Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1928 Session I | POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT (REPORT OF THE) FOR...

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1927-28.

CONTENTS. PAGJS PAQE Receipts and Payments .. .. 1, 13 " Householder " Circulars .. .. 16 Staff .. .. .. .. 2, 14 Missing Postal Packets .. .. 16 Time off in lieu of Overtime .. .. 2 Graphs showing Number of Cars, Cycles, Overseas Mails . . .. . . 3, 15 and Commercial Vehicles registered Publicity Agents on Mail-steamers .. 3 each Month from April, 1925, to March, Inland Mail-services .. .. .. 3, 16 1928 .. .. .. 18 19 Exchange of Mails on Trains .. .. 3 Workshops .. .. .. 19 Postal Car, New .. .. .. 3 Marine Insurance Fund .. ... 20 Rural Deliveries .. .. .. 3, 16 Articles delivered .. .. .. 20 Money-orders .. .. .. 4 Average Number of Letters posted per Savings-bank.. .. .. .. 4 Unit of Population .. .. .. 20 Post Office Investment Certificates .. 4 Number of Post-offices in Dominion .. 20 Inspection of Post-offices .. .. 4 Undeliverable Postal Packets .. . . 21 Telegraph, Toll, and Wireless Services 4,22,24 Miscellaneous Postal Figures .. .. 2.1 Relative Value of Wireless and Cable Com- Prohibited Postal Packets .. .. 21 munication.. .. .. .. 5 Register of Newspapers and Magazines .. 21 Combined Telegraph Form and Envelope 5 Postage-stamps .. .. .. 21 Shipping Movements: Telegraphic Com- Stamp-vending Machines .. .. 22 munication .. .. . . 6,24 Insured-box Service .. .. . . 22 Summer Time Act . . .. .. 6 . Customs Parcels .. .. .. 22 Telephone-exchange Service .. .. 6, 40 Postal Notes .. .. .. . . 22 Telephone-exchange Service—Canvas for British Postal Orders .. .. .. 22 additional subscribers .. .. 6 Savings-bank Ledger Office at Gore .. 22 Telephone-exchange Revenue .. .. 6 Postal Agency at Pitcairn Island . . 22 Number of Telephones per 100 of Popula- Graph showing Progress in Telephone and tion .. .. .. .. 7, 42 Toll Business since the Beginning of the Coin-in-the-slot Telephones .. . . 7,47 Century .. .. .. .. 23 Coin-in-the-slot Telephones in Shops (Pay Tours of New Zealand Cricket and Rugby Stations) .. .. .. .. 7, 48 Teams .. .. .. .. 24 Erection of Telegraph and Telephone Lines Trans-Tasman Flight: Search for Missing by Contract .. .. .. 7, 26 Airmen .. .. .. .. 24 Toll Services: Dominion-wide Range .. 8 International Bureau of the Telegraph Expediting Toll Calls . . .. .. 8 Union : Personnel .. . . 24 International Radio-telegraph Conference 8, 34 Telegraph and Telephone Offices open for Wireless Broadcasting .. .. 8, 37 Business . . .. .. .. 24 Transfer of Money by Wireless .. .. 8 Telegraph and Toll Traffic .. .. 24 Reorganization of Engineering Districts .. 9 Typewritten Toll Accounts .. .. 25 Work performed for other Departments .. 9 Toll Calls : Direct Dialling of Automatic Registration of Motor-vehicles .. .. 9, 16 Subscribers .. .. .. 25 Refunds of Duty on Motor-spirit .. 10 Inter-Island Telephone Service .. .. 25 Motor Transport .. .. 10, 19 Effect of High-tension Power Lines .. 26 Stores Branch .. .. 10, 19 Cables under Footpaths .. .. 26 Buildings .. .. .. 10, 15 Removal of Poles on Account of Alterations Awards for Suggestions .. 11 to Roads .. .. .. .. 26 Departmental Tuition for Message-boys Extensions to Toll and Telegraph Systems 27 and other Junior Officers .. 11,14 Machine-printing Telegraphs .. .. 28 Appointment of Message-boys ... .. II Maintenance of Lines .. .. 28 Post Office Account: Amending Legislation 12 Poles and Wire .. .. ..29 Details of Revenue, &c. .. 12 Table showing Class and Number of TelePromotion Board Election .. .. 14 g ra P n Instruments and Batteries in Use Appeal Board .. .. .. 14 at Telegraph-offices for the Year ended Departmental Correspondence School .. 14 31st March, 1928 .. .. 30 Examinations .. .. ..15 New Zealand Submarine Cables.. .. 31

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CONTENTS— continued. PAGE PAGE Cable Services .. .. 31 Dunedin Broadcasting Station .. .. 37 The Pacific Cable Act, 1927 : Amendment Armistice Day remembrance celebration : of Constitution and Consolidation of Relaying from New Zealand Broadcastprevious Acts .. .. 31 ing Station .. .. 37 Acceptance of Cable Messages without Pre- Number of Amateur Receiving-stations .. 37 payment: Recovery of Charges from Legislation regarding Wireless Licenses .. 38 Cable Administrations .. .. 31 Unlicensed Wireless Stations : Convictions 38 Eastern Extension Telegraph Co. : Pre- Form of application for Radio license .. 38 paration of Cable Abstracts .. .. 31 Amateur Receiving - stations operated by Damage to Cable of Eastern Extension the Blind .. .. .. 38 Telegraph Co. .. .. 31 Revocation of Wireless License .. .. 38 Cable Rates .. .. .. 32 Radio-dealers' Licenses: Amended ReguWords formed by the Union of a bona fide lations, &c. .. .. 38 Plain Word and a Code-word .. 32 Radio Apparatus for receiving TimeUse of Code Check-word .. .. 32 signals .. .. .. 39 Use of Figures, Numbers, and Commercial Radio Broadcasting Co. of New Zealand, Marks in Cheap-rate Cable Messages .. 32 Ltd. : Telegrams at Press Rates .. 39 Extension of Week-end Letter-telegram Private Broadcasting-stations .. .. 39 Service .-. ■ .. .. 33 Sale of Radio Apparatus .. .. 39 Extension of Daily Letter-telegram Service 33 Elimination of Interference with Broadcast Cable Traffic .. .. .. 33 Reception . . .. .. 39 Wireless Services .. .. 34 Amendments to Telephone Regulations .. 40 Imperial Wireless Services : Standing Com- Prohibition of Use of Telephone for Transmittee .. .. .. 34 mission of Musical Items .. .. 40 New Zealand Coast Stations : Equipment, Misuse of Telephone for False or Bogus Call 40 Operation, &c. .. .. 34 Telephone Directories .. .. 40 White Island : Radio-telegraph Office .. 36 Extension of Automatic Service to Rural Cape Maria Van Diemen Radio Beacon Lines .. .. .. 40 Station .. .. .. 36 Development and Maintenance of Tele-Short-wave Service between New Zealand phone-exchange System .. .. 40 and Samoa.. .. .. 36 Telephone Exchange : Summary of Year's Communication between Coast and Ship Operations .. .. 42 Stations . . .. .. 36 Telephone Statistics .. .. 43 Broadcast of Weather Reports and News Automatic Telephone Exchanges .. 45 Messages .. .. .. 36 Development of Private-line System .. 48 Automatic alarm instruments -on British Private-line System for Taxi-cab Cornships .. .. .. 36 panics .. .. .. 48 Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand, Ltd. : Technical Development of Telephone and Control of Wireless Apparatus .. 37 Telegraph Engineering .. . 48 (Interleaved are illustrations of the post-office buildings at Palmerston North, Hastings, and Castlecliff, and of the new railway travelling post-office van, together with graphs indicating departmental revenue and expenditure.)

APPENDIX. PAGE Designation of Offices changed .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 49 Cable Business .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 49 Radio Telegrams .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 (For index to tables see page iii, and for Detailed Index see pages iv-vi.)

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III

TABLES. No. I.—Money-orders issued and payable— page (a) Issued in the Dominion .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 (6) Drawn on the Dominion .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 No. 2.—Number and Value of Postal Notes sold .. .. .. .. .. 51 No. 3. —Number and Amount of Transactions at the Money-order Offices and Post Office Savings-banks in New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 52 No. 4.—General Statement of Post Office Savings-bank Business for Year ended 31st March, 1928 53 No. 5. —General Statement of Post Office Savings-bank Business from 1867 to 1928 .. 54 No. 6.—Post Office Savings-bank Receipts and Payments for Year ended 31st March, 1928 .. 55 No. 7.—Estimated Number of Letters and Letter-cards, Post-cards, Book-packets, Newspapers, and Parcels dealt with .. .. .. .. .. .. 56 No. 8. —Registered Articles .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 57 No. 9.—Parcel-post .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 57 No. 10. —Comparative Table showing the Progress of the Telegraph Department and Revenue received for each Class of Message.. .. .. .. .. 58 No. 11.—Revenue derived from Toll Calls and Paid Telegrams in respective Postal Districts .. 59

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DETAILED INDEX. A. PAGE Eastern Extension cable— continued. page Appeal Board .. .. .. 14 Damage to .. .. .. .. 31 Appointment of message-boys .. .. .. 11 Number and percentage of messages forwarded Articles delivered .. .. .. 20 and received .. .. .. .. 33 Automatic Private Branch Exchanges .. .. 46 Preparation of cable abstracts .. .. 31 Automatic Telephone Exchange— Press telegrams .. .. .. <. 33 Equipment in Use .. .. .. 47 Share of business .. .. .. 33 Installations, &c. .. .. .. 45, 46 Effect, of high-tension power lines .. .• 26 Awards for suggestions .. .. .. 11 Election: Promotion Board .. .. .. 14 Engineering districts, reorganization of .. .. 9 Erection of telegraph and telephone lines by contract 7, 26 B. Examinations .. .. .. .. 15 Expediting toll calls .. .. .. .. 8, 25 Beam services .. .. .. .. 5 Expenditure of Department .. .. .. 1, 13 Book-packets posted and delivered .. .. 56 Extensions to Toll and Telegraph Systems .. 27 British official wireless messages .. .. 35 British postal orders sold .. .. 22 Broadcasting .. .. .. ... 8, 37 "• Broadcasting— , Albert Hall Kemembranco Celebration programme: Coie Savings-bank ledger office .. .. 22 Belaying.. .. .. .. ..37 Government motor service .. .. .. 19 Dunedin Station .'.' .. '.'. ..37 Graphs— Elimination of interference .. .. .. 39 Cars registered .. .. .. 18 Extension of service at Dunedin .. .. 37 Commercial vehicles registered .. .. 19 Stations, private .. .. .. ..39 Motor-cycles registered .. .. •• 18 Buildings .. .. .. .. 10,15 Postal revenue .. .. .. 12 Business dono for other Departments .. .. 9 I:>ost an d Telegraph expenditure , .. .. .12 Post and Telegraph revenue .. .. .. 12 Telegraph and toll revenue .. .. .. 12 0_ ■ Telephone and toll business, growth of. . .. 23 Telephone revenue .. .. ■ • • • 12 Cable and wireless communication .. .. 5 Telephones per 100 of population in the cities and Cable messages— principal towns .. .. .. 43 Check-word, use of .. .. .. 32 Daily letter-telegram : Extension of service .. 33 pDeferred .. .. .. .. ..33 Figures, numbers, and commercial marks, use of, TT ~, ~ „ o l/i ■ i ' oo Health of staff . . .. .. . .Z, 14 in cheap-rate messages .. .. oSJ „TT , ~ ~ . , Ifi t i I *. I, a ° .... ~, Householder circulars .. .. .. lo Intercolonial traffic .. .. .. H, 49 International traffic .. .. .. 33, 49 Number .. .. .. .. 33,49 t Press .. .. .. .. ..33 Bates .. .. .. .. il Inland mail-services (see " Mail-services"). ™ ( f lvod ' ll Inspection of post-offices 4 Reduced rates 32 IllsOTance Fund, Marine 20 J™ lnc •■ ■• •• •• "A Insured-box service .. .. .. ..22 \, ''," i" ■ '', • " " " no Inter-Island telephone communication .. .. 8, 25 Week-end extension of service .. 33 international Bureau of the Telegraph Union: Words formed by union of a bona fide Personnel .. .. 24 word and a code word .. .. 32 i nterl ' iat i ona l Radio-telegraph Conference ' .. 8, 34 Cables— . . Interphone installations .. .. 46 Eastern Extension (see Eastern Extension Investment Certificates, Post Office .. .. 4 cable "). Pacific (see " Pacific cable "). Repair of .. .. .. .. 31 J. Submarine .. .. .. .. 31 Under footpaths .. .. .. 26 Junior officers, tuition for .. .. ..11 Canvas for additional Telephone - exchange subscribers .. .. .. .. .. 6 Chatham Islands : Transfer of money by wireless 8 L. Circulars, " Householder" .. . . . . 16 Coin-in-the-slot telephones .. .. 7, 47, 48 Leave, sick .. .. .. .. .. 4, 14 Coin-in-the-slot telephones in shops .. .. 7, 48 Legislation amended, in relation to Post Office Combined telegram form and envelope .. .. 5 Aocount .. .. .. •• .. 12 Committee to examine wireless and cable competi- Letters and letter-cards — tion .. .. .. .. .. 5 Dead, dealt with .. .. ■. .. 21 Conference, International Radio-telegraph ..8,34 Dead, proportion to number delivered .. .. 21 Contract for erection of telegraph and telephone lines 7, 26 Delivered .. .. • ■ •• .. 20 Cook Strait telephone cable .. .. .. 8, 25 Imperfectly or insufficiently addressed .. 21 Correspondence School .. .. 14 Missing .. .. .. ■ • .. 16 Customs parcels ... .. .. 22 Posted and delivered .. .. 56 Posted per unit of population .. .. 20 Posted without address .. .. 21 D. Posted with previously used stamps .. .. 21 Registered unclaimed .. • • • • 21 Daily letter-telegram : Extension of service .. 33 With libellous addresses .. .. • • 21 Dead-letters .. .. .. - .. 21 Licenses, radio .. ■ ■ • • 37, 38 Departmental motor-vehicles .. .. .. 10,19 Designation of offices changed .. .. 49 Direct Dialling of Automatic Subscribers Toll Calls 8, 25 M. Machine-printing telegraphs .. .. 28 ■"• Magazines— Eastern Extension cable— Registered .. .. .. • • .. 21 Acceptance of messages without prepayment .. 31 Removed from register .. .. 21

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Mail-services — page page Inland .. .. .. .. .. 3, 16 Post Office Account: Amending legislation .. 12 Interruption of .. .. .. 16 Post Office Investment certificates .. .. 4 Overseas .. .. .. .. .. 3, 15 Post-offices— Rural .. .. .. .. .. 3, 16 Closed .. .. .. .. .. 20 Mails, exchange of from fast-moving trains .. 3 Designation changed .. .. 49 Maintenance of lines .. .. .. 28 Established .. .. .. 20 Marine Insurance Fund .. .. 20 Inspection of .. .. .. .. 4 Marine post-office .. .. .. .. 3 Number .. .. .. .. 20 Message-boys — Power-lines, effect of .. .. .. 26 Appointment of .. .. .. .. 11 Private broadcasting-stations .. .. ..39 Tuition for .. .. ■• .. 11 Private-line system, development of .. .. 48 Missing postal packets .. .. .. 16 Private-line systems for taxi-cab companies .. 48 Money-order— Prohibited postal packets . . .. 21 Exchange with other countries .. . . 50 Promotion Board election .. .. .. 14 Issued and paid .. .. .. .. 4, 50 Publio call offices .. .. .. .. 7, 47 Number of transactions .. .. 52 Publicity agents on Trans-Pacific mail-stcamors .. 3 Telegrams for Chatham Islands .. .. 8 Motor-registration .. .. .. .. 9, 10 R Motor-spirit: Refunds of duty .. .. .. 10 Motor transport Radio apparatus for receiving time-signals .. 39 Departmental .. 10,19 Radio atuS; sa , e of 39 increase in charges for lorry transport .. 10 Kadio beacon station 36 Purchase of English vehicles 10 Radiobroadcasting 8,37 Reduction of rates for hire of motor-cars 10 Radio Broadcastin g Co . : Telegrams at press rates.. 39 Movements of shipping : Notification by telegraph 6, 24 Radio bl . oadcasting; interference with .. .. 39 Radio communications : Business transacted .. 50 •vr Radio-dealers' licenses — Amended regulation .. .. 38 New Postal Car .. .. .. .. 3 Abolition of issue for short period .. .. 38 Newspapers— Radio license : Form of application .. .. 38 Posted and delivered .. .. 56 Radio: Private stations .. .. 39 Received without address .. .. ..21 Radio-telegrams: Number and value .. .. 50 Registered .. .. .. .. 21 Radio-telegraph Convention .. ... .. 8,34 Removed from register .. .. 21 Railway travelling post-office van, now .. .. 3 Returned to publishers .. .. .. 21 Refunds of duty on motor spirit .. .. 10 Receipts and payments .. .. .. 1, 13 Registered, articles .. .. .. 57 0. Registration of motor-vehicles .. .. .. 9, 16 Ocean cable services (see " Cable messages," " Pacific Revenue of Department .. .. .. I, 13 cable " &c). Rural deliveries .. .. .. .. 3, 16 Officers — Absence on sick-leave, average .... 2, 14 Death of .. .. . - ■ ■ .. 14 S. Health .. .. .. .. .. 2, 14 Number .. .. .. ■ ■ .. 14 Salaries .. .. .. .. .. 13 Offices : Designation changod .. .. .. 49 San Francisco mail-service .. .. .. 15 Overseas mails .. .. .. .. 3, 15 Savings-bank-Overtime ■ ■ • • ■ • 2 Balances at credit of depositors .. .. 4 Deposits, amount, &c. .. 4, 52, 53, 54, 55 Excess of withdrawals over deposits .. 4, 52, 53, 54 P. Interest .. .. .. .. 52,53,54,55 Pacific cable— Ledger office opened at Gore .. .. 22 Acceptance of messages without prepayment .. 31 Liabilities and assets .. .. .. 55 Amendment of constitution and consolidation of Number of depositors .. .. .. 4 previous Acts .. .- ■• ..31 Offices open, ko. .. .. .. 53,54 Number and percentage of messages forwarded and Profit and Loss Account .. .. .. 55 received .. .. .. • • 33 Reoeipts and payments .. .. .. 55 Press telegrams .. .. • • 33 Reserve Fund Account .. .. .. 55 Share of business .. .. • • 33 Securities .. .. .. .. .. 55 Paskets, Postal: Missing .. .. 16 Transactions .. .. 4,52,53,64,55 Packets, Postal : Prohibited .. .. 21 Withdrawals .. .. 4, 52, 53,54, 55 Packets unclaimed, auction of .. .. .. 21 Withdrawals by wireless .. .. .. g Parcels — Slot telephones .. .. .. 7, 47, 48 Customs parcels .. .. • • 22 Sale of radio apparatus .. .. 39 Delivered .. .. . • • ■ 20,56 Shipping, movements of: Notification of, by Despatched overseas • • • • 57 telegraph, .. .. .. .. .. 6,24 Foreign (inwards), declared value of, and Customs Staff — duty collected on .. . . 22 Casual .. .. .. .. .. 14 Foreign (outwards), declared value of .. .. 22 Health .. -.. .. .. .. 2, 14 Number and weight .. .. 57 Minister's remarks concerning .. .. 2 Posted and delivered .. .. 56 Number .. .. .. .. .. 14 Received from overseas .. .. 57 Personnel .. .. .. .. .. 14 Pay stations .. .. • • • • . . 7, 48 Stamps : New issues, &c. .. .. .. 21 Pitcairn Island postal agency .. .. 22 Stamp-vending machines .. .. .. 22 Postage-stamps .. • • • • .'.21 Stores — Postal agency at Pitcairn Island .. .. 22 General contracts .. .. .. .. 20 Postal ear, new .. . • • • - • 3 Orders for Dominion products .. .. 20 Postal notes— Purchases .. .. .. .. .. 20 Commission .. • • ' • • .. 22 Sale of obsolete and unserviceable material .. 20 Sold .. .. 22,51 Stores Branch .. .. .. .. 10,19 Postal orders, British, sold .. .. ■. 22 Stores Branch— Postal packets— Annual examination of stocks .. .. 10 Missing .. .. ••• ■ .. 16 Reorganization of .. .. .. 10 Prohibited .. .. • • • • 21 Stores Control Board .. .. .. .. 20 Undeliverable .. ■ ■ ■ • 21 Submarine cables, New Zealand .. .. 31 Post-cards — Suggestions, awards for .. .. .. 11 Delivered .. •■ •• •• ..20 Suggestions Board .. .. .." .. \\ Posted and delivered .. .. 56 Summer Time Act, 1927 .. .. .. g

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T. pagk Telephone— continued. page Exchanges— continued. Taxi-cab companies : Private-line system .. 48 Number of subscribers per 100 of population 6, 7, 43 Technical development of telephone and telegraph Number in each class .. .. .. 43 engineering .. .. .. 48 Revenue .. .. .. 6, 1.3, 58 Telegram form and envelope .. .. .. 5 Service .. .. .. .. .. 6 Telegrams— Statistics .. .. .. 43 Government: Number and valuo .. 58,59 Subscribers' connections .. .. 43 Increase in number .. .. .. 25 Summary of year's operations .. .. 42 Inland letter .. .. .. 25, 58 Use of telephone for transmission of musical Number and value .. .. .. 25,58,59 items .. .. .. .. 40 Of all codes .. .. .. 25,59 Offices open for business .. .. 24 Ordinary : Number and value .. 25, 58 Public call offices .. .. .. 7, 47, 48 Press : Number and value .. .. 25, 58 Statistics .. .. .. .. .. 43 Press, for Radio Broadcasting Co. .. .. 39 Toll accounts, typewritten .. .. 25 Urgent: Number and value .. .. 25, 58 " Time off " .. .. .. .. .. 2 Telegraph— Amount of business .. .. .. 25, 58, 59 Lines — U. Length of, erected, &c. .. .. 29 Maintenance of .. .. 28 Unclaimed packets, auction of .. .. .. 21 Poles and wire .. .. .. 29 Undelivered postal packets .. .. 21 Superimposed .. .. .. 29 Union Steamship Co: Control of wireless apparatus 37 Tolegraph and toll traffic .. .. 29 Machine-printing .. .. .. 28 Movements of shipping .. .. .. 6, 24 Number of telegraph instruments and batteries V. in use .. .. .. .. 30 Vancouver mail-service .. .. .. 15 Offices open, &c. .. .. .. 24 Receipts and payments .. .. .. 13 Revenue .. .. .. .. 13, 25, 58, 59 W. Progress .. .. .. .. 22 Telegraph and Telephone Engineering : Technical Weather reports by wireless .. .. 36 Development of .. .. .. 48 Week-end cable messages: Extension of service .. 33 Telegraph and telephone lines, erection of, by eon- White Island : Radio-telegraph office .. .. 36 tract .. .. .. .. .. 7,26 Wireless — Telegraph and. toll-line systems— Amateur receiving-station operated by the blind 38 Extension of .. .. .. 27 Automatic alarm instruments on British ships .. 36 Interruption of .. .. .. 28 British official messages .. .. 35 Maintenance of .. .. .. 28 Broadcast of weather reports and news messages 36 Poles and wire .. .. .. 29 Broadcasting .. .. .. .. 8,37 Telegraph and toll services— Broadcasting, interference with .. .. 39 Tours of New Zealand cricket and Rugby teams .. 24 Cape Maria Van Diemen Radio Beacon Station .. 36 Trans-Tasman flight : Search for missing airmen 24 Communication between coast and ship stations .. 36 Tolegraph and toll traffic : Number and value 24, 25 Control of apparatus by Union Steamship Co. .. 37 Telegraph services, development of .. .. 4 Equipment, operation, &o. .. .. 34 Telegraph Union, International: Personnel .. 24 Establishment of remote-controlled receivingTelephone— station .. .. .. .. 34 Cables under footpaths .. .. 26 Equipment, operations, &c, of New Zealand Directories, printing and advertising .. .. 40 coast stations .. .. .. 34 Engineering, technical development of 48 Imporial: Standing Committee .. . . 34 Inter-Island service .. .. .. 8, 25 Installations on small coastal vessels .. .. 8,34 Poles, removal of, on acoount of alterations to International Radio-telegraph Convention .. 8,34 roads .. .. .. .. 26 Legislation regarding licenses .. .. 38 Toll calls : Direct dialling .. .. .. 8, 25 License, revocation of .. .. 38 Toll lines : Effect of high-tension power lines .. 26 Number of amateur receiving-stations .. .. 37 Toll service— Private radio-stations .. .. 39 Development of .. .. .. .. 4 Progress .. .. .. .. 22 Dominion-wide range .. .. .. 8,25 Revocation of license .. .. 38 Progress .. .. .. 22 Sale of apparatus .. .. .. 39 Exchanges — Services, development of .. .. .. 4 Amendment to regulations .. .. 40 Short-wave service .. .. .. 35, 36 Automatic telephone exchanges .. .. 45 Short-wave service between New Zealand and Automatic private-branch exchanges .. 46 Samoa .. .. .. .. 36 Canvass for additional subscribers .. .. 6 Time-signals .. .. .. 39 Development and maintenance of .. 40 Transfer of money by .. .. .. 8 Extension of automatic service to rural lines .. 40 Unlicensed stations : Convictions .. .. 38 Interphone installations .. .. 46 Wireless and cable communication .. .. 5 Misuse of telephone for false or bogus call .. 40 Work performed for other Departments .. .. 9 New .. .. .. .. 42 Workshops .. .. .. .. 19

VII

1928. NEW ZEALAND.

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR 1927-28.

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

To His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Charles Fergusson, Baronet; General on the Retired List and in the Reserve of Officers of His Majesty's Army ; Doctor of Laws ; Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George; Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath ; Companion of the Distinguished Service Order ; Member of the Royal Victorian Order. May it please Your Excellency,— I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Post and Telegraph Department for the year ended 31st March, 1928. RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS. In the conduct of some big undertakings it is not an uncommon experience to find that the securing of an increase of £l in revenue involves an increase of 19s. 6d. in expenditure. Fortunately, this has not been the experience of my Department. Owing to careful and economical management, I find myself in the happy position of being able to report that, while during the last three years the revenue has increased by a substantia] sum, the expenditure has decreased also by a substantial sum. Last year I had the pleasure of placing on record an increase in revenue of £120,270 and a decrease in expenditure of £63,282. This year it is extremely gratifying to me to report a further increase in revenue of £.108,845, and a further decrease in expenditure of £46,703. Thus in two years the total revenue has increased by £229,115 and the total expenditure has decreased by £109,985. Growing capital charges —interest on money borrowed from the Public Works Fund and depreciation on assets —will absorb a large portion of this excess, but I anticipate that the year's operations will yield a net profit of approximately £20,000. The balance-sheet for the year is now being audited, and will be available shortly. Although the Post and Telegraph Department has a monopoly, it is the endeavour of my officers so to conduct the management that even if the Department had competitors it would not lose business through clients finding that they could obtain better and cheaper service elsewhere. My Department aims at conducting its affairs as a business man conducts his, and, judging by results, it is not falling far short of its goal. The results achieved are even the more remarkable when it is borne in mind that the year just past was not a particularly good

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oneffor certain sections of the business community. It is a reasonable assumption that the sound financial position is due in no small measure to the efforts of the administration to attract business. The steps it has already taken to increase business on the postal and telephone sides are but forerunners of bigger efforts that will be made in the future. It is the wish of my Department not to attract new business merely to increase its revenue, but to make known to the public services which may be utilized with advantage to the business and social life of the Dominion. A telephone call which saves a long journey must add to the wellbeing of the community, and on this assumption every means of informing the public of the facilities for communication is being explored. The variety of services rendered by the Post and Telegraph Department is greater than in the case of any other Department of State, and it is the belief of my officers that these services are not being availed of to anything like the extent that they will be when the general public more fully realizes their value. STAFF. In a table published at page 14 it will be seen that the staff of the Department (excluding non-permanent Postmasters and Telephonists and Railway Postmasters) has been reduced during the year by 499 officers. Notwithstanding this reduction, the Department has undertaken a larger volume of work than in any preceding year, and has done so in. such a way that expressions of appreciation are general throughout New Zealand. It is a peculiar trait in human nature that criticism of the actions of servants of the State and public bodies is expressed more readily than praise, and that actions which time proves to be wise and carefully calculated are quickly assailed by some one with, perhaps little knowledge of the facts. It is, therefore, pleasing that, while criticism is not absent, approval of the Department's activities is common from end to end of the Dominion. That the approval is merited, is shown in the additional work done, and done well, with a reduced staff and by the improved financial position. Every means has been explored to increase the efficiency of the staff, and wherever possible improved methods of working have been introduced. The health of the staff has been fully safeguarded, and every practical means has been taken to improve the conditions of employment. Where it is necessary to provide service to the public over the whole twenty-four hours of the day on every day of the year it must be obvious that the good health of the staff is an important factor. Last year the average absence was for men 5-04 days, and for women 9-62. This year the figures are 4-33 and 10-02 respectively, so that the average has been well maintained. The Department's huge army of nearly ten thousand officers could not render good service without due consideration of its feelings and proper understanding of its difficulties. Appreciation, of its efforts is essential to continuous and effective endeavour, and this appreciation, which has been forthcoming throughout the year has added further to the pride of service so noticeable in the Department. The interest taken by the staff in their chosen vocation, is being shown by improved methods of working, by suggestions for new apparatus of a labour- and time-saving nature, and by close attention to the needs of the public. "TIME OFF" IN LIEU OF OVERTIME PAYMENT. The system of granting "time off " in lieu of making payment for overtime worked by officers was reintroduced from the 18th September, 1927. Briefly, the arrangement is that for each hour of overtime performed one hour's " time off " is given, except in the case of overtime worked on a Sunday or holiday, in which case " time off " at the rate of time and a half is given. The change, of course, necessitated certain internal reorganization. In view of the excess of staff, the abandoning of moneta.ry payment for overtime in favour of granting " time off " was the only alternative to retrenchment. It is expected that with the gradual increase in business the return to payment in cash for overtime worked will not be long deferred.

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OVERSEAS MAILS. For the conveyance of mails between New Zealand, and Great Britain the Vancouver and San Francisco mail routes offer the best service at present and are the most regularly used. The mail-contract steamers have carried on the services with great regularity, and the presence of Mail Agents on the boats admits of the rapid distribution of inward correspondence. It is frequently the case that a large portion of a mail has reached addressees before the mail-boat is tied up at the wharf. PUBLICITY AGENTS ON TRANS-PACIFIC MAIL-STEAMERS. The Mail Agents on the trans-Pacific mail - steamers, in addition to their ordinary duties, act as publicity agents for the New Zealand Railway Department. While en voyage they take the opportunity of advising passengers of the beauties and. grandeurs of New Zealand scenery, of the tourist resorts, and of the almost unique opportunities for sportsmen. Lectures on these features are delivered at gatherings of passengers, and every help given in arranging tours in New Zealand. The Agents are meeting with considerable success in their work, and but for their efforts many people who have toured the Dominion would have passed New Zealand by. INLAND MAIL-SERVICES. Contracts for the performance of the mail-services in the North Island were relet in the latter part of 1927. Competition generally was keen. The result was a reduction of £5,564 per annum in the cost of the services as from the Ist January, 1928. EXCHANGE OF MAILS ON FAST-MOVING TRAINS. An automatic mail-bag-exchanging device for use in dropping and picking up mails from fast-moving trains was successfully operated at Levin on the Bth March, .1928, when the south-bound Main Trunk express, travelling at a speed of thirty miles an hour, dropped a mail for Levin and picked up one for Wellington. The use of the exchanger enables certain correspondence from the Auckland, Taranaki. and Napier districts, and from Palmerston North, to reach Levin nearly four hours earlier, and certain correspondence from Levin to be delivered in Wellington some eighteen hours earlier. The exchanger is still undergoing trial. Should it continue to function efficiently, exchangers will be provided at certain other places where their installation would result in material benefit. NEW POSTAL CAR. A new railway travelling post-office van was built during the year for use on the Christchurch-Dunedin section. The van, which, measures 50 ft. by 7 ft., is unlike other postal cars in use in the South Island, in that it has on either side two doors instead of one. The providing of the extra doors facilitates the loading and unloading of mails. The van is lighted by means of twelve roof-lights and fourteen windows. Night illumination is provided by electricity. The van is heated by steam-radiators. As the work on these vans is heavy and continuous, and. of considerable importance to the public, every means is taken of improving the suitability of the vans. Photographs of the new van appear at the end of the report. RURAL DELIVERIES. While the Department is being managed as economically as possible, and practically along commercial lines, some services are obviously being carried out in the interest of the development of the country. The rural-mail services afford an example. In the North Island, on the daily deliveries the Department is losing Bs. lid. a year per box, and on deliveries with a frequency of thrice weekly or less the loss is £l 19s. Id. a year per box. From this it will be seen that the Department is likely, as circumstances permit, to be anxious to convert to daily frequency those deliveries with a frequency of thrice weekly or less.

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In the Invercargill Postal District, in particular, many small post-offices have been permanently closed, the settlers preferring the rural delivery as a more modern method of receiving and despatching their mail-matter. On several occasions, settlers in different parts of the country have offered to subscribe an amount additional to the stipulated box fees in order that they might enjoy the benefits of rural-delivery service. Approximately seventeen thousand farmers have joined up with the ruraldelivery system, and many more are considering its advantages. The annual fee is trifling- £l for a daily delivery, and 10s. for a delivery thrice-weekly or less. Since the reorganization of the rural-delivery system and the fixing of the small annual charge the growth has been phenomenal and the service effective. Many do not realize that by instituting a small annual charge —a registration fee the Department has converted a haphazard delivery into one thoroughly reliable and much appreciated by the farmers concerned. MONEY-ORDERS. The money-orders issued exceeded those of the previous year, but there was a slight decrease in value. The total number of orders issued was 803,481, and the value £4,995,090. SAVINGS-BANK. Despite the fact that withdrawals exceeded deposits by £2,973,931, the amount standing at credit of depositors was only £1,226,775 less than in the previous year. In view of the general trade recovery, it is anticipated that not only will there be an increase in the amount of deposits, but the balance at credit at the end of the coming year will be greater than on any previous occasion. The number of depositors has increased by 20,898. At the 31st March there were 804,725 depositors, with a total of £47,758,726 at their credit. POST OFFICE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES. On the Ist September, 1927, there was offered for sale a new issue of Post Office investment certificates with a currency of one, two, and five years, bearing interest at the rate of 4|, 5, and 5j per cent, respectively. The certificates are in three values —£l, £10, and £100—and form a regular avenue for investment. Up to the 31st March, 1928, the amount invested in this series reached the sum of £541,789. These certificates provide a substitute for the reduction in the maximum interest-earning deposits of the Savings-bank, and have the added advantage that they are virtually " fixed deposits." INSPECTION OF POST-OFFICES. During 1927, 1,256 visits of inspection to post-offices were made. The accounts were audited at each inspection, and on no occasion was any serious discrepancy in the official cash disclosed. At a conference of Inspectors advantage was taken of the opportunity of discussing altered methods of inspection, which will raise still higher the Department's standard of efficiency. TELEGRAPH, TOLL, AND WIRELESS SERVICES. The year has been one of outstanding progress in the development of telegraph and telephone services throughout the world. The success of the trans-atlantic wireless telephone service between London and New York, and its subsequent extension to various points in the United States of America, Canada, Great Britain, and the Continent of Europe, the development of automatic telephony, and the remarkable results achieved in long-distance wireless communication have combined to make the a notable one. Perhaps the most significant event has been the remarkable fulfilment of anticipations regarding the beam wireless telegraph services. Beam services have been established between Great .Britain and Canada,

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Great Britain and Australia, Great Britain and South Africa, and Great Britain and India. A further extension is projected between Canada and Australia. Each of these services is offered to the public at rates lower than the cable rates. Although the beam services have proved so successful, the experience gained in respect of any one of the services has proved to be no safe guide in making plans for another. The South African service is largely immune from " fading," but each of the other services has its fading periods, which vary sometimes according to the time of the year, and at other times which cannot be predicted. The efficiency of the beam service between any two countries, therefore, is not an infallible indicator of its value in other countries. In the Dominion, there has been substantial progress in the extension and improvement of electrical communications. These are referred to in detail elsewhere. In common with other countries, New Zealand is finding that the great advance in telephonic communication is having a prejudicial effect upon the revenue of the Telegraph Branch. From a purely superficial point of view, this world-wide trend would appear to indicate that the future of telegraphy as a popular means of communication is not bright. But it is necessary to view the subject in a proper perspective. While for short-distance communications the telephone is steadily superseding the telegraph, there can be no doubt that for longer distances the telegraph will maintain a predominant position as a reliable means of communication. RELATIVE VALUES Oh 1 WIRELESS AND (ABLE COMMUNICATIONS. Since the development of the beam wireless system the position of cable services has become a somewhat acute problem, which is likely to become more serious should the beam wireless system advance in future to the extent that it has during the past year. As a partner in the Pacific cable system, New Zealand is concerned in any possible superseding of the cable as an essential means of communication. From the point of view of defence alone the maintenance of the cable system is of great importance. Healthy rivalry between the two means of communication may, of course, prove to be of ultimate public benefit. According to the view of the best authorities, however, the cable and wireless systems are complementary, and neither should be made the means of wrecking the other. The limitations of each should be recognized.; also that these limitations practically disappear when the systems are made to supplement one another. The ideal appears to be a sensible and useful co-operation between the two systems. The competition of the beam system with established cable services has been regarded so seriously that His Majesty's Government in Great Britain deemed it expedient to invite a committee of representatives of all Governments concerned to meet in Great Britain to examine the whole question. Although details of the results of the Conference are not yet known, it is hoped that the discussion will have provided a useful basis of co-operation in place of purely wasteful competition. It is understood that an agreement has been reached between the Eastern, and Associated Cable Companies and the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. for a fusion of interests through the medium of a proposed " holding " company, subject to a satisfactory agreement being made with His Majesty's Governments in Great Britain and the dominions, and to the proposal meeting with the approval of the stockholders and shareholders of the companies concerned. It is not yet known how the proposed merger will affect the competition between the two systems, or what the effect will be on the Pacific cable. NEW COMBINED TELEGRAM FORM AND ENVELOPE. With a view to reducing costs in the Telegraph Branch the use of a combined telegram form and envelope has been reverted to. The new form is an adaptation of one in use some years ago, which was discarded in favour of the telegram form and envelope. The new form requires less manipulation in folding than the old

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combined form. It was introduced at the telegraph-offices at the four centres on the Ist April, 1928, and at all other offices in charge of a departmental officer on the Ist June, 1928. With the abolition of the work of addressing envelopes it is anticipated that there will be an appreciable reduction in the working-expenses of the Telegraph Branch. There will also be a reduction of the liability of error through the removal of the need for transcribing addresses. SHIPPING MOVEMENTS : TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION. For many years it has been the practice of my Department to telegraph free of charge from office to office the times of arrival and departure of steamers in order that the information might be made available to the travelling public and those interested in the working of ships. In earlier days the work added but little to the telegraph traffic, but nowadays, with the big increase in shipping, it constitutes somewhat of a burden. For a short time, commencing on the 6th October, 1927, the system was abolished, but in view of representations made regarding the great inconvenience occasioned it was reintroduced from the 17th November, 1927. SUMMER TIME ACT, 1927. By the Summer Time Act, 1927, the time for general purposes in New Zealand was advanced at 2 a.m. on the 6th November, 1927, to one hour in advance of New Zealand standard time, which is 11 hours 30 minutes in advance of Greenwich mean time. Ordinary time was resumed at 2 a.m. on the 4th March, 1928. The change to summer time and. reversion to standard time was carried out in my Department without a hitch. The clocks were altered at the stipulated times, and work proceeded without any interruption. The operation of summer time had the effect of placing New Zealand time 12| hours ahead of Greenwich time and 2\ hours ahead of eastern Australian time. Users of the cable service were thus obliged to make provision for a difference of one hour as distinct from ordinary New Zealand time. In the case of broadcasting reception, the transmissions from Australian stations were received in New Zealand one hour later than under standard time. TELEPHONE-EX CHANGE SERVICE. Canvass for Additional Subscribers. As a means of increasing the revenue and of utilizing all telephone equipment and plant to the full, it was decided that wherever switchboard and cable accommodation was available, efforts should be made by personal canvass by departmental officers to secure additional telephone-exchange subscribers. The campaign has been pursued by means of circulars and personal representations, and most encouraging results have already been achieved. The campaign is still in progress, and it is believed that it will result in the number of telephone subscribers in the Dominion being substantially increased. Telephone-exchange Revenue. it is with gratification that I am able to announce that the telephone-exchange revenue for the year exceeded £1,000,000. The telephone-exchange system now ranks as one of the Department's greatest revenue-producers, as well as one of the foremost of New Zealand's public utilities. Inaugurated in. 1881 with fifty-three subscribers, the telephone-exchange system developed steadily until 1922, when the number of subscribers totalled 88,000 and the revenue £533,000. Since then there has been a phenomenal increase both in subscribers and in revenue. The number of connections is now nearly 140,000. Notwithstanding the more or less unfavourable financial conditions which existed last year, the results of the year's operations were very satisfactory, the new subscribers totalling over 12,000, a figure which has been surpassed in but two previous years. There are now ten telephones for every hundred of population, and this proportion is bettered only by the United States of America, and Canada.

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Notwithstanding the large number of connections which have been made during the last few years, there is still a keen demand for telephone facilities. This, together with the assumption that possibly every telephone installed induces some non-subscriber to join up, indicates that a steady development can be expected for many years. The moderate rates charged, in the centres and the extremely low rates charged rural subscribers are an inducement to every one to connect with the telephone service. The present scale of charges in the Dominion compares more than favourably with that of any other country, with the exception, perhaps, of Canada, where the rates are somewhat similar to those in. New Zealand. It is particularly gratifying that the disappointment that has been experienced in the past through the existence of waiting-lists of prospective telephone subscribers has disappeared. The waiting-list is now a thing of the past, and it is hoped that it will not be necessary to reintroduce it. Number oe Telephones per Hundred of Population. New Zealand stands high in the world's list of telephones per hundred of population. On the 31st March, 1926, there were in New Zealand 9-2 telephones per hundred of population, against 14-8 in the United States of America and 12-2 in Canada. New Zealand, with Denmark, then held third position among the countries of the world. An interesting graph showing the number of telephones per hundred of population in the cities and principal towns of New Zealand on the 3.lst March, 1927, appears at page 43. Gisborne, with nearly seventeen telephones per hundred of population, then led the Dominion, with. Hastings, Hamilton, and Wellington next in order, with between fifteen and sixteen telephones per hundred of population. Coin-in-the-slot Telephones. There is still a demand, for additional slot telephones, despite the fact that 113 more of such telephones have been provided. The two new types of cabinet referred to in last year's report have been installed in. various centres. From an aesthetic point of view, the steel cabinets which were imported from Great Britain are an improvement on both the wooden type and the new concrete type. The steel cabinets are being installed in the larger centres at points at which the footpaths allow sufficient room. Coin-in-the-slot Telephones in Shops. It is a matter for regret that hitherto it has not always been possible to give public-telephone service where it is most needed—i.e., in the busier streets of the central shopping-areas of the larger cities. In some areas, owing to the congestion of pedestrian traffic, and the undesirability of encroaching on footpath space, it is not possible to erect public-telephone cabinets. In Wellington an attempt is being made to overcome the difficulty by installing slot telephones in shops, the presence of the telephones being indicated by prominent notices suspended from the shopverandas. Such stations are known as " pay stations." As the first were installed only in February, 1928, it is too early to determine whether they will prove a success. If results in Wellington justify the step the system will be extended both in Wellington and to other cities. ERECTION OF TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE LINES BY CONTRACT. The suggestion has been made that telegraph and telephone lines could be constructed more cheaply under contract than by the Department's officers and day labour. The truth of this is about to be tested, for it has been arranged to call for tenders for the erection of new lines in suitable cases.

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TOLL SERVICES : DOMINION-WIDE RANGE. It is the aim of my Department to provide such a toll service that a person at North Cape will be able to speak by telephone with a person at Bluff at any hour of the day or night. In the march towards this goal much has already been achieved. The range of the inter-Island telephone service now extends well into both Islands, and it is possible for a person in Auckland to converse with a person in Dunedin at certain evening hours. Fuller information regarding the extension of the inter-Island service appears at page 25. EXPEDITING TOLL CALLS. The toll service between certain places has been speeded up by the utilization of apparatus which enables a toll operator at one exchange to call a subscriber at a distant automatic exchange without the assistance of a toll operator at the automatic exchange. For instance, a toll operator at Lower Hutt is now able to call a Wellington subscriber direct, instead of having to invoke the aid of a toll operator at Wellington. The system is in operation also in the Napier District and will be extended as opportunity offers. Fuller information is given at page 25. INTERNATIONAL RADIO-TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE. The Dominion was represented at the International Radio - telegraph Conference at Washington, D.C., by the Chief Telegraph Engineer, Mr. A. Gibbs, M.I.E.E. During the Conference matters affecting every phase of radio signalling were discussed, and regulations drawn up governing their international use. A matter of signal importance to the Dominion was the granting of a special concession, to New Zealand, permitting the operation of wireless installations on the smaller coastal vessels by specially trained officers of the ships' crews. Any one with a knowledge of the dangers of the New Zealand coast and. of past mishaps will recognize in the providing of the smaller vessels with wireless a great forward movement in the maritime world of the Dominion. A. full report of the Convention is published separately. WIRELESS BROADCASTING. 2YA, the now well-known broadcasting station at Wellington, was opened in July, 1927. It was considered that the opening of the new stations at Auckland and Christchurch represented a great advance in Dominion broadcasting, but the new Wellington station greatly exceeds in power and range any other New Zealand station, and is said to be equal in power to any broadcasting station in the Southern Hemisphere. The three other Dominion stations continued to function during the year. Wireless broadcasting has now grown to be of considerable importance in the home life of the community. By its means people in the backblocks are given market reports, weather reports, press news, and other information. Broadcasting offers the dweller in the lonely farmhouse as well as the city resident a bright, cheap, and withal an excellent means of entertainment. It has proved an unexampled means of removing much of the isolation of rural life. Moreover, it enables the dweller in distant Pacific isles, and even in countries farther afield, to learn something of the affairs of the Dominion. TRANSFER OF MONEY BY WIRELESS. Money-order telegrams and telegrams authorizing withdrawals from the Post Office Savings-bank may now be sent between New Zealand and Chatham Islands by radio-telegraph. The system was inaugurated on the Ist October, 1927. The charge for either class of telegram is a fixed one of 3s. The charge for a private message included in a money-order telegram is 6d. a word. The maximum

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amount of an individual money-order has been limited to £20 in any one day. Such messages are subject to the ordinary inland rate of money-order commission. The system is of great benefit to residents of Chatham Islands, who, in the absence of ordinary commercial banking-facilities, are glad of the means of transacting business with the mainland with, such facility and absence of delay. REORGANIZATION OF ENGINEERING DISTRICTS. The organization of the Wellington Engineering District was changed from the Ist September, 1927, to provide for the assumption by the Telegraph Engineers in the subdistricts of a greater share of responsibility for local management, thus relieving the District Telegraph Engineer at Wellington of some of his duties and enabling him to devote more time to the practical side of the Department's engineering activities. The keynote of the. change was centralization of principles and decentralization of details. The result has been greater economy and more efficient warking. A similar arrangement was adopted at Auckland in regard to the Hamilton Subdistrict. WORK PERFORMED FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS. As in previous years, work performed in the behalf of other Departments formed an appreciable portion of the duties of my officers. The money handled in this respect amounted to approximately £26,000,000. This amount, high as it is, represents but a fraction of the cash value of the whole of the transactions of the Post and Telegraph Department, which for the year just past amounted to £194,405,000. My Department pays and receives moneys for practically all other Departments. The largest sums handled are in. respect of the Pensions, Public Trust, Land and Income Tax, and State Advances Departments. Since the introduction of the rural-intermediate-credit system my Department has undertaken the collection and payment of moneys on behalf of the Rural Intermediate Credit Board. REGISTRATION OF MOTOR-VEHICLES. The system of registration of motor-vehicles continues to work smoothly, and, judging by the almost complete absence of adverse criticism, it would appear that the system gives general satisfaction. The advantages of having a central register are fully appreciated not only by the police and Traffic Inspectors, but also by motor-traders, who frequently need assistance in tracing vehicles. The experiment of showing a prefix letter on registration-plates for commercial vehicles revealed that incorrect fees were paid in but few cases, and, as the benefit derivable from prefix letters was not commensurate with the additional expenditure involved in providing distinctive plates, it was decided to abandon the use of prefix letters in future years. Registration-plates for the year 1928-29 (white numerals on a brown background) were manufactured by the Precision. Engineering Co., Wellington, which supplied- the plates for the previous year. The 1928-29 plates are considered to be superior to those previously supplied by the firm. The relicensing of motor-vehicles for the year 1928-29 was commenced on the Ist February, 1928 —two months before the beginning of the new registration year. Owners generally, however, failed to take advantage of the opportunity afforded of relicensing early, only six thousand vehicles being relicensed in February. During the early part of March the response at many offices was not encouraging, and during the last week in March considerable congestion, was caused owing to approximately 60 per cent, of owners delaying relicensing until the last moment.

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REFUNDS OF DUTY ON MOTOR-SPIRIT. Under the Motor-spirits Taxation Act, 1927, the work of arranging refunds of duty on motor-spirit used other than as fuel for motor-vehicles in respect of which an annual license fee is payable was deputed to the Registrar of Motorvehicles. Preliminary work in connection with the carrying-out of the provisions of the Act has been undertaken, and it is hoped that after the experience gained during the first quarter there will be few difficulties which will give cause for concern. MOTOR TRANSPORT. The policy of Government in the matter of purchasing vehicles of English manufacture has been continued. When vehicles of a capacity of 1 ton or over have been required English chassis have been purchased. Further English 10 cwt. chassis have been obtained. Motor-cars purchased now are, without exception, of English manufacture. My Department still undertakes the purchasing of motor-vehicles in the behalf of other Departments. A number of motor-vehicles in the four principal centres belonging to other Departments have been transferred to my Department in accordance with the Public Service garage system, under which Government motor transport, with certain, exemptions, is controlled by the Post and Telegraph Department. Tn this connection it is gratifying to report that it was found possible to reduce the rates for the hire of motor-cars. Despite a slight increase in the charges for lorry transport, the departmental lorry-transport charges still compare very favourably with, those of private owners. Departmental motor-vehicles throughout the Dominion, are now inspected at suitable intervals by an officer specially detailed for the work. It is anticipated that such inspection will result in reduced, running-costs. For telegraph-line work it is now the policy to provide 10 cwt. utility trucks instead of motor-cycles with side-cars. It is found that utility trucks are more suitable than combination motor-cycles. STORES BRANCH. The reorganization, of the Stores Branch, to which reference was made in the report of last year, has now been almost completed. Considerable economy in the purchase and distribution of supplies has resulted, and greater efficiency has been obtained. Methods and staffing have been closely overhauled, and the saving effected amounts to approximately £10,200 per annum. The annual examination of the stocks by Auditors shows that, compared with the figures for the previous year, excesses have been reduced by 62 per cent, and deficiencies by 44 per cent. In a commercial concern of the size of my Department stores work constitutes no small part of the organization, and the sum expended annually in replacement of stocks is no mean figure. Inefficient administration and uneconomical methods are reflected in expenditure returns nowhere more readily than in. stores work. That the administration is fully alive to the need for strict economy and efficient methods in stores work is evidenced by the results achieved during the year. BUTLDINGS. The progress of the Dominion is indicated by the necessity for providing at many places additional accommodation for the conduct of post and telegraph business. During the year practically all of the Department's buildings were inspected, and. arrangements were made for additions and alterations to be carried out to many of the structures. There is, however, a considerable number of places at which the need for additional accommodation is pressing ; but, owing to the expenditure involved, these requirements can be dealt with, only in their order of urgency.

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Preliminary work has been commenced in connection with the erection of new chief post-office buildings at Dunedin and Napier ; also, it is intended to proceed as soon as possible with the erection of new buildings at Courtenay Place (Wellington), High Street (Christchurch), and Taumarunui, and with extensive additions to the existing buildings at Greymouth, Masterton, Nelson, and Waipukurau. In order to make suitable provision for the expansion of the Department's business at Palmerston North, the old post-office building (which had previously been occupied by other Departments) and the site were taken over by the Department, and arrangements were made for accommodating the tenants in the chief post-office building. The growth of the Department's motor transport continually demands the provision of suitable facilities for the storage of petrol. The modern method of providing storage in a tank placed underground and delivering by means of a pump has been adopted at a number of places. AWARDS FOR SUGGESTIONS. For many years there has been a standing invitation to all officers of my Department to offer suggestions tending towards the improvement of the Service. An annual prize, which takes the form of a medal and is known as the Gray Memorial Prize, is awarded for the best original suggestion adopted in each year. This system has now been improved upon by the setting-up of a Suggestions Board, consisting of the First Assistant Secretary, the Deputy Chief Telegraph Engineer, and the Assistant Controller of Accounts. The Board has authority (a) to make a suitable monetary grant, not exceeding £10, for any meritorious suggestion, whether adopted or otherwise ; and (6) to make awards from the Gray Memorial Fund. DEPARTMENTAL TUITION FOR MESSAGE-BOYS AND OTHER JUNIOR OFFICERS. Efforts have been made during the year to improve the standard of education and efficiency of message-boys and other junior officers in the General Division. Greater inducements for advancement have been offered, and provision has been made for better training and educational facilities. The standard of the Postal and Telegraph Entrance Examinations has been raised to the level of the Public Service Entrance Examination. A special departmental correspondence course, covering the various educational subjects, has been made available to junior officers, and excellent tuition on a secondaryschool basis is given at small cost. Officers, generally, have evinced a keen desire to fit themselves for advancement, and it is gratifying to place on record the fact that over eight hundred officers have enrolled as students. Arrangements have been made with the Education Department to provide facilities at the various technical schools throughout the Dominion in order to assist those junior officers who are mechanically inclined, and so to provide for the increasing number of mechanicians and mechanics required on account of the use of more advanced mechanical and electrical devices. It is hoped that by reason of a higher standard of education in the junior ranks the Service will benefit generally and so become even more efficient. The scheme practically affords for all juniors a secondary-school education for two years. APPOINTMENT OF MESSAGE-BOYS. By an improved method of selection of message-boys, by providing postprimary education after appointment, and by special training while in the junior ranks, it is hoped to attract the best class of lad to the Service. It is anticipated that in this way the old system, under which a large number of untrained adults were appointed to the permanent staff yearly, will disappear.

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AMENDING LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO POST OFFICE ACCOUNT. The Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1927, provides for the separation from the Treasury of the Post Office accounts as at the Ist April, 1928. Under the new arrangement the system of advance by way of imprests to meet current expenditure is abolished, and my Department will meet its expenditure out of revenue. A system of bank orders countersigned by the Controller and Auditor-General has been established, thus bringing my Department into line with other Departments whose accounts are not within the Public Account. Provision has been made for the determination of the capital liability at the commencement of the new arrangement, and of the rate of interest payable on the loans represented by the capital liability. The creation of depreciation and other reserves and the investment of surplus funds have been authorized. It has been provided that surplus funds paid to the Treasury during the period that the system of commercial accounts has been in operation may either be treated as an investment of Post Office moneys or be applied in reduction of the capital liability of the Post Office in so far as such, capital liability consists of borrowed moneys, in future, depreciation and other reserves will be represented by investments or by departmental assets that will bo interest-bearing. DETAILS OF REVENUE, ETC. Matters of detail with reference to the financial operations "and business of the Department will be found at length in the statement and tables which follow. I have the honour to be, Your Excellency's most obedient servant, W. NOSWORTHY, Postmaster-General. General Post Office, Wellington.

POST AND TELEGRAPH REVENUE for Years 1903 to 1928 in Graphic Form.

POST AND TELEGRAPH EXPENDITURE for Years 1903 to 1928 in Graphic Form

ANNUAL REVENUE. Postal, Telegraph (including Tolls), and Telephone Branches. For twelve years ended 31st March, 1928

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1928.

EECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS. The receipts and payments of the Department for the financial year 1927-28 are shown in the following table : —

The total cash value of the transactions of the Department, inclusive of the above, amounted to approximately £194,405,000 for the year.

Receipts and Payments for the Years 1881-82, 1891-92, 1901-02, 1911-12, 1921-22, and following Years.

Item. Postal. 'telegraph. Total. Receipts. £ s. d. 1,132,077 I 7.1 51,113 13 J 1,043 11 41 46,988 4 II 208,364 5 7 £ s. d. £ s, d. 1,132,077 1 7 I 51,113 13 1 1,043 11 4£ 46,988 4 11 239,166 I 9J 404,711 10 9| 397,234 0 11A 1,057,177 I 10! I 'ostages Money-order and postal-note commission Money-order commission received from foreign offices Private box and bag rents and rural delivery fees Miscellaneous receipts Paid telegrams Paid tolls Telephone exchange rentals 30,801 16 2| 404,711 10 9J 397,234 0 ll| 1,057,177 1 10| 1,889,924 9 10 Totals 1,439,586 16 7 3,329,511 6 5 Payments. (Salaries Conveyance of ocean mails Conveyance of inland mails Conveyance of mails by rail Money-order commission credited, to foreign offices Maintenance of telegraph and telephone linos Motor services and workshops Miscellaneous 632,761 19 4 65,028 8 0 135,957 6 9 116,477 19 9 2,513 13 4 888,501 11 0 128,966 15 11 15,808 8 5 146,896 17 10 1,521,263 10 4 65,028 8 0 135,957 6 9 116,477 19 9 2,513 13 4 128,966 15 11 39,734 9 8 289,628 19 7 23,926 1 3 142,732 1 9 Balance of receipts over payments 1,119,397 10 2 320,189 6 5 1,180,173 13 2 709,750 16 8 2.299,571 3 4 1,029,940 3 1 Totals 1,439,586 16 7 1,889,924 9 10 3,329,511 6 5

Year. Receipts. Payments. Balance of Receipts over Payments. Excess of rayments over Receipts. L_ 1881-1882 £ 234,52 £ 234,529 £ 233,291 £ 1,238 £ 1891-1892 320,05 320,058 268,343 51,715 1901-1902 488,57 488,573 465,756 22,817 1911-1912 1,087,71 1,087,710 988,911 98,799 1921-1922 1922-1923 1923-1924 192<M925 ; ■• •■'- .. 1925-4026 .. 1920-1927-1.927-1928 2,811,535 2,687,768 2,688,954 2,889,450 3,100,396 3,220,066 3,329,511 2,451,571 2,114,994 2,1.20,584 2,416,257 2,409,556 2,346,274 2,299,571 359,964 572,774 568,370 473,193 690.840 874,392 1,029,940

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STAFF. Comparative Return of Persons employed in the Post and Telegraph Department on the Ist April, L 927 and 1928. The total number of persons employed on the Ist April, 1927 and 1928 was as under : — Ist April, l°t April, Permanent staff— 1927. 1928. Administrative Division .. .. .. .. 4 4 Clerical and Engineering Divisions .. .. .. 3,543 3,5.19 General Division .. .. .. .. .. 4,993 5,041 8,540 8,564 Temporary staff .. .. .. .. ..192 165 Casual staff .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,557 1,061 Totals .. .. .. .. 10,289 9,790 N on- permanent staff — Country Postmasters and Telephonists .. .. 1,910 1,867 Postmasters who are Railway officers. . .. .. 101 96 12,300 11,753 Health of Permanent Staff. The following table gives the average absence of officers on sick-leave : — Number on Average Absence per Average Absence for Stall. Sick Officer. each Officer employed. Men .. .. ..7,824 9-20 4-33 Women .. .. .. 740 15-64 10-02 Eleven officers died during the year. Personal. Mr. A. Gibbs, M.1.E.E., Chief Telegraph Engineer, was absent from the Dominion for several months attending the International. Radio-Telegraph Conference held at Washington, D.C., and investigating in Europe and America the latest engineering developments of telegraph and telephone communications. The report furnished by Mr. Gibbs on his return to the Dominion is a most valuable one, and not only should it lead to greater efficiency by the adoption of more advanced methods of working, but it should also assist the Department in all engineering matters. While Mr. Gibbs was absent from the Dominion Mr. C. S. Plank, A.M.1.E.E., Deputy Chief Telegraph Engineer, acted as Chief Telegraph Engineer, Mr. Plank, in turn, being replaced by Mr. H. L. Cummings, Inspecting Engineer. PROMOTION BOARD ELECTION. A Promotion Board election held on the 15th February, 1928, resulted in the return of Mr. H. M. Patrick as the elective fnember of the Board. Two officers contested the election. Mr. L. L. Hills, who had been the elective member since November, 1921, did not seek re-election. APPEAL BOARD. The Post and Telegraph Appeal Board, under the chairmanship of Mr. E. 0 Cutten, S.M., sat on three ocoasions during the year. Sixty appeals were dealt with, of which two were allowed. DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL. There were 1,300 enrolments during the year in the Departmental Correspondence School, which provides tuition for officers who require to sit for departmental examinations. The new classes for junior officers resulted in a large influx of students, and necessitated increasing the instructional staff to twelve. Officers generally have proiited greatly by the facilities provided for study, and the value of the tuition given is reflected in all branches of the service by increased efficiency.

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EXAMINATIONS. The number of officers who entered for departmental efficiency examinations held during the year was 1,551. The candidates that were either wholly or partially successful numbered 785, BUILDINGS. During the year buildings were erected as follows : —r Post-office buildings — CastlecliiL Uruti. Leigh. Waimiha. Portobello. Waiuta. Te Mata. Miramar (automatic telephone exchange). Residences for Postmasters—■ Porangahau. Waiuku. Te Karaka. Workshop-store-garage Buildings— Frankton Junction. Timaru. Garages— Clyde. Putaruru (purchased). Foxton. Ruawai. Newmarket. Tolaga Bay. Pukekohe. Warkworth. Increased accommodation has been provided at the following places : — Courtenay Place (automatic telephone Lower Hutt. exchange). Palmerston North. Frankton Junction Railway. Putaruru. Hastings. Richmond. Levin. Wellesley Street. The erection of a now post-office building at Waverley is proceeding. The following additions and alterations have been authorized : — Cromwell (addition and alterations). Papakura (alterations). Gore (addition). Pembroke (addition and alterations). Hawera (addition). Radio-Wellington (addition). Matamata (alterations). Te Teko (addition). Milton (alterations.) Waipukurau (addition and alterations). Mokauiti (addition). Walton (addition and alterations). Sites for storage purposes were purchased at Blenheim and Napier. The area of the post-office site at Carterton has been increased by the acquisition of additional land. At Palmerston North an area of land adjoining the post-office site was taken over from the Department of Agriculture. OVERSEAS MAILS. The service between Auckland and Vancouver continued to be performed by the R.M.M.S. " Aorangi " and the R.M.S. " Niagara," and that between Wellington and San Francisco by the R.M.S. " Tahiti " and the R.M.S. " Makura." Owing to the breakdown of the " Makura " in June, 1927, it was deemed expedient to send by the s.s. " Rotorua " via Panama the mails which ordinarily would have been despatched by the " Makura " via San Francisco. The average times of transmission of mails were as follow : Auckland to London (via Vancouver), thirty-one days ; London to Auckland (via Vancouver), thirty-one days ; Wellington to London (via San Francisco), twenty-nine days ; London to Wellington (via San Francisco), thirty-one days. The contracts for the Pacific services expire on the 31st March, 1929, and consideration is being given to the question of arranging new contracts as from the Ist April, 1929.

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INLAND MAIL-SERVICES. The North Island Mail-service contracts were relet in the latter part of 1927. Several entirely new services were established, notably one between Putaruru and Taupo. The routes of a number of services were rearranged to the advantage of both the Department and the settlers. As regards mail communications, the following are the only incidents worthy of recounting :— On the 19th May, 1927, while the contractors for the Christchurch-Springston rural-mail delivery were engaged in delivering mail-matter their motor-car was totally destroyed by fire. The mailmatter, however, escaped damage. In June, 1927, communication by road between Napier and Taupo, and between Napier and Wairoa, was disorganized for two days owing to floods rendering the roads impassable. At the end of July, 1927, a slip on the Main Trunk Railway line outside the first tunnel near Kaiwarawara (Wellington) disorganized the railway service. Suitable arrangements were made to transport mails between Wellington and the scene of the slip. Several wagons of a mixed passenger and goods train were derailed near Mangapehi on the 13th March, 1928. One of the derailed wagons which contained bags of post parcels, came to rest some 200 ft. down an embankment. Although the wagon was damaged, the mails were recovered in good order. The engine, mail-van, and a second-class carriage of the south-bound Main Trunk express of the 25th July, 1927, were derailed at Otaki. The mail-van was badly damaged, but happily the two mail agents escaped injury. RURAL MAILS. At the 31st March, 1928, there were in use 16,931 rural boxes, an increase of 1,459 on the number for last year. The number of rural deliveries, including part rural deliveries, in operation at the 31st March, 1928, was 376, compared with 377 on the 31st March, 1927. But for the amalgamation of a number of services at the reletting of North Island contracts, the number of rural deliveries would have shown an increase. The figures regarding the reletting of North Island contracts disclose that the average cost of serving a rural box exceeds the revenue derived therefrom. In respect of daily services, the cost per boxholder is £3 3s. 4d., and the revenue £2 14s. sd. For services with frequencies of thrice weekly or less the respective figures are £4 10s. 7d. and £2 lis. 6d. The revenue figures given include the annua! fees paid for the boxes. The net loss on rural-mail services in the North Island is £2,490. " HOUSEHOLDER " CIRCULARS. The revenue from " Householder " circulars posted during the year was £7,384. MISSING POSTAL PACKETS. During 1927 the Department investigated 5,613 inquiries regarding the reported non-delivery of postal packets. In 3,516 cases, or nearly two-thirds of the total number, the articles were traced or accounted for satisfactorily. These cases may be summarized as follows : Sender responsible for delay, 1,012 ; addressee responsible for delay, 1,241 : Post Office responsible for delay, 364 ; no delay, or responsibility not fixed, 899. In 2,097 cases the manner in which the packets were disposed of could not be determined. A comparison of this figure with the total number of articles posted shows that the percentage of losses was 0-00085. In view of the fact that the Department provides adequate facilities for the safe transit through the post of money and other readily negotiable value, the number of unregistered postal packets which, on being openetl in the Dead Letter Office, are found to contain bank-notes and other values is surprising. In some cases very large sums in bank-notes have been enclosed in unregistered packets. The failure of members of the public to make adequate use of the registration system is a world-wide one ; and the meeting of it constitutes a problem with which every postal administration is faced. The importance of using the registration system when forwarding values by post cannot be too frequently stressed. REGISTRATION OF MOTOR-VEHICLES. It has been arranged for the Superintendent of Police at Wellington to ascertain from the central register in the General Post Office at any time after the ordinary hours of business information regarding the names and addresses of owners of motor-vehicles in any part of the Dominion. Police officers in Auckland are now able, in urgent cases, to obtain at any time after the ordinary hours of business the names and addresses of owners of motor-vehicles in Auckland City. All the Deputy Registrars' offices within a radius of two miles from the chief post-office, Auckland (with the exception of Newmarket, at which office applications for new registrations are still being accepted), have been closed, and the records centralized at the chief post-office. The change inflicts no hardship on motor-owners, and it is welcomed by the police and traffic officers, who have to deal with the ever-increasing number of accidents and breaches of by-laws. The new arrangement will prove particularly advantageous during relicensing periods, as under the old arrangement considerable time was expended at the chief post-office in obtaining records from suburban offices. The Motor-vehicles Amendment Act, 1927, made provision for several changes, the more important of which are as follow :— (1) The annual fees for dealers' plates are increased, and dealers are permitted to use such plates for any purpose connected with their business.

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(2) Motor-vehicles (other than those used exclusively in connection with the maintenance or construction of roads or streets) owned by Government and local authorities are now required to pay registration and license fees. Local authorities, however, are still required to pay registration fees in respect of all vehicles owned by them. (3) In the schedule of fees payable for annual licenses the rate for a motor-coach, motor-omnibus, or truck fitted with solid tires is reduced from £5 per annum to £3. The fee for a truck fitted with pneumatic tires is now £2 per annum. (4) The motor-registration year now commences on the Ist June, and ends on the succeeding 31st day of May. As a consequence fourteen months' fees were collected in connection with the 1928-29 relicensing of vehicles. (5) Authority is given the Registrar of Motor-vehicles to cancel the registration, of a vehicle in the event of its remaining unlicensed for a period of one year. As the clause is not mandatory, regulations wore gazetted to the effect that the registration of a vehicle shall automatically be cancelled in the event of its not being licensed for a period of two clear motor-registration years. (6) Provision is made for the refunding of a proportionate amount of license foe in the event of a vehicle being (a) destroyed by reason of accident or (b) permanently removed from New Zealand. The Government Statistician, at the instigation of the Transport Investigation Committee, had action taken to appoint Deputy Registrars of Motor-vehicles as sub-enumerators in connection with the collection of statistics from proprietors of organized motor-transport services operating on defined routes. The following figures show the number of live motor-vehicle registrations (including 1925-26 dormant registrations) at the 31st March, 1928 : — North Island. Cars .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 71,185 Commercial vehicles, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 17,638 Cycles .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20,392 109,215 South Island. Cars 43,265 Commercial vehicles, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 7,987 Cycles .. .. ' 15,148 — 66,400 Total 175,615 The above figures do not include those vehicles for which 3,000 demonstration-plates were issued to dealers. The following table shows the 1925-26 dormant registrations — i.e., registrations applying to vehicles which have not been licensed for the years 1926-27 or 1927-28. These registrations will be cancelled on the Ist April, 1928, in accordance with the regulations made under section 10 of the Motorvehicles Amendment Act, 1927 :— North Island. Cars .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,251 Commercial vehicles .. .. .. .. .. .. 477 Cycles 1,489 3,217 South Island. Cars 912 Commercial vehicles .. .. .. .. .. .. 325 Cycles .. .. .. .. .. •• ■• 1,436 2,673 Total 5,890 Registrations which were cancelled between the coming into operation of the Motor-vehicles Act, 1924, and the 31st March, 1928, are as follow :— North Island. Cars 1,911 Commercial vehicles .. .. .. .. .. .. 887 Cycles 1,530 4,328 South Island. Cars .. 1,029 Commercial vehicles .. .. .. .. .. . . 337 Cycles .. .. .. 1,057 2,423 Total .. .. .. ... .. .... 6,751 The total number of vehicles registered during the period Ist January, 1925, to 31st March, 1928, was 182,366.

3— ¥. 1.

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The following graphs show the number of cars, cycles, and commercial vehicles registered each month from April, 1925, to March, 1928.

Cars.

Cycles.

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Commercial Vehicles.

DEPARTMENTAL MOTOR-VEHICLES. At the 31st March, 1928, there were in use in the Department 108 motor-cars ; 387 motor lorries, trucks, and vans ; and 60 motor-cycles—a total of 555 vehicles. During the year 1.30 now vehicles were purchased, and 115 vehicles were withdrawn from service for disposal at auction. The costs per mile of running the various types of vehicles are shown hereunder. (Note. —The number of vehicles of each type is shown in parentheses). d. Light cars (90) .. . . .. .. .. 4-6 Heavy cars (18) .. .. .. .. .. 8-42 Clearance vans (25) .. .. .. .. .. 4-66 Parcel-vans (25) .. .. .. .. .. 5-68 Utility trucks (156) .. .. .. .. .. 4-44 1-ton trucks (102) .. .. .. .. .. 6-12 1 l-ton trucks (30) .. .. .. .. .. 9-74 2-ton trucks (26) .. .. .. .. ..11-87 3- and 4-ton trucks (23) .. .. .. .. 13-57 Motor-cycles (60) .. .. .. .. .. 3-01 WORKSHOPS. The repair and upkeep of the Department's equipment, which, has become more extensive and varied, was successfully dealt with in the departmental workshops at Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Napier, Palmerston North, Wanganui, and Wellington. The total value of the work done in the shops was £111,247, of which £8,444 represented the value of work performed for other Departments. The principal work was in connection with the repairing of the Department's motor fleet, telegraph, telephone, and wireless apparatus, postal equipment, and office appliances. Included under the heading " Office appliances " is such work as is required to be done in maintaining cashregisters, Burroughs adding-machines, comptometers, and typewriters. The extension of the automatic telephone system released a largo quantity of manual-telephone apparatus, which was renovated and taken into stock. The principal manufactures consisted of rural-delivery boxes, parcel-post boxes and hampers, automatic slot-telephone instruments, public-telephone cabinets, telegraph-pole arms, arm-combiners, and pole-seats. In addition, all motor-vehicle bodies required by the Post and Telegraph and other Departments were built. A large quantity of office furniture and fittings was manufactured ; and rubber stamps were produced to meet the requirements of the whole Public Service. Generally, the workshops arc engaged on maintenance-work of a type not done elsewhere in the Dominion. Much of the Department's apparatus is made outside the Dominion, but it has to be kept in repair by workmen specially trained by the Department. STORES BRANCH. The following figures indicate the value of stores received and issued in the Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington Storekeeping Districts during the year ended the 31st March, 1928, and the value of stocks held at that date. For the purposes of comparison the values of receipts and issues for the previous year are shown also : —

Auckland ''hristohurcli Dunedin rVellington 1928. Receipts. Issues. £ £ 201,514 209,992 163,338 166,310 108,977 11.1,294 507,394 542,047 Stock in hand, -r, • , 31st March, 1928. Kecel P ts - £ £ 126,71(5 176,047 75,760 89,186 59,997 71,975 336,583 599,047* 1927. Issues. £ 201,175 117,960 96,7.15 593,994* * Excluding sub-stores of dis met.

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Purchases. Five hundred and sixty-eight orders for material of a value of £290,039 os. 9d. were placed overseas. In addition, orders were placed within the Dominion. The total value of stores purchased during the year was £464,164 9s. 3d. Particulars of the purchases made for other Departments under the Stores Control Board Regulations are set out hereunder. The figures for the previous year are shown also : —

General Contracts. Pull advantage is taken of the contracts let by the Stores Control Board. Tenders were invited by the Department and contracts were arranged through the Stores Control Board for the supply at very favourable prices of motor-spirit, kerosene, lubricating-oils, and motortires to meet the needs of Government Departments. Additional facilities have been provided for the storage of motor-spirit and lubricating-oils, and economy has resulted from the purchase of these items in bulk. The purchase was arranged of ninety-five motor-vehicles for other Departments and of 130 motorvehicles for the Post and Telegraph Department. , Orders for Dominion Products. In considering tenders generally, full preference, as provided in the Customs tariff, has been given to goods manufactured in the Dominion, and as a result a number of orders have been placed within the Dominion, notwithstanding that such action involved a greater expenditure than would have been the case had the orders been placed overseas. Wherever practicable the Department uses New Zealand timbers, and during the year £12,737 18s. 6d. was expended on silver-pine poles and £2,049 lis. 3d. on rata timber for telegraph arms. The majority of the poles were obtained from the west coast of the South Island. An amount of £4,514 3s. 4d. was expended in the purchase of telegraph insulators of New Zealand manufacture. Sale or Obsolete and Unserviceable Material. Auctions of obsolete and unserviceable material, including worn-out motor-vehicles from various Departments, were held at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The total value of property sold on account of the Post and Telegraph Department was £20,606 lis. 6d. This sum includes the value of scrap lead, copper wire, and other metals sold by tender. MARINE INSURANCE FUND. The value of the stores from countries within the Empire and from the United States of America imported under cover of the Marine Insurance Fund was £169,373. It was necessary to make only minor claims on the fund in respect of stores ordered by the Post and Telegraph Department. POST OFFICE. ARTICLES DELIVERED. The number of articles delivered in the Dominion, including those received from places overseas, during the year 1927, compared with the number in 1926, was as under : — 1927. 1926. Percent Letters .. .. .. 150,112,575 149,88.1,324 0-15 Post-cards .. .. .. 4,815,581 4,557,568 5-66 Parcels .. .. .. 3,581,632 3,698,400 3-15* All other articles .. .. 92,504,917 86,224,573 7-28 251,014,705 244,361,865 * Decrease. AVERAGE NUMBER OF LETTERS POSTED PER UNIT OF POPULATION. 1927, 107-21 1926, 109-95. NUMBER OF POST-OFFICES IN DOMINION. Offices opened during year, 7 ; offices closed during year, 51 ; offices remaining open on 31st December, 1927, 1,955.

Year ended Requisitions. Items. Valuo of items purchased. Total. On Indent. Locally. 31st March, 1928 31st March, 1927 3,301 3,263 13.529 13,854 £ 22,632 18,095 £ 91,587 92,981 £ 114.219 111,076

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UN DELIVERABLE POSTAL PACKETS. The following is a comparison of letters and other articles dealt with as undeiiverable during the year 1927, compared with those so dealt with during 1926 : —

The proportion of undeiiverable letters to the total number of letters delivered was 0-49 per cent. In 1926 the proportion was the same. MISCELLANEOUS. 1927. 1926. Letters and letter-cards posted without addresses .. .. .. .. 17,289 20,659 Letters imperfectly or insufficiently addressed .. .. .. .. 25,348 23,508 Letters intercepted on account of libellous addresses . . .. .. 204 304 Registered letters unclaimed .. .. .. .. .. ..10,621 9,973 Newspapers received without addresses .. .. .. .. .. 7,613 6,454 Other articles received without addresses .. . . .. .. .. 4,485 4,893 Newspapers returned to publishers as undeiiverable .. .. .. 41,447 39,085 Articles bearing previously used stamps . . . . . . . . . . 65 93 During 1927 there were dealt with in the Dead Letter Office 5,398 packets (other than parcels) the contents of which gave little or no indication of the senders' names or addresses. In the majority of these cases special effort on the part of the Dead Letter Office was successful in tracing either the senders or the addressees. Five hundred and seventy-four letters from overseas bearing insufficient or wrong addresses were specially dealt with, and a large proportion was delivered. An auction of unclaimed packets and parcels was held during the year, at which 189 bundles of miscellaneous articles were sold. PROHIBITED POSTAL PACKETS. During the year 980 letters addressed to persons or firms the transmission of correspondence for whom is prohibited under section 28 of the Post and Telegraph Act, 1908, were intercepted and forwarded to the Dead Letter Office. (In .1926 the number was 1,338.) The letters for the most part were addressed to agents of art unions or lotteries in other countries. Some were addressed to recognized " quack " doctors, while others were addressed to persons who deal in obscene books or pictures, or are engaged in fraudulent business. REGISTER OF NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES. Twenty-six newspapers were registered for transmission by post, and twenty-four were removed from the register. Six magazines were registered, and twenty-eight were removed from the register. The number of registered, newspapers on the 31st March, 1928, was 300, and. the number of registered magazines 304. POSTAGE-STAMPS. New postage-stamps of the denominations of 2|d. for the Islands of Aitutaki and Penrhyn, and 21-d. and 4d. for the Islands of Niue and Rarotonga, were issued in October, 1927. The new stamps are in keeping with the style of the current series of Island pictoral stamps, of which series they form a part. The design of the 2-|d. stamp, which is identical for each island, has as a central figure a Rarotongan chief in ancient costume. The chief is wearing a head-dress made of feathers from the wood-dove (or kukupa) and the boatswain-bird (or tavake). A spear held in his left hand denotes hostility ; but a fan held in his right hand denotes peace, also that he is a man of rank. The background of the stamp consists of a Native hut and a clump of palm-trees, while trunks of palm-trees form the sides of the. frame. The design of the 4d. stamp, which also is the same for each island, depicts Rarotonga Harbour, and, in the background, Mount Rarotonga. In consequence of the new issues, the New Zealand 2kl. stamp overprinted for use in each of the four islands and the 4d. stamp overprinted for use in Rarotonga were withdrawn from sale on the 31st March, 1928. The 2s. " King George " stamp was overprinted " Official " in February, 1928, and the 3s. " King George " was overprinted " Rarotonga " in January, 1928.

Returned direct ■„ , ... . Returned to other a , • . ., t-, 4. j . c, j Returned direot . , ... ,. Returned to other Destroyed to [senders , „ , Administrations > .j_p- • 4 j.- <a j 1 v„„„ c ™ ™- jt to Senders _ «,. , Administrations (Senders unknown rear. from Chief . ., , from Chief , -r, j j n ± c rtcc ma -ii from Dead «_,. ,.,„ . , trom Dead and Contents of 0ffi c,i; s tT I-*-**-. 0ffi R:; u ; s ??r I***"-. novaiu e) . Total. Letters. 927.. 306,421 292,897 | 63,173 I 44,146 j 35,542 I 926.. ■ 316,578 302,307 52,856 38,01.1 31,496 | 742,179 741,248 Other Articles. .927.. j 211,056 8,846 | 121,599 26,571 926..: 201,193 10,142 87,987 25,156 368,072 324,478

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STAMP VENDING MACHINES. The popularity of the stamp-vending machines remains undiminished. The machines are a boon to the Department and the public alike. Additional machines continue to be installed from time to time as circumstances warrant, and during the year seven more were brought into use. To ensure continuity of supply, the machines are manufactured in the Department's own. workshop in Wellington. A letter-card-vending machine of departmental manufacture was brought into use at Wellington in replacement of a machine which had become worn out after many years of service. INSURED-BOX SERVICE. The operation of the insured-box service has now been extended to the service between New Zealand and Egypt. An insured box may contain articles of gold, silver, precious stones, jewellery, and other articles of like nature, which are prohibited transmission by the insured-letter service. CUSTOMS PARCELS. The following table shows the declared value of goods received by parcel-post from places abroad and the Customs duty thereon ; also the declared value of goods despatched by parcel-post to places abroad. The figures for the years 1927 and 1926 are shown in each case : — 1927. 1926. £ s. d. £ s. d. Declared value of received parcels .. 1,491,441 0 0 1,633,765 0 0 Customs duty .. .. .. 331,277 8 5 35.1,299 10 0 Declared value of forwarded parcels .. 88,650 0 0 97,324 0 0 POSTAL NOTES. The popularity of the method of remitting small sums to places within the Dominion by means of postal notes is ever increasing. Postal-note business again Shows a decided increase, the sales for the year ended 31st March, 1928, being 3,614,217, of a total value of £1,015,213, an increase over the previous year of 284,579 in number and of £27,526 in value. The commission totalled £23,844 lis., an increase of £1,427 7s. 2d. on that earned in the year 1926-27. BRITISH POSTAL ORDERS. The sale of British postal, orders also shows a marked increase : 153,286 orders, of a value of £86,955 10s. 3d., were sold, as against 142,669 orders, of a value of £82,053, sold during the previous year. The number of orders paid was 33,360, of a value of £19,927, as against 33,610, of a value of £19,873, paid during the previous year. SAVINGS-BANK LEDGER OFFICE AT GORE. Arrangements were made from the Ist November, 1927, for deposits in the Post Office Savingsbank at Gore to be repaid without the depositor's being required under ordinary circumstances to furnish a written notice of withdrawal. Savings-bank withdrawals can now be made at Gore over the counter. Formerly, depositors had to wait until the warrants for payment had been returned from Invercargill before they could make a withdrawal. POSTAL AGENCY AT PITCAIRN ISLAND. A postal agency of New Zealand established at Pitcairn Island was opened for business on the 7th Juno, 1.927. Prior to the establishment of the agency the islanders had but primitive postal facilities. Having no post-office or postage-stamps, they were in the habit of handing their mail matter, without postage, to the captains of passing steamers. In the case of steamers sailing for New Zealand the captains handed the mail-matter over to the post-office at the first New Zealand port, whence it was sent forward to destination without charge. Some countries, however, declined, to admit such letters free, and the addressees were accordingly called upon to pay double postage. A post-office at Pitcairn Island, was urgently needed, but it was a little difficult to decide hy whom it should be set up. The island is under the jurisdiction of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, and it was by arrangement with the High Commissioner that New Zealand established the postal agency. The Postmaster is Mr. R. E. Christian, Chief Magistrate of the island. TELEGRAPH AND TOLL SERVICES. PROGRESS. Notable progress has been made in the development of telegraph, telephone, and wireless services throughout the world. The trans-Atlantic telephone service is operating successfully. The beam wireless-telegraph service between Great Britain, and. Canada commenced in 1926. A service was established in April, 1.927, between Great Britain and Australia ; in July, 1927, between Great Britain and South Africa ; and in September, 1927, between Groat Britain and India. A service between Canada and Australia will be provided in the near future and no doubt this service will be quite, as successful as those already in operation. So far as the Dominion is concerned the Department aims to keep abreast of advances in the science of communication. It is realized, that the progress so far achieved ha.s been, attained by the patient efforts of enthusiastic scientists and experimenters throughout the world. The officers of the Department are encouraged to pursue assiduous research and study in all possible directions. The accompanying graph, shows the enormous growth that has taken place in telephone and toll business in the Dominion since the beginning of the century. It shows also how, despite the effect of the toll service, telegraph business has more than held its own with the growth in population. It will be realized that the slow rate of growth of the telegraph traffic compared with other classes of traffic is due not to a general falling-off in business or to a want of business methods in the service, but to the diversion to the toll, lines of a large amount of traffic which, in the absence of a toll service, would be transmitted by telegraph.

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GRAPH SHOWING THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE VARIOUS SERVICES AND IN POPULATION SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CENTURY.

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TOURS OF NEW ZEALAND CRICKET AND RUGBY TEAMS. During the English tour of the New Zealand cricket team progress reports and the final results of matches were telegraphed to all offices for the information of the public. These reports and results were also distributed to telephone exchanges, and the information was furnished to subscribers upon request. When necessary, the attendance usually observed after midnight for the receipt of cable press news was extended to 2 a.m. to permit of the reception of messages relating to the matches. To facilitate the handling of press messages relating to the tour, the Auckland and. Wellington Telegraph-offices were opened on Sundays at 3.30 p.m. Similar arrangements are in train for the dissemination of news in connection with the tour in South. Africa of the New Zealand Rugby football team. TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT: SEARCH FOR MISSING AIRMEN. The versatile nature of the services rendered by the Department was peculiarly exemplified in connection with the tragic attempt in January last to fly the Tasman Sea. Throughout the day of the flight departmental experts maintained a patient and assiduous watch for signals from the airplane, and. the General Post Office was made the central point for a close examination of all reports from departmental and outside sources. Throughout the areas in which it was thought the airmen might have landed, officers of the Department kept closely in touch with search-parties and left, no report unexamined, however improbable it seemed. This service was maintained until the search was finally abandoned, many officers voluntarily remaining at their posts until the early hours of the morning. The Department also issued instructions that, wherever possible, officers were to assist in the search, and were to supply any equipment within the practicable scope of the Department. It is perhaps needless to add that all officers concerned cheerfully and eagerly rendered whatever assistance they could. INTERNATIONAL BUREAU OF THE TELEGRAPH UNION: PERSONNEL. It is learned with regret that Mr. Henry Etienne, Director of the International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, died on the 16th December, 1927. The late Mr. Etienne was an international figure in telegraph and telephone affairs. Mr. Joseph Raber was appointed Director of the Bureau from the Ist February, 1928, and Mr. L. Poulaine was appointed Vice-Director from the Ist January, 1928. MOVEMENTS OF SHIPPING: NOTIFICATION BY TELEGRAPH. The system of notifying arrivals and departures of vessels by free telegrams was abolished for a short time from the 6th October, 1927. The Department was led to take this step by the need for economy and the necessity for eliminating, wherever possible, services for which it receives no return and which are foreign to its real purpose. Although the question had been considered, on previous occasions, there had naturally been a good deal of hesitancy in discontinuing a service that the public had grown to regard as a normal function of the Department. In some instances it is necessary for the Department to pay for regular information regarding the movements of shipping. In view, however, of complaints that the abolition was causing great inconvenience to those concerned with the working of ships, as well as to the travelling public, the service was reinstated from the 17th November, 1927. TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE OFFICES OPEN FOR BUSINESS. During the past year, sixteen offices were opened and fifty-four closed. The number of offices remaining open on the 31st March, 1928, was 2,169, classified as follows : —■ Telephone-office and toll-station combined .. .. .. .. 1,793 Morse telegraph-office and toll-station combined .. .. .. 346 Telephone-office (no toll-station) .. .. .. .. .. 7 Morse telegraph-office (no toll-station) .. .. .. .. 5 Toll-station (no telephone-office) .. .. .. . . .. 9 Radio - telegraph office (including coast stations, Auckland, Awanui, Awarua, Chatham Islands, and Wellington) .. .. .. 9 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,1.69 In addition, there are five radio stations in the Cook Islands, and five in the islands of Western Samoa under New Zealand mandate. There is also a station in the Union Islands (Fakaofo). TELEGRAPH AND TOLL TRAFFIC. The figures which follow show the position in regard to telegraph and telephone traffic. Fuller information is contained in Table 11.

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Total of all Classes of Message and Value thereof.

Schedule of Paid Telegrams, Cable Messages, and Toll Communications. Number. Va £ ! ue - Ordinary .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,541,205 467,344 Urgent .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 240,540 24,682 Press .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 589,896 81,398 Letter .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 418,213 18,661 Toll communications .. .. •.. .. .. .. 9,733,150 397,234 16,523,004 989,319 Less net amount paid to other Administrations on cable and radio messages .. 187,373 Net total for paid messages of all codes, 1927-28 .. .. .. 16,523,004 £801,946 Net total for paid messages of all codes, 1926-27 .. .. .. 16,316,436 £788,489 TYPEWRITTEN TOLL ACCOUNTS. Typewriters have been brought into use at the Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington telephone exchanges for the preparation of toll accounts. The accounts are prepared more accurately, and present a neater appearance than when prepared by hand. Moreover, a considerable reduction has been effected in the cost of preparation. An extension of the system is contemplated. TOLL CALLS: DIRECT DIALLING OF AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIBERS. An interesting example of the progress that is being made in speeding up the toll service, and incidentally of the facility with which the automatic system can be used in that direction, is the installation at certain exchanges of apparatus which enables toll operators at distant exchanges to call subscribers at automatic exchanges without the assistance of a toll operator at the automatic exchange. The system was first introduced between Lower Hutt and Wellington, automatic dials being placed on the toll switchboard at Lower Hutt. Shortly afterwards provision was made for the installation of the necessary apparatus in the Napier automatic exchange, thus enabling toll operators at Gisborne and all exchanges in Hawke's Bay having direct access to Napier to call Napier subscribers direct. At the same time provision was made for the Napier toll operators to call Dannevirke subscribers direct. The principle of operating long-distance toll lines automatically has been known for some years, and has been extensively used in the United States of America, where the conditions differ materially from those of the Dominion. Until recently it was believed that the system could not readily be applied in New Zealand. Modifications were devised, however, and the system as adopted in this country presents some novel features. At exchanges at which the system has been employed the toll service has been considerably expedited and improved, and appreciable economies have been effected. The question of extending the system to other automatic exchange areas is receiving close consideration. Apparatus for operation both ways between Palmerston North and Dannevirke is now being installed. INTER-ISLAND TELEPHONE SERVICE. The inter-Island telephone service inaugurated in March, 1926, between Wellington, on the one hand, and Nelson, Blenheim, Picton, and Seddon on the other, was extended on the 6th July last as far north as Hawera, Ohakune, and Napier, and as far south as Rakaia and Murchison. In addition, owing to there being a specially heavy copper metallic circuit between Wellington and Auckland, communication was made available between certain exchanges in the Auckland City area and the principal exchanges in the Nelson and Marlborough Districts ; also between Auckland and Christchurch.

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1927-28. 1926-27. Increase. Increase per Cent. lumber .. alue 16,567,514 £805,560* 16,372,226 £793,096 195,288 £.1.2,464 1-192 1-572 * Includes £3,614 representing the val le of franked Governmei it telegrams.

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On the 29th August, 1927, the facility for communicating with the South Island was extended between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on week-days and at all hours on Sundays to certain exchanges in the Hamilton, Thames, and Bay of Plenty districts, and to exchanges as far north as Waitara on the western side of the North Island and Gisborne on the eastern side. The facility for communicating with the North Island during the same hours was extended as far south as Greymouth and Dunedin. Tn addition, Auckland's range was extended to exchanges as far south as Dunedin. The extension of the range of communication in July was made possible by the installation of special trench cables between the extremities of the submarine cable and the Wellington and Seddon exchanges respectively, the construction of a new aerial trunk circuit between Seddon and Christchurch, and the installation of telephone repeater equipment (valve amplifiers) at Wellington and Seddon. Besides being used for improving telephone facilities between the two Islands, the repeating-apparatus at Wellington is used for amplifying speech between Wellington and Auckland. In view of the heavy expenditure incurred in providing the special telephone-cable and the repeating-apparatus at the terminal point in each Island, it has been necessary to impose a surcharge of 3d. on all inter-Island telephone calls. With this exception, the inter-Island rates are the same as for ordinary toll communications, the charge varying according to the length of circuit. EFFECT OF HIGH-TENSION POWER LINES. The issuance by the Public Works Department of the Electrical Supply Regulations, 1927, has resulted in the introduction of greater standardization in the construction of power lines, and in certain respects in the erection of more substantial lines, particularly at crossings of communication circuits. This will effect a reduction in expenditure in the protection of toll circuits. The Department's main consideration in future will be to ensure that parallelism between extra-high-tension power lines and toll circuits, which results in serious inductive interference, is confined to the lowest possible limits. With the advent of extra-high-tension lines in the Gisborne district, a condition has been introduced which seriously interferes with the operation of toll lines and subscribers' circuits. The interference is similar to that experienced in Taranaki some little time ago, and is apparently due to a like cause. The work of removing the trouble is in the hands of the power authorities concerned, and it is expected that a satisfactory solution of the difficulty will shortly be applied. CABLES UNDER FOOTPATHS. Legislation amending section 145 of the Public Works Act, 1908, was enacted last session, preserving existing rights and conserving future requirements of the Crown in regard to the placing of telephone and power cables under footpaths. REMOVAL OF POLES ON ACCOUNT OF ALTERATIONS TO ROADS. The sum of £2,014 was expended by the Department during the year ended the 31st December, 1927, in removing departmental poles consequent upon the deviation, widening, and reconstruction of roads by local authorities and Highway Boards. This is a heavy and ever-increasing but inevitable tax on the Department. ERECTION OF TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE LINES BY CONTRACT. It has been suggested that the construction of telegraph and telephone lines would cost less if carried out under contract. As an experiment, arrangements have been made for the calling of tenders for the erection of new lines where conditions are deemed to bo suitable. When a number of works have been carried out under contract a comparison will be made between contract works and works carried out by the Department with a view to determining whether the contract system should be continued. For works performed under contract the material will be supplied by the Department, the contractor providing labour and appliances. Works for which tenders will be invited will be confined to new telephone pole-lines and reconstruction works involving the erection of an entirely new line clear of the working-lines. It is considered that the erection of wires on existing poles and the reconstructing and rearranging of working-lines by other than departmental officers is impracticable.

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Certain complaints were received that the Department was not getting an adequate return in labour from some of its line construction and maintenance workmen. In a number of cases investigation disclosed that persons engaged in poling work for other than the Post and Telegraph Department had been mistaken for employees of the Department, and in consequence the Department's men had been blamed for the shortcomings of others. In other cases apparent slackness was found to have been due to traffic interference with the carrying-on of work, to the breakdown of transport, to the delayed arrival of material, and to other unavoidable hitches common to Government and private undertakings alike. It is not unusual to receive by letter and through the medium of newspapers commendation of the businesslike manner and expedition with which the Department's construction works are prosecuted. EXTENSIONS TO TOLL AND TELEGRAPH SYSTEMS. Auckland Engineering District. —The southern Hokianga County was brought into constant telephone communication with the North Auckland trunk system on the 21st January by the completion of three additional toll circuits between Kaikohe and Rawene. Not only have these additional circuits substantially augmented the number of toll outlets in the North Auckland district, but they have considerably improved the efficiency of telephone transmission. Good progress has been made with the reconstruction of the Cambridge-Taupo section of the Hamilton-Napier circuit. This reconstruction forms part of the scheme for providing improved telephone facilities between Hamilton and Taupo. Ultimately improvements will bo effected between Taupo and Napier which will greatly improve the telephone facilities between the Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, and Napier districts. The toll circuit between Pukeatua and Arapuni was converted to metallic, and by a slight rearrangement of wires a new toll circuit was provided between Ngaruawahia and Huntly. Wellington Engineering District. —Owing to inductive interference from power lines in the Taranaki district and to the congestion at some points in the network of toll lines, the toll service between the Wellington, Wanganui, and Taranaki districts was, until recently, not entirely satisfactory. The inductive interference has been eliminated by the installation by the power authorities of special apparatus, while the congestion has been relieved by the erection of new circuits between New Plymouth and Hawera, Hawera and Wanganui, and Wanganui and Wellington. The congestion between Wellington and Wanganui had been particularly noticeable. As a result of the alterations and improvements the toll-line system linking the Wellington, Wanganui, and Taranaki districts is now equal to the best in the Dominion. An additional toll circuit between Marton and Taihape was completed on the 19th August, and the existing circuits between those places were so reconstructed and rearranged as to provide additional phantom telephone circuits between Marton and Hunterville, and between Marton and Taihape. There are now four toll circuits between Taihape and Marton, including one with Mangaweka, Ohingaiti, Mangaonoho, and Hunterville intermediate, and three between Hunterville and Marton. The toll and telegraph circuits between Marton and Taihape are now more than adequate for present traffic requirements, and should provide for development for several years. An important extension to the toll-line system in the Wanganui district was the erection of two additional metallic circuits between Wanganui and Hawera and the provision of improved telephone facilities for the interconnection of the Waverley, Patea, and Waitotara Exchanges and also for the connection of those exchanges with Wanganui and Hawera.. The congestion of traffic which previously existed between Wanganui and Hawera has now been removed and provision made for a fairly large increase in traffic, which will, no doubt, be forthcoming when telephone-users find that toll service is available without delay. Improved telephone facilities have also been provided between Hawera and New Plymouth by means of a complete rearrangement of circuits. New Plymouth now has three circuits to Hawera, while Inglewood's outlets have been increased both north and south. In 1915 Waipawa was constituted a switching-station for all toll lines in central Hawke's Bay. The reason for creating a " zone " centre for switching purposes was that the toll traffic then offering was not sufficient to fill a circuit between any two of the telephone exchanges concerned. Toll business has now grown to such an extent that there is sufficient business to occupy, almost exclusively, separate toll circuits between most of the individual exchanges in the Hawke's Bay area. New circuits were, therefore, erected and a rearrangement of existing lines was effected which made it possible to eliminate Waipawa as a switching-station and at the same time to provide a much improved toll service for the district. The diversion of No. 5 morse wire from Nuhaka to Wharerata was completed on the 6th February, 1928. The old telegraph-line Opoutama to Wharerata was sold, to settlers for use as a private telephone-line. A considerable saving in primary batteries for telegraph purposes has been effected at Napier by the utilization of the 48-volt exchange battery for telegraph local circuits and certain line circuits, as well as for exchange purposes.

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The Te Karaka - Otoko metallic circuit was extended to Matawai on the 29th February, 1928, and the Te Karaka - Matawai - Motu earth-working line was converted to metallic. Matawai and Motu thus obtained additional outlets to Gisborne, while Gisborne obtained an additional outlet to Opotiki. An important addition to the toll-line system in the Nelson district was the completion in July, 1928, of a copper metallic circuit between Murchison and Inangahua. This constituted the last step in the linking-up of the Nelson district with the West Coast. Direct telephonic communication is now available between most places in the Nelson and Marlborough Provinces and the West Coast centres. The new circuit also provides an alternative telegraph route between Blenheim and Christchurch when circuits on the east coast are interrupted. Additional toll facilities have also been provided between Nelson and Blenheim to meet the increase in traffic that has taken place over this section since continuous telephone service between Nelson and Wellington became available. Canterbury Engineering District. —Although the actual length of wire in use for toll and § telegraph purposes in the Canterbury District was not materially increased during the year, a considerable amount of work was carried out in the direction both of increasing the toll facilities by rearranging the wires and of improving the efficiency of the circuits. Increased efficiency was obtained by replacing iron wires with, copper and by twisting the circuits, so as to afford, as far as possible, immunity from power-line inductive interference. Owing to the erection of power circuits, it was necessary to convert from earth-working to metallic the circuits between Barrytown-Rapahoe, Lower Kokatahi - Koiterangi, Arahura-Humphrey's-Hoho, Ngahere-Blackball-Roa, and on the Hazelburn circuit. Of the works undertaken in the Canterbury District the following were the more important:— Christohurch-Seddon: This circuit was provided as a link in the chain furnishing a means of telephone transmission between the North Island and the central and southern districts of the South Island. In addition, it gave the Nelson and Marlborough districts improved facilities with Canterbury and Otago. Leeston-Dunsandel: The erection of this circuit gave Leeston direct communication with Dunsandel, its outlet on the Main Trunk Railway line. Christchurch-Kaiapoi.: This line was reconstructed, and the rusty iron replaced with copper, which greatly improved the efficiency of telephone transmission. Cheviot-Parnassus : The iron wires in this section were replaced with copper. At the same time provision was made for the connection of a number of rural subscribers in the Leader Valley. Kumara-Hokitika : The iron wires in this section were replaced with copper and the circuits twisted in order to improve their efficiency as well as to render them, as far as possible, immune from power-line inductive interference. Christchurch-Sockburn : Copper aerial wires were erected in this section in order to increase the speaking efficiency of the main toll circuits between Christchurch and Dunedin, as well as to provide emergency outlets in case of a breakdown in the Christchurch-Sockburn underground cable. Otago Engineering District. —The extension of range of the inter-Island toll service has enabled Dunedin people to communicate by telephone with the North Island, and good speech is obtainable as far north as Auckland. Although the service is not at present available until after 10 p.m., it is much appreciated by Dunedin subscribers and by visitors from the North Island. The following additions have been made to the toll system in the Otago Engineering District : New metallic circuit between Lumsden and Kingston; new metallic circuit, Riverton-Orepuki-Tua-tapere ; new metallic circuit, Balclutha-Glenomaru-Owaka. In addition, the Waimahaka-Waikawa and the Omakau-Poolburn circuits were converted to metallic-circuit working. With these additions and conversions, the congestion on toll lines in the Otago District has been practically eliminated. MACHINE-PRINTING TELEGRAPHS. The machine-printing telegraph apparatus installed at Napier in March, 1927, has given excellent service. The advantages of such an installation are very apparent during line-interruptions, when there is a general shortage of circuits. MAINTENANCE OF LINES. Auckland Engineering District. —The protracted drought caused abnormal and general interruptions to lines through poles in parched ground becoming displaced and straining and breaking wires. Fire damage was extensive, but not so serious as it would, have, been had scrub and vegetable growth not been kept cut well back from poles. Wellington Engineering District. —Except for the dislocation of traffic in June and July, caused by severe snowstorms in the Raetihi and Ohakune sections, there were no serious interruptions to lines in the Palmerston North District. Exceptional gales and floods in July caused considerable interruption to telegraph and telephone services in the Napier district. Otherwise communication was satisfactorily maintained.

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As a trial method of overcoming temporary interruptions to telegraph circuits caused through salt spray lowering the line insulation between Napier and Clive the insulators on the Napier-Awatoto section are being v/ashed periodically. The results so far are very promising. Meantime the two telegraph circuits over which the machine-printing system is worked have been diverted to the inland route via Taradale. As a result of bush-fires during the latter part of the year, seventy poles in the Nelson district (near Murchison) were destroyed. Fortunately, the principal damage was confined to lines of minor importance. Canterbury Engineering District. —As the result of a heavy snowstorm on the 20th August, all circuits between Kaikoura and Waiau were interrupted. Subsequently it was found that twelve poles, about thirteen miles from Waiau, had been either broken or bent by the weight of snow. Repairs were effected by a gang from Christchurch. Considerable damage was done to toll lines on the West Coast in January and February by extensive bush-fires. In many cases all the wires in a section had to be re-regulated, while in other cases new wires had to be erected. With the exception of sections of line which are being or are about to be reconstructed, all the lines in the Canterbury Engineering District are now in good condition, and it is anticipated that there will be a reduction in the maintenance charges. Otago Engineering District. —Two old pole-lines between Invercargill and Bluff, carrying a good deal of corroded iron wire, have been replaced by a new pole-line and circuits of 70 lb. bronze wire. POLES AND WIRE. During the year 128 miles of pole-line and 2,513 miles of wire were erected for telegraph and telephone (toll) purposes, while 199 miles of pole-line and 1,151 miles of wire were dismantled, or, in localities where no longer required by the Department, sold to settlers for use as private telephone-lines. The lengths of pole-line and wire in use for telegraph and telephone toll purposes on the 31st March, 1927 and 1928, respectively, were as follow : —

The telegraph and telephone wire in use on the 31st March, 1928 —viz., 62,648 miles—is classified as under :— Miles. Used exclusively for telephone toll traffic .. .. .. .. 3,183 Used exclusively for telegraph traffic .. .. .. .. .. 9,813 Used simultaneously and (or) conjointly for telegraph and telephone toll traffic .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 49,652 The total length of wire that may be used for telephone toll traffic is 52,835 miles ; the total length that may be used for the transmission of telegrams, 59,465 miles ; and the length of telephone toll-lines over which telegrams may be transmitted by telephone, 23,767 miles. The total length of Morse circuit derived from the superimposing of telephone circuits is 13,547 miles, and the total length of additional telephone toll circuit improvised from the existing wire circuits by the use of subsidiary apparatus associated therewith (so-called phantom working) is 5,478 miles. The, following table shows the class and number of telegraph instruments and batteries in use at telegraph-offices for the year ended 31st March, 1928 :—

[iles of pole-line lies of wire Pole-line and Wire. Year ended Year ended 31st Marsh, 1927. 31st March, 1928. 12,798* 12,727 61,286* 62,648 * Revisod figures.

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Return of Telegraph Instrument Sets and Batteries as at the 31st March, 1928.

Telegraph Instrument Sets. Storage Batteries other than; Primary Batteries. Engineering District. Con- Inter- Central stant mittent Battery Jurrent Current. Omnibus 1 Simplex. Duplex. Murray a ,-. MultiOuad I Quad " A " Side " A " Side For!!:etl P les rrolex ' molex rela y ed relayed Quad- Sets ' Repeater Du P Ies - Simplex, ruplex.' (QuadF i ruple jDuplex) Concentrators. Universal Battery for Universal Battery System Working. Leelanche. Number of Cells. a 6 ■8 Single . Double! Current Current Number. Capacity Number , T . „ „ ._ _ of Cells. No - L No - °- *°- 2 - .2-S ® ■OS -3 r< E £ o 0 a o o aickland 35 86 39 9 12 7 24 18 13 1 4 1 i 8 9 4 10 3 1 2 2 1 1 10 10 10 10 1 137 3,835 10,058 I 160 5,159 312 5,637 348 Wellington 70 161 8 4 1 155 9s 166 lanterbury 39 81 6 8 6 4 1 6 3,268 434 1,447 127 )tago .. 33 73 1 3 5 1 1 I I 47 3,956 | 357 1,105 •• Totals 177 401 39 28 42 42 9 1 17 18 6 ! 3 ! 345 121,117 1,263 13,348 166 14 475 98

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NEW ZEALAND SUBMARINE CABLES. A fault developed in one of the Cook Strait cables (No. 4 L.8.) on the 30th April last. A fewweeks later the cable parted, the break being located at a point two and a quarter nautical miles from the Lyall Bay cable hut. No action to effect repairs has yet been taken, as the remaining cables suffice to carry the traffic and. a considerable saving in expenditure is effected by delaying the charter of the cable-repair steamer until two or more cables require attention. In December, 1927, it was reported that a fault had developed in-the Bluff - Stewart Island cable ; but the fault, which took the form of an intermittent disconnection, did not cause any serious inconvenience until early in January, when it was located at a point 2-75 nautical miles from the cable-hut in Boat Harbour. Repairs involving the replacement of three-quarters of a mile of cable, were completed on the 26th January, 1928. The work was carried out with the aid of the 8.8. " Despatch." While the " Despatch " was under charter the opportunity was taken of overhauling the Lee Bay (Stewart Island) shore-end section of the cable. The armouring was reinforced at two places off Bobs Point where it had. become badly chafed and corroded ; and a new length of trench cable was laid between the Lee Bay cable-hut and high-water mark to replace a piece in which the insulating covering of the conductor had become perished. Minor repairs. —A fault reported in the Motuihi-Waiheke cable on the 30th May was repaired a fortnight later. A break in the Homewood - Te Rawa cable was reported and repaired in January, 1928. A survey of White Bay was undertaken by Captain Whiteford, of the Marine Department, during January and February, 1928. There are five cables leading into the Bay ; and the new chart will enable the routes of the cables to be plotted more accurately and permit the repair-steamer to work closer nshore than has hitherto been permissible. CABLE SERVICES. THE PACIFIC CABLE ACT, 1927. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION AND CONSOLIDATION OF PREVIOUS ACTS. The Pacific Cable Act, 1927, amending the constitution and powers of the Pacific Cable Board, as agreed upon at the Imperial Conference of 1926, received Royal assent on the 29th June, 1927. The new Act has the effect of reducing from three to two the number of representatives of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain on the Board, thus giving Great Britain the same representation as Canada and Australia. The appointment of the Chairman of the Board is no longer a prerogative of the British Government, but is subject to agreement between the partner Governments. The Act outlines new arrangements concerning the amounts to be applied to the Reserve Fund for the purpose of meeting the cost of maintenance and extension of the system. Provision is made also for the equitable division of profits among the partner Governments, and for the meeting of any deficiency in the operation of the system. The new Act consolidates the Pacific Cable Act, 1901, and its amendments. ACCEPTANCE OF CABLE MESSAGES WITHOUT PREPAYMENT : RECOVERY OF CHARGES FROM CABLE ADMINISTRATIONS. It has been agreed, in consideration of a payment of £75 per annum each from the Pacific Cable Board and from the Eastern Extension Telegraph Co. to accept, from the Ist October, 1927, at Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington, cable messages from authorized persons and firms without prepayment, and to recover the charges from the Board or the Company, as the case may be. EASTERN EXTENSION TELEGRAPH CO.: PREPARATION OF CABLE ABSTRACTS The Department has undertaken, from the Ist February, 1928, for the Eastern Extension Telegraph Co., the preparation of cable abstracts in respect of outward New Zealand messages transmitted over the company's system between Wellington and Sydney. For this service the company pays the Department at the rate of £75 per annum. DAMAGE TO CABLE OF EASTERN EXTENSION TELEGRAPH CO. A workman of the Wellington City Council damaged the cable of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Co. between Wellington and Titahi Bay in 1925. The City Council at first repudiated responsibility, maintaining that the relative Act of Parliament did not enable responsibility for the damage definitely to be fixed. The amount claimed was eventually paid. But in view of the happening it was deemed expedient to introduce amended legislation with a view to affording the company adequate and reasonable protection against any possible future injury. To this end, section 54 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1916, was suitably amended by section 36 of the Finance Act (No. 2), 1927.

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CABLE RATES. New Zealand - South Africa. Negotiations have been entered into with the Eastern Extension Telegraph Co. for a reduction in the cable rate between New Zealand and the Union of South Africa. There is reason to believe that the Department's representations will be favourably considered, and that the rates will be reduced on ordinary traffic from 2s. 7d. to 2s. a word, on deferred-rate messages from Is. 3|d. to Is. a word, and on letter-telegrams from Bd. to 6d. a word. The rate on messages exchanged with South Africa has not been reduced for over twenty years. Having regard to the steadily increasing community interest between New Zealand and the sister Dominion, together with the visit to South Africa of a New Zealand representative, rugby football, team, there are strong arguments in favour of a lower cable rate between the two countries. Negotiations are also taking place in regard to the cable rates between New Zealand and certain Eastern countries. New Zealand - Fiji. From the Ist September, 1927, the telegraph rates from New Zealand to all places in the Fijian Group, via Pacific, were reduced by 2d. a word for ordinary traffic, and by Id. a word for Government messages. From the Ist January, 1928, the rates from New Zealand to all places in the Fijian Group beyond Suva have been fixed at Bd. a word. This represents an increase of Id. a word to Levuka, and a reduction of Id. a word to Labassa, Taviuni, and Savusavu in respect of the rates in force from the Ist September, 1927. There has also been a reduction in the rate via Suva Radio to Ocean Island, Apia, Vila, Vavau, and Nukualofa. To places beyond Suva normally served by the Suva Radio-station the reduction is 3d. a word. To other places, the normal route to which was hitherto by way of Australia at Is. 4|d. a word, the rate has been reduced via Suva Radio-station to Is. 3d. a word. New Zealand - European Countries. From the 15th November, 1927, the rates via Pacific to European countries, excepting Cyprus, Greenland, Azores, and the Balearic Islands (which are not included in the category of European countries), were reduced to the level of the rates via Ea.stern. The reductions apply also to deferred messages for all places in Europe to which a deferred service is available by both routes. New Zealand-France. The rate for press cable messages from New Zealand to France via Pacific and Imperial was reduced, from the sth August, 1927, from lOd. to Bd. a word. This reduces the rate for this class of message via Pacific to the level of that via Eastern. New Zealand - Germany. The rate for cable messages between New Zealand and Germany by the Pacific and Azores route was reduced from the 15th July, 1927, to the level of that by the Pacific and Imperial and Eastern routes — i.e., 2s. 6d. a word for ordinary and Is. 6d. a word for deferred traffic. WORDS FORMED BY THE UNION OF A BONA FIDE PLAIN WORD AND A CODE-WORD. From the 6th May, 1927, a concession is granted the senders of cable messages, whereby words not exceeding in length ten letters, formed by the union of a bona fide code-word and a plain word— as, for instance, " Awhagsugar " —are counted as ordinary code-words, with the proviso, however, that the code portion of the word must be pronounceable and that the plain-language portion must be correctly spelled. USE OF CODE CHECK-WORD. From the 20th May, 1927, the use of a code check-word, not exceeding in length ten letters, has been permitted in deferred, daily-letter, and week-end messages from banking and commercial institutions, without affecting the plain-language classification of the message. From the 14th July, 1927, the privilege has been extended to night letter-cable messages. USE OF FIGURES, NUMBERS, AND COMMERCIAL MARKS IN CHEAP-RATE MESSAGES. The restriction arising out of the provisions of Article 70 of the Paris International Telegraph Convention, 1925, on the use of figures, numbers, and commercial marks in cable messages of the cheaper categories has been the subject of much protest from business concerns that make extensive

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use of the cheaper classes of cable message. With the object of placing as liberal an interpretation as possible upon the regulation, the Department communicated with other Administrations, suggesting a number of terms that might reasonably be regarded as exempt from the restriction. As a result, a list of terms exempt from the restriction has been issued. The action taken to clarify the position has been much appreciated by the business community. WEEK-END LETTER-TELEGRAM SERVICE : EXTENSION TO HOLLAND, ITALY, AND LIBYA. The week-end letter-telegram service was extended to Holland from the Ist April, 1927. Messages may be written in plain English, Dutch, or French. The rate is 14s. 2d. for twenty words or less, with a charge, of B|d. for each word over twenty words. From the sth August, 1927, the week-end letter-telegram service was extended to messages between New Zealand and Italy at a charge of B|d. a word, with a minimum charge of 14s. 2d. The week-end letter-telegram service was extended to Libya from the 26th November, 1927. The rate is 16s. Bd. for a message of twenty words or less, and lOd. for each word over twenty words. DAILY LETTER-TELEGRAM SERVICE : EXTENSION TO BELGIUM. The daily letter-telegram service was extended to Belgium from the Ist July, 1927. The rate is 15s. for a message of twenty words or less, and 9d. for each word in excess of twenty words. CABLE TRAFFIC. The number of cable messages, excluding Press, sent from Now Zealand to international offices shows an increase of 2-87 per cent, on the number sent during 1926-27, and the number sent to Australian offices shows a decrease of 2-21 per cent. Messages received from international offices increased by 3-53 per cent., and messages from Australia increased by 0-32 per cent. The proportion of cable messages sent " via Pacific " was greater than that sent by the same route during the previous year, the percentages being 66-07 and 64-29 respectively. The following table shows the total number of cable messages, excluding Press, forwarded by each route during ea.ch of the past five years ; also the percentage of such traffic falling to each.

Press messages numbering 4,925 were sent via Pacific and 2,929 via Eastern, compared with 3,090 and 4,183 respectively during 1926-27. The number received via Pacific was 7,731 and via Eastern 3,266, compared with 6,671 and 3,916 respectively. The following table shows the total number of each class of message, excluding Press, forwarded during 1927-28, as compared with the number forwarded during 1926-27 : —

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Pacific. Eastern. Year. 1923-24 1924-25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28 Messages. 167,922 185,680 204,586 204,051 210,662 Percentage of Total. 65-9 65-3 65 64-29 66-07 Year. 1923-24 1924-25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28 i Messages. 86,797 98,571 110,146 113,355 108,167 Percentage of Total 34-1 34-7 35 35-71 33-93

1927-28. 1926-27. Forwarded. Received. Forwarded. Received. Full-rate international cable messages Deferred international cable messages Daily letter-telegrams Week-end telegrams Australian cable messages Australian night-letter telegrams 85,911 23,378 33,921 27,608 84,504 63,507 81,215 24,761 24,622 16,727 81,908 58,991 82,128 23,529 33,116 27.274 89,954 61,405 78,498 23,895 24,554 15,352 88,527 51,913 Totals 318,829 288,224 I 317,406 282,739 (For further statement of cab] ,e business & le page 49.)

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WIRELESS SERVICES. INTERNATIONAL RADIO-TELEGRAPH CONVENTION, 1927. At the International Radio-telegraph Convention, held at Washington, D.C., U.S.A., during October and November, 1927, the Dominion was represented by the Chief Telegraph Engineer (Mr. A. Gibbs, M.1.E.E.). Owing to the Great War and its aftermath, no such Convention had been held since 1912. During the Convention, which occupied about eight weeks, matters affecting every phase of radio signalling were discussed, and regulations drawn up to govern its international use. A special concession was granted to the New Zealand Government permitting the operation of wireless installations on the smaller coastal ships by specially trained officers of the ships' crews. In view of the fact that ships of this class are engaged almost exclusively on coastal work, and do not engage in general commercial signalling, the Conference finally agreed to permit such stations to be operated by ships' officers possessing operating and technical knowledge inferior to that normally prescribed for ship stations. The only messages permitted to be handled are communications of urgent maritime importance. As the concession is contrary to the general spirit of the Convention, which aims at increased operating efficiency, its effect upon maritime radio operations will be closely watched by other countries. Stops will be taken to ensure that radio signalling in Dominion waters is not unduly prejudiced by any abuse of the concession. The general scope of the Convention, and its incidence upon New Zealand radio-signalling conditions, have been referred to in a special report, which is published separately. The Convention and the regulations made thereunder will come into force on the Ist January, 1929. IMPERIAL WIRELESS SERVICES: STANDING COMMITTEE. The High Commissioner for New Zealand was notified in May, 1927, that, in view of the fact that the Standing Committee appointed to advise on matters arising out of the question of Imperial wireless services was unlikely to function for a considerable time, the appointment of Mr. J. Milward, late of the Pacific Cable Board, as a New Zealand representative on the Committee was to be terminated. Mr. Milward was in receipt of a retaining-allowance of £100 per annum. The High Commissioner continues to represent the Dominion on the Committee. NEW ZEALAND COAST STATIONS: EQUIPMENT, OPERATION, ETC. Radio-Auckland. Traffic. —The principal service performed by Radio-Auckland is the handling of traffic to and from shipping in the waters to the north of New Zealand. The amount of traffic handled has suffered slightly by reason of the diversion of a large percentage of the trans-Pacific mail-steamer traffic to the short-wavo service now being carried out by the Wellington and Awarua Stations. Alteration of Transmitter-coupling. —Owing to the interference caused to broadcast reception by an harmonic from the interrupted-continuous-wave, transmitter, the coupling of the set has been redesigned to remove this objectionable feature. Establishment of Remoie-controlled Receiving-station. —Some experiments have been carried out at Radio-Auckland on the lines of a remote-controlled receiving-station consisting of an unattended receiver located at a suburban post-office, the received signals being transmitted to Radio-Auckland through telephone-cable. Due to its being beyond the city's commercial area, this location is more favourable than Queen Street to reception from ship stations. The new arrangement has considerably improved the operating efficiency of the station. Ramio-Awanui. Attendance. —Prior to the inauguration of the short-wave service between Apia (Samoa) and New Zealand, Radio-Awanui handled all Pacific Island traffic on high power, using a wave-length of 2,000 metres. Since the advent of the now system the traffic has been handled by RadioWellington. In consequence of the diversion, the hours of operation of Radio-Awanui have been curtailed from continuous to 8 a.m. - 11 p.m., and the question of closing the station will receive consideration. In the meantime a listening service for inward traffic only is being observed. Long-wave Reception. —As a result of investigations made regarding the reception of the long-wave signals from Rugby, England —a service which is carried out at Radio-Awarua—a trial was recently made to determine the relative suitability of Radio-Awanui for such reception. The result was such as to render a change unwarranted. Transmitting-apparatus. —To minimize the use of the higher-powered transmitting-apparatus at this station, a low-power engine, comprising part of a 3-kilowatt transmitter, has been adapted for use with either the 600-metre or the long-wave transmitter. Mast and Aerials. —The repainting of the mast and the overhaul of the mast and aerial system were undertaken in May. Severe gales in August caused damage, necessitating the replacement of a number of aerial insulators.

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Radio-Awarua. Traffic. —Traffic handled by Radio-Awarua shows a marked increase over that of the previous year. This is due chiefly to the adoption at this station of short-wave signalling. Short-wave Working. —Two-way communication for testing purposes was effected nightly in February and March with Burnham-Radio (England). In June last, nightly communication on. short waves was commenced with the two vessels engaged in the Wellington - San Francisco mail-service. This has been well maintained, and has provided reliable communication between the Dominion and the steamers during the whole of the trans-Pacific voyages. As in the previous year a large volume of traffic was exchanged with, whaling-ships in the Antarctic. This was transmitted on wave-lengths of from 30 to 35 metres. New Receiver for Reception of British Official Press News. —In June, 1927, a receiver specially designed for the reception of signals from Rugby, England, was installed. The receiver has special unidirectional properties, enabling greater use to be made of directivity in limiting the incidence of atmospheric interference. Notwithstanding a certain degree of interference from atmospheric disturbances, the number of words of press news received direct from England during the year reached 279,188. Mast and Aerials. —The 400 ft. steel tower was repainted in March, 1928. A new aerial permitting transmission on a wider band of short wave-lengths was erected in September, 1.927. Tests to determine the suitability of wave types of antenna 1 for long-wave reception were carried out during the early part of the year. For this purpose use was made at intervals of the InvercargillBluff telephone-lines. Location of Station. —Although there is comparatively little shipping in the vicinity, the semiisolated location of this station is justified by the command that the station has of the southern seas, portions of which are screened from the other New Zealand coast stations. The mishap to the whaling-ship " C. A. Larsen " in Paterson's Inlet (Stewart Island) during the latter part of February again demonstrated the suitability of the location for dealing with urgent maritime traffic or distresssignals from ships in southern waters. Land-line Communication. —To meet the need for a more efficient land-line connection with the Wellington Telegraph-office for the disposal of the British official press news a duplex set has been installed. Radio-Wellington. Short-wave Working. —A short-wave transmitting and receiving set has been installed at RadioWellington. After exhaustive tests and experiments to determine the wave-lengths most suited to the different hours of the day and night, permanent adjustments were made on the 30th August, from which date a direct short-wave service has been observed with Apia, Samoa. With the exception of a few occasions on which daylight signals were subject to interference from extraneous induction or atmospheric disturbances, the service has been regularly maintained. The night signals have been reliable on all occasions. Consideration is now being given to the installation of a higher-powered transmitter to replace the experimental one. With a higher-powered transmitter it is anticipated that a much greater degree of reliability will be obtained. Transmission of Press News. —Radio-Wellington has taken over the nightly transmission of the free press news which was previously transmitted by Radio-Awanui on a wave-length of 2,000 metres. The press news is sent simultaneously on wave-lengths of 800 and 53 metres, and is a useful example of dual transmission. The service, which has been satisfactorily performed since its inauguration, permits reception both by ship stations and by the coast stations of the Pacific islands. Communication with Trans-Pacific Ships. —A nightly short-wave service has also been instituted to and from the mail-steamers plying between Auckland and Vancouver, enabling communication to be maintained throughout the voyages. Installation of New Receiver. —Reception has been improved by the installation of a speciallydesigned receiver giving greater flexibility and readier change of wave-lengths. Erection of Separate Receiving-station. —As the operation of transmitting interferes somewhat with the simultaneous reception of signals, the erection of a separate building to accommodate the receiving-apparatus associated with both the long- and short-wave sets is about to be proceeded with. The building will be situated approximately 200 yards from the existing building at which distance experiments have proved the interference to be negligible. The existing building will thenceforth be utilized as a transmitting-station only. Kawau Island. The plant at Kawau Island Radio was completely overhauled in August. The station now has reliable radio communication with Auckland by either telegraph or telephone. A motor-generator was installed on the 30th August for the purpose of generating the anodevoltage for the valve-transmitter. RADIO-APIA. Short-wave Working. —The outstanding development during the year was the adoption of short waves for long-distance working. In addition to the direct service with Wellington, short waves are now employed for all oversea services. Equipment. —The steel tower and stays have been repainted and the oil-engine overhauled during the year. The storage battery at present in use is nearing the end of its useful life, and arrangements are being made for its replacement.

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RADIO-RAROTONGA. Mast. —To increase further its stability, steps arc being taken to erect stays to support the mast at Rarotonga. In addition, the mast will be chipped and repainted. The work will be put in hand at an early date. Replating of Battery. —Measures are being taken for the replating of the entire battery at this station. The battery is at present in a very poor condition, and has been responsible for a deterioration in signal-strength, which has frequently hindered the clearance of traffic. It is hoped to have the renewal effected before the coming busy season. Short-wave Working. —Short-wave communication was established with Apia and Papeete in September. Although the transmitter is of low power, it is found to be superior to the 600-metre spark set for disposing of this traffic. Having proved the practicability and economy of short-wave working, this station is about to be provided with short-wave apparatus capable of communicating direct with New Zealand, thus dispensing with the need for the intervention of Radio-Apia for relaying purposes. Overhaul of Engine. —The engine was overhauled and repainted during September, since when satisfactory service has been given. NIUE. Apart from an intermittent fault which rendered the apparatus inoperative for brief periods during November, the station has observed regular and satisfactory service. Minor repairs have been necessary to the oil-engine and motor-generator. WHITE ISLAND: RADIO-TELEGRAPH OFFICE. A. radio-telegraph.office was opened at White Island on the Ist August, 1927. Telegrams are exchanged by means of privately-owned radio-telegraph stations at the island and at Tauranga. Suitable arrangements for the control of the service have been made with the owners of the radiotelegraph stations. Ordinary inland-telegram rates are charged. This is the first instance of a privately-owned service being utilized as an extension of the Department's telegraph system. Having regard to the small volume of business, the expense of laying a special submarine cable between White Island and the mainland would not be justified. The use of privately-owned radio-telegraph stations, however, provides a public service that could not otherwise be given. CAPE MARIA VAN DIEMEN RADIO BEACON STATION. Requests from masters of vessels for the transmission of fog-signals from the radio beacon station at Cape Maria Van Diemen during the hours that Radio-Awanui is closed (11 p.m. -8 a.m.) are now attended to by Radio-Auckland. SHORT-WAVE SERVICE BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND SAMOA. An important development during the year in connection with radio operations was the inception, on the 30th August, of commercial short-wave signalling between New Zealand and Samoa. This service, for which Wellington and Apia are the terminal stations, is a marked improvement on the previous one, a notable feature being a diminution in power-consumption. Consideration is now being given to the inclusion of other Pacific islands in the scheme, which, when complete, should ensure a quick and reliable service between the Dominion and the islands in which New Zealand has trade and other interests. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN COAST AND SHIP STATIONS. An alteration has been made in regard to the transmission of radio-telegrams between New Zealand coast stations and ships at sea. Outgoing ships now communicate with New Zealand coast stations up to the latest possible moment, and incoming ships from the earliest possible moment, the work being handled by any coast station capable of establishing communication. Previously the coast station with which communication was permitted was determined by the position of the ship, the traffic being normally required to circulate to the nearest coast station. The new arrangement permits direct working between ship stations and coast stations, irrespective of the proximity of any island station or coast station of another administration. BROADCAST OF WEATHER REPORTS AND NEWS MESSAGES. The length of the daily news press message broadcast from Radio-Awanui to ships at sea was increased in June, 1927, from two hundred to five hundred words. The duty of performing the nightly broadcast was transferred from Radio-Awanui on the Ist November, 1927, to Radio-Auckland and Radio-Wellington. Radio-Auckland transmits the weather report at 10.10 p.m. on a wave-length of 600 metres, and Radio-Wellington transmits the press message at 10.15 p.m. on wave-lengths of 800 and 53 metres simultaneously. AUTOMATIC ALARM INSTRUMENTS ON BRITISH SHIPS. In the interests of protection of life at sea, His Majesty's Government in Great Britain has authorized the installation on vessels registered in Great Britain of approved automatic apparatus which will respond to a special signal known as the " alarm signal." This signal, which is used in conjunction with the ordinary S.O.S. distress signal, causes the automatic apparatus to sound a " call-bell" summoning the operator. Ships fitted with the device will be able to maintain a constant watch at sea, even though they may carry but one operator. The Department has undertaken to inspect on behalf of the British Government any such installations on British vessels at Dominion ports.

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UNION STEAM SHIP CO. OF NEW ZEALAND LTD.: CONTROL OF WIRELESS APPARATUS. The twenty-nine vessels, of the Union Steam Ship Co.'s fleet, which for radio-telegraph purposes were previously under the control of the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Ltd., were brought under the direct control of the company as from the Ist April, 1.927. It has been agreed in respect of those of the company's vessels registered in Great Britain to adjust the radio accounts directly with the company, thus obviating the necessity of settling through the General Post Office, London. BROADCASTING. In conformity with the agreement between the Department and the Radio Broadcasting Co. of New Zealand, Ltd., a third modern broadcasting-station has been established. This station, which is at Wellington, was opened on the 16th July, 1927. Tests show that the Wellington station has a daylight ra.uge over the whole of the Dominion to a greater degree than any other New Zealand station. The Wellington station is conservatively rated at 5 kilowatts aerial power with an input to the tubes varying from 10,000 to 15,000 watts. The station is situated away from the business centre of the city, in a commanding position at the top of Mount Victoria, a hill of about 650 ft. The aerial-poles add to this height 154 ft. Private lines, with amplifiers, are used to conduct items from the well-appointed and modern studio in the heart of the business quarter of the city. There are also relay lines to a number of theatres, churches, and amusement - halls. A special feature of the transmitter is that faithful modulation up to 80 per cent, efficiency can be obtained. The new condenser type of microphones, with a natural frequency of 7,000 cycles per second, also are noted for their faithful reproduction. As voltages up to 10,000 volts are used, the usual protective devices are necessary. In this respect the equipment conforms to modern requirements. In the agreement with the Radio Broadcasting Co. it was provided that, after the setting in operation of stations at Auckland and Christchurch, the company should establish similar stations in Wellington and Otago. The question of the erection of a station at Wellington with a capacity equal to 5,000 watts output, which would be ten times the output of. the new stations at Auckland and Christchurch, was discussed between the company and the Government. In support of. the proposal it was contended that, with the growth of broadcasting, people of the Dominion would, to an increasing extent, look to these services for daily news, instruction, and entertainment. It was contended also that a station such as that proposed for Wellington, would be of great value for defence and national purposes, and would also be useful for broadcasting to the island dependencies. It would enable island residents to look for reception to a Dominion station, instead of to the Australian stations. DUNEDIN BROADCASTING-STATION. From the 10th October, 1927, the service given from the Dunedin station was extended to include Saturday evening, making a total of five nights weekly. ARMISTICE DAY REMEMBRANCE CELEBRATION: RELAYING FROM NEW ZEALAND BROADCASTING-STATION. The proceedings at the Albert Hall, London, and at Canterbury Cathedral, on Armistice anniversary day, the 11th November, 1927, were broadcast on a wave-length of 24 metres. The Radio Broadcasting Co. of New Zealand, Ltd., made special efforts to receive and to rebroadcast the programmes for the benefit of New Zealand listeners. The company reported that its Christchurch station successfully rebroadcast the Cathedral service and organ recital. The volume was excellent, and the clarity at the outset was fair, but improved later. This was a noteworthy achievement in the direction of long-distance short-wave reception and relaying on the part of the Broadcasting Company. The conditions were not favourable for the reception of the proceedings at the Albert Hall. NUMBER OF AMATEUR RECEIVING-STATIONS. It has been the experience that the opening of large broadcasting stations gives a remarkable fillip to the applications for radio receiving licenses. For example, when the Wellington station was opened, on the 16th July, 1927, holders of receiving licenses in the Wellington Radio District numbered 3,835. At the end of September, 1927, the number had increased to 9,579, and. at the 31st December last there were no less than 14,454 holders of radio receiving licenses in the Wellington district. At the 31st March, 1928, the number had increased to 15,077. On the 16th July, 1927, the total number of radio receiving licenses issued in the Dominion was 21,059. At the 30th September, 1927, this number had increased to 30,219. At the 31st December, 1927, it had reached 38,125, and at the 31st March last the total approached the 40,000 mark. There were also material increases in the numbers of radio-dealers.

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LEGISLATION REGARDING WIRELESS LICENSES. As mentioned in last year's report, it was necessary, owing to Magisterial decisions that failure to renew a wireless license after the 31st March of any year was not an offence under the Post and Telegraph Act, to promote legislation making it quite clear that licenses must be renewed each year. To this end two clauses included in the Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1.927, provided (a) that any person is liable on conviction to a fine of £500 who erects, constructs, establishes, maintains, or uses any station, plant, or apparatus capable of transmitting wireless-telegraphic communications without having obtained a license ; and (b) that any person is liable on conviction to a fine of £50 who is in possession of any apparatus capable of receiving wireless-telegraphic communications without having obtained a license. While the provision for a fine not exceeding £500 for establishing apparatus capable of transmitting signals has been retained, it was considered advisable to provide a lower penalty in the case of receiving-stations. On the other hand, owing to the difficulties attendant on the detection of unlicensed radio-stations, it has been considered necessary to widen generally the conditions or circumstances in which the possession of radio receiving-apparatus is deemed to be an offenceIt has also been provided that the occupier of any premises on which is situated any station, plant, or apparatus capable of transmitting wireless-telegraphic communications shall be deemed to have erected, constructed, established, maintained, and used such apparatus unless and until the contrary is proved. Moreover, the occupier of any premises on which is situated any apparatus capable of receiving wireless-telegraphic communications shall be. deemed to be in possession thereof unless and until the contrary is proved. It is further provided that any station, plant, or apparatus shall be deemed to be and to remain capable of transmitting or receiving wireless-telegraphic communications notwithstanding that, without having been completely dismantled, it may be temporarily incapable of doing so. UNLICENSED WIRELESS STATIONS: CONVICTIONS. It has been necessary to undertake a vigorous campaign against persons who erected wireless apparatus without obtaining licenses. Although all offenders were not prosecuted cases in which convictions were obtained numbered 200. There were 98 convictions in the Auckland Radio District, 54 in the Wellington Radio District, 37 in the Canterbury Radio District, and 11 in the Otago Radio District. The fines inflicted ranged from ss. to £4, and the total fines amounted to £339. In order to impress upon the public the serious nature of using unlicensed wireless apparatus, it will be necessary in future to press for much heavier penalties. FORM OF APPLICATION FOR RADIO LICENSE. Information regarding the date and place of birth of applicants for amateur radio receiving licenses is no longer required to be given. The information is, however, still required in respect of applications for licenses for transmitting or experimental stations. AMATEUR RECEIVING-STATIONS OPERATED BY THE BLIND. Licenses for the installation and operation of amateur radio receiving-stations in institutions for the blind have been issued free of charge since May, 1927. A similar concession is granted to any blind person who is the recognized head of a household. REVOCATION OF LICENSE. An amateur transmitting license was revoked under Regulation 82 of the Amateur Radio Regulations, on account of the use by the licensee of unauthorized wave-lengths. For refusing to allow a departmental Radio Inspector to inspect his radio receiving-apparatus, a licensee had his license revoked under Regulation 82 of the Amateur Radio Regulations. RADIO-DEALERS' LICENSES: AMENDED REGULATIONS. Amended regulations in respect of the issue of radio-dealers' licenses were made by Order in Council dated the 23rd May, 1927. The amended regulations provide for the classification of and fees for such licenses. The amended regulations also empower radio-dealers to establish and to operate, for demonstration purposes only, at the place of business mentioned in the license or at the place of residence of a licensee holding a portable license, or for a period not exceeding seven days at the premises of a prospective purchaser, or elsewhere if specially authorized by the Minister, a set of radio receiving-apparatus as if the said radio receiving-apparatus were a radio receiving-station licensed in pursuance of the Amateur Radio Regulations, 1925. RADIO-DEALERS' LICENSES: ABOLITION OF ISSUE FOR SHORT PERIODS. - The issue of radio-dealers' licenses for short, terms is abolished from the Ist April, 1928, from which date such licenses are to be issued on an annual basis covering a period ending the 31st March following the date of issue of the license. Any period of less than a month is regarded as a full month.

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RADIO APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING TIME-SIGNALS. It has been decided to waive the ordinary radio license fee in the case of radio apparatus installed at observatories for the purpose of receiving time-signals. The concession is contingent upon the assurance of the Government Astronomer that such installations will be used exclusively for the reception of time-signals. RADIO BROADCASTING CO. OF NEW ZEALAND, LTD. : TELEGRAMS AT PRESS RATES. With a view to assisting the development of broadcasting, the Radio Broadcasting Co. is now permitted to receive at press rates telegrams containing news of general public interest for broadcasting from the company's recognized stations. PRIVATE BROADCASTING-STATIONS. Two low-power private wireless broadcasting-stations were opened during the year. One, at Christchurch (3ZC), opened on the 6th December, operates on a wave-length of 250 metres, and the other, at Dunedin (4ZM), opened on the 16th October, operates on a wave-length of 300 metres. These stations, in conjunction with the several other private broadcasting-stations, usually operate when the Broadcasting Co.'s stations are silent. SALE OF RADIO APPARATUS. In connection with the record required to be kept by radio-dealers of the sale of radio apparatus, it was decided that from the 17th November, 1927, it would be sufficient if sales of the following items were recorded : (1) Assembled sets ; (2) telephone-receivers ; (3) loud-speakers (all types). ELIMINATION OF INTERFERENCE WITH BROADCAST RECEPTION. The matter of the detection and elimination of interference with radio reception is one which, with the growth of interest in broadcast listening, is receiving a good deal of attention in many countries. With the ever-increasing use of electric power for commercial and domestic purposes there is a corresponding increase in the number of potential sources of radio interference. Occasional powerleakages and irregularities due to faults on electric lines and apparatus are unavoidable ; but, fortunately, in most cases remedial measures are available which can minimize or entirely eliminate such troubles. Compared with certain other countries having a greater electrical development, New Zealand is comparatively free from serious disturbances of this nature. Although the Department is receiving the hearty co-operation of power-distributing authorities and large commercial concerns employing electrical machinery, the localization and removal of interference over such widespread territory is not always a simple problem. Radio listeners may however, rest assured that every reported case of serious interference is investigated by departmental officers. Although interference from radiating receivers has considerably diminished as a result of the improved broadcasting service and the increased interest taken by listeners in the careful manipulation of their sets, much remains to be accomplished before it can be said that this universal trouble has been entirely eliminated. The duty of an administration in this connection lies primarily in keeping the channels clear for good reception from the local or district station. A vast improvement on these lines has been effected, particularly in and around the principal centres, since the four stations of the Radio Broadcasting Co. have been operating at full power. A study has been made of the most effective methods employed by other countries in their campaigns against radio interference, and suitable apparatus is being assembled for use in this country. Conversion of Ship Stations to Valve Operation. —The transmitting-sets on the WellingtonLyttelton ferry-steamers " Maori," and " Wahine " were converted in October, 1927, from spark to valve operation. The installation of the valve sets, which was effected by the owners in the interest of broadcast reception, has eliminated the interference previously caused to radio reception from this source. It is anticipated that the action taken in respect of the " Maori " and " Wahine " will be the forerunner of similar conversions in the near future. The regulations drawn up by the International Radio Telegraph Convention of Washington proscribe definite measures for the elimination of interference from commercial stations, both ship and coast. These regulations are briefly as follow :— (a) No new spark installations are to be made on land stations, and existing land stations are to be modernized as soon as possible. (b) From the Ist January, 1930, no new spark installations may be made on ships or aircraft unless of low power (less than 300 watts primary input). ((•) From the Ist January, 1930, no spark transmitters shall operate above 800 metres except as provided for existing land stations referred to in (d). (d) From the Ist January, 1935, all land-station spark operation shall cease. (c) From the Ist January, 1940, all spark operation of whatever character, except at the low-power stations referred to in (b), must cease.

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TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SERVICES. AMENDMENTS TO TELEPHONE REGULATIONS. A number of amendments were made to the Telephone Regulations by Order in Council dated the 3rd October, 1927. The principal alterations have reference to party-line business connections at Class I exchanges ; to the charges for bunching subscribers' lines at night for connection with another exchange ; and to the charges for the installation of extra equipment at the premises of a subscriber situated beyond the base-rate area of an exchange. In addition, a regulation was made providing that a subscriber shall not have any right to or interest in any particular telephone-number, and that the Department may, at its discretion, alter or change any number. PROHIBITION OF USE OF TELEPHONE FOR TRANSMISSION OF MUSICAL ITEMS. With the development of radio broadcasting there has grown a practice of transmitting musical items over the telephone. Such a practice causes inconvenience to subscribers wishing to obtain the attention of those so using their telephones, and brings about unnecessary wastage in battery-power. The practice is liable also to cause a somewhat serious restriction upon the use of calling-facilities at automatic exchanges. It was deemed necessary to prohibit the use of telephones for this purpose, and with this object in view a regulation made by Order in Council was gazetted on the 20th October, 1927. MISUSE OF TELEPHONE FOR FALSE OR BOGUS CALL. A. bogus telephone call to a carrier for the purpose of inducing him to leave the carriers' stand on a false mission resulted in a prosecution at Christchurch in February, 1928. Proceedings were instituted under section 10 of the Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1922. The offenders were convicted and mulcted in nominal penalties. This was the first prosecution of the kind under the Act, and will probably serve as a warning that the telephone must not be used for such an improper purpose. TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES. Printing. An improvement in the indexing of telephone directories has been effected by inserting the name of the exchange at the top of each page. Extra prominence is also given to the special notices to subscribers, particularly in regard to telephone connections of fire brigades and ambulances. These are now printed in red in prominent block type. Use op Block Type por Entries. It has been arranged that on payment of a small additional fee a telephone-exchange subscriber may have the entry concerning himself in a telephone directory printed in block type. The innovation, which is really a form of advertising, has proved to be popular with a number of business subscribers. Advertising. In order to protect the rights of the Department in the matter of advertising in or on telephoneexchange directories, it was found necessary to include in the Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1927, a provision authorizing the making of regulations in protection of the rights of the Department in any official publication, and of the interests of any person in any advertisement appearing in or on any such publication, and to prohibit, save with the authority of the Minister, the publication of any list of subscribers to the telephone, or the supply or use of any cover or other device that would obscure any advertisement appearing in or on any such publication. The maximum penalty that may be imposed for infringement is fixed at £50. EXTENSION OF AUTOMATIC SERVICE TO RURAL LINES. To enable automatic service to be given to subscribers whose premises are some distance from the exchange and beyond the normal range of automatic operation, an ingenious adaptation of established principles has recently been devised by officers of the Department. It has already been introduced into the Wellington exchange-area, and its extension to other suitable automatic exchanges is being considered. The scheme can be applied to most long-distance subscribers' lines, including party and rural lines having as many as ten subscribers per line. Such subscribers are usually connected with a special rural switchboard operated manually, the subscribers being required to call the operator when desiring connection with another subscriber. By the use of the adaptation referred to, however, connection with a rural switchboard at the automatic exchange and the necessity for calling an operator to obtain another subscriber arc obviated. DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SYSTEM. Notwithstanding that the unfavourable financial conditions were reflected in some districts by a less keen demand for telephone connections, the results of the year's operations over the Dominion as a whole were very satisfactory, the new subscribers numbering 12,159, a total which has been surpassed on but two previous occasions. Taking into consideration telephones relinquished as wed as instruments installed, 7,651 additional telephones were put. into service, making the total number at the end of the year 139,740. Tf to this number are added the telephones connected with toll stations and non-departmental exchanges, the number of telephones in service on 31st March, 1928, was 144,552, which represents 9-94 telephones for every 100 of the population, a figure exceeded only by the United States of America and Canada,. Auckland Engineering District. —Owing to the non-receipt of some of the essential parts of the switching equipment under order for the extension of the. automatic exchanges in Auckland, the

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development of the telephone-exchange system in the metropolitan area was not as great as was anticipated at the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, much was done in overtaking arrears of work. The waiting-list was reduced from 660 to 60. This was accomplished by pooling the equipment which came to hand and bringing it into commission at Mount Eden, Remuera, Ponsonby, and Devonport, -where congestion was most acute. As soon as the remainder of the equipment comes to hand and a few minor extensions are made to the cabling system the Department will be in a position to give telephone service in all portions of the Auckland metropolitan area upon demand. It is expected that this happy condition will stimulate telephone development in the northern city, and result in the proportion of telephones to the population showing a considerable adva.nce on the present figure. At other exchanges in the Auckland District the demand for telephone connections has been normal, and it has been possible to overtake the arrears of work and, except at a few exchanges where switchboard or cable accommodation is not available, to give telephone service at very short notice. Although most of the exchange areas other than Auckland are already well telephoned, it is expected that as a result of canvassing for business additional subscribers will be obtained. It is anticipated also that in areas in which power-line extensions are being made, and privately-owned earth-working telephone-lines exist, applications will be received for the conversion of the telephone-lines from earth-working to departmentally-owned metallic circuits, which are free from extraneous inductive interference. The comparatively low rate at which the Department provides lines in rural districts, and the fact that the erection and maintenance of lines by the Department is a much more satisfactory arrangement to the subscriber, will prove contributing factors in this development. In the Hamilton district new connections exceeded relinquishments by 223, the chief increases being Hamilton, 71 ; Te Mata (new exchange), 64 ; Cambridge, 23 ; Te Awamutu, 22 ; Otorohanga, 20; Kawhia, 18; Ngaruawahia, 11; Ohaupo, 11. At Taumarunui and Te Kuiti there were reductions in the number of subscribers, the totals being reduced by 16 and 12 respectively. Partly as a result of a lessening demand for telephones, and partly on account of the provision of additional cable and switching accommodation at a number of exchanges, the list of waiting applicants has been practically eliminated. At nearly all exchanges in. the Hamilton district new connections can be now given at very short notice. A telephone exchange with sixty-four subscribers was opened at Te Mata on 20th July, 1927. The connection of these subscribers involved the erection of seventeen miles of pole line and sixtyeight miles of wire. During the year switchboard accommodation was increased at the Hamilton, Huntly, and Te Kauwhata Exchanges; and the cable facilities were extended at the Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, Owhango, Orino, Taupo, Ohura, and Ongarue Exchanges. Wellington Engineering District. —Extensive cabling-works were carried out in Wellington City and suburbs to meet the growing demands for telephone service, particularly in the outlying areas. The most extensive growth, which was in the Miramar, Seatoun, and Lyall Bay areas, necessitated the installation in the new automatic-exchange building at Miramar of two hundred lines of improvised apparatus pending the arrival of new equipment which is on order. The improvised equipment enabled practically all. applicants in the areas mentioned to be connected. The extension of the telephone service in the Hutt Valley also was phenomenal, and necessitated the providing at the Lower Hutt Exchange of additional switchboard accommodation. The applicants for telephone service on the waiting-list at Wellington at the end of the year were very few, and. were confined to localities in which there is a temporary lack of cable facilities. Relief will be afforded in these areas as soon as cable now under order comes to hand. The Alfredton Exchange was closed on the 4th August, the subscribers being connected with Eketahuna by means of rural and party lines. Other features of the year's operations in the Masterton district included the transfer of all subscribers but one from Makuri to Pahiatua, the completion of cable extensions at Masterton to provide for future development, the reconstruction of the aerial exchange plant, the conversion to metallic of a number of earth-working lines at Pirinoa, and a complete overhaul of the aerial lines at Pongaroa. Owing to the general financial depression, the development of the telephone-exchange system in the Palmerston North district was considerably below normal. The ringing-facilities at the Otaki Exchange were improved by the installation of a motorgenerator. In order to provide more efficient local service at New Plymouth, the switching equipment, which is of the blanching multiple type similar to that in use at Gisborne, Nelson, and Christchurch, was completely overhauled. No effort was spared to make the overhaul a complete success. The latest report indicates that the number of complaints from telephone subscribers at New Plymouth is not greater than is incidental to any telephone-exchange system, manual or automatic, and that the average time taken by operators to answer calls is but three seconds. Concurrently with the overhaul, the capacity of the New Plymouth, switchboard was increased to 1,800 lines. Owing to a falling-off in the number of applications for telephone service, development in the Napier district has not been as extensive as in previous years. Partly as a result of this, and partly on account of additional switching and cable equipment having been made available at a number of exchanges, the waiting-list of applicants has been eliminated, and it is now possible to give telephone service at short notice. Both the underground and the aerial cabling-systems at Napier were considerably extended during the year. The open aerial-wire system was also reconstructed in conjunction with the installation of the automatic telephones. Although the increase in subscribers' stations in the Gisborne district does not compare favourably with previous years, a good deal of work was carried out in providing departmentally-owned metallic circuits in place of privately-owned earth-working circuits. Originally about five hundred miles of privately-owned earth-working circuits were connected to the Gisborne Exchange. On account of power interference, however, and as a result of the Department's activities in canvassing, applications were received for the conversion to metallic of practically all privately-owned earth-working circuits.

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This phase of construction work was a feature of the year's operations at Gisborne, and on the 31st March, 1928, approximately 60 per cent, of the work in that connection was completed. Other features of the year's operations in connection with the telephone, system in the Gisborne district included the installation of more modern switchboards at Ruatoria, Tikitiki, and Te Karaka ; the providing of additional switchboard accommodation at Gisborne and Tolaga Bay; and the erection of two miles of new aerial cable in Gisborne. In addition, a commencement was made with the systematic overhaul, and the replacement of all worn parts of the switchboard equipment at Gisborne. In the Nelson district, owing to the demand for telephone service having exceeded the capacity of the switchboard, which is of the branching multiple type, provision is being made for an extension having a capacity of 450 lines, thus increasing the capacity of the switchboard to 1,550 lines, and providing ample accommodation for new subscribers for a number of years. During the year the outside plant in connection with the Takaka Exchange system was modernized by the installation of an underground-cable system and by the conversion of a number of long-distance subscribers' lines from earth-working to metallic. Although the reconstruction of the outside plant involved, a fairly heavy outlay of capital, it is confidently expected that the saving in maintenance charges will more than justify the expenditure. Canterbury Engineering District. —The list of applicants waiting for telephone connections in the Canterbury District ha.s been reduced to normal dimensions. This was achieved by the installation at Christchurch of an extension of 780 lines to the branching multiple switchboard, which was rendered possible by the conversion of the Dunedin Exchange to automatic working and by the forward condition of the underground-cable plant. In all, 1,858 new subscribers were given telephone facilities, 1,093 being at Christchurch, 156 at Timaru, and. 609 at other exchanges in the district. Although there is still a fairly keen demand for telephone connections, both in the urban and rural areas, it is not as great as formerly. It is expected, however, that when the Christchurch Exchange is converted to automatic working and. suitable provision is made at Timaru for future growth by the installation of an underground-cable system, applications for connection will be received from many people who have delayed action owing to the inability of the Department to provide service within a reasonable time. Good progress has been made with the installation of a new underground-cable system at Timaru. The ducts have been laid and the manholes completed. A considerable amount of cable has been pulled into the ducts, and jointing operations are now in progress. A similar underground-cable system, but on a much smaller scale, is being provided at Temuka, where cable and jointing operations are proceeding. The ducts used for the Timaru and Temuka works are of the earthenware type, and were manufactured in the Dominion. A modernized multiple lamp-signalling switchboard with a capacity of 750 lines has been installed at Greymouth. This switchboard, which was improvised from switching equipment released from some of the exchanges converted to automatic operation, is giving excellent service. Additional switchboard accommodation has also been provided at Timaru, Ashburton, Hokitika, Rangiora, and Leeston. Otago Engineering District. —Consequent upon the conversion of the Dunedin Exchange to automatic working on the 28th May, 1927, the old manual switchboard and telephones were dismantled, and all serviceable plant was reconditioned for use elsewhere. A number of old aerial cables which were superseded by underground cables were also dismantled and. suitably converted for sale as scrap lead and scrap copper. During the year a commencement was made with an entirely new underground-cabling system for Invercargill. Owing to delay in delivery of the earthenware ducts, which are being manufactured in the Dominion, the progress made was not as rapid as was anticipated. Supplies of ducts are now coming to hand more freely, and unless some unforeseen circumstances arise it is expected that all the cable will be laid before the end of 1928. Concurrently with the installation of the undergroundcable system, provision is being made for the installation of an extension to the Invercargill switchboard, the line-capacity of which is at present fully taxed. In order to provide cable accommodation for waiting applicants at Invercargill pending the installation of the underground system, it was necessary to erect additional aerial cables to serve the more congested areas. An increase in the number of subscribers at exchanges in the Otago District necessitated the provision of additional switchboard accommodation at Balfour, Clinton, Duntroon, Heriot, Outram, Port Chalmers, Portobello, Pukerau, Otautau, and Waikaka. The control of the Heriot Exchange has been, taken over from the Railway Department, and the non-permanent exchanges at Outram and Portobello have been converted to permanent status. SUMMARY OF YEAR'S OPERATIONS. A brief summary of the year's operations in regard to the development and maintenance of telephone-exchange systems in the Dominion is as follows :— The conversion to automatic working of the magneto exchanges at Dunedin, Napier, Dannevirke, and Stratford. The opening of a new automatic branch exchange at Miramar. The installation of a multiple lamp-signalling switchboard at Greymouth. The opening of new magneto exchanges at Katikati; Leigh, Paihia,, and Te Mata. The reduction of the waiting-list of applicants for telephone connection from 2,241 to 659. The extension of the switching equipment at five automatic exchanges and twenty-eight manual exchanges. The erection of 1,086 miles of pole-line and 8,305 miles of open aerial wire for telephoneexchange subscribers' circuits. The laying or erecting of 168 miles of lead-covered cable, containing 39,991 miles of wire, for subscribers' circuits. The connection of 12,159 new subscribers' stations.s The maintenance of 139,740 telephone-stations.

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TELEPHONES PER 100 POPULATION IN THE CITIES AND PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF NEW ZEALAND, 31st MARCH, 1927.

TELR PHONE STATISTICS. The steady growth of the telephone system is exemplified in the following table, which shows annually since 1919 the number of exchanges, the total wire-mileage, the revenue, and the total number of telephone-stations, together with the number of telephones for each 1,000 of population of the Dominion :—

The manner in which the exchanges are classified, the number of exchanges in each class, and the number of stations connected therewith on the 31st March, 1928, are shown in the following table :—

In addition to the stations shown in the preceding table there were 4,344 stations connected by private telephone-lines with departmental toll stations, and 468 stations connected with nondepartmental rural exchanges, making a grand total of 144,552 telephone-stations on the 31st March, 1.928.

Year. Exchange! Milcs of Wiro ' Revenue. Number of Telephone-stations. m . , Per 1,000 Total. t, ,'.. Population. 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 287 165,962 373,169 291 177,509 419,318 296 192,027 533.535 301 207,529 614,367 320 229,882 595,967 327 269,421 830,470 340 331,453 867,218 341 402.433 980,281 342 440,253 995,071 344 463,356 1,057,177 72,561 61-59 80,723 65-26 88,439 69-80 94,683 72-78 107,036 80-78 1.11,441 82-67 120,097* 87-09 130,186* 94-40 137,307* 95-48 144,552* 99-40 * Includes approximately 5,000 non-exchange stations.

Subscribers' main stations Class I. Class II. Class III. Exchanges or Net- Exchanges or Not- Exchanges or Networks observing works observing works observing Class IV. Continuous Continuous Continuous Exchanges Attendance and Attendance and Attendance and or Networks Dominion having mere than having 1,001 to having 201 to where the Totals. 3,500 Paying 3,500 Paying 1,000 Paying Attendance Subscribers' Main Subscribers' Main Subscribers' Main is restricted. Stations con- Stations con- Stations connected therewith, nected therewith. nected therewith. 39,774 23,180 25,855 25,270 114,079 Toll and service stations Public call offices Extension stations— P.B.X. Ordinary 583 • 495 894 1,908 3,880 387 102 51 6 546 6,080 1,475 477 72 8,104 7,301 3,110 1,836 884 13,131 Telephone-stations : Class totals. , 54,125 28,362 29,113 28,140 139,740 Number of exchanges in each class 4 12 57 271 344 Percentage of new connections made with each class of exchange during the year 40 17 20 23

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Of the new connections made during the year, 4,916 were with Class I exchanges, 2,100 with Class II exchanges, 2,387 with Class 111 exchanges, and 2,756 with Class TV (country) exchanges. The waiting-list at these exchanges now stands at 180; 48; 73; and 358 respectively : total, 659, compared with 2,241 on the 31st March, 1927. The waiting-list for Class IV exchanges includes 77 applicants for connections at telephone exchanges authorized but not yet opened. The following table shows the number of telephone-stations in each engineering district on the 31st March, 1927 and 1928, respectively, and the percentage of increase in each case :-

The number of subscribers' stations (main and extension) connected with each of the fourteen principal exchanges on the 31st March, 1928, was —Auckland, 17,460; Wellington, 17,167; Christchurch, 11,188; Dunedin, 7,774; Wanganui, 3,630; Palmerston North, 2,892; Hamilton, 2,771 ; Gisborne, 2,618; Napier, 2,611; Invercargill, 2,604; Hastings, 2,446; Timaru, 1,956; Masterton, 1,910; New Plymouth, 1,813. The number of party and rural lines on the 31st March, 1928, was 9,508 to which were connected. 37,379 main stations—an increase of 356 and 2,032 respectively on the figures for the previous year. The following table shows, for each class of exchange, the respective percentages of business and residential stations, also the respective percentages of individual- and party-line stations, on the 31st March, 1928 :—

The length in miles of the various items of telephone-exchange plant in existence on the 31st March, 1927, and 1928, respectively, was as follows : —

Number of Stations on 31st March, Engineering District. 1927. 1928. Main Extension Total Main Extension Stations. Stations. Stations. Stations. I Percentagc of Total. Increase. Auckland Wellington . . Canterbury .. Otago 33.271 47,252 16,770 15,050 I I 33.271 5,073 38,344 35.581 5,472 47,252 8,627 , 55,879 ! 49,286 ; 9,315 16,770 3,545 : 20,315 17,88-1 3.760 15,050 2,501 .17,551 15,751 \ 2,688 112,343 19,746 132,089 118,505 I 21,235 I 41,056 7-1 58,601 4-9 21,644 6-5 18,439 5-1 139,740 5-8 Totals 112,343

Percentage of Class I Exchanges. Class II Exchanges. Class III (lass IV Exchanges. Exchanges. Dominion Percentages. 3usiness stations Residential stations 40 60 33 67 29 22 71 78 31 69 i individual-line stations 'arty- and rural-line stations 100 100 100 100 100 100 90 10 75 25 56 38 44 62 38 62 68 32 100 100 100 100 100 100

Pole-line. Cable. Under- , . , In Underground. ' ground Cable. V In Aerial Cable. Wire. iVire. .-. a • i Under all Open Aerial. ■__- ,. r Headings. In existence on 31st March, 1927 Erected during year . . Dismantled during year In existence on 31st March, 1928 11,912 1,086 51 12,947 81 S 2 89 814* 97 21 890 14* 637* | 285,33L 71,719* 83,559* J 97 71 32,938 7,053 8,305 21 103 9,912 13,139 2,498' 90 605 308,357 65,633 89,366f 440,609* 48,296 25,549 463,356 jvisod figure: i. t Includes 149 miles of earth-working circuit.

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The percentages of the total wire-mileage in underground and aerial cables and. open aerial wire respectively for the year ended 31st Maroh, 1928, are as under : — Telephone-exchange wire in underground cables .. 67 per cent. Telephone-exchange wire in aerial cables .. .. 14 ~ Telephone-exchange open aerial wire .. .. .. ..19 ~ In the telephone statistics of the world (compiled on the 31st March, 1926) the United States of America led as regards density, with 14-8 telephones per 100 of population ; Canada was second, with 12-2 telephones ; while New Zealand and Denmark took third place, with 9-2 telephones. Australia and Great Britain occupied seventh and tenth places respectively, with 6-1 and 3-0 telephones per 100 of population. The number of telephones per 100 of population of the world was 1-5. AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGES. The Department is proceeding steadily with its policy of introducing modern types of exchange switching equipment as it becomes necessary to replace obsolete or overloaded systems. Each case is considered on its merits, and the type of equipment selected is that best suited to meet the needs of the particular community. The automatic exchanges at present working throughout the Dominion have given satisfactory service during the year. Auckland Metropolitan Area and District Automatic Telephone Exchanges. Auckland. —In order to meet present and future demands for telephone service, provision is being made for additional extension equipment to be installed at the following exchanges : Mount Eden (800 individual lines and 100 two-party lines), Remuera (800 individual lines and 100 two-party lines), Takapuna (200 individual lines), Onehunga (200 individual lines), Wellesley Street (3,000 individual lines and 100 two-party lines). The additions to the Wellesley Street Telephone Exchange building were completed during the year, and. will provide accommodation for a further 10,000-line equipment to meet the future requirements of the Auckland Central Exchange area. Battery-operated stand-by power plants have been installed at the Mount Eden, Remuera, and Poiisonby Exchanges, thus enabling a continuous telephone service to be maintained in the event of temporary failure of the city electrical-power supply. Owing to a change from direct current to alternating current in the borough electrical-power supply, certain changes were necessary in the power equipment at the Devonport Automatic Telephone Exchange. The change-over was satisfactorily effected on the 30th November, 1927, without interfering with the continuity of the telephone service. Hamilton. —Preliminary work in connection with the installation of an extension of 200 individual lines and 100 two-party lines has been completed, and a commencement will shortly be made with the installation of the equipment. Consequent upon the enlargement of the switch-room it was necessary to redesign and to extend the air-distribution section of the air-conditioning plant in order to meet the altered conditions. Christchurch Metropolitan Area Automatic Telephone Exchanges. Christchurch. —The installation of full automatic switching equipment for the conversion of the Christchurch metropolitan area is well advanced. The conversion—a work of considerable magnitude—■ could not for a variety of reasons be pushed forward as rapidly a.s the Department would have wished. I*, view of the delays, manual switching equipment has been improvised to furnish service in the interim, but it will not be long now before the whole of the area will be served by a modern and thoroughly efficient automatic system. Dunedin Metropolitan Area and District Automatic Telephone Exchanges. Dunedin. —The conversion from manual to automatic working of the exchanges in the Dunedin metropolitan area was successfully carried out on the 28th May, 1927, since when the service has been highly satisfactory. The exchange equipment provides for the following services : Individual, two-party selective ringing, and four-party selective ringing. Individual service : Provision was made for 6,400 individual lines, 4,000 of which were installed at the Central Exchange, 1,400 at the South Dunedin Exchange and 1,000 at the Roslyn Exchange. Two-party-line selective ringing : Two units capable of accommodating 100 lines or 200 subscribers each were installed, one at the Central Exchange and the other at the South Dunedin Exchange. This class of service has met the requirements of small business houses whose calling-rate does not justify the increased rental for individual lines.

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Foui-party-line selective ringing : A 100-line unit capable of accommodating 400 subscribers was installed at the Central Exchange. This system is giving a service much superior to that of the former manually-operated four-party lines, with which the rings were heard by all parties on the line. Equipment is installed at the Central Exchange for dehumidifying and removing dust from the air before delivering it to the rooms in which, the switching-apparatus is used. The plant is functioning successfully, and its use is reflected in reduced maintenance charges and more satisfactory operation of the equipment. An extension of 500 individual lines to provide for growth at the South Dunedin Exchange will be installed during the year 1928-29. Oamaru. —At the Oamaru Exchange equipment for an extension of 100 individual lines is now being proceeded with. When this work is completed the capacity of the exchange will be 800 individual lines and 100 four-party lines. Provision is being made for the installation during the year 1928-29 of a further extension of 200 individual lines. Wellington Metropolitan Area and District Automatic Telephone Exchanges. Wellington. —To cope with the growing demand for telephone service in the western suburbs the capacity of the Kelburn Exchange is being increased by 400 individual lines. Temporary equipment to provide for 200 individual lines [at thejMiramar Exchange was brought into service on the 13th January, 1928. Equipment for a further 200 lines is now being installed ; and this will meet requirements until the arrival of the permanent equipment under order. A number of long-distance telephone-exchange subscribers' lines connected to the Wellington Exchange and situated outside the normal dialling-range were, by the adoption of a special circuit, converted from manual to automatic working, thus enabling the subscribers to intercommunicate with subscribers in the Wellington Exchange area without the intervention of an operator at the central exchange. Napier. —The Napier Telephone Exchange was converted from manual to automatic working on the 28th August, 1927. The equipment installed at this exchange was previously in use at Auckland, and before installation at Napier, it was thoroughly reconditioned and brought up to date. The present capacity of the exchange is 2,200 individual lines, 100 two-party lines, and 100 rural lines. Dannevirlce. —The installation of the Dannevirke Automatic Exchange was completed on the 15th May, 1927, and the exchange was converted on that date from manual to automatic working. The present capacity of the exchange is 700 individual lines and 50 rural lines. Stratford. —The installation of the automatic exchange at Stratford was completed on the 2nd April, 1927, and on that date the exchange was converted from manual to automatic working. The equipment at present installed provides for 500 individual lines, 100 four-party lines, and 50 rural lines. Palmerston North. —At the Palmerston North Exchange additional equipment to provide for 400 individual lines is being installed, and the work is expected, to be completed shortly. An electric motor was installed to replace the petrol-engines previously in use for charging the storage batteries at the exchange. One of the petrol-engines, however, is being retained as a stand-by for emergency purposes, so that the continuity of the telephone service will be assured in the event of a temporary derangement of the borough electrical-supply system. Masterton. --During the year the installation of additional equipment to provide for 100 two-party lines at the Masterton Exchange was completed. An extension of 200 individual lines is now in course of installation, and will be cut into service at an early date. Wanganui. —Provision is being made at the Wanganui Exchange for an extension of 200 individual lines to provide for normal growth in this area. Blenheim,. —The switching accommodation for exclusive lines at the Blenheim Exchange has been fully absorbed, and equipment for an extension of 100 individual lines is now being installed. " Interphone " Installations. There has been a substantial increase in the number of " Interphone " installations throughout the Dominion. This system which provides for inter-departmental communication and for outgoing calls to the central, exchange to be made without the aid of a local switching attendant, is proving very popular. In Wellington City alone 45 additional installations (240 key-boxes) have been completed, making a total of 242 installations (1,612 key-boxes) in use at that centre. Automatic Private Branch Exchanges. There is a steady demand for the installation in business houses of automatic private branch exchanges where the " Interphone " key-box system does not fully meet requirements in regard to capacity, secrecy, or variety of services rendered. So far six private branch exchanges have been installed in Wellington and three in Auckland. Thirty-five more automatic private branch exchanges are under order for installation in different auto-matic-exchange areas.

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Hereunder is a return showing automatic-exchange equipment installed and in use in the Dominion on the 31st March, 1928 :—-

PUBLIC CALL OFFICES (COIN-IN-THE-SLOT TELEPHONES). The publication in the Post and Telegraph Guide of the list of public call offices has been discontinued, as such publication served no useful purpose. • During the year 113 additional public call offices were established, and twowere closed, making the total number in existence in the Dominion on the 31st March 546, of which 519 were one-penny call machines, 10 twopenny, and 17 threepenny. Fifty-five concrete cabinets and 21 steel cabinets were erected. Auckland Engineering District. —The automatically-operated public call offices at Auckland have been increased by the installation of 23 additional offices. New public call offices (one each) were provided also at Hamilton, Opotiki, Pukekohe, Rotorua, and Tauranga. Notwithstanding these installations, the demand for public-telephone facilities is still unsatisfied. More public call offices will be installed during the coming year. Wellington Engineering District. —The number of public call offices (including pay stations—see page 48) connected with the Wellington Exchange was increased by 37 during the year. Additional public call offices were installed also at Wanganui (4), Palmerston North (4), Napier (2), and Dannevirke. Feilding, Gisborne, Marton, Otaki, Waipawa, Waipukurau (one each).

Exchange. N Number Pa of ii Individual Lines installed. Twoparty. ] umber of .rty Lines Number ustalled. of Individual Line Four- ,, , Stations. , Rural, party. i Number of Partyline Stations. Total Number of Main Stations. umber of Extension Stations Total Number of Automatic Telephone Stations. Auckland Exchange Area — Wellesley Street Remuera Mount Eden Ponsonby Onehunga Devonport Takapuna Christchurch Exchange Area — Hereford Street* St. Albans* Sydenham* Dunedin Exchange Area — Dowling Street . . lloslyn South Dunedin Wellington Exchange Area — Courtenay Place Wellington South Kelburn Khandallah Stout Street Miramar Single-office Exchanges— Blenheim Dannevirke Hamilton Hawera Masterton Napier Oamaru Palmerston North Stratford Wanganui 7,200 1,900 2,000 1,320 400 560 400 1,500 500 300 4,000 100 1,000 j .. 1,400 100 3,800 1(X) 2,000 100 1,200 200 100 7,400 100 200 700 700 1,600 800 1,000 100 2,200 100 700 2,(XX) i .. 500 2,500 200 100 .. 5,986 100 .. 1,871 100 .. 1,867 100 .. 1,255 400 536 315 258 341 347 291 6,244 2,212 2,214 J, 546 400 536 315 2,372 176 118 110 42 33 21 8,616 2,388 2,332 1,656 442 569 336 1,493 499 299 1,493 499 299 202 61 36 1,695 560 335 100 .. 3,384 861 1,397 179 76 3,563 861 1,473 1,484 59 99 5,047 920 1.572 100 .. 3,508 100 .. 1,922 100 .. 1,177 100 .. 171 100 .. 4,242 186 204 458 123 291 310 3,712 2,380 1,300 462 4,552 186 1,003 .159 86 10 3,250 6 4,715 2,539 1,386 472 7,802 . 192 100 .. 725| 100 50 579 100 .. 1,589 100 50 726 100 .. ■ 997 .. 100 1,812 100 .. 765f 100 .. 2,000 100 50 411 100 .. 2,322 50 50 100 165 331 294 274 263 45 91 247 191 411 890 910 1,883 1,000 1,260 1,857 856 2,247 602 2,733 102 110 319 149 228 648 103 311 64 593 992 1,020 2,202 1,149 j 1,488 2,505 959 2,558 666 3,326 50 49,980 1,000 1,000 1,900 250 43,295 5,190 48,485 11,954 60,439 * Auxiliary aj .pparatus. t Part; lines ised for ini lividual stations.

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Canterbury Engineering District. —Public-telephone facilities in the Canterbury District were increased by the installation of additional public call offices at Christchurch (15), Timaru (4), Ashburton (1), and Temuka (1). Otago Engineering District. —With the exception of three public call offices situated beyond the base-rate area, all public call offices in Dunedin were converted from manual to automatic operation. The automatically-operated stations are giving highly satisfactory service. Two new public call offices were installed at Dunedin and seven at Invercargill. PAY STATIONS (COIN-IN-THE-SLOT TELEPHONES IN SHOPS). The value to the public of the coin-in-the-slot telephone has been amply demonstrated. The full development of the service is, however, somewhat hampered by the limits placed upon the encroachment on footpath-space in busy streets. It is hoped to overcome this difficulty by placing coin-in-the-slot telephones in suitable shops. This type of service is in vogue in other countries, particularly the United States of America ; and the telephones so installed are termed " pay stations." The installation of such telephones in shops enables service to be provided in areas where difficulty arises in placing telephone-cabinets on public footpaths. By way of trial, three pay stations have been installed in shops in Wellington, which are open in the evenings as well as in the daytime. Tf results justify the step, the system will be extended to other centres as circumstances warrant. DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE-LINK SYSTEM. Although applications continue to be received for licensing the erection of private telephonelines, the tendency generally is for settlers to seek connection with departmental exchanges, and for existing private telephone-lines which are in need of reconstruction or which require to be converted to metallic, owing to the proximity of power lines, to be replaced by lines owned and maintained by the Department. This is due to the fact that when settlers consider the interest on the capital outlay, the depreciation and maintenance costs, and the. difficulties in connection with the erection and maintenance of metallic circuits, they realize that in the case of a line to be reconstructed on a public road, payment to the Department of an annual rental of approximately £5 a mile for a metallic circuit is a. better proposition than that of erecting the circuit themselves. PRIVATE-LINE SYSTEMS FOR TAXICAB COMPANIES. A number of the larger taxicab companies operating in the four centres have been provided with systems of departmentally-owned circuits whereby direct communication can be had with their central depots from a number of private stands, thus obviating the return of the cabs to the central depots for instructions. These private-line systems form an important part of the organization of taxicab companies with large fleets of cars operating over wide areas, as they admit of prospective fares obtaining a prompt response to calls made at the central depot. TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT OF TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH ENGINEERING. The scope of work performed in the Department's laboratory has been further widened, with the result that the total amount of work performed during the year shows an increase of approximately 50 per cent, on that of the previous year. To cope with the increase, another senior officer was added to the staff, and a quantity of apparatus was procured by the Chief Telegraph Plngineer while abroad. The present laboratory accommodation is quite inadequate, and the work is being carried on under great difficulties. The provision of a proper amount of space has become an urgent necessity, and the matter of obtaining more suitable quarters is under consideration.

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APPENDIX.

DESIGNATION OF OFFICES CHANGED.

CABLE BUSINESS. The Dominion's outward International and Australian cable business, excluding press, for the years 1927-28 and 1926-27 was as follows:— INTERNATIONAL. Number of Value. Messages. £ 1927-28 .. .. 170,818 .. .. .. 178,091 1926-27 .. .. 166,047 .. .. .. 182,904 Increase 4,771 = 2-87 per cent. Decrease 4,813 = 2-63 per cent. AUSTRALIAN. Number of Value. Messages. £ 1927-28 .. .. 148,011 .. .. .. 29,464 1926-27 .. .. 151,359 .. .. .. 30,027 Decrease 3,348 = 2-21 per cent. Decrease 563 = 1-87 per cent. There was a total increase of 1,423 messages, and a decrease in value of £5,376. Of the total revenue received on forwarded cable messages —viz., £207,555 —£194,690 was paid to other Administrations, and £12,865 was retained by New Zealand. RECEIVED CABLE MESSAGES. The number of cable messages received in New Zealand during the years 1927-28 and 1926-27, exclusive of press, was as follows :—• International. Australian. 1927-28 .. .. 147,325 .. .. .. 140,899 1926-27 .. .. 142,299 .. .. .. 140,440 Increase 5,026 = 3-53 per cent. Increase 459 = 0-32 per cent. The total revenue earned by New Zealand on received cable messages during the year 1927-28 was £10,674, as compared with £10,306 for 1926-27.

7—F. 1.

Postal District. Changed from Changed to oiekland [amilton Wanganui i7anganui .uckland Wellington .. j Wairere . . Te Ngae Whenuakura Railway Maxwelltown Waitangi Chatham Islands Paparoa Railway. Rotokawa. Rangikura. Maxwell. Raurangi. Waitangi.

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RADIO-TELEGRAMS. The radio business transacted by the New Zealand coast stations during the years 1927-28 and 1926-27 was as follows :—

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.

Forwarded. Received. Year. Num! Messages. oer of Amount Number of Amount . earned by Total Value. : earned by Words. New Zealand. Messages. Words. New Zealand. 927-28 .. 926-27 14,440 14,748 £ £ £ 169,987 2,906 5,688 25,361 290,933 4,846 173,218 3,024 6,001 24,592 277,805 4,768 Increase 769 13,128 78 769 13,1.28 Decrease 308 ' 308 3,231 118 313 3,231 118 313 i

Issued in the Dominion. ssue, in t, " 1 Where payable. Where pa; To 1 tal. Commission 1" the Dominion. United Kingdom.* a " d •°' her Foreign Countries. I y commission * British Possessions. it ear. received. In the Dominion. I United Kingdom.* Foreign Coi mntries.i ' Year. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. No. Amount. No. No. Amount, £ £ £ £ £ 1863 1,057 2,201 9.614 4.74° 21,944 4,645 24,145 4.74° 11,586 £ 55,703 1873 3,562 34,288 142,642 11,913 48,548 6,150 28,068 II.9I3 52,351 219,258 1883 9,023 132,232 402,559 26,211 9 I > 6 34 I 4, II 3 46,94 0 26,211 172,556 54 I > I 33 1893 10,249 146,133 576,359 I 29,616 86,545 35,208 88,025 29,616 210,957 750,929 1903 15,882 273,535 1,108,067 j 63,309 157,790 59,468 150,368 63,309 396,312 1,416,225 1913 16,872 516,536 2,821,624:100,634 336,992 73,575 199,158 19231 28,357 545,605 i 3,849,423 54,461 223,143 68,044 284,778 16,869 32,815 1924 28,542 580,569 4,113.813 57,175 232,436 75,743 3 X 2,62 4 18,024 34,056 1925 28,843 610,972 4,406,461 64,777 259,439 72,519 278,050 18,421 33,280 1926 24,746 635,078 4,453,878 67,570 273,758 70,774 270,065 19,688 35,426 J927 I 24,775 639,889 4,416,182 69,764 276,747 73,021 265,752 36,409 100,634 54,46l 57,175 64,777 67,570 69,764 690,745 684,979 1 731,5" 1 766,689 i 793,110 1 803,481 3.357,774 4,390,159 4.692,929 4,977,230 5,033,127 4,995,°9o Drawn on the Dominion. Where issued. . r, . . ., ... . jr. . * Austraiiaand other British . r . ... Year. In the Dominion. United Kingdom.* Possessions. Foreign Countnes.t I r ~ No. Amount. { No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. Tot No. tal. Amount. £ £ £ £ 1863 2,067 9,169 415 1,824 558 3,°7 8 £ 9,169 £ 1,824 3.040 £ 14,071 1863 2,067 415 1,824 558 1873 34,288 142,642 1,482 6,626 1,668 7,689 1873 34,288 142,642 1,482 6,626 6,626 i,668 37.438 156,957 1883 132,232 402.559 3.725 15,553 5,697 23,300 1883 132,232 402,559 3.725 15,553 15,553 5,697 141,654 441,411 1893 146,133 576,359 8,746 32,617 10,679 40,929 1893 I4 6 > 1 33 576,359 8,746 32,617 32,617 10,679 165,558 649,905 1903 273,535 1,108,067 13,035 49,l8l 17,777 : 68,340 .. .. ; 1903 273.535 1,108,067 13.035 49,181 49,181 17.777 304,347 1,225,589 1913 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1913 516,536 2,821,624 12,693 70,084 31,450 110,487 1923 545.605 3,849,423 11,042 63,313 26,042 123,703 1,813 8,669 1924 580,569 4,113,813 8,310 60,862 28,543 !27,350 2,34 8 IO >3°9 ' 1925 610,972 4,406,461 9.857 69,098 27,318 119,073 2,140 8,391 1 1926 635,078 4,453,878 10,047 70,948 28,935 124,952 2,334 10,326 1927 639,889 4,416,182 11,646 80,015 32,791 136,763 2,428 9,301 I 516,536 545.6o5 580,569 610,972 635,078 639,889 2,821,624 3.849.423 4."3.813 4,406,461 4.453.878 4,416,182 12,693 11,042 8,310 9,857 10,047 11,646 70,084 63,313 60,862 69,098 70,948 80,015 70,084 63.313 60,862 69,098 70,948 80,015 31.450 26,042 28,543 27,318 28,935 32,79r 560,679 584,502 619,770 650,287 676,394 686,804 3,002,194 4,045,108 4.312,334 4,603,023 4,660,104 4,642,261 ncludes fore; ign offices to •ear 1915. t In pn ivious year: included in United Kingd ,m and foreij ;ll offices.

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Table No. 2. Table showing the Number and Value of Postal Notes sold from 1st January, 1886— the Date upon which the Notes were first issued— to 31st March, 1928.

dumber of Postal Notes sold. Total. Year. ieai. ! :r At Is. At Is. 6d. : At 2s. I At 2a. 6d. At 3s. I j I J At Is. At 5s. At 7s. 6d. At 10s. At 7s. 6d. At 10s. At 12s. 6d. At 12s. 6d. At 15s. A At 15s. i At 17s. 6d. | At 17s. 6d. At £1. 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 32,690 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 i 211,000 194,180 192.751 208,177 234,601 238,517 233,809 243,519 258,123 284,500 308,845 298,370 At £5. 1,192 1,090 728 673 607 560 556 558 656 688 788 954 423 Number. Value. 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 87,857 285,389 101,002 319,368 112,308 349,627 123,368 376,796 129,012 409,866 134,378 431,449 139,957 461,447 147,686 490,500 154,436 556,316 173,317 616,264 191,905 707,044 220,070 785,347 250,123 875,324 276,279 981,642 314,053 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 2,2S6,463 695,819 2,166,597 638,246 2,091,051 619,605 2,197.520 655,910 2,280,219 705,027 2,377,622 739,783 2,434,506 747,025 2,652,777 804,343 2,846,333 860,029 3,040,722 922,873 3,329,638 987,687 3,614,217 1,015,213 L QuarterendedMar. 31.1886 1 3,019 2,046 .. 1,012 1886-87 .. .. 16,605 12,283 .. 6,647 1887-88 .. .. 22,467 17,167 9,162 1888-89 .. .. i 27,428 21,900 .. 11,912 1889-90 .. .. 32,751 25,387 .. 14,478 1890-91 .. .. 35,915 ] 28,559 .. 16,092 1891-92 .. . 42,416 I 33,722 .. 19,383 1892-93 .. .. 48,612 j 38,849 ! .. ! 22,03S 1893-94 .. . 56,761 I 44,706 j .. ! 25,461 1894-95 .. .. 62,306 : 49,846 i .. 28,975 1895-96 .. . - ! 68,454 : 56,185 i .. I 32,801 1896-97 .. .. i 74,534 I 62,056 .. : 35,322 1S97-93 .. .1 81,958 69,981 .. 38,617 1898-99 .. .. ! 86,529 72,710 .. 41,991 1899-1900 .. ..I 93,762 77,431 .. 44,384 1900-1901 .. . 85,478 68,068 13,834 52,691 14,702 1901-1902 .. .. 49,529 30,255 i 62,285 70,683 65,467 1902-1903 .. .. 54,268 33,409 i 70,122 76,613 75,700 1903-1904 .. .. 61,379 37,514 85,909 86,626 89,276 1904-1905 .. .. 65,484 40,263 86,711 96,228 99.739 1905-1900 .. .. 74,389 45.358 98,503 108,493 114,411 1906-1907 .. .. 82,417 54,375 106,311 120,321 128,384 1907-1908 .. .. 89,906 58,202 124,052 j 136,392 143,854 1908-1909 .. .. 97,285 59,484 153,925 ! 162,588 146,148 1909-1910 .. .. 113,825 67,406 181.791 I 195,168 166,480 1910-1911 .. •• 130,645 79,792 211,298 ; 244,941 : 201,509 1911-1912 .. .. 141,504 85,130 236,665 263,829 215,984 1912-1913 .. .. 154,201 92,342 264,844 279,311 220,109 1913-1914 .. .. 172,400 103,753 298,669 324,417 256,231 1911-1915 .. .. 182,733 107,483 307,934 346,011 263,522 1915-1916 .. ■• 186,873 114,570 319,115 364,086 267,383 1916-1917 •• •■ 184,873 112,639 322,946 343,031 260,956 1917-1918 .. .'- 187,005 115,867 316,266 337,418 258,421 1918-1919 .. • 181,824 114,553 299,791 326,398 253,728 1919-1920 .. ■■ 196,327 121,037 i 310,105 339,341 268,032 1920-1921 .. •• 217,553 120,888 : 309,649 342,040 266,119 1921-1922 . .. 239,187 120,780 314,035 352,681 259,372 1922-1923 .. .. 262.172 130,275 331,376 348,779 236,877 1923-1924 .. .. 285,065 145,277 366,241 385,307 247,915 1924-1925 .. 297,019 154,406 397,666 [428,707 253,31! 1925-1926 .. .. 318,454 159,549 448,307 : 458,634 254,038 1926-1927 .. .. 394,853 165,278 482,600 ; 545,182 260,844 1927-1928 .. 601,143 186,961 ! 497,760 I 518,248 278,844 2,039 969 2,379 11,566 5,729 13,103 i 15,553 7,671 17,487 19,741 9,477 21,149 23,550 10,894 24,011 25,204 12,229 25.906 29,550 : 14,019 30,132 33,012 16,072 32,747 37,771 18,096 37,687 43,829 20,423 43,167 49,204 22,802 47,787 54,219 24,871 51,963 60,843 \ 26,968 55,748 64,386 I 28.448 59,631 70,416 30,680 63,787 80,630 24,497 71,001 109,663 .. 92,708 119,593 .. j 102,641 134.270 .. | 114,755 154,281 . . ' 130,430 167,430 .. 143,216 187,083 .. 159,045 205,500 .. | 171,951 , 227,471 .. 188,677 261,045 .. - 214,453 301,707 .. 242,854 337,338 .. 261,600 367,942 .. 283,206 418,712 .. 312,870 444,427 .. 325,071 461,137 .. 334,277 440,215 .. 301,825 401,696 : .. 252,396 381,202 '< .. 238.337 396.994 .- 246,688 410,584 .. 254,868 445.995 .. 269,863 475,947 .. 276,650 528,178 -. 299,987 577,873 .. ' 316,947 607,000 .. 339,864 650,226 .. 340,646 688,004 .. 352,524 695 4,090 5,278 6,618 7,809 , 7,969 [ 9,058 j 9,904 I 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 95,535 106,560 107,506 111,095 108,978 103,348 102.467 110,819 123,917 137.192 138,621 151,288 162,281 170,376 181,164 192,363 425 2,375 2,952 3,633 4,158 4,360 4,953 5,369 6,156 6,790 7,020 7,406 7,904 8,193 8,539 6,799

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Table No. 3. Table showing the Number and Amount of Transactions at Money-order Offices during the Year 1927, and Savings-bank Offices of New Zealand during the Year 1927-28.

Money-orders. Savings-banks. Postal District. Issued. Paid. Number Deposits. Number Withdrawals. | of New of J Accounts Accounts Number. Commission. Amount. Number. Amount. opened. Number. Amount. closed. Number. Amount. I ; ! ; I 1 1 L £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Auckland .. .. .. .. 143,413 4,678 0 0 822,897 16 4 187,043 1,154,744 15 11 16,449 274,907 4,956,307 13 0 13,962 245,458 5,412,133 14 1 Blenheim .. .. .. .. 9,482 286 13 9 56,759 19 7 5,084 36,712 0 3 1,004 15,706 ' 276,560 6 8 742 13,820 i 331,628 12 4 I Christchureli .. .. .. 71,540 2,323 2 0 442,776 13 4 73,539 604,734 16 8 11,337 243,119 4,342,985 7 8 7,840 211,134 4,811,263 8 3 Dunedin .. .. .. .. 66,407 2,045 1 0 378,637 11 8 63,138 409,726 10 11 5,870 115,339 2,114,471 13 4 5,705 97,991 2,530,598 15 4 Gisborne .. .. .. .. 19,669 629 11 9 123,177 12 7 9,783 79,365 9 6 2,377 35,576 598,472 1 6 1,723 28,432 636,003 6 8 Greymouth.. .. .. .. 21,647 660 1 9 121,808 10 9 10,283 66,214 4 7 1,261 17,430 308,081 7 8 1,071 12,342 376,858 2 9 Hamilton .. .. .. .. 78,644 2,242 3 3 479,203 6 0 40,735 253,486 1 1 7,276 87,804 1,343,922 9 6 4,906 59,334 1,410,693 3 7 Invercargill .. .. .. 34,157 994 7 0 186,120 111 23,077 142,330 4 3 3,968 38,231 835,019 17 10 3,499 32,934 1,013,896 11 6 Napier .. .. .. .. 37,104 1,143 9 9 238,369 11 2 25,116 193,729 17 0 4,710 70,177 1,287,775 10 1 3,733 58,165 1,393,878 5 3 Nelson .. .. .. .. 17,123 535 14 3 99,805 16 5 12,242 84,156 15 7 1,562 26,609 472,300 3 0 1,138 20,827 512,788 6 4 New Plymouth .. .. .. 33,556 964 11 0 197,324 15 0 22,024 157,021 4 4 3,969 56,657 1,072,354 5 9 3,084 43,707 1,243,577 6 1 Oamaru .. .. .. . • 10,239 278 2 6 90,665 10 9 4,861 35,046 16 6 1,125 16,001 356,546 10 1 815 13,865 414,500 18 0 Palmerston North .. .. .. 43,540 1,201 6 6 290,194 18 10 28,438 186,058 2 9 5,597 78,671 1,436,946 9 7 3,636 62,584 1,587,289 8 5 Thames .. .. .. .. 30,529 , 879 17 9 180,064 4 2 13,016 89,447 2 3 2,827 35,509 522,919 0 10 2,141 19,715 593,287 11 11 Timaru .. .. .. 20,790 565 2 10 221,499 7 10 11,116 73,594 9 5 2,497 39,740 860,302 2 1 1,769 33,679 955,461 0 3 Wanganui .. .. • 41,108 1,095 11 9 251,469 15 7 22,904 152,513 10 6 3,857 65,431 1,071,712 15 0 3,333 53,657 1,213,955 1 7 Wellington .. .. .. 106,359; 3,613 3 11 693,533 13 10 128,777 872,569 19 3 16,469 340,384 5,551,234 6 1 12,622 258,644 5,931,385 19 9 Westport .. .. .. 14,327 412 17 0 71,331 8 6 4,438 26,415 6 4 712 10,033 155,922 1 4 468 5,597 170,950 17 11 Western Samoa .. .. .. 2,250 120 16 0 25,146 6 8 217 1,687 9 11 265 1,973 34,914 13 3 207 1,462 31,091 5 2 Rarotonga.. .. .. .. 1,597; 105 12 6 24,303 1 8 609 14,923 15 10 199 1,196 12,317 10 10 39 1,559 13,755 19 2 Grand totals, 1928 .. 803,481 I 24,775 6 3 4,995,090 2 7 686,440 4,634,478 12 10 93,331 1,570,493 27.611,066 5 1 72,433 1,274,906 30,584,997 14 4 II I

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Table No. 4. 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 31St March, 1928.

Number Average °Office t Number Amount Number Average i Number Number Numbei Total Amount Amount Savings- °* Total Amount of each of Amount Excess of Excess of of of Amount* standing to the standing to •r. x i. • i. banks Deposits f n „ nr . c; j fc5 DpnnQit With- Total Amount of of each Deposits over Withdrawals Interest Accounts Accounts Credit of all the Credit Postal Districts. Onen at recei ved . j lirin „ drawals Withdrawals Withdrawal Withdrawals over Deposits for the opened closed • Open Accounts, of each the during th e Period during during during the Period. during during during Period. during during inclusive of Open AcClose of t^le the Period. the Period. the the Interest to the count at the Period. r> Q „- Period. Period. Period. Period. d* Close of the Period. Close of Period. I Penod * the Period. — _ | i £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Auckland .. .. 187 274,907 4,956,307 13 0 18 0 7 245,458 5,412,133 14 1 22 1 0 .. 455,826 1 1 284,396 2 4 16,449 13,962 140,000 7,850,455 14 9 56 1 6 Blenheim .. .. 15 15,706 276,560 6 8 17 12 2 13,820 331,628 12 4 23 19 11 .. 55,068 5 8 22,558 9 0 1,004 742 10,656 599,610 15 9 56 5 4 Christchurch .. 73 243,119 4,342,985 7 8 17 17 3 211,134 4,811,263 8 3 22 15 9 .. 468,278 0 7 280,655 6 10 11,337 7,840 119,860 7,633,000 16 7 63 13 8 ! Dunedin .. .. 74 115,339 2,114,471 13 4 18 6 8 97,991 2,530,598 15 4 25 16 6 .. 416,127 2 0 168,985 11 6 5,870 5,705 72,462 4,491,818 19 9 61 19 9 Gisborne .. .. 26 35,576 598,472 1 6 16 16 5 28,432 636,003 6 8 22 7 5 .. 37,531 5 2 39,407 19 3 2,377 1,723 20,519 1,105,805 7 4 53 17 10 Greymouth .. 24 17,430 308,081 7 8 17 13 6 12,342 376,858 2 9 30 10 8 .. 68,776 15 1 29,615 13 2 1,261 1,071 13,239 772,392 14 3 58 6 10 Hamilton .. .. 87 87,804 1,343,922 9 6 15 6 1 59,334 1,410,693 3 7 23 15 6 .. 66,770 14 1 83,144 8 0 7,276 4,906 38,836 2,325,389 14 11 59 17 6 Invercargill .. 38 38,231 835,019 17 10 21 16 10 32,934 1,013,896 11 6 30 15 9 .. 178,876 13 8 65,326 17 1 3,968 3,499 29,549 1,722,785 5 3 58 6 1 Napier •• -• 39 70,177 1,287,775 10 1 18 7 0 58,165 1,393,878 5 3 23 19 3, .. 106,102 15 2 80,560 19 2 4,710 3,733 38,549 2,233,319 18 4 57 18 8 Nelson .. .. 32 26,609 472,300 3 0 17 15 0 20,827 512,788 6 4 24 12 5 .. 40,488 3 4 34,733 4 0 1,562 1,138 16,859 942,988 14 11 55 18 8 New Plymouth .. 37 56,657 1,072,354 5 9 18 18 6 43,707 1,243,577 6 1 28 9 0 .. 171,223 0 4 66,405 10 6 3,969 3,084 30,448 1,835,206 1 7 60 5 6 Oamaru .. .. 11 16,001: 356,546 10 1 22 5 8 13,865 414,500 18 0 29 17 11 .. 57,954 7 11 24,120 9 3 1,125 815 9,644 644,158 6 5 66 15 10 Palmerston North .. 43 78,671 1,436,946 9 7 18 5 4 62,584 1,587,289 8 5 25 7 3 .. 150,342 18 loj 83,549 7 6 5,597 3,636 31,585: 2,307,875 9 3 73 1 3 Thames .. .. 39 35,509 522,919 0 10 14 14 6 19,715 593,287 11 11 30 1 10 ■■ 70,368 11 lj 39,050 15 2 2,827 2,141 22,927 1,064,972 0 3 46 9 0 Timaru .. .. 18 39,740 860,302 2 1 21 12 11 33,679 955,461 0 3 28 7 5 .. 95,158 18 2 59,246 7 2 2,497 1,769 23,208 1,615,063 3 11 69 11 9 Wanganui .. .. 43 65,431 1,071,712 15 0 16 7 7 53,657 1,213,955 1 7 22 12 6 .. 142,242 6 7 69,687 12 1 3,857 3,333 35,848.1,909,162 13 4 53 5 2 .Wellington.. .. 58 340,384 5,551,234 6 1 16 6 2 258,644 5,931,385 19 9 22 18 8 .. 380,151 13 8 299,646 14 4 16,469 12,622 141,902. 8,273,148 4 5 58 6 0 Westport .. .. 19 10,033 155,922 1 4 15 10 10 5,597 170,950 17 11 30 10 10 .. 15,028 16 7 13,519 3 3 712 468 6,384 361,303 16 1 56 11 11 WesternSamoa .. 2 1,973 34,914 13 3 17 13 11 1,462 31,091 5 2 21 5 4 3,823 8 1 .. 1,808 12 1 265 207 1,428 50,602 18 6 35 8 9 Rarotonga .. .. 5 1,196 12,317 10 10 10 6 0 1,559 13,755 19 2 8 16 5 .. 1,438 8 4 736 12 1 199 39 822 19,665 7 4 23 18 5 Totals for year ended 870 1,570,493 27,611,066 5 l r 17 11 7ll,274,906 30 584 997 14 4 23 19 10 .. 2,973,931 9 31,747,155 13 9 93,331 72,433 804,725 47,758,726 2 11 59 6 11 31st March, 1928.

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Table No. 5. POST OFFICE SAVINGS-BANKS. —GENERAL STATEMENT. Table showing the Business of the Post Office Savings-banks in New Zealand, by Ten-year Periods, from the Date they were established in February, 1867. to the 31st December, 1918, and Yearly Periods thereafter to the Year ended 31st March, 1928.

Number of Post Office Savingsbanks Open at the Close of the Year Number of Deposits received during the Year. Average m . a p . Amount of Number iotal Amount each Q f With- Total Amount of of Deposits Deposit i drawals Withdrawals received during reeelvea ; during , during the Year, tne t ear. during the. the Year. Year. i Average j Amount of ! Excess of each With-! Deposits over drawal Withdrawals during during the Year, the Year. Excess of Withdrawals over Deposits during the Year. 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. Average Total Amount Amount standing to the standing to Credit of all the Credit Open Accounts, of each inclusive of Open Interest to the .Account a t Close of the Year. ; Close of the Year. l r ear. i £ s. d.i £ s. d. 93,331 72,433 804,725 47,758,726 2 ll 1 59 6 11 £ s. d. £ s. d. 27,611,066 5 1 17 11 7 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,274.906 30,584,997 14 4i 23 19 10 .. 5 £ s. d. 2,973,931 9 3 £ s. d. 1,747,155 13 9 Year ended 31st Mar., 870 1928 Year ended 31st Mar., 875 1927 Year ended 31st Mar., 870 1926 Year ended 31st Mar., 855 1925 Year ended 31st Mar., 846 1924 Year ended 31st Mar., 840 1923 Year ended 31st Mar., 831 1922 *Pifteen months ended : 819 31st March, 1921 Totals for 1919 .. 794 : 1,570,493 1,509,909 1,446,530 1,371,009 1,261,141 1,175,104 1,227,591 1,664,206 1,289,161 29,456,383 2 7 19 10 2 31,833,621 9 5 22 0 1 29,582,897 2 9 21 11 7 29,598,372 4 8 23 9 4 1,224,764 30,149,628 17 3J 24 12 4 1,197,985 32,602,505 17 2 27 4 3\ 1,108,29130,413,609 3 11 27 8 10 1,075,037 29,510,320 19 6 27 9 0 88,051 5 2 693,245 14 8; 768,884 7 9 830,712 1 2 1,767,426 2 8 1,731,577 17 2 1,680,919 10 10! 1,649,976 4 8 97,713 72,041 783,827 48,985,501 18 5 62 9 11 104,447 81,440 758,155;47,911,321 10 5 63 3 11 95,595 70,604: 735,148 46,948,628 1 0 63 17 3 92,465 73,098 710,157 46,098,420 11 4: 64 18 3 78,490 66,630 690,790 44,360,393 1 6 64 4 4 89,859 75,748 678,930:43,841,704 4 7 64 11 6 152,930118,894; 664,819 43,352,030 19 0 65 4 2 118,109 77,531 630,783 38,393,130 18 4 60 17 4 76,869 53,015 590,205 33,418,125 4 9 56 12 5 80,133 57,829 342,077 12,159,293 18 1 35 10 11 37,265 26,628 : 169,968 4,957,771 5 29 3 5 21,307 16,543 S4,488J 2,048,441 10 9 24 4 10 13,005 9,634 32,132 819,071 8 2 25 9 9 3,282 1,186 4,252 163,518 15 7 38 9 1 26,682,426 11 4 22 14 2 1,081,300 27,769,262 16 3! 25 13 8 .. ] 1,119.66230.236,231 6 527 0 0 .. ] 1,086,836 4 11 1,110,233 16 5 1,605,525 1 10 29,125,997 10 0 23 14 6 1,599,907 2 0 44,302,852 5 4 26 12 5 11,458,00841,162,486 9 10 28 4 83,140,365 15 6 1,818,534 5 2 29,758,448 9 7 23 1 8 994,247:25,962,378 2 6 26 2 33,796,070 7 1 727,729jl4,938,841 10 0 20 10 7 3,162.263 8 1 1,178,935 6 6 1918 ..786 : 1,213,353 18,101,104 18 1 14 18 4 1,059,471 17 8 1908 .. j 593 | | 706,101 9,674,075 4 0, 13 14 0 484,672! 9,417,820 10 3 19 8 8 256,254 13 9 196,764 3,194,893 16 7 16 4 9 84,717 10 10 96,204 1,387,471 1 10 14 8 5 157,276 6 1 379,808 6 7 1898 .. 409 | 1888 .. 290 1878 .. 147 I 1868 .. 55 Totals from 1st Feb. to 46 31st Dec. 1867 | 281,749 j 145,355 69,908 13,014 6,977 3,279,611 7 5 11 12 io! 128,128 16 6 1,544,747 7 llj 10 12 8j 78,080 6 0 762,084 12 0. 10 18 0J 42,746 742,053 14 3 17 7 2 20,030 17 9 6,365 107,094 17 3 16 IS 6 87,440 14 3 l,919j 26,415 18 9 13 15 3 69,956 9 1 31,664 12 9 - 194,535 11 6 14 18 11 4,880 7 3 96,372 7 10 13 16 3 1,241 5 o; ; 2,520 364 2,156 71,197 14 1 33 0 5 I I ! * Termination of Savings-bank year altered from 31st December to 31st March, with effect from 31st March, 1921.

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Table No. 6. Port Office Savings-bank. Receipts and Payments for the Twelve Months ended 31st March, 1928. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d Balance at crodit of depositors on Ist Withdrawals, Ist April, 1927, to 31st April, 1927 .. .. .. 48,985,501 18 5 March, 1.928 .. .. .. 30,584,997 14 4 Deposits, Ist April, 1927, to 31st Balance at credit of depositors, 31st March, 1928 .. .. .. 27,611,066 5 1 March, 1928 .. .. .. 47,758,726 2 11 Interest credited to depositors, Ist April, 1927, to 31st March, 1928 .. 1,747,155 13 9 £78,343,723 17 3 £78,343,723 17 3 Reserve Fund Account. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ -s. d. Balance at credit on Ist April, 1927 1,000,000 0 0 Amount at credit of Reserve Fund Account on 31st March, 1928 .. 1,000,000 0 0 £1,000,000 0 0 £1,000,000 0 0 Liabilities and Assets. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. Balance at credit of Post Office Savings- Securities (Post Office Savings-bank) 48,232,841 16 9 bank depositors on3l st March, 1928 47,758,726 211 Balance uninvested .. .. 572,090 15 9 Balance on transfer .. .. 18,337 11 5 Balance at credit of Koserve Fund Account .. .. .. 1,000,000 0 0 Balance of assets over liabilities .. 27,868 18 2 £48,804,932 12 6 £48,804,932 12 6 Profit and Loss Account. Dr. £ s. d. | Or. £ s. d. £ s. d. Interest credited to depositors during i Interest received durthe year ended 31st March, 1928 .. 1,747,155 13 9 ing the year .. 1,976,092 13 6 Paid Public Account for cost of Say- Accrued interest, 31 st ings-bank management .. .. 95,000 0 0 March, 1928 .. 547,779 1 3 Balance to Profit and Loss Appropriation Account .. .. 117,431 12 7 \ 2,523,871 14 9 Less accrued interest on 31st March, 1927 567,696 10 (i — — 1,956,175 4 3 Sundry reoeipts .. .. .. 3,412 2 1 £1,959,587 6 4 £1,959,587 6 4 Profit and Loss Appropriation Account. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. Savings-bank profits carried to Postal Balance forward .. .. .. 104,437 5 7 revenue .. .. .. .. 194,000 0 0 Balance from Profit and Loss Account.. 117,431 12 7 Balance forward to next account .. 27,868 18 2 £221,868 18 2 £221,868 18 2

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Table No. 7. 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 the 31at December, 1927.

Posted in the Dominion. Delivered in the Dominion. Total posted and delivered. (1927). Post-cards. Books, &c. Newspapers.' Parcels. : Post-cards. | Books, &c. Newspapers.; ParceIs - | Lettereards. | Post-cards, j Books, &c. j News- Parcels, papers. Auckland .. 34,758,727] 866,931 18,425,470 Blenheim .. 1,884,926; 27,157 468,353 Christchurch .. 16,616,517 1,012,596 9,808,853 Dunedin .. 13,107,481! 485,238 7,081,503 Gisborne .. 3,151,047! 38,688 867,638 Greymouth .. 1,761,374! 42,874 496,039; Hamilton .. 9,659,826| 255,268 2,874,019 Invereargill .. 6,363, 567 ! 177,593 2,935,759 Napier .. 6,491,413! 96,213 2,451,711 Nelson .. 2,378,455 48,763 748,778 New Plymouth 4,973,470 90,064 1,953,747Oamaru .. 1,412,690 29,432 454,380; PalmerstonN. 6,377, 940! 145,951 2,640,406! Thames .. 2.953,lllj 53,742 980,415 ! Timaru .. 3,510,322: 83,044 1,303,673 Wanganui .. 6,994,827 130,988 2,729,621: Wellington .. 25,022,580' 461,949 13,681,618 Westport .. 785,824: 14,105 114,302 Rarotonga .. 52,944! 1,512 2,382: Western Samoa 108, 678 1 5,094 2,196 5,660,812 302,510 1,732,164 1,854,146 539,5671 294,086: 978,378; 674,428: 689,116! 211,612: 547,438; 146,328 686,432, 301,296 413,033 896,373 4,687,407 128,986 582 18,354 926,536 32,023,173 830,466; 14,474,720! 4,774,783 20,306 1,818,817 37,492! 552,617' 441,428 432,848 20,070,102 1,215,786 8,407,490 2,888,418 323,687 11,706,019 449,722 6,208,501 1,932,307 46,514! 3,441,880 67,288: 1,552,148 1,304,186 37,973 2,040,051, 47,840! 629,928 507,793' 103,623, 9,631,206: 308,971: 4J337.918 1,956,370 84,084! 6,736,756! 197,184 3,155,100 1,131,546! 85,384! 7,104,448 153,530; 3,179,969 1,559,792J 46,267: 2,600,884 : 71,058, 978,848 583,934! 68,887 5,315,960 157,547 2,463,942 1,029,132 17,563: 1,583,647 84,890 758,134 357,409 94,172: 7,644,910 251,693 4,082,572 1,314,443 40,131' 3,401,749 127,634 1,769,053 629,642 45,487 3,691,038 148,902! 1,496,365 629,577 91,572 5,436,522 163,137! 2,875,262 1,115,699 839,622 24,531,481, 480,567! 8,951,839 3,785,320 15,015 1,121,484; 20,254; 297,895: 304,395 1,416 56,022! 822| 4,506 18,030 816 156,426 798! 1,506 62,400 589,290 69,511 341,523 323,778 123,110 82,173 319,254 161,109 186,979 112,255 164,281 43,628 188,045 132,925 94,055 194,675 397,261 50,154 2,430 5,196; 66,781,900 3,703,743 36,686,619 24,813,500 6,592,927 3,801,425 19,291,032 13,100,323 13,595,861 4,979,339 10,289,430 2,996,337 14,022,850 6,354,860 7,201,360 11,431,349 49,554,061 1,907,308 108,966 265,104 1,697,397 64,649 2,228,382 934,960 105,976 90,714 564,239 374,777 249,743 119,821 247,611 114,322 397,644 181,376 231,946 294,125 942,516 34,359 2,334 5,892 I 32,900,19010,435,5951,515,826 1,020,970 743,938; 89,817 18,216,343 4,620,582 774,371 13,290,004 3.786,453 647,465 2,419,786 1,843,753 169,624 1,125,967 801,879 120,146 7,211,937 2,934,748 422,877 6,090,859 1,805,974 245,193 5,631,680 2,248,908 272,363 1,727,626' 795,546 158,522 4,417,689 1,576,570, 233,168 1,212,514 503,737 61,191 6,722,978; 2,000,875 282,217 2,749,468 930,938; 173,056 2,800,038' 1,042,610 139,542 5,604,883 2,012,072 286,247 22,633,457 8,472,7271,236,883 412,197! 433,381 65,169 6,888! 18,612! 3,846 3,702; 80,754 ! 6,012 Totals .. jl47,365,719; 4,067,202 70,020,863; 5 147,365,719; 4,067,202 70,020,863 20,763,048| 3,321,903150,112,575, 4,815,581 66,178,313- 26,326,604 20,763,048! i 3,321,903150,112,575 4,815,581 66,178,313; 26,326,604 3,581,6321 297,478,294! 8,882,783 136,199,17647,089,652 6,903,531 Previous year 148,735,765 4,182,603 64,512,748: \ 148,735,765! 4,182,603 64,512,748: 21,150,497! 3,437,5381149, 881, 324! 4,557,568: 62,010,796! 24,213,777 21,150,497! i 3,437,538!149,881,324; 4,557,568: 62,010,796; 24,213,777 3,698,400 298,617,089j 8,740,17l| 126,523,54445,364,2747,135,931

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Table No. 8. Registered Articles. The number of registered articles dealt with in 1927 compared with the number in 1890, 1910, and 1926, was as follows :— 1890. 1910. 1926. 1927. From places beyond the Dominion .. 26,374 132,493 211,120 215,625 Registered in the Dominion .. .. 169,321 993,675 2,246,976 1,873,374 Totals .. .. ..195,695 1,126,168 2,458,096 2,088,999

Table No. 9. Parcel-post. The following shows the number and weight of parcels posted during the years 1890, WOO, 1910, 1926, and 1927 :—

The following table shows the number and weight of parcels exchanged with other countries during the years, 1926 and 1927 :—

8-F. 1.

1890. 1900. 1010. 1926. 1927. 'umber height .. J 121,292 199,413 1,190,711 .. 336,643 1b. 12 oz. 682,104 lb. 7 oz. 3,953,284 lb. 15 oz. 3,437,538 17,300,3891b. 3,321,903 Hi.719,107 lb.

, Despatched. Reee nved. Places. 1926. 1927. 1926. Weight. Number. 1927. Number. Weight. Number.) Weight. Number. Weight. Great Britain and Ireland and 183,838 foreign countries via London United States of America and ' 69,838 Possessions Canada .. .. .. 10,324 New South Wales.. .. ; 28,427 Victoria .. .. .. 16,744 Queensland . . .. I 1,105 South Australia .. .. 911 Western Australia.. .. 531 Tasmania .. .. 400 Cape of Good Hope .. I 1,277 Natal Kgypt .. .. ■• 943 Aden .. .. -. 245 India .. .. .. j 2,731 Ceylon .. .. . . 481 Straits Settlements .. 346 Hong Kon« •• •• 1,772 Fiji ' .." .. .. ' 803 Tonga .. .. .. i 65 Tahiti .. .. .. 48 Pitoairn Island* .. .. 306 Norfolk Island .. .. j 33 Fanning Island* Uruguay.. Others ' .. .. .. 2 lb. 1,527,721 lb. 189.267 | 1,027,080 I 27,529 lb. 96,933 28,033 lb. 109,608 459,279 1 i 64,819 419,248 ! 4,704 20,050 5,343 21,435 07.023 107,702 73,822 2,914 2,567 1,342 1,009 4,641 10.348 I 71,949 29,089 j 108,952 ! 17,710 : 77,025 1,151 i 2,753 961 ' 2,045 583 1,466 445 1,331 1,190 3,215 1,797 10,674 5,365 1,368 811 668 755 118 482 06 5,958 i 1,723 34,057 11,810 16,740 ! 5,776 4,189 1,302 2,433 868 2,064 840 1,937 788 329 117 1,550 505 459 ! 80 5,714 40,315 20,276 4,201 2,962 2,774 2,505 312 1,527 358 6,175 .1,858 17,848 2,536 1,018 12,936 1,871 221 226 787 128 268 ; 1,754 577 I 4,492 2,972 | 20,135 539 2,780 342 1,031 1,274 8,842 1,084 2,373 69 219 97 797 1,109 133 320 554 2,128 1,521 270 148 140 43 85 7 5,997 j 982 441 130 1,342 303 2,655 ! 374 7,629 2,128 8,145 , 1,358 1,527 - 240 711 418 j 266 189 , 301 68 26 5 5,178 550 1,890 1,790 7,374 6,974 1,321 42 102 821 ] 9 374 12 5 : Totals .. .. j321,230 2,294,229 322,834 2,358,804 60,795 t 216,080 63,105 238,331 I * New Zealanc :1 Postal Agencii es. Totals now included w vith Now He saland.

F.—l

Table No. 10. Comparative Table showing the Development in the Telegraph, Toll, and Telephone-exchange Services during the Ten-year Periods ended 30th June, 1866 and 1876, the 31st December, 1886, the 31st March, 1896, 1906, 191 6; and the past Five Years.

Note.—Inland Telegram Tariff: Prior to the Ist September, 1869, inland telegrams were charged for on a mileage basis. From that date a uniform rate was fixed of 2s. 6d. for ten words and 6d. for each additional five words. From the Ist April, 1870, the minimum charge was reduced to Is. From the Ist November, 1873, the rate was further reduced to Is. for ten words and Id. for each additional word, address and signature, hitherto charged for, being free up to ten words. From the Ist July, 1877, there was introduced the " urgent " code, at double the ordinary rate. From the Ist July, 1878, a " delayed " system was introduced, the rate being fixed at 6d. for ten words, exclusive of address and signature up to ten words, and |d. for each additional word. From the Ist February, 1892, the number of words allowed for the minimum charge in each case was increased to twelve, with free address and signature up to six words. From the 15th August, 1892, the ordinary rate was fixed at Is. for eighteen words, including address and signature. From the Ist June, 1896, the rate was fixed at 6d. for twelve words, including address and signature, and Id. for each additional word; and " delayed " telegrams were abolished. From the Ist November, 1906, the charge for additional words was reduced to id. each. From the 23rd September, 1915, the ordinary rate was increased from 6d. to Bd. for twelve words (" urgent " Is. 2d.); and on the Ist August, 1920, it was further increased to Is. for twelve words and Id. for each additional word; (" urgent" 25., and 2d. for each additional word); Sundays and holidays, double rates. From the Ist November, 1920, there was introduced a system of letter-telegrams, to be delivered by post on the morning following the day of presentation. The rate (since altered) was Is. 6d. for thirty-six words and £d. for each additional word. From the Ist February, 1923, the rate for ordinary telegrams was reduced to 9d. for twelve words, the charge for each additional word remaining at Id. ("urgent" Is. 6d., and 2d. for each additional word). From the same date the letter-telegram rate was reduced to 9d. for twenty-seven words and Id. for each additional three words.

Telegraph and I Telegraph and Toll. Number of Telegrams and Toll Messages forwarded during the Year. Revenue in respect of Telegraph, Toll, and Telephone-exchange Services. Year. j Number j Nnmber ! Miles of wil °' . Pole- M " e . 8 of line. Wae - Telegrams. Telegraph. relegraph. Total Telegraph, Tell, and Telephoneexchange Revenue. Number of Offices opened. Ordinary. LetterUrgent. ; Press. I telegrams. i Government. Total I Number Total of Toll Number of Messages. Ordinary. Urgent. Press. Telegrams. ! Letter- _,„„_.„, 0 .?, 1 " Total Revenue. te'e- G ZZ ™™„T„J Telegraph I grams. ™$g£*| RevlL?. £ £ £ £ £ 483 .. ! 6,045 .. 16,154 .. 78,870 .. 27,281 .. 115,666 .. 25,844 ! 4,889 !l20, 911 2,110 .. 24,168 ! 3,895 !l92,169 16,368 9,0S5 163,488 446,743 111,969 5,287 4,930 11,566 399,313 317,512 10,535 4.420 15.190 424,317 344,393 14,738 4,992 17,158 J446.793 358,037 19.133 4,607 36,220 |456,704 372,612 18.661 3.614 30,802 J439, 128 397,234 I r. Telephone Exchange lie venue. I I " i I £ £ £ 27,237 .. *5,562 1,051,086 .. *62,716 1,836,266 .. *j88,385 2,034,957 89,254 f73,160 7,510 9,508 4,875.889 704,330 133,204 12.807 18,095 6,872,950 3,963,801 223,843 22,770 27,557 6.454,893 8,021,973 288,183 27,686 61,661 6,859,538 8,612,412 300,426 30,145 63,601 7,225,015 8,976.859 310,039 32,385 67,481 7,043,209 9,329,017 291.316 28,658 76.770 6,834.304 9,733.150 283,493 24,682 |77,876 £ 30th June, 1866 \ 699 1,390 1876 3,154 : 7,247 31st Dec, 1886 4,546 11,178 31st Mar., 1896 6,245J;15,764J 1906 8,355 J25.116 1916 13,684 !48,052 1924 12,954 52,910 1925 12,938 ,56,415 1926 13,052 !59,791 1927 ,13,158 .61,732 1928 I .. 13 142 412 743 1,312 2,413 2,295 2,264 2,221 2,199 2,165 *24,761 *890,382 *tl.583,717 fl,553, 232 3,995,998 6,062,131 5,581,185 5,827,745 6,043,563 5,725,008 5,541,205 I £ 6,045 78,870 133,920 148,955 298,079 846,259 1,547,295 1,635,928 1,785,113 1.824,387 1,893,539 59,038 198,108 211,571 379,185! .. 299,823 383,155, 265,772 432,120106,219 292,885 '461.875 215,473 317,021 488,487317.484 279,957 !555,638 426,816i 240,540 589.896 418, 213i 2,476 160,704 252,549 224,579 289,135 127,841 69,597 61,560 58,460 55,790 44,510 {18,254 25,934 89,542 287,547 830,470 867,218 980.283 995,071 1,057,177 •Includes private, Press, and Provincial Government messages. t Includes " delayed " telegrams. t In( eludes miscellaneous telegraph revenue.

F.—l.

Table No. 11. Table showing the Number forwarded and the Revenue derived from Toll Calls and Paid Telegrams of all Codes and the Value of franked Government Telegrams in the undermentioned Postal Districts during the Twelve Months ended 31st March, 1928.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing {1,170 copies, including graphs and illustrations), £137 10s.

Authority : W. A. 6. Skihmkr, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92B.

Price 25.)

Postal District. Auckland Blenheim Christohuroh Dunedin Gisbornc Greymouth Hamilton InvercargiU Napier Nelson New Plymouth Oamaru Palmerston North Thames Timaru Wanganui Wellington Wcstport Totals, 1927-28 Totals, 1926-27 , Revenue derived T t , v ,. f from Paid Value of franked Tdaaami of Telegrams of all Government .iTrvSL Toll Telegrams. JffiSa&*. £ £ £ 130,178 431 130,609 13,096 138 13,234 87.525 479 88,004 61,676 231 61,907 25,726 60 25,786 16,679 147 16,826 60,593 18 60,611 36,411 55 36,466 44.588 109 44,697 16,120 247 16,367 38,230 74 36,304 11,040 32 11,072 4.6,638 14 46,652 21,965 17 21,982 26,061 86 26,147 37,362 75 37,437 123,806 1,309 125,115 6,252 92 6,344 801,946 . j 3,614 805,560 788,489 4,607 793,096 Number of Paid Telegrams and Toll Calls. 2.732,945 277,144 1,693,448 1,226,840 470,455 287,814 1,435,368 827,707 986,880 349,566 816,785 182,527 1.038,035 533,517 515,908 737,810 2,281.170 129,079 Number of franked Government Telegrams. 5,057 1,848 6,395 2,908 798 2,296 140 734 1,533 3,303 987 427 186 273 1,170 979 14,252 1,218 Total Number of Telegrams of all Codes and Toll Calls. 2,738,002 278,992 1,699,843 1,229,748 471,253 290,110 1,435,508 828,441 988,413352,869 817,772 182,954 1,038,221 533,790 517,084 738,795 2,295,422 130,297 16,523,004 44,510 16,567,514 16,316,436 55,790 16,372,226

F. —l.

Chief Post-office Building, Palmerston North, to which an Extensive Addition was made recently.

The Post-office Building, Hastings, which has recently been extended

_\—l

Castlecliff: A Typical Suburban Post-office Building.

A Railway Travelling Post-office Van recently built for Use on the Christchurch-Dunedin Section.

F.—l.

Portion of Interior of new Railway Travelling Post-office for South Island.

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POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR 1927-28., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1928 Session I, F-01

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