477 4 7 29 16 1 j 110,250 4 7 ! 38,549 18 1 3,812 2,201 I 20,067 1,191,012 17 2 I ' 11 13,801 • 61 9 0 Oamaru 225,964 18 9 16 7 6 6,858 190,243 14 1 27 14 10 35,721 4 8; 14,088 0 7 955 614 6,907 424,439 15 10 Thames 30 26,618' 368,897 3 5 13 17 2 13,928 320,714 19 2 23 0 6: 48,182 4 3 21.933 2 2 2,531 1,896 16,019 | 672,362 17 4 41 19 5 Timaru i Wanganui 16 44 32,805: 58,851 516,696 9 7 I 15 15 0| i 842,155 3 4 14 6 2 17,577 34,448 451,159 17 8 j 25 13 4 711,989 5 6 20 13 4 3,206,577 3 1 17 12 6 65,536 11 11 i 130,165 17 10 32,111 7 2 2,110 1,591 16,508 \ 963,501 7 1 39,645 1 0 4,519 3,255 26,695 j 1,224,207 13 0 58 7 4 45 17 2 Wellington 100 302,1691 3,974,314 2 8 13 3 0 181,915 767,736 19 7 193,575 11 5 121,115 12,146 120,819 ; 6,127,587 11 6 8,725 2 5: 640 532 5,391 266,551 13 2 50 14 4 Westport .. I 19 9,186 121,149 6 1 13 3 9 4,556 110,171 15 0 24 3 7 10,977 11 1 49 8 10 Totals for 1917 791 1,211,90917,106,529 5 4 14 2 3 718,907 14,461,169 3 7 . 20 2 4| 2,645,360 1 9; 32,000 3-97 947.S21 6 0 82,200 53,921 566,351 29,196,389 19 0 51 11

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Table No. 6a.— POST OFFICE SAVINGS-BANKS.— GENERAL STATEMENT. Table showing the Business of the Post Office Savings-banks in New Zealand, Year by Year, from the Date they were established, in February, 1867, to the 31st December, 1917.

Year. Number of PostOffice Savingsbanks Open at the Close of the Year. Number of Deposits received duringthe Year. Average ; t *-.i a„,„..„» Amount of ! Number f n „S?„ each ' of With- Total Amount of recced d P ur tag the De P° si j *«*■ . Withdrawals v __ B received during during the Year. vcar - during the the Year. Yeai. Average Amount of Excess of each Deposits over Withdrawal Withdrawals during during the Year, the Year. Excess of Withdrawals over Deposits during the Year. Cost of Management during the Year. Average Cost of each Transaction, Deposit or Withdrawal. Interest for the Year. Number of Accounts opened during the Year. Number of Accounts closed 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 Creditof each Open Account at Close of the Year. Totals for 1917 1916 1915 •• 1914 •• 1913 •• 1912 .. 1911 .. 1910 1909 1908 1907 .. 1906 1905 •• 1904 .. 1903 •■ „ 1902 1901 „ 1900 1899 .. 1898 .. 1897 .. 1896 .. 1895 .. 1894 .. 1893 .. 1892 .. 1891 .. 1890 .. 1889 .. 1888 .. 1887 .. 1886 .. 1885 .. 1884 .. 1883 .. 1882 .. 1881 .. 1880 .. 1879 .. 1878 .. 1877 .. 1876 .. . 1875 .. . 1874 •• 1873 .. 1872 .. 1871 .. . 1870 1869 ... 1868 .. Totals from ist Feb. to 31st Dec, 1867 791 1,211,909 786 I,Il8,IOI 787. 970,759 766 884, 405 747 ! 907,876 724 : 877,889 687 823,832. 647 . 768,824 619 j 724,501 593 706,101 563 650,990 54i 593,764 520 509,112 510 469,799 493 ! 444,5io 48l : 411,215 466 380,808 445 347,056 427 313,783 409 281,749 388 267,615 371 242,283 357 217,393 348 204,545 327 202,276 318 186,945 311 176,971 296 162,938 294 153,920 290 145,355 283 136,197 27 1 i37,9 8 9 256 i3i,373 243 129,279 222 127,609 207 129,952 190 125,855 178 81,660 165 71,865 147 69,908 138 60,953 124 57,295 119 56,129 103 52,627 97 39,223 92 31,681 81 24,642 70 20,489 59 I7>i33 55 13,014 46 6,977 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 17,106,529 5 4 14 2 3 718,907)14,461 ,'169 3 7 15,576,408 3 9 13 18 7 688,77812,957,420 3 10 13,706,057 5 8 14 2 5 657,237:11,294,973 16 5 11,904,322 19 8 13 9 2 657,62210,603,018 6 3 11,286,702 7 5 12 8 8 634,80111,041,454 8 io; 11,725,182 16 5 13 7 1 589,38811,449,711 3 7 11,627,367 14 3 14 2 3 546,02210,662,045 15 2 10,708,938 16 10 13 18 7 520,413 9,695,514 16 1 9,611,119 11 3 13 5 4 520,971 9,499,319 16 4: 9,674,075 4 o 13 14 o 484,672 9,417,820 10 3 9,351,663 19 7 14 7 4 433,796 8,125,123 o o 7,907,154 12 5 13 6 4 386,536 6,907,103 17 7 6,625,744 o 10 13 o 3 346,022 5,984,184 12 2; 5,836,540 o o 12 8 6 323,609 5,664,770 3 9 5,661,592 15 2 12 14 9 301,076 5,343,828 5 o 5,069,619 6 2 12 6 7 273,454 4,708,771 11 2 4,611,456 6 1 12 2 2 247,854 4,230,193 6 2 4,170,428 15 3 12 o 4 227,079 3,827,416 7 3 3,644,980 9 10 11 12 4 206,940) 3,417,298 19 8, 3,279,611 7 5 11 12 10' 196,764! 3,194,893 16 7 3,187,219 2 4 11 18 2: I79,555| 2,891,169 5 8 2,881,152 16 3 11 17 io] 167,248 2,591,558 19 4 2,794,506 16 o 12 17 1 159,9041 2,369,333 6 7 2,252,862 6 11 11 o 3 152,136 2,268,624 8 4 2,386,089 10 7 11 15 11! 136,739! 2,122,521 16 8] 1,878,270 6 4 10 o ii, 120,6281 1,821,348 18 1 1,842,987 15 2 10 8 3! 111,603: 1,693,515 9 3: 1,658,543 3 5 10 3 6 1 106,868 1,500,437 9 5 1,515,281 11 3 9 16 iO; 99,185 1,457,081 5 o| 1,544,747 7 11 10 12 6 96,204 1,387,471 1 10 1,312,151 15 9 12 8 89,962 1,182,409 7 6 1 1,248,405 6 n 9 o 11 89,182 1,336,287 6 4 1,341,001 3 2 10 4 1 84,832 1,264,305 8 3 1,227,909 11 4 9 9 11 80,800, 1,195,931 o 11 1,178,474 41948 78,405 1,295,719 18 3: i. 3 2 5,852 2 11 10 4 o 69,308 1,142,599 O I 1,189,012 2798 11. 60,137: 902,195 1 8 864,441 18 10; 10 11 9 57,446, 780,504 13 4 812,399 Ix JI ; ll 6 1 54,698: 876,180 19 3. 762,084 12 o 10 18 oj 42,746, 742,053 14 3 681,294 x 3 21 IT 3 6 39,363 667,023 7 5 ; 664,134 12 6: 11 11 9 39,486, 696,281 7 4 657,653 4 0: 11 14 4. 36,9771 7 2 9,759 17 9 699,249 14 3 13 5 8 29,778: 620,155 8 9 580,542 5 5 14 16 2: 21,268, 425,908 3 5 430,877 o o; 13 12 o; 17,254 313,176 7 11 312,338 18 4 12 13 6 14,773 261,347 16 3 264,328 5 7 12 18 o n,934' 209,509 13 2 240,898 5 9 14 1 2 9,292: 180,518 4 1 x 94,535 JI 6 14 18 II 6,365: 107,094 17 3 96,372 7 10 13 16 3 1,919 26,415 18 9 £ s. d. £ s. d.' 20 2 4:2,645,360 1 9 18 16 2:2,618,987 19 11 17 3 92,411,083 9 3 16 2 61,301,304 13 5 17 7 io| 245,247 18 7 19 8 6; 275,471 12 10 19 10 6: 965,321 19 1 18 12 71,013,424 o 9 18 4 8 ; 111,799 14 11 19 8 8: 256,254 13 9! 18 14 7:1,226,540 19 7 17 17 51,000,050 14 10 17 5 11 641,559 8 8 17 10 1 171,769 16 3 17 15 O 317,764 IO 2 17 4 5 360,847 15 o 17 1 4 381,262 19 11 J 6 17 1 343,oi2 8. o l6 IO 3: 227,681 IO 2 16 4 9: 84,717 IO IO 16 2 o; 296,049 16 8 15 9 10 289,593 16 n 14 16 4 425,173 9 5 14 18 3 15 10 5 263,567 13 11 15 2 oj 56,921 8 3 15 3 5! 149,472 5 11 14 o 9 158,105 14 o 14 13 9 58,200 6 3 14 8 5: 157,276 6 1 13 2 10 129,741 13 11 14 19 8 14 18 o: 76,695 14 11 14 16 o 31,978 10 5 16 10 6 .. 1 16 9 8 183,253 2 10 15 o 1 286,817 ° 11 13 11 8 83,937 5 6 16 o 4 17 7 2 20,030 17 9 16 18 10 14,271 5 9 17 12 8 19 14 8 20 16 5 79,094 5 6 20 o 5 154,634 2 o 18 3 o 117,700 12 1 17 13 9 50,991 2 1 17 11 1 54,818 12 5 19 8 7 60,380 1 8 16 16 6 87,440 14 3 13 15 3 69,956 9 1 15,762 1 5 87,881 19 5 117,245 14 2 63,781 7 4 32,146 14 10 72,106 13 9 £ s. d. 32,000 o 3-971 32,000 o 4-25 30,000 o 442) 30,000 o 4-67 30,000 o 467 29,000 o 4-74 29,000 o 508 28,000 o 5-21 27,000 o 5-20 27,000 o 5-44. 19,000 o 4-20 17,000 o 4-16 16,500 o 4-63 16,000 o 4-84 15,000 o 4-83 14,000 o 4-90; 11,500 o 439: 10,500 o 4-39, 9,500, o 4-38! 8,500 o 426) 8,000 o 4-29: 7,000 o 4-10' 7,000 o 4-45 6,500! o 4-37' 6,500 o 460; 5,500 o 4-291 5,000 o 4-16: 5,000 o 445; 4,000 o 379; 4,000 o 397; 4,000 o 4-24 4,000 o 4-23' 4,000 o 4-44 4,000 o 457 4,000 o 4'66 4,000 o 482 3,500 o 452 3,500 o 604 3,000 o 569: 2,500 o 533 2,500 o 598 2,500 O 6'20; 2,500 o 644 2,250 0 655 1,800 o 7-14; 1,556 o 763 1,351 o 8-23 1,264 o 9'36 1,186 o 1077 789 o 977 822 1 1018 I I 947,821 6 o 82,200 53,921 566,351 817,855 19 3 84,833 55,846 538,072 707,252 3 9 83,244 57,421 509,085 615,310 9 4 78,519 53,851 483.262; 555,908 9 7 81,260; 54,865 458,594' 511,598 18 8 85,529, 58,896 432,199 472,874 18 5 85,912; 60,931 405,566 424,668 1 o 78,566 57.695 380,585! 395,804 4 5 77,400; 55,763; 359,7i4| 379,808 6 7 80,133; 57,829j 342,077 343,424 7 2 74,671' 53,644! 319,773: 291,191 19 1 70,206 47,526! 298,746: 259,081 7 6 60,015 43,H3 276,066' 200,930 6 1 57,769 42,280! 259,164 187,130 2 8 57,047 40,837! 243,675: 172,926 1 7 53,587 38,558 227,465! 159,198 4 o 50,046 35,018 212,436: 146,169 2 5 46,086 31,724 197,408 134,917 19 3 41,362 28,284 183,046 128,128 16 6 37,265 26,628 169,968 137,240 8 o 36,394) 24,821 159,331 126,497 16 3 32,982 22,907 147,758 129,489 19 6 30,261 22,001 137,683 114,643 4 11 28,669 21,930 129,423 114,760 1 1 29,755 x 9,599 122,684 111,301 13 1 26,232 18,171; 112,528 104,098 17 o 25,131 17,872 104,467 92,319 o 6 23,719 17,256 97,208 84,809 17 1 21,778 15,521 90,745 78,080 6 o 21,307 16,543 84,488 67,363 15 3 20,368 15,515 79,724 65,825 9 6 21,671 16,757 74, 8 7 J 62,228 3 11 20,661! 16,421 69,957 57,3 8 i 13 71 20,228: 16,447 05,7!7 56,046 17 3 20,386 15,967! 61,936 54,909 13 11 21,014 14,505 57,517 42,204 19 o 25,059 12,718 51,008 32,822 12 4 16,137 12,217 38,667 31,715 18 2; 15,401 12,786 34,747 31,664 12 9 13,005 9,634 32,132 29,193 14 6 11,235 8,591 28,761 28,762 4 7 11,255 9,472 26,117 28,565 3 5 11,273 8,681 2 4 ,33 4 ! 26,935 6 8 10,346 5,736 21,742. 20,106 16 10 7,382 3,816 17,132 14,711 o 5 6,205 3,i88 13,566 11,291 10 10 4,615 2,383 10,549 9,242 3 11 4,304 2,277 8,317; 7,412 8 o 3,839 1,801 6,290 4,880 7 3 3,282 1,186 4,252! 1,241 5 o 2,520 364 2,1561 £ s - d £ s - d. 29,196,389 19 o 51 II o 25,603,208 11 3 1 47 11 7 22,166,364 12 1 43 10 10 19,048,028 19 1 39 8 4 17,131,413 16 4 37 7 2 16,330,257 8 2 37 15 8 15,543,186 16 8 38 6 6 14,104,989 19 2 37 1 3 12,666,897 17 5 35 4 3 12,159,293 18 1 35 10 11 11,523,230 17 9 36 o 9 9,953,265 11 o 33 6 4 8,662,022 17 1 31 7 6 7,761,382 o 11 29 18 11 7,388,681 18 7 30 6 5 6,883,787 5 9 30 5 3 6,350,013 9 2 29 17 10 5,809,552 5 3 29 8 7 5,320,370 14 10! 29 1 4 4,957,771 5 5 29 3 5 4,744,924 18 1 29 15 7 4,311,634 13 5 29 3 7 3,895,543 o 3 28 5 10 3,340,879 11 4 25 16 3 3,241,998 7 10 26 8 6 2,863,670 12 10 25 9 o 2,695,447 11 6 25 16 0 2,441,876 8 7 25 2 4 2,191,451 14 1 24 2 11 2,048,441 10 9 24 4 10 1,813,084 18 8 22 14 10 1,615,979 9 6 21 11 8 1,638,035 19 5: 23 8 4 1,499,112 o 7! 22 16 3 1,409,751 16 7! 22 15 2 11 >47o,950 13 6) 25 11 5 1,232,787 16 9; 24 3 4 903,765 16 10 23 7 6 787,005 19 o 22 12 11 819,071 8 2 25 9 9 767,375 17 8 ; 26 13 7 723,910 17 5 27 14 4 727,295 7 8 29 17 9 770,836 18 o 35 9 o 664,807 5 10 38 16 1 490,066 7 o 36 2 5 357,654 14 6 33 18 1 295,372 1 7 35 .10 3 231,3" 5 3 36 15 5 163,518 15 7 38 9 1 71,197 14 1 33 o 5

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Table No. 7. Balance-sheet of the New Zealand Post Office Account for the Year ended 31st December, 1917.

Balances on fst January, 1917. Transactions i Balances on Hist December, 1917. Cr. Dr. Cr. Dr. Cr. Dr. . I MONEY-ORDER ACCOUNTS Money-orders (general) United Kingdom, etc. United States of America Australia Austria Canada Ceylon Fiji .. France Germany Hong Kong India Norway Samoa Straits Settlements Tonga Union of South Africa Commission Savings-bask Accounts — Deposits and withdrawals Transfers Postal Accounts — Stamps Postal Guides Postal notes Private box and bag rents Money-order commission British postal orders —H.O. Account „ C.P.M.'s Account ,, London Account B.P.O. commission Postal revenue .. £ s. d. 72,347 13 3 23,795 5 6J 5,589 17 1 129 11 0 8,326 9 7 8,380 18 6 330 2 1 1,337 15 6 304 19 11 7,257 16 7 227 11 7 13 8 4 25,603,208 11 3 11,902 15 4 303,111 18 9 16 13 2 178,609 15 li 15,726 12 6 25,084 0 6 20,926 1 5J £ s. d. 693 17 7 1,051 6 10 1,195 6 11 3,311 3 10 93 4 8 493 5 2 16 4 9 £ s. d. 3,647,557 2 3 281,168 7 10f 63,880 19 9 185,953 6 10 10,013 2 7 1,874 8 6 6,339 8 8 730 3 1 1,920 6 1 18,793 13 6 262 0 4 138 3 10 5,277 13 9 2,315 8 11 2,359 6 2 18,054,350 11 4 1,493,394 3 6 1,245,704 8 10J 475 6 4 655,226 13 4 16,209 5 4 17,058 16 2 65,137 10 0 56,488 2 6 56,767 12 8J 591 5 OJ 974,097 5 7J £ s. d. 3,630,455 9 1 264,051 6 0 65,355 3 3 193,953 3 8 16,029 16 6 2,111 18 7 6,043 16 1 1,024 7 8 2,052 16 9 17,271 17 10 339 16 6 140 0 0 3,125 6 2 2,530 0 2 2,301 10 1 14,461,169 3 7 1,493,861 7 2 1.210,491 15 1 479 14 10 641,691 2 4i 16,209 5 4 17,058 16 2 56,487 13 4 57,308 5 8 56,751 7 11J 591 5 Of 988,781 3 9 £ s. d. 89,449 6 5 40,912 7 5 4,115 13 7 8,326 9 7 2,364 4 7 92 12 0 1,043 10 11 172 9 3 8,779 12 3 149 15 5 il 12 2 29,196,389 19 0 11,435 11 8 338,324" 12 61 12 4 8 192,14516 1 24.376 9 2 24,263 17 4 6,242 3 4.. £ s. d. 7,870 5 10 398 5 0 1,051 6 10 1,195 6 11 1,158 16 3 307 15 11 435 9 1 Telegraph Accounts — New South Wales Telegraphs Xew Zealand and Australian Cable Pacific Cable Board Telephone-exchange receipts Special-messenger receipts Maintenance of private wires Registration of code addresses Cash deposits Telegraph revenue 2,301 9 8 440 16 9 3,292 19 1 2,068 7 9 4,249 18 6 46,836 17 11 11,987 4 3 89,044 16 7 339,920 14 1 131 12 5 3,519 14 0 1,627 14 5 22,087 14 5J 1,055,586 10 11 43,640 8 4 11,420 13 3 87,515 4 4 339,920 14 1 131 12 5 3,519 14 0 1,627 14 5 21,787 13 11J 1,050,226 19 1J 5,497 19 3 1,007 7 9 4,822 11 4 2,368 8 3 9,609 10 3 J

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24

Table No. 7— continued. Balance-sheet of the New Zealand Post Office Account for the Year ended 31st December, 1917— continued.

Balances on 1st January, 1917. Transactions. Balances on 31st December, 1917. Cr. Dr. Cr. in-. Cr. Dr. General Accounts — Post Office Account Postmasters and Telegraphists Investments Accrued interest on investments .. Miscellaneous receipts (general) Foreign postage Foreign Mail Settlement Account .. Miscellaneous expenses Discount stamps Commonwealth Savings-bank State Savings-bank of Australia .. £ s. d. 16,207 4 3£ 1,448 15 5J 6,100 10 9 1,991 11 0 565 13 10 439 2 6 £ s. d. £ s. d. 768,613 15 3 23,792,337 10 4£ 1,114,192 5 5 38,177,672 17 8 25,173,954 9 7 2,649,313 14 5 274,720 4 7 I 274,720 4 7 30,644 3 9 8,048 13 11 12,100 5 5 203,931,18 1 6,066,598 15 4 530 0 0 9,475 14 10 27,148 5 0 £ s. d. 24,466,398 5 5J 38,409,542 17 l\ 5,942,650 M 5 328,417 17 7 39,853 13 9 J 13,082 6 11 2,884 12 0 5,775,145 7 7 594 15 0 7,685 7 6 27,057 0 11 £ s. d. 6,997 14 3 15,316 4 2 87,521 9 8 1,926 16 0 2,356 1 2 530 6 7 £ s. d. 1,442,674 10 4 1,346,062 5 4A. 28,467,291 9 7 328,417 17 7 3,584 17 6J For other Departments — Advances to Settlers Agriculture Department Arms Act licenses Audit fees Beer duty Clerks of Court County Clerks Customs dues (H.M.C.) Customs duty (parcels) Education Department Electoral receipts Examination fees Factories Act Fishing licenses Game licenses Goldfields revenue Government Insurance Government Printer Health Department Hospital and Charitable Aid Imperial pensions Hospital ship receipts Income-tax Industrial schools Land-tax Labour Department Licensing Act Machinery Marine Department Military pensions Miners' pensions .. .. 54,673 15 1 141 14 7 1 0 0 2,270 0 1 1 14 0 24 6 1 20,657 3 6 0 10 0 1 9 10 95 6 0 8 8 9 14,738 3 11 144 19 10 7 13 i 5,809 15 5 0 11 0 3,534 13 5£ 34,548 1 11 898 12 6 9 15 0 1,714 4 5 399 0 0 1,444,137 1 11 1,673 11 10 128 0 0 2 13 4 15,132 11 6 137 7 3 17 10 0 - 899 4 2 97,723 2 7 1,152 7 9 0 10 110 0 0 26 13 0 1,302 17 6 3,837 7 0 72 2 6 268,254 17 10 4 2 0 1,249 10 4 18 4 2 22,500 0 0 .'. 2,749,398 12 7 J 4,770 3 5 1,012,496 2 1 0 10 20 10 0 11,549 7 6 169 18 7 45,600 0 0 11,850 0 0 1,461,323 0 4 1,714 11 7 125 0 0 2 13 4 15,288 6 7 134 12 8 17 10 0 879 JO 11 108,936 2 11 1,141 14 0 0 1 0 109 5 0 27 12 10 1,274 8 6 3,837 7 0 73 14 3 258,896 3 9 4 2 0 1,239 1 2 25 17 9 30,167 4 10 2,730,755 9 1 4,390 19 3 824,450 0 0 0 1 0 20 10 0 11,113 15 0 170 6 11 47,292 11 5 11,815 16 4 37,487 16 8 100 14 10 4 0 0 2,114 5 0 4 8 7 43 19 4 9,444 3 2 10 13 9 1 5 0 0 10 0 123 15 0 6 17 0 24,096 18 0 155 9 0 0 11 0 22,177 17 0 379 4 2 22,594 4 0 1,334 5 0 9 6 8 21 13 0 433 3 8 1,857 9 5

25

F.—l

r—' Mining Act National Provident Fund receipts Old-age pensions Orchard-tax Public Trust Public Service Superannuation Registration of births, &c. Rents Sanatorium, Hanmer Springs Stock Department Teachers' Superannuation Fund Valuation revenue Widows' pensions Miscellaneous revenue .. .. .. War pensions Workers' dwellings Suspense Account Profit and loss Post Office 5-per-cent. War Bonds Xew Zealand Government Loan Debentures War Loan Certificates —H.O. Account „ C.P.M.'s Account „ Fund Account ... ,, Interest Acoount .. „ Sales Investment Account .. ,, Interest Investment Acoount ,, for Custody Account Y.M.C.A. coupons— H.O. Account' „ C.P.M.'s Acoount Y.M.C.A. Adjustment Account Fixed Deposit Account .. ,, Investment Account 432 15 0 1,364 16 5 7,565 14 9 203 13 11 42,990 6 9 18,046 6 10 284 18 10 34 11 8 187 6 8 0 10 0 378 1 3 '.'. 1,898 7 7 18 9 12,558 16 0 41 18 1 2 10 343,110 3 7 4,750 0 0 367,920 0 0 221,330 14 0 1,192,749 6 0 1,149,000 0 0 189 15 0 28,919 16 1 544,500 0 0 1,595 4 2 1,047,408 9 9 195,611 12 2 2,713 17 2 241 9 4 1,822 11 10 3 5 0 75,085 0 1 7,041 7 1 47,450 0 0 48 1 6 371,300 0 0 137 10 3 195 5 0 29,794 6 3 564,183 6 2 1,535 18 4 1,041,870 9 4 215,853 6 10 2,689 3 6 259 3 0 1,704 16 3 3 0 0 71,201 11 2 6,769 2 10 49,627 15 10 43 10 3 377,291 5 6 179 8 4 1,254,672 18 6 1,496,465 0 0 1,793,062 10 0 1,775,694 6 0 1,690,637 13 0 4,659 17 0 1,737,500 0 0 56,200 0 0 764,787 0 0 22,515 12 6 12,055 13 0 8,189 6 6 21,000 0 0 21,000 0 0 427 5 0 490 6 3 262 19 9 48,528 7 2 309 12 6 16 18 0 305 2 3 0 15 0 3,883 8 11 650 5 6 6 0 0 6,567 10 6 "2 1 0 408,065 15 11 21,800 0 0 14,780 0 0 373,125 14 0 310,387 7 0 2,876,809 10 0 56,136 15 0 5,609 7 6 10,459 19 6 3,865 16 6 21,000 0 0 2,117 11 5 2,195 7 10 279 8 3 2,886,500 0 0 56,200 0 0 21,000 0 0 1,319,628 10 10 1,518,265 0 0 1,803,092 10 0 1,780,900 0 0 1,779,696 6 0 1,688,720 1 0 56,136 15 0 1,149,000 0 0 764,787 0 0 28,125 0 0 22,515 12 6 12,055 3 0 42,000 0 0 _ Totals.. 28,691,267 2 8 28,691,267 2 8 118,317,639 15 10 118,317,639 15 10 34,570,598 3 2 34,570,598 3 2

F.—l

Table No. 8. Securities, etc., standing in the Name of the Postmaster-General on Account of the Post Office Savings-bank Fund on the 31st December, 1917.

26

Description of Securities. Nominal Value. Cost-price. Cost-price. Accrued Interest on 31st December, 1917. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1900 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1900 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Aot 1901 Debentures, 8J per oent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1901 Debentures, 3} per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Aot 1901 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1901 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Aid to Publio Works and Land Settlement Act 1902 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1903 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1903 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1903 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Aid to Publio Works and Land Settlement Aot 1906 Debentures, 3J per oent. The Aid to Publio Works and Land Settlement Act 1906 Debentures, 3J per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1906 Debentures, 3} per cent. The Aid to Publio Works and Land Settlement Act 1906 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1907 Debentures, 3£ per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Aot 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1911 Debentures, 3f per cent. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act 1911 Debentures, 3J per cent. The Aid to Public Works an3 Land Settlement Act 1912 Debentures, 3| per oent. The Aid to Public Works ard Land Settlement Act 1914 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Aid to Water-power Works Act 1910 Debentures, 3| per cent. The Aid to Water-power Works Act 1910 Debentures, 4 per oent. Akaroa County Council Debentures, 4J per oent. The Appropriation Aot 1912 Debentures, 3| per cent... Auckland Harbour Board Debentures, 5-)- per cent. Canadian Stock (extra half making 3J per cent.), 3 per cent. .. Canadian Stook, 2J per cent. Cape of Good Hope Consolidated Stock, 3J per cent. The Coal-mines Act 1908 Debentures, 3J por cent. The Coal-mines Act 1908 Debentures, 3§ per cent. The Coal-mines Act 1908 Debenturos, 4 per cent. The Consolidated Loan Act 1867 Debentures, 3f per cent. The Consolidated Stock Act 1884 Debentures, 3j per cent. The Consolidated Stock Aot 1884 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Consolidated Stock Aot 1884 (the New Zealand Loans Act, 1908) Debentures, 4 per cent. The Defence and other Purposes Loan Act 1870 Debentures 3f per cent. The Defenoe and other Purposes Loan Act 1870 (the New Zealand Loans Act, 1908) Debentures, 4 per cent. Devonport Borough Counoil Debentures, 4J per cent... The Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act 1915 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Disobai-ged Soldiers Settlement Act 1915 and Amendment Act 1916 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Ellesmere Land Drainage Board Debentures, 4 per cent. .. The Finance Act 1909 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Finance Act 1909 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Finanoe Act 1909 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Finanoe Act 1915 Debentures, 4J per cent. The Finance Act 1916 (section 35) War Expenses Debentures, 4 per oent, The Finance Act 1916 (sootion 35) Debentures, 4J per cent. The Finance Act 1916 (section 35) Debentures, 4$ per cent. The Finance Act 1916 (section 35) Debentures, 4| per cent. The Finance Act 1916 (seotion 49) Debentures, 4 per cent. The Finance Act 1916 (section 50) Debentures, 4 per cent. The Fruit-preserving Industry Act 1913 Debentures, 4 per cent. The General Purposes Loan Act 1873 Debentures, 4 per oent. .. £ s. d. 500 0 0 £ s. d. 500 0 0 £ s. d. 3 5 9 90,300 0 0 90,300 0 0 593 15 1 2,500 0 0 2,500 0 0 7 3 10 8,100 0 0 32,900 0 0 8,100 0 0 32,900 0 0 24 19 4 658 0 0 10,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 32 17 6 128,000 0 0 128,000 0 0 420 16 5 25,100 0 0 25,100 0 0 418 2 0 .170,100 0 0 170,100 0 0 101,050 0 0 .2,833 8 9 2,008 4 9 101,050 0 0 500,000 0 0 500,000 0 0 8,750 0 0 61,750 0 0 61,750 0 0 1,080 12 6 8,650 0 0 8,650 0 0 162 3 9 5,000 0 0 5,000 0 0 100 0 0 200,000 0 0 200,000 0 0 3,500 0 0 50,000 0 0 50,000 0 0 498 12 7 50,000 0 0 50,000 0 0 154 2 2 49,000 0 0 49,000 0 0 918 15 0 175,300 0 0 175,300 0 0 1,386 15 9 a-,390,ioo o o 2,390,100 0 0 15,651 9 5 50,000 0 0 50,000 0 0 308 4 4 324,000 0 0 324,000 0 0 2,130 8 4 900 0 0 10,000 0 0 500 0 0 5,000 0 0 12,666 15 11 200 0 0 10,000 0 0 135,000 0 0 30,000 0 0 13,000 0 0 194,200 0 0 283,500 0 0 165,000 0 0 900 0 0 10,000 0 0 500 0 0 4,800 0 0 10,133 8 9 186 1 3 10,000 0 0 135,000 0 0 30,000 0 0 • 13,000 0 0 i 194,200 0 0 ! 283,500 0 0 165,000 0 0 13 8 6 61 12 10 3 11 11 87 10 0 237 5 8 3 10 0 87 5 2 1,262 3 1 299 3 7 102 16 10 3,032 14 1 5,070 0 0 3,300 0 0 75,000 0 0 75,000 0 0 593 6 5 8,100 0 0 8,100 0 0 102 0 0 100 0 0 20,000 0 0 100 0 0 26,000 0 0 1 2 8 344 15 4 74,000 0 0 74,000 0 0 976 13 1 2,850 0 0 40,901 0 0 50,000 0 0 5,500 0 0 500 0 0 11,120,000 0 0 2,850 0 0 46,901 0 0 50,000 0 0 5,500 0 0 500 0 0 1,120,000 0 0 24 7 2 781 5 0 1,000 0 0 91 12 4 0 19 9 11,169 6 4 500 0 0 1,000 0 0 500 0 0 600,000 0 0 35,000 0 0 35,700 0 0 5.200 0 0 500 0 0 | 1,000 0 0 500 0 0 I 600,000 0 0 35,000 0 0 35,700 0 0 I 5,200 0 0 7 9 2 3 6 7 7 9 2 7,923 5 5 452 12 0 356 0 5 43 17 7

F.—l.

Table No. 8—continued. Securities, etc., standing in the Name of the Postmaster-General on Account of the Post Office Savings-bank Fund on the 31st December, 1917— continued.

27

Description of Securities. 0 Nominal Value. Cost-price. Accrued Interest on 31st December, 1917. The Government Advances to Settlers Aot 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Government Advanoes to Settlers Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Government Advances to Settlers Aot 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Government Advances to Settlers Extension Aot 1901 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Government Advances to Settlers Act 1908 (Part III, Workers) D, bentures, 4 per cent. The Government, Railways Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. .. The Government Railways Act 1908 Debentures. 4 per cen r . .. The Government Railways Amendment Act 1910 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Government Railways Amendment Act 1910 Debentures, 3J per oent. Tne Government Railways Amendment Act 1910 Debentures, 3J per cent. The Government Railways Amendment Act 1910 Debentures, 3f per oent. The Government Railways Amendment Act 1910 Debentures, 4 per oent. Greymouth Harbour Board Debentures, 4 per oent. Hamilton Borough Council Debentures, 4J per oent. Hamilton Borough Council Debentures, il per cent. .. The Hauraki Plains Amendment Aot 1913 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Aots 1903 and 1905 Debentures, 3J per cent. The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Acts 1903, 1905, and 1907 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Acts 1903, 1905, and 1907 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Act 1910 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Act 1910 Debentures, 4 por cent. The Immigration and Public Works Loan Aot 1870 Debentures, 3f per oent. India Stock, 2>J per cent. India Stock, 8} por cent. India Stook, 3 per cent. Inscribed Stook, 3J per oent. Inscribed Stock, 3 per cent. The Irrigation and Water-supply Aot 1913 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act 1914 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Land for Settlements Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Land for Settlements Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. .. Tlie Land for Settlements Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Land for Settlements Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Land for Settlements Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Land for Settlements Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Land for Settlements Aot 1908 and New Zealand Stateguaranteed Advanoes Amendment Aot 1910 Debentures, 3i per oent. The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act 1900 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act 1900 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act 1900 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Aot 1894 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Land Laws Amendment Act 1913 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Land Laws Amendment Aot 1913 Debentures, 4 per cent The Land Laws Amendment Act 1913 Debentures, 4 por cent. The Land Laws Amendment Act 1913 Debentures, 4 por cent. The Land Laws Amendment Aot 1913 Debentures. 4 percent. Tlie Land Laws Amendment Act 1913 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Land Laws Amendment Aot 1913 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Local Bodies' Loans Aot 1908 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Local Bodies' Loans Aot 1908 Debentures, 3£ per oent. The Local Bodies' Loans Act 1908 Debentures, 4 pi-r cent. The Local Bodies' Loans Aot 1908 D.-bontures, 3J per cent. The Local Bodies' Loans Act 1908 1 )ebentures, 4 per cent. Tne Local Bodies' Loans Act 1908 Debentures, 4 por cent. The Maori Land Settlement Act 1905 Debentures, 3£ per cent. Tho Maori Land Settlement Act 1907 Debentures, 3i per cent. The Mining Amendment Act 1913 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Native Land Amendment Aot 1913 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Nativo Land Purohases Act 1892 and New Zealand Loans Act 1908 Debentures, 3| per cent. £ s. d. 105,000 0 0 £ s. d. 105,000 0 0 £ s. d. 345 4 1 12,900 0 0 12,964 10 0 258 0 0 100,000 0 0 100,000 0 0 1,326 0 6 80,000 0 0 80,000 0 0 263 0 3 25,000 0 0 25,000 0 0 82 3 10 141,000 0 0 2,000 0 0 50,350 0 0 141,000 0 0 2,000 0 0 50,350 0 0 2 812 16 5 33 6 3 838 14 1 11,150 0 0 11,150 0 0 195 2 0 10,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 187 10 0 5,000 0 0 5,000 0 0 93 15 0 50,000 0 0 50,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 260,000 0 0 3,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 16,000 0 0 200,000 0 0 3,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 16,000 0 0 5,200 0 0 56 4 4 11 4 4 266 10 5 100,000 0 0 100,000 0 0 575 6 9 127,000 0 0 127,000 0 0 835 1 5 27,590 0 0 27,590 0 0 459 II 7 15,000 0 0 15,000 0 0 249 17 3 2,000 0 0 2,000 0 0 13 3 0 20,900 0 0 20,900 0 0 165 6 9 109 1 8 216 14 5 52 13 9 618,000 0 0 2,260,495 11 1 89,900 0 0 51 15 0 213 18 9 45 15 0 i 618,000 0 0 2,244,582 18 0 89.900 0 0 2 0 5 5 12 0 13 2 10,815 0 0 16,907 4 3 896 10 9 42,000 0 0 42,000 0 0 276 3 3 62,000 0 0 29,500 0 0 391,685 0 0 10,000 0 0 I 499,735 0 0 400 0 0 44,925 0 0 62,000 0 0 29,500 0 0 391,685 0 0 10,000 0 0 499,735 0 0 400 0 0 44,925 0 0 618 6 0 193 19 5 6,524 9 10 132 12 0 9,780 19 10 4 0 8 786 3 9 2,600 0 0 2,600 0 0 52 0 0 4,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 80 0 0 20,000 0 0 20,000 0 0 199 9 0 341,000 0 0 341,000 0 0 3,438 0 6 20,000 0 0 9,800 0 0 56,900 0 0 244,800 0 0 193,000 0 0 8,000 0 0 100,000 0 0 785,000 0 0 416,000 0 0 370,000 0 0 50,000 0 0 231,500 0 0 250,000 0 0 25,050 0 0 50,000 0 0 11,500 0 0 908,500 0 0 125,000 0 0 20,000 0 0 9,800 0 0 56,900 0 0 244,800 0 0 193,000 0 0 8,000 0 0 100,000 0 0 785,000 0 0 416,000 0 0 370,000 0 0 50,000 0 0 231,500 0 0 250,000 () 0 25,650 0 0 50,000 0 0 11,500 0 0 908,500 0 0 125,000 0 0 201 12 10 196 0 0 947 16 3 3,246 2 2 1,852 7 8 142 0 6 328 15 4 15,700 0 0 4,826 14 (i 4,906 5 11 143 16 8 3,069 15 0 3,315 1 3 448 17 6 875 0 0 75 12 4 8,780 4 9 783 7 9

F.—l

Table No. 8—continued. Securities, etc., standing in the Name of the Postmaster-General on Account of the Post Office Savings-bank Fund on the 31st December, 1917— continued.

28

Description of Securities. Nominal Value. Cost-price. Accrued Interest on 31st December, 1917. _» New South Wales Stock, 3J per oent. The New Zealand Consols Act 1908 Debentures, 8J per cent. .. The New Zealand Consols Aot 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. .. The New Zoaland State-guaranteed Advances Aot 1909 (Advanoes to Settlers Branch) Debentures, 3J per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Advanoes to Settlers Branoh) Debentures, 3f per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advanoes Acts 1909 and 1910 (Advances to Settlers Branch) Debentures, 4 per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Acts 1909 and 1910 (Advances to Settlers Branch) Debentures, 3| per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Aot 1909 and 1910 (Advances to Settlers Branch) Debentures, 4 per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Advances to Workers Branch) Debentures, 3J per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Advances to Workers Branch) Debentures, 3f per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Acts 1909 and 1910 (Advances to WorkerB Branch) Debentures, 34, per cent. The Now Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Acts 1909 and 1910 (Advances to Workers Branch) Debentures, 4 per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Guaranteed Mining Advanoes Branch) Debentures, 3| per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Land for Settlements Branch) Debentures, 3J per cent. The New Zealand State ■ guaranteed Advances Act 1909 and New Zealand Loans Act 1908 (Land for Settlements Debentures, 3J per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Acts 1909 and 1910 (Land for Settlements Branoh) Debentures, 3J per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advanoes Acts 1909 and 1910 (Land for Settlements Branch) Debentures, 3J per oent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Aots 1909 and 1910 (Land for Settlements Branoh) Debentures, 3| per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Acts 1909 and 1910 (Land for Settlements Branch) Debentures, 3J per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Acts 1909 and 1910 (Land for Settlements Branoh) Debentures, 3| per oent. The New.Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Aots 1909 and 1910 (Land for Settlements Branch) Debentures, 3J per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Land for Settlements Branch) Debentures, 3f por cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Acts 1909 and 1910 (Land for Settlements Branch) Debentures, 4 per oent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Local Authorities Branch) Debentures, 4 per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advanoes Aot 1909 (Local Authorities Branoh) Debentures, 3J per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Looal Authorities Branoh) Debentures, 3J per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Local Authorities Branch) Debentures, 3j per oent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Aot 1909 (Looal Authorities Branoh) Debentures, 3J per oent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Aot 1909 (Looal Authorities Branoh) Debentures, 3| per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Local Authorities Branch) Debentures, 4 per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Native Land Settlement Branch) Debentures, 3i| per oent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Acts 1909 and 1910 (Native Land Settlement Branch) Debentures, 3| per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advanoes Acts 1909 and 1910 (Native Land Settlement Branch) Debentures, 3$ per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Native Land Settlement Branch) Debentures, 3| per cent. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act 1909 (Native Land Settlement Branch) Debentures, 4 per cent. Oamaru Borough Consolidated Loan 1893 Debentures, 5 per cent. Patea Harbour Board Debentures, 4J per cent. The Post and Telegraph Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Public Revenues Aot 1910 (the Reserve Fund Securities Act, 1907) Debentures, 4 por cent. The Public Revenues Amendment Act 1915 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Public Revenues Amendment Act 1915 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Railways Improvement Authorization Aot 1914 Debentures, 4 per oent. The Railways Improvement Authorization Act 1914 Debentures, 4 per cent. The Rangitaiki Land Drainage Amendment Aot 1913 Debentures, 4 per cent. £ s. d. 27,000 0 0 340 0 0 500 0 0 100,000 0 0 £ s. d. 26,865 0 0 340 0 0 500 0 0 100,000 0 0 £ S. d. 1 ,181 5 0 4 19 1 8 6 7 872 12 0 37,000 0 0 37,000 0 0 345 18 6 205,000 0 0 205,000 0 0 673 19 5 750,000 0 0 750,000 0 0 5,31.6 15 7 2,093 15 0 2,093 15 0 34 17 3 325,000 0 0 325,000 0 0 2,835 18 11 100,000 0 0 100,000 0 0 934 18 7 205,000 0 0 205,000 0 0 3,587 10 0 406 5 0 406 5 0 6 15 3 5,000 0 0 5,000 0 0 46 14 11 25,000 0 0 25,000 0 0 218 3 0 99,000 0 0 99,000 0 0 863 17 6 8,000 0 0 8,000 0 0 46 0 6 64,850 0 0 64,850 0 0 1,134 17 6 741,066 0 0 741,066 0 0 4,644 6 10 12,350 0 0 12,350 0 0 231 11 3 15,300 0 0 15,300 0 0 94 6 3 21,500 0 0 21,500 0 0 335 15 1 410,000 0 0 410,000 0 0 3,833 4 3 39,500 0 0 39,500 0 0 393 18 4 48,000 0 0 48,000 0 0 478 18 8 400,000 0 0 400,000 0 0 3,490 7 11 975,000 0 0 975,000 0 0 8,507 16 10 112,000 0 0 112,000 0 0 977 6 3 275,000 0 0 275,000 0 0 2,399 12 11 96,000 0 0 96,000 ' 0 897 10 8 9,000 0 0 9,000 0 0 89 15 1 381,600 0 0 381,600 0 0 3,329 16 9 30,000 0 0 30,000 0 0 280 9 7 50,000 0 0 50,000 0 0 467 9 4 54,500 0 0 54,500 0 0 509 10 9 110,000 0 0 110,000 0 0 1,096 19 9 13,800 0 0 35,000 0 0 200,000 0 0 800,000 0 0 13,800 0 0 35,000 0 0 200,000 0 0 800,000 0 0 345 0 0 625 13 8 4,000 0 0 13,326 0 0 1,703,750 0 0 1,703,750 0 0 28,380 4 3 390,000 0 0 390,000 0 0 2,564 7 10 420,000 0 0 420,000 0 0 6,996 3 0 8,000 0 0 8,000- 0 0 133 5 2 10,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 132 12 0

29

F.—l

Table No. 8—continued. Securities, etc., standing in the Name of the Postmaster-General on Account of the Post Office Savings-bank Fund on the 31st December, 1917 -continued.

Table No. 9. Post Office Savings-bank. Receipts and Payments for the Year ended 31st December, 1917. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d, Balance at credit of depositors on Ist Withdrawals, 1917 .. .. .. 14,461,169 3 7 January, 1917 .. .. .. 25,603,208 11 3 Balance at credit of depositors on 31st Deposits, 1917 .. .. .. 17,106,529 5 4 December, 1917 .. .. .. 29,196,389 19 0 Interest credited to depositors, 1917 .. 947,821 6 0 £43,657,559 2 7 £43,657,559 2 7 Fixed Deposit Account. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. Balance at orodit on Ist January, 1917 .. Withdrawals, 1917 .. Deposits, 1917 .. .. .. 21,000 0 0 Balance at credit on 31st December, Interest credited, 1917 .. .. .. 1917 .. .. .. .. 21,000 0 0 £21,000 0 0 | £21,000 0 0 Liabilities atnd Assets. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. Balanoeat credit of Post Office Savings- Securities (Post Office Savings-bank).. 28,467,291 9 7 bank depositors on 31st December, „ (fixed deposit) .. .. 21,000 0 0 1917 .. .. .. .. 29,196,389 19 0 Balance uninvested.. .. .. 1,151,486 4 9 Balanoe on fixed deposit .. .. 21,000 0 0 Balance on transfer .. .. 14,321 19 5 Balance of assets over liabilities .. 408,065 15 11 £29,639,777 14 4 £29,639,777 14 4 Profit and Loss Account. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. Interest credited to depositors during 1917 947,821 6 0 Balance forward, Ist January, 1917 .. 343,110 3 7 Interest paid on debentures purchased by Interest received during £ s. d. the Department .. .. .. 93 711 the year .. .. 988,221 14 9 Loss on conversion in London of Irish Accrued interest on 31st Land StooK at 2| per cent, into India December, 1917 .. 328,417 17 7 Stock at 2£ per oent. .. .. 38 . 0 0 Paid Public Account, for cost of Savings- 1,316,639 12 4 bank management .. .. .. 32,000 0 0 Less accrued interest on Balance forward to next account .\ 408,065 15 11 31st Deoember, 1916 274,720 4 7 —1,041,919 1 9 Sundry reoeipts .. .. .. 2,988 18 6 £1,388,018 9 10 £1,388,018 9 10

Description of Securities. Nominal Value. Cost-priee. Accrued Interest on 31st December, 1917. £ s. d. 45,000 0 0 £ s. d. 45,000 0 0 £ t. d. 596 14 3 'he Rangitaiki Land Drainage Amendment Act 1913 and Amendment Act 1914 Debentures, 4 per oent. 'he Scenery Preservation Act 1908 Debentures, 3J per cent. .. 'he Scenery Preservation Act 1908 Debentures, 3| per cent. .. 'he Soonery Preservation Act 1908 Debentures, 4 per oent. 'he Soenery Preservation Aot 1908 Debentures, 4 per cont. iouth Australian Stock, 4 per cent. ioutb Australian Stock, 3J per cent. 'he State Advances Act 1913 (Advances to Settlers Branoh) Debentures, 4 per cent. 'he State Advances Act 1913 (Advanoes to Workers Branch) Debentures, 4 per oent. 'he State Advanoes Act 1913 (Local Authorities Branch) Debentures, 4 per cent. 'he Swamp Drainage Aot 1915 Debentures, 4 per cent. 'hames Harbour Board Debentures, 4 per oent. 'imaru Borough Council Debentures, 4 per oent. Victorian Stook, 3 per oent. 'he Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Act 1910 Debentures, 3J per oent. 'he Waikaka Branoh Railway Act 1905 Debentures, 4 per cent. Vellington City Council Debentures, 4 per oent. Vellington City Council Debentures, 4 per cent. Vellington Harbour Board Debentures, i\ per oent. Vellington Harbour Board Debentures, 4 per oent. Vellington-Manawatu Railway Purchase Aot 1908 Debentures, 4 per cent. Vestport Harbour Board Debentures, 4 per cent. .ccrued interest on Post Office Aooount 30,000 0 0 20,000 0 0 19,000 0 0 20,000 0 0 1,772 16 2 12,000 0 0 573,200 0 0 50,000 0 0 200,000 0 0 16,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 12,379 19 10 100,000 0 0 30,000 0 0 20,000 0 0 19,000 0 0 20,000 0 0 1,861 9 0 11,760 0 0 573,200 0 0 50,000 0 0 v200,000 0 0 16,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 10,708 13 10 100,000 0 0 172 12 0 123 5 9 124 18 8 131 10 2 88 11 10 210 0 0 1,884 9 8 164 7 8 657 10 7 105 4 1 99 14 6 80 0 0 185 13 11 1,457 10 7 53,476 0 0 100,000 0 0 25,000 0 0 27,100 0 0 49,400 0 0 499,700 0 0 53,476 0 0 99,000 0 0 24,500 0 0 27,100 0 0 49,400 0 0 499,700 0 0 351 12 6 2,000 0 0 394 8 8 676 14 2 6,626 3 0 489,500 0 0 489,500 0 0 9,790 0 0 257 17 3 Totals 28,489,411 15 10 28,467,291 9 7 328,417 17 7

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30

Table No. 10. Savings-bank Accounts remaining open on 31st December, 1917, classified according to Balance at Credit of each Account.

District. Not Exceeding Exceeding exceeding £20 and £50 and £20. up to £50. up to £100. I Exceeding Exceeding Exceeding Exceeding : Exceeding £100 and £200 and £300 and £400 and £5O0 and up to £200. up to £300. up to £400. up to £500. up to £600. Exceeding Exceeding Exceeding Exceeding m XPlv aiT,e Number of £600 and £700 and £800 and £900 and tx „ c , e ™ g upto£700. up to £800. up to £900. up to £1,000. i 1 .""". op"" I I Auckland Blenheim Christchurch Dunedin Gisborne Greymouth Hokitika Invercargill Napier .. Nelson .. New Plymouth Oamaru .. Thames .. Timaru . . Wanganui Wellington Westport 74,690 5,571 56,959 40,138 9,586 5,981 1,703 14,181 19,781 8,673 13,079 4,078 11,341 10,265 18,999 83,892 3,772 ! 10.793 796 8,949 6,299 1,485 729 274 2,831 2,862 1,390 2,047 883 1,780 1,941 2,375 13,783 463 8,168 654 6,999 5,013 1,101 576 157 2,360 2,418 1,096 1,795 681 1,113 1,477 1,826 7,579 379 7,282 541 5,998 4,736 990 560 156 2,098 2,033 1,034 | 1,541 598 ; 967 1,369 I 1,752 7,790 368 3,062 246 2,781 2,157 398 344 90 923 793 424 698 296 437 628 741 3,043 182 1,614 130 1,443 1,295 207 167 38 445 524 239 371 170 108 350 434 1,696 99 879 79 846 647 127 77 19 233 258 119 197 80 111 159 212 1,055 54 725 60 535 405 70 63 14 142 196 72 129 51 57 124 125 833 27 355 30 317 267 38 42 10 103 113 33 87 35 45 78 97 499 14 203 18 162 174 25 15 7 I 25 60 23 32 10 16 47 30 182 13 123 12 132 89 20 II 4 16 30 20 32 12 15 27 37 140 4 113 7 94 79 8 8 19 24 12 29 4 10 18 19 110 6 176 108,183 12 '< 8,156 132 85,347 108 61,407 24 14,079 15 : 8,588 3 2,475 19 23,395 78 29,170 10 13,145 30 20,067 9 ! 6,907 19 ] 16,019 25 16,508 48 26,695 517 120,819 10 5,391 Totals, 1917 382,689 : 59,680 43,392 39,813 17,243 9,330 5,152 3,628 2,163 1,042 724 560 935 566,351 Totals, 1916 369,769 57,216 39,715 34,498 15,443 8,690 4,775 3,149 1,865 987 625 ] 481 859 538,072

31

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Table No. 11. Table showing the Estimated Number of Letters and Letter-cards, Post-cards, Book-packets, Newspapers, and Parcels posted and delivered in the several Postal Districts of New Zealand during the Year ended 31st December, 1917.

Postal Districts (1917). Posted in the Dominion.* LeUeTcaTdl Post-cards. Books, Ac. ! Newspapers. Posted in the Dominion. Parcels. Delivered in the Dominion. |littl?-ca° : ds. Post - cards i Books - &c - Newspapers. Delivered in the Dominion. Total posted and deliver Parcels. Post-cards. ! Books &c. Total posted and delivered. red. Newspapers. Parcels. Auckland .. 28,902, 523 ! Blenheim .. 1,515,559: Christchuich .. 13.924,590 Dunedin '... 12.898.413 Gisborne .. 2.362,735 Greymouth .. 1.101,351 Hokitika .. 629.985 Invercargill .. 6.509.892 Napier .. 6.666.843 Nelson .. 1.957.909 New Plymouth.. 3.868. 899 Oamaru .. 1.771.359 Thames .. 2.464.995 Timaru .. 4.464.123 Wanganui .. 4.436,288 Wellington .. 26.842.244 Westport .. 726,167 849,797! 5,903.528! 4.0.131 185.758 341,367 1,571.058 578.695 3.829.097; 25.181 481.306 18.577 125.358 10.634 67,821 189.605 1.627.096 201,331 1,617.612 40.859 252.522 103,727 579.217 36,478 361.620 52.988 328.063 167.908 874.026 94.887 760,855 538.252 4.900.696 4,745 115,305 4.848,228 259.766 1.954.979 2.085.436 583.363 215.787 144,716 868.631 1.123.139 243.104 574.820 196.339 303.810 527.109 693.439 3.457,030 151.632 874,133 27.014 500.903 365.560: 49.296 1 30.589 13.117 121,459 124.696 58.097 79,079 29.588 54,821 65,559 103.584 776,529 21.515 27,825,889; 1.643.525 15.575.027 12.052,924 2.281,656: 1.332.4611 760.630! 6.940.453) 7.223.229; 2.341,170! 4.538.014 2.085.304 3.405.116 4.541.069 4.912,453 26.096.642; 1.197.508J 869,661 48,282 815.607 550.979 49.764 25.415 16.094 227.799 252.356 68,757 137,280 50.570 72.865 195.442 136,266 721.396 16,172 4,814,225 172,614 2.846,441 2.876.445 417,001 169.936 111.280 1,077.154 1,708.954 234,923 497,315 327,340 446.836 897,871 764,543 3.828,058 162.344 4.267.393 380,263 2.267.967 2.233.244 850.863 427.388 238.316 1,215,162 1.638.182 549.900 852,046 283.075 622,882 894.842 1.163,747 3.943,628 306.566 680,250 44,600 342,939 239,001 65,372 52,958 22.541 142.976 173.185 86.886 128.821 36.749 107,476 84.221 159,524 621.692 30.145 56.728.412j 3,159. 084 ! 29,499.617 24,951.337 4,644,391 2.433.812 1 1.390.615 : 13.450.345 13.890,072 4,299.079 8.406.913 3.856.663 5,870.111 9,005.192 9,348.741 52,938.886! 1,923.675 j 1.719,458 88,413 1.156.974 1,129.674 74,945 43,992 26.728 417.404 453.687 109,616 241,007 87.048 125,853 363.350 231,153 1,259.648 20.917 10.717.753 358,372 4,417.499 6.705.542 898,307 295.294 179.101 2.704.250 3,326,566 487,445 1.076.532 688.960| 774.899 1.771,897 1.525.398 8.728.754 277,649; 9,115,6211,554,383 640.0291 71.614 4.222.946) 843.842 4.318.680 604,561 1,434.226 114,668 643.175 83,547 383.032 35,658 2.083.793 264,435 2,761,321 297,881 793,004 144,983 1.426-866 207,900 479,414] 66,337 926.692J 162,297 1.421.951 149,780 1,857.186| 263,108 7,400. 658! 1.398, 221 458,198' 51,660 Totals .: jl21.043.875 3 3,295.162! 3,295,162 23,580.938 23.580.938 18.231.328! 3.295.539| 124,753.070 4,254,705 21.353.280 22.135.464J 3,019,336; 22.876.256 i 2,981.392 245.796.945 7,549,867 44.934,218! 40,366,792J6.314,875 Previous year .. ; 120,512, 055 3 3,530,787 25.288.747 3,530,787 25,288.747 18.931.743; 3.103.711 121.609. 306! 4,602.910 23,579,790 242.121.361 8,133.097 48.868,537|:1,807,999'6.085,103

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Table No. 12. Registered Articles. The number of registered articles dealt with in 1917, compared with the number in 1890, 1900, 1910, and 1916, is as follows :— 1890. 1900. 1910. 1916. 1917. From places beyond the Dominion 26,374 52,343 132,493 136,919 144,659 Registered in the Dominion ... 169,321 464,036 993,675 1,362,559 1,619,851 Totals ... ... 195,695 516.379 1,126,168 1,499,478 1,764,510 Dead Letters. 1916. 1917. Opened and returned to writers ... ... 292,266 296,472 Returned unopened to other countries ... ... 47,800 39,413 Reissued ... ... ... ... ... 23,046* 65,088* Destroyed ... ... ... ... ... 46,213 39,098 Returned unopened by Chief Postmasters ... 198,174 212,568 Returned unopened to other countries by Chief Postmasters ... ... ..." ... 22,515 13,790 Totals ... ... ... 630,014 666,429 * Includes letters addressed to soldiers.

Table No. 13. Pakcel-post. The following shows the number and weight of parcels posted during the years 1890, 1900, 1910, 1916, and 1917 :—

The following table shows the number and weight of parcels exchanged with the United Kingdom and the undermentioned places during the years 19.16 and 1917 :—

N W — 1890. 1900. 1910. lumber' 121,292 199,413 1,190,711 Veight 336,643 lb. 12 oz.i682,140 lb. 7 oz. 3,953,284 lb. 15o/„ 1916. 3,103,711 12,504,648 lb. 1917. 3,295,539 14,171,1401b.

Country. Be 1916. Number. Weight. Iteceived. sceived. Number. 1917. Despatched. 1916. 1917. Number. Weight. Number. Weiglit. Weight. United Kingdom and foreign countries (via London) United States of America .. New Zealand Expeditionary Force Canada Victoria New South Wales South Australia Queensland Tasmania Western Australia.. Fiji Ceylon Uruguay Cape of Good Hope Natal India Tonga Tahiti .. Hong Kong Straits Settlements lb. 116,432 763,764 23,236 127,358 2,516 , 6,108 1,864 9,857 8,525 30,766 1.8,446 55,624 566 1,515 982 2,667 418 1,079 438 945 311 705 524 2,635 889 1,206 2,500 4,742 41 153 1,048 7,326 117 387 105,368 32,904 891 1,836 9,609 16,087 550 913 217 362 406 237 1,375 1,293 43 7 1,241 103 lb. 564,562 lb. lb. 23,964 90,154 33,810 135,961 209,918 1,931 2,087 7,447 1,793 6,324 251,164 960,841 392,235 1,498,537 9,011 38,372 57,193 1,577 2,437 487 906 904 1,215 785 2,690 593 1,773 i 3,572 9,615 3,613 9,980 12,8.14 40,675 11,593 ! 37,230 487 1,253 557 1,543 1,034 2,448 956 2,651 711 1,692 697 1,590 496 1,452 452 1,077 1,054 3,493 M43 3,874 629* 3,280 83 343 66 278 74 246 113 370 337 897 283 719 1,108 5,062 697 3,464 344 1,328 425 1,592 214 1,118 337 1,780 154 708 164 707 78 323 101 387 1,837 5,809 140 34 9,681 346 Totals 178,853 1,016,837 178,853 1,016,837 7 173,442 173,442 906,320 301,172 1,135,005 449,645 I1,709,902 ' Includini •reels for His Ma; iest; ■'s shi] IB.

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Table No. 14. 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, 1893.

5—F. 1.

Year ended i Number of Miles of Line. Number a. of £0 Miles of E £ '— Wire. |« Number of Telegrams forwarded during the Year. Private Govern- ! Tntal and Press. ment. Telegraph Revenue from all Sources. Value of Government Messages. Total Value - , „ ?° st of Cost of of Cost of Maintenance Main Business done Maintenance of Lines, Total tenance of Tariff in Operation, during of excluding Expenditure. Lines the Year. Stations. Australian Cable per Mile. Subsidy. r = g : Private Governand Press. ment. !______ I 1 I I l__ i l_ I ! 1 1 _. _ £ s. d. £ s. d. 699 1,39° 13 24,761 2,746 27,407 5,561 19 2 483 3 2 757 i,498 21 55,621 15,331 70,952 9,070 10 1 3,770 4 8 1,110 2,223 31 72,241 26,244 98,485 11,652 3 7 6,672 o 3 1,329 2,495 45 106,070 50,097 ; 156,167 18,520 10 4 13,430 11 9 1,661 2,897 56 122,545 ; 62,878 1 185,423 17,218 1 4 12,252 6 o 1,976 3,247 72 253,582 59,292 ! 3*2,874 22,419 8 8 9,876 17 6 2,185 3,823 81 344,524 67,243 I 411,767 28,121 10 o 11,043 3 9 2,356 4,574 93 485,507 83,453 j 568,960 39,680 18 9 11,105 2 o 2,530 5,782 105 645,067 107,832 752,899 46,508 18 10 12,618 11 6 2,986 6,626 127 786,237 130,891 j 917,128 55,301 12 3 13,679 10 9 3,154 7,247 142 890,382 160,704 [1,051,086 62,715 10 4 16,154 6 o 3,259 7,423 155 ; 952,283 172,159 1,124,442 65,644 15 3 17,024 8 9 3,434 8,035 182 1,065,481 1194,843 11,260,324 73,284 1 10 19,148 12 4 3,512 8,117 *95 1,201,982 246,961 -i,448, 943 85,402 o 2 26,949 2 2 3,638 9,333 214 8124,734 I 83,675 51,008,409 j 58,120 3 3 19,707 6 3 3,758 9.587 22 7 1,058,342 !2 4 6,370 |i,304, 712 : 73,002 2 o 27,021 3 8 3,824 9,653 234 1,215,849 222,923 11,438,772 78,828 19 8 (22,737 16 4 3,974 1 9,848 264 1,361,817 .208,372 1,570,189 90,633 11 2 '20,608 11 11 4,074 10,037 302 1,379,483 219,917 ; i,599, 400 93,822 3 3 21,555 19 2 4,264 !io,474 330 1,433,458 j220,847 1,654,305 95,634 5 5 20,85519 7 4,463 10,931 375 1,533,406 1240,867 1,774, 273 101,652 8 o 24,860 9 o 4,546 111,178 412 1,583,717 ;252,549 1,836,266 106,638 12 2 527, 281 4 9 4,646 [11,375 437 !>589,77! 1245,623 1,835,394 106,548 4 o 30,205 11 10 j 4,790 in, 617 473 1,548,233 ;2i7,630 .1,765,863 106,311 11 6 ,23,164 13 11 4,874 11,827 4**9 1,589, 157 1213,830 1,802, 987 106,462 18 4 24,218 9 3 5,148 12,812 520 1,734,381 '226,780 ;i,961, 161 110,696 17 S 26,070 12 7 5,349 13,235 573 1,746,115 [222,149 [1,968,264 117,633 15 9 [24,840 5 7 5,479 13,459 615 1,686,064 ! 218,079 [1,904,143 103,813 8 64:24,342 7 o 5,5 r 3 13,5*5 640 11,825,646 1244,045 [2,069,691 112,465 15 9 28,317 7 10 I 1 1 1 1 . . 30th June, 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 31st March, 1880 1881 1882 31st Dec, 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 „ 1890 1891 1892 1893 i,390 13 1,498 21 2,223 31 2,495 45 I 2,897 56 3,247 72 3,823 81 4,574 93 5,782 105 6,626 127 7,247 U2 7,423 155 I 8,035 l82 I 8,117 155 I 9,333 214 9,587 227 1 9.653 234 1 9,848 264 1 10,037 3 02 • !o,474 330 [1 10,931 375 1 11,178 412 1 ",375 437 :l 11,617 473 1 11,827 489 1 12,812 520 1 13,235 573 11 13,459 615 ,i 13,515 640 1 24,761 2,746 27,405 55,621 15,331 70>955 72,241 : 26,244 98,48; 106,070 50,097 ; 156,167 122,545 : 62,878 1 185,42; 253,582 59,292 ! 312,87. 344,524 67,243 1 411,76; 485,507 83,453 j 568,96c 645,067 107,832 752,891: 786,237 130,891 [ 917,12! 890,382 160,704 1,051 ,o8t 952,283 172,159 1,124,44: 1,065,481 1194,843 I,260,32* 1,201,982 1246,961 94; 824,734 !83,675 !i,008,40c 1,058,342 :246,37c [1,304,71: 1,215,849 222,923 1,438,77: 1,361,817 208,372 [1,570,18c 1,379,483 219,917 1,599,4a 1,433,458 J220,8 4 7 1,654,30; 1,533,406 [240,867 1,774,27; 1,583,717 1252,549 1,836,261 1,589,771 1245,623 1,835,39, 1,548,233 1217,630 1,765,86; 1,589,157 1213,830 I,802, 98^ 1,734,381 1226,780 1,961,16 1,746,115 1222,149 1,968,26, 1,686,064 ! 2 i8,079 1,904,14 1,825, 646 j 244, 045 2,069, 69 £ s. d. 7 5,561 19 2 2 9,070 10 1 5 11,652 3 7 7 18,520 10 4 I 3 17,218 1 4 1 4 22,419 8 8 7 28,121 10 o 1 io 39,680 18 9 1 19 46,508 18 10 1 8 55, 3 DI I2 3 1 16 62,715 10 4 1 [2 65,644 15 3 I 14 73,284 I IO I 85,402 o 2 i >9 [ 58,120 3 3 i :2 73,002 202 •2 78,828 19 85 (9 90,633 n 22 >o 93,822 3 35 >5 95,634 5 5 U 1-3 101,652 8 o ;s )6 106,638 12 2 5 )4 106,548 4 o ; >3 106,311 11 6 ; \-] 106,462 18 4 ;; )i 110,696 17 8 1 >4 "7,633 15 9 - 13 103,813 8 6J : )i 112,465 15 9 ;'. 483 3 2 3,770 4 8 6,672 o 3 13,430 11 9 12,252 6 o 9,876 17 6 ",043 3 9 11,105 2 o 12,618 n 6 13,679 10 9 16,154 6 o 17,024 8 9 19,148 12 4 26,949 221 19,707 6 3 27,021 3 81 22,737 16 4 1 20,608 n 11 1 21,555 19 2 1 20,855 19 7 1 24,860 901 27,281 491 30,205 11 10 1 23,164 13 11 1 24,218 9 3 1 26,070 12 71 24,840 5 7 1 24,342 7 O I 28,317 7 10 1 £ s. d. 6,045 2 4 12,840 14 9 18,324 3 IO 31.951 2 I 29,470 7 4 32,296 6 2 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 H5,378 2 5 116,490 5 o 126,512 17 o r 33,9i9 16 11 !36,753 15 10 129,476 5 5 130,681 7 7 136,767 10 3 142,474 1 4 128,155 15 6J !40,783 3 7 £ s - d - £ s d. £ s. d. j £ s. d. £ s. d. 6,045 2 4 3,934 3 4 2,443 2 11 I- 6,377 6 3 3 9 10 ) 12,840 14 9 8,017 !4 7 2.54 1 4 " ; 10,558 19 6 371 j-Mileage tariff. 18,324 3 10 9,489 17 IO 5,406 7 3 14.80 5 1 4 '7 4 J 31,951 2 I 14,266 12 7 8,547 4 9 I 22,813 T? 4 6 8 6 \ Mileage tarirt in operation 29,470 7 4 16,417 7 414,120 4 10 30O37 12 2 8 9 11 32,296 6 2 21,254 4 3",344 3 8 ; 32,598 7 II 5 19 6 } Sept., 1869, to 31st March, 39,164 13 9 23,593 9 9 8,858 19 7 32,452 94 423; i8;o; and is. tariff from 50,786 O 9 27,040 18 IO 9,479 5 4 36,520 4 2 4 I II j ist April, 1870. 59,127 10 4 38,801 19 415,021 17 11 53,823 17 36 3 II k 68,981 3 o 45,814 11 4:14,240 19 7 60,055 I0 Ix 4 16 4 78,869 16 4 61,696 14 521,074 S 8 82,771 3 1 , 5 18 10 ; From November, 82,669 4 o 63,353 10 1017,931 fc. 0 , 81,284 18 10 5 12 11 I Ig address and 92,43214 2 69,340 1 818.259 4 9 87,599 6 5 5io o V si 'l Atme iven in 112,351 2 4 79,502 o 517,299 7 10 96,801 S3 509 fr | e 77,827 9 6 68,651 10 1014,758 4 5 83,409 15 3 4 3 4 100,023 5 8 78,224 1 823,154 S 3 101,378 1)11,6 6 7 I 101,566 16 o 69,165 5 018,292 13 4 87,457 18 4 4 17 4 ' 111,242 3 1 73,554 9 122,451 6 3 96,005 15 4 5 17 5 I "5.378 2 5 73,054 4 619,210 6 6 92,264 no 4 16 8 From ist November, 116,490 5 o 70,036 6 220,041 15 10 90,078 20 4 18 4 1873, address and 126,512 17 o 77,082 4 420,900 6 2 97,982 10 6 4 15 9 signature given in !33,9i9 16 n 77,473 10 721,402 18 2 98,875 89 4 15 n free. I 3 6 ,753 15 10 76,580 10 021,321 2 9 97,901 12 9 4 13 9 From ist Jan., 1886, 129,476 5 5 72,201 13 523,262 1 o 95,463 14 5 501!" delayed telegrams 130,681 7 7 75,426 9 7-26,007 1 5 101,433 XI 0 5 87 posted to addressees 136,767 10 3 76,845 1 1027,546 2 o 104,391 3 10 5 13 o immediately after 142,474 1 4 85,658 4 1128,986 10 10 114,644 15 9 5 12 7 their receipt at 128,155 15 6% 87,472 13 329,580 10 n 117,053 42 580 offices of destina140,783 3 7 92,109 17 029,141 6 o 121,251 3 05 5 9 'J tion.

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Table No. 14 — continued. Comparative Table showing the Progress of the Telegraph Department during the Financial Years ended 31st March, 1895, to 31st March, 1918.

Table No. 15. Table showing the Cash Revenue derived from Paid Telegrams of all Codes, the Value of Franked Government Telegrams, and the Number of Telegrams transmitted in the several Postal Districts of New Zealand for the Twelve Months ended 31st March, 1918.

34

Year ended •g g ! Number of Telegrams and Bureau ,,„„,,v\ C i!! en !J? „„i Number Number Zg Messages forwarded during the Year. }",",,„,',, it™'jnt a ) Miles of Miles of | S Line. Wire. go PHmita anvttrn. *5 and r '^ 9 . G ren" I r °t»l. Telegraph. Telephone. I .: S I Total Total . I? 5 gj Value of Expend!- 3 '» O $ Business I inn Ss o?3 done {excluding 9^ S-g during Cable SS . 3.3 the Year. Subsidy). w 1s (23 g 31st Mar., 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1900 1907 1908 I 909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 L918 I £ £ 5,9614 14,881.1 705 1,802,182 231,618 2,033,800 88,459 21,552 6.245.1 15,704]; 743 1,899,632 224,579 2,124,211 97,178 25,933 6,284f 16,4702 780 2,285,001 235,168 2,520,169 100,385 29,248 6,484 18,024 I 824 2,469,415 226,818 2,696,233 99,798 36,422 6,736 18,746 I 878 2,717,548 243,190 2,960,738 105,576 39,718 0,910 19,228 | 915 3,159,093 310,538 3,469,631 119,641 43,303 7,249» 20,682f 991 3,534,444 363,684 3,898,128 137,861 49,117) 7,469 21,705: |,038 3,850,391 317,590 4,167,981 151,933 55,542 7,748| 22,672| 1,103 4,271,218 288,086 4,559,304 160,343 62,151 7,7791 22,920.1 1J53 4,671,904 293,293 4,965,197 166,535 71 ,028 ! 7,943J 23,704 1,200 4,900,495 259,25015,159,745 171,001 79,061 8,355 25,116 1,312 5,351,084 289,135 5,640,219 184,369 89,542 8,953 27,031 1,446 6,160,080 236,252 6,396,332 206,706 100,814 9,656 29,343 1,611 6,958,279' 84,644 7,042,923 [ 227,398 116,852 10,404 32,654 1,764 7,338,017 87,076 7,425,693 238,103 131,249 10,901 34,788 1,871 7,757,128 89,762 7,846,8901 250,212 144,298 11,316 37,212 1,963 8,268,340 92,307 8,360,647:272,942 161,173 11,805 39,370 2,079 8,971,725 91,408 9,063,1331295,334 179,123 12,508 41,892 2,203 9,850,379 93,893 9,944,272 321,951 201,237 13,044 44,642 2,30510,594,556 99,476 10,691,032 342,595 232,190 13,434 46,778 2,386 10,716,613 111,355 10,827,968,356,306 303,856 13,684 48,052 2,413 10,708,910 127,84110,836,751)549,627 287,547 13,896 50,320 2,40910,734,168 140,95210,875,120 527,249 317,275 13,687 50,291 '2,37111,510,710 114,010 11,624,720 516,865 341,368 £ £ £ £ ! 26,051 136,062 135,791 6,492 J 25,844 148,955 143,665 4,774 S 23,119 152,752 153,484 3,972 ! 24,505 160,725 '165,198 1,849 ! 25,500 170,794 173,152 1,427 I 29,432 192,376 181,634 1,608 ') 35,327 222,305 194,014 1,000 !: 27,508 234,984 212,180 234 26,440 248,934 228,185 181 ! ! 24,378 261,941 245,805 10.057 20,598 270,660 258,977 .. I 24,168 298,079 276,580 .. : 17,487 325,007 291,359 .. ! 4,499 348,749 357,581 .. 1 4,822 374,174 394,649 .. : 4,851 399,361 411,296 .. 4,874 438,989 446,709 .. 4,832 479,289 469,716 .. ' 4,931 528,119 509,496 .. 5,031 579,816 563,108 .. : 5,776 665,938 612,665 .. 9,085 846,259 658,572 .. i 10,774 855,298 681,217 .. 6,949 868,182 803,691 .. ■ Note.—Tari For twelve word: text and signatui 1906 : For each iff, 1890 : Is. for ton words, and free address and signature up to ten words3, and free address and signature, ordinary telegrams, Is. ; delayed, 6d, Lati re made eighteen. 1896: First twelve words, 6d.; each additional word, Id. additional word after first twelve, id. September, 1915: First twelve words, i Is; delayed telegrams, 6d. 1892: ;er in 1892 the number of words in . ; address and signature paid for. 8d.; each additional word, Jd.

Postal District. Auckland Blenheim Christchuroh .. Dunedin Gisborne Greymouth Hokitika Invercargill Napier Nelson New Plyniouth Oamaru Thames Timaru Wanganui Wellington We.stport : ! I tetadtam Vf "'" e of Total PHirl Pranked Value of Teleurnins Government Telegrams of ot an (lodes. Telegrams. all Codes. £ £ £ 91,779 565 92,344 6,678 156 6,834 44,515 920 45 435 35,468 399 35.867 14,465 j 258 , I 1,723 6,505 ! 175 6,680 2,316 I 12 2,328 19,295 ! 143 19,438 29,901 ! (ill 30,545 9.324 I 459 9,783 17,032 i 117 17,149 6,173 ! 67 6,240 13,042 42 13,084 12,269 III 12,380 22,366 139 22,505 119,222 2,651 121,873 3,872 91 3,963 Number Number of : of Paid franked Telegrams. Government Telegrams. 2,486,976 10,516 199,770 3,078 1 ,067 283 18, 155 852,355 6,988 322,121 5,322 147,922 3,996 64 516 221 539,255 4.919 SSI,721 9 65 I 252,0111 11,899 499,297 2,446 135,000 1,673 357,941 ■ 1,164 316,532 2 341 605,557 2.590 2 693,322 27,199 89,096 1,844 Total Number of Telegrams of all CodeB. 2,497,492 202,848 I 085,438 859,343 327,443 151,918 64,737 544,174 891,380 263,945 501,743 136,673 359,105 318,873 608,147 2,720,521 90,940 Totals, 1917-18 454,222" 6,949 461,171 461,171 11,510,710 114.010 11,621,720 Totals, 1916-17 413,853 10,774 424,627 L0,875,120 421,627 10,734,168 140,952

35

¥.— 1

Table No. 16. Table showing the Paid Telegrams of all Codes forwarded during the Twelve Months ended 31st March, 1918, and the Revenue received therefrom.

Table No. 17. Table showing the Class and Number of Instruments and Batteries in Use at Telegraph-offices for the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

Juue Quarter. 1917. September Quarter, 1917. December Quarter, 1917. March Quarter, 1918. Totals. Class of Telegrams. I Number. Revenue. Number. Revenue Number. Revenue. Number. Revenue. Number. I Revenue. I Ordinary Urgent Press Bureau 1,439,739 92,007 73,654 1,174,296 £ 90,500 8,429 6,663 34,799 1,338,636 78,971 68,470 1,191,801 £ 95,122 7,461 7,311 35,480 1.528.751 98,314 64,495 1,312,732 £ 106,073 9.379 6,834 39,459 1,521,072 102,196 63,733 1,361,843 £ 102,233 8,688 6,132 40,828 5.828,198 371,488 270.352 5,040.672 £ I 393,928 33.957 26.940 150.566 Gross totals Less other lines and credits 2,779,696 140,391 30,607 2,677,878 145,374 39,420 3,004,292 161,745 42,305 3,048,844 157,881 38,837 11,510,710 605.391 151.169 Net totals, 1917-18 109,784 105,954 119,440 119,044 454,222 Net totals, 1916-17 2,571.349 98,900 < 2,485,404 95,908 2,762,517 106,147 2,914,898 112,898 10,734,168 413,853

Morse Instruments in Use. Nuruber of Cells. Constant Intermittent Current. Current. Single- Doublecurrent current Duplex. Duplex. Number, Number sounder Q«<«ex Sets. Sets - Number yilmbet o{ Automatic Translator Sets. bets - Number of Telephones not conDistrict. Exchange. Leclanche and Dry. Burnham I Danie11 - Bichromate. Storage. ': i ; Auckland Canterbury Nelson .. Otago .. , Wellington 48 120 4 58 127 84 20 '24 92 83 14 11 4 1 20 7 7 5 1 15 17 1 24 13 2 8 26 7 3 1 1 19 137 4 46 40 9,888 813 20S 2,647 519 972 1,831 100 150 5,436 78 548 12,589 4,384 1,246 32,391 5,894 3,124 448 4 1,015 4 2 335 4 223 177 2,021 191 Totals 357 303 50 35 18 73 31 227 I Total number of Morse sets, 867.

F.-l

36

Table No. 18. Table showing the Cost of Maintenance of Telegraph and Telephone Lines for the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

District. Travelling-, Tim-Al Total Miles Miles hBSSSfl Extm Material Telephones: Expenditure F Jtf n ™ nd of Wire. of Line. ; n f,f? els Labour, i Material. S.S.Tuta- Assistance out of Vote f™°™„ Lin a e^en ; ' nekal - to Settlers. Maintenance. Lmenien. Total Cost of Maintenance. Average Cost per Mile of Wire. 1 verage Cost per Mile of Line. Auckland Wellington Nelson 13,714 15,637 2,961 4,160 3,448 1,116 i £ 3,263 2,205 738 £ 8,214 5,376 485 £ 9,709 10,617 704 £ £ £ 21,186 18,198 1,927 £ 10,648 16,001 1,310 £ 31,834 34,199 3,237 £ s. d. ' 2 6 5 2 3 9 1 1 10 £ s. d. 7 13 0 9 18 4 2 18 0 Canterbury 8,947 2,055 1,061 2,133 2,440 5,634 5,505 11.139 1 4 11 5 8 5 Otago 9,032 j 2,908 1,582 , 2,299 4,505 8,386 5,916 14,302 1 11 8 4 18 4 — Total 50,291 13,687 : 13,687 : 8,849 | 8,849 | 18,507 18,507 27,975 27,975 55,331 55,331 39,380 39,380 94,711 94,711 1 17 8 1 17 8 6 18 5 6 18 5 Cables 416* 527 527 1,538 1,538 3,693 3,693 3,504 3,504 9,262 10,231 9,262 1,645 9,262 9,262 11,876 • 22 5 3t • 22 5 3f| Stores 12 12 2,643 2,643 7,576 7,576 10,231 1,645 11,876 I Rural telephones — Assistance to settlers .. 1,363 1,363 1,363 1,363 1,363 1,363 Laboratory, &c. 2 13 2 2,355 1,236 2,355 1,893 1,893 815 4,250 2,064 4,250 4,250 4,250 2,064 Wireless stations 13 ! 1,236 815 2,064 2,064 — 1 Total telegraph-lines 50,707 50,707 13,687 13,687 9,403 9,403 26,279 26,279 41,952 41,952 3,504 3,504 1,363 1,363 82,501 82,501 41,025 41,025 123,526 123,526 Telephone exchanges .. 154,799 I 154,799 4,403 4,403 1,897 1,897 21,162 21.162 18,819 18,819 41.878 41.878 45,786 45,786 87,664 87,664 \ I Grand total .. [ 205,506 205,506 18,090 18,090 11,300 11,300 47,441 47,441 60,771 60,771 3,504 3,504 1,363 1,363 124,379 124,379 86,811 86,811 21 1.190 21 1.190 * Knots. t. Per knot.

F.—J.

Table No. 19. Table showing Cost of Constructing Telegraph and Telephone Lines during the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

37

I,inc. Total Cost, including Material from Stores. Line. Total Cost, includinir, | Material ll'rom Stoics. [telephone Exchanges— Auckland Auckland (automatic) . . Coromandel Dargaville I lamillon Hamilton (automatic) Ivaikohr Ivakaki Kawhia Kohukohu Kopaki Mamaku Mangero Mangonui Matata Mount Eden (automatic) Opotiki Paeroa Patumahoe Ponsonby (automatic) .. Raurimu Remuera (automatic) Rotorua Taumarunui Taupiri Tauranga, To Kuiti Te Teko Thames Tirau Turua Waitoa Warkworth Whangarei Awakino Blenheim Blenheim (automatic) . . Carterton Courtcnay Place (automatic) Dannevirke Eketahuna Eltham Foathcsrston Peilding Gisborne Hastings . . . . Hawera Kahukura Kaitieke Levin Manakau Marton Masterton Masterton (automatio) .. NapierNew Plymouth Pabiatua .. • Palmerston North Patea Pirinoa Stratford Taihape Waikanae .. ".. Waipawa Wairoa Wanganui Wellington Wellington South (automatic) Nelson Murchison Reefton Westport Ashburton Cheviot Christchurch .. Culverden Greymouth Ha warden Kaikoura £ 17,794 5,126 37 331 17,110 226 189 596 1 135 140 208 5 1,364 10 1,049 2,908 .. • 3,240 1,267 856 16 864 181 3,991 1,969 1,268 5,036 44 84 781 2,188 12 5 1,323 701 295 130 2,653 1,407 1,305 358 2,393 2,028 4,575 7,488 1 ,879 790 2,539 407 2,312 1,567 I ,069 2,365 42 5,020 1,702 4,530 2,998 320 20 378 3,539 557 121 503 6,909 15,550 297 2,281 1 57 36 751 502 13,648 747 101 910 107 Telephone Exchanges— continued. Rakaia . . Rangiora Softon Timaru Waiau Waikari Wainiate Balclutha Cromwell Dunedin Gore Invercargill Oamaru Pukerau Queenstown Roxburgh Tapanui £ 357 372 70 1,144 87 |I,077 797 830 1,054 11,386 2,207 2,650 5,718 528 63 2,321 129 Lines — Aniwaniwa-Puketurua (metallic circuit) .. Auckland-Dargaville (metallic circuit) Auckland-Puhoi (metallic circuit) Auckland - Thames - Paoroa (metallic circuit) . . . . Ilamurana Telephone-offloe (on branch line off Tauranga-Rotorua, metallic circuit).. Helensville-Paparoa (metallic: circuit) Kirikopuni Telephone-offioe (on Tango wa-hine-Tangateroria lino) Kopaki Telephone Extension of Hamilton - To Kuiti (metallic circuit) Kopuku Telephone Extension of the MeroerMaramarua Circuit Mahurangi Telephone-office removal (on Warkworth -Mahurangi line ... Mangapuke Telephone-offioe (branch off Waihi Beach Telephone-lino) .. Netherton-Kerepehi Telephone-line Ngapaonga Telephone Extension of the Te Kuiti - Oparuo Circuit Ohaewai—Kawakawa (metallic circuit) Ohautira Telephone Extension of PukomiroWaingaro Tolephone-line Okere-Paengaroa Tolephono wire Opuatia Telephone-office (branch off the Tuakau Glen Murray line Owhiro Telephone-offioe (on Kinohaku-Owhii-i) Branoh Line from main lino Kawhia -Piopio Pukeatua—Puketurua Telephone-line Raglan - Te Akau lines . . Tahekeroa Woodcocks Telephone-line Taupiri—Komakorau Telephone-line Te Kuiti —Te Kumi .function (metallic circuit) Thames - Hauraki Plains Telephone-wire .. Waiorongoniai : Removal of telephone-office (on Te Aroha Waiorongoniai metallic circuit) .. .. Wayby : Removal of office (on WarkworthWayby lino) Gisborne-Kaiteratahi (metallic- circuit) Kopua Telephone-office (a lead off Takapau - Ormondville - Dannevirke metallic circuit) Mangahouhi Telephone-offioe (branoh line off Wanganui-TJpokonui line . '. Motuhora Telephone-offioe (on MatawaiMotu line) Pukearuhe Extension (Urenui—Pukearuhe lino Ratapiko : Removal of telephone-offioe (extension of Tariki-Ratapiko Telephone-line) Riariaki Telephone Extension (branch line from Ruatiti-Orautoha line) Tahunaroa Telephone Extension from Whangamomona to Tahunaroa <. lliwipaiigo Telephone -office (Belgrove — Gordon Downs line) £199,032 98 1,788 456 206 59 1,645 2 1 45 8 15 265 783 199 183 285 17 37 51 371 667 149 12 227 7 21 402 I 9 56 5 14 I 15 82 53 7

F.— t

38

Table No. 19— continued. Table showings Cost of Constructing Telegraph and Telephone Lines during the Year ended 31st March, 1918- continued.

'Total Cost, ii,,,. including • Material from Stores. bine. Total Cost, including Material from Stores, jnes— continued. £ Awarere Telephone-office (intermediate office on Murohison Warwiok Junction line).. 5 Howard Telephone-office (on MurchisonNewton Flat line) . . . . .. 23 Lyoll - Newton Elat wire .. .. 124 Market Cross Telephone-office (UmereOparara Telephone-line) .. .. 8 Stockton Mine Telephone-offioe (WestportStockton line) . . . . . . 86 Stoke-Nelson (metaUio oircuit) .. .. 61 Wakapuaka : Conversion of .Morse to telephone office (Nelson-Wakapuaka metallic: circuit) . . . . . . . . 1(1 Glenavy-Christohuroh (metallic circuit) .. 679 Kotuku Telephone-offloe (on the Greymouth -Otira metallic circuit) .. .. 5 Otipua—Maungati Telephone Extension (of the Timaru-Otipua Telephone Cirouit) .. 480 Tui-iwhati Telephone-office (on KumaraWainilunihi line) .. . . .. 7 Valetta Telephone-office (on AshburtonMaylicld Telephone-line) .. .. 69 Lines — continued. West Kyle Telephone-office (Ashburton Kyle Telephone-line) Alexandra-Roxburgh (metallic circuit) Balolutha- Milton (metallic circuit) Dunedin—Maniototo Telephone-line Hunt's Road Telephone-office (connection with Owaka - Aliuriri Flat Circuit) Middlemarch-Alexandra Trunk line Milton-Lawrence (metallic cirouit) Omarama - Broken Hut (telephone extension of the Kurow—Omarama Telephoneline) Omarama-Benmore (telephone extension of the Kurow-Omarama Telephone-line) Popotunoa Telephone-offioe (on WaipahiPopotunoa line) Waipango Telephone-office (on PoumakinoWaipango Branch line, off EUverton - < lummies Bush line) £ 5 490 8 12 1,488 140 50 266 6 98 Total £211,395

39

F.—l

Table No. 20. Table showing the Capital Cost, Working-expenses, and Revenue of the Telephone Exchanges, Year by Year, from the Date of their Establishment.

U s. 3 J Capital Cost for Instruments, Wire, Poles, Labour, Freight, Superintendence, &c. ! Working-expenses. Balance of Kevenue Annual Kate per Cent. yielded on Capital Cost. Year. ED fl is Average Cost of each Connection. Total for all Connections. Salaries and Allowances of Clerks, Ac. Materials and Linemen. Interest on Capital and Wear-and-tear, &c* Rent, Fuel, Light, Paper, Printing, : Binding, &c. Total. — over Workingexpenses. Total for the year ended 31st March, — 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 .. .. .. 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 .. - .. 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 .. 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 116 379 715 1,075 1,710 2,038 2,153 2,249 2,402 2,587 3,080 3,690 4,244 4,616 5,143 5,747 5,787 6,203 7,150 8,210 9,260 10,633 ..'. 12,105 14,423 15,333 17,403 20,402t 22,815t 25,212+ 28,093 31,475 .. i 36,374 .. ; ■ 41,982 46,260 .. - 50,308 52,986 ■■ | 57.196 £ s. d. 21 16 6 21 16 6 21 16 6 21 18 6 20 8 6 19 19 5 22 19 0 23 18 10 24 4 1 24 17 1 24 16 11 24 16 11 24 12 1 25 6 3 24 6 6 23 7 4 24 11 6 24 5 3 22 14 1 21 9 7 20 18 0 20 2 6 19 19 8 21 19 7 23 13 9 24 2 2 24 18 4 25 18 9 27 2 7 27 17 8 27 18 0 27 11 7 29 11 6 32 9 1 33 2 7 34 7 3 35 6 3 £ 2,531 8,271 15,604 23,461 37,319 40,686 49,407 53,849 58,229 64,294 76,579 91,687 104,425 116,845 125,108 134,299 142,218 150,490 162,333 176,349 193,511 213,966 241,903 295,029 363,192 420,088 508,408 591,760 683,986 783,382 878,133 1,003,131 1,241,628 1,501,482 1,666,561 1,820,860 2.019,892 £ £ 613 285 5,014 595 7,746 . 695 10,008 1,770 12,294 2,849 15,477 2,873 16,881 3,119 17,613 3,316 18,581 3,790 19,961 4,192 18,571 4,630 19,155 7,405 21,771 7,720 21,552 9,285 25,933 9,686 29,248 12,306 36,422 14,181 39,718 15,030 43,303 15,710 49,117 16,304 55,542 18,448 62,151 20,885 71,028 23,359 79,061 25,122 89,542 26,507 100,814 32,914 116,852 38,108 131,249 47 ,-224 144,298 52,315 161,173 54,819 179,123 62,588 201,237 69,078 232,190 80,720 303,856; 89,231 287,547 104,950 317,275 97,681 344,368 | 97,665 275 595 770 1,590 1,704 1,580. 2,252 2,249 2,206 2,249 2,345 2,696 3,313 4,253 5,304 7,398 11,834 16,190 20,847 18,226 20,570 22,078 22,508 26,782 22,576 26,145 36,813 32,995 28,755 39,814 33,791 42,192 53,823 42,548 62,682 71,022 87,664 253 827 1,560 2,346 3,732 4,069 4,941 5,344 5,823 6,429 7,658 9,169 10,442 11,685 12,510 13,430 7,111 7,525 8,117 8,817 9,675 10,698 12,095 14,751 18,159 21,004 25,420 29,588 34,199 39,169 43,907 50,156 62,081 75,074 83,328 91,043 100,994 - £ 150 300 350 475 700 320 330 335 375 395 393 464 742 818 1,952 1,857 1,882 1,861 1,893 2,001 2,079 2,615 2,986 4,448 5,270 6,163 6,902 7,265 7,741 8,031 8,725 9,764 11,744 12,878 13,429 15,115 16,765 £ . 963 •2,317 3,375 6,181 8,985 8,842 10,642 11,244 12,194 13,265 15,026 19,734 22,217 26,041 29,452 34,991 35,008 40,606 46,567 45,348 ■50,772 56,276 60,948 71,103 -72,512 86,226 107, 243 117,072 123,010 141,833 149,011 171,190 208,368 218,731 264,389 274,861 303,088 £ 207 4,492 3,653 3,827 5,011 6,635 6,239 6,368 6,387 6,695 3,544 -578 -446 -3,420 -3,519 -5,742 1,413 -887 -3,264 3,768 4,769 5,874 10,080 7,958 17,029 14,587 9,608 14,176 21,287 19,340 30,112 30,047 23,822 85,125 23,158 42,414 41,280 8-17 54-31 23-41 16-31 13-42 16-30 12-63 11-82 11-00 10-43 4-63 Loss. Loss. Loss. ■ Loss. Loss. 0-99 Loss. Loss. 2-14 2-46 2-75 4-17 2-69 4-69 3-47 1-89 2-40 311 2-46 3-43 2-99 1-92 5-67 1-40 2-33 204 * This column includes 5 per cent, for wear-and-tear and 5 per cent, for debenture capital, except in 1897-98 and following years, in wbich only 5 per cent, for debenture capital is included t In former returns extensions were included for these three years. ; Increase due to alterations in date of collecting half-yearly subscriptions, a proportion of which under the old system would have fallen in to 1915-16 receipts.

p.—l

40

Table No. 21. Table showing the Number of Telephone-exchange Connections at each Telegraph Engineer's District in the Dominion.

Approximate Cost of Paper. Preparation, not given; printing (1,200 copies), £(10.

By Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government frinter, Wellington.—1918

Price Is.]

Number of Connectii >ns on 31st March Engineer's Oistriot. 1918. 1917. Condons. Extensions. Total. Total. " Direct Extensions. Total. Connections. I Auckland Wellington Nelson Canterbury 14,612 2.412 17,024 24,314 4,290 28,604 1,654 148 .1,802 8, 455 2,068 10,523 8,161 1,64.) 9,8.10 17,024 28,604 .1 ,802 10,523 9,8.10 13,313 2,202 15,515 22,514 3,810 26,324 1,556 137 1,693 8,078 1,849 9,927 7,525 1,539 9,064 Otago Totals 57,196 10,567 67,763 57,196 67,763 52,986 9,537 62,523