P.—l.

42 additional wall, lamp-post, or pillar receivers were erected during the year, and 10 closed. The total number of these receivers at the end of the year had increased to 183. 48 new post offices were opened, 9 reopened, and 25 closed during the year, at the following places;—

Opened. Ashburton Gorge (reopened), Christ- Kawhaka (reopened), Hokitika. Pine Bush (reopened), Invercargill. church. Kennington, Invercargill. Pleasant Valley (reopened), Timaru. Belfast, Christchurch. Kuripapanga, Napier. Rahotu (reopened), New Plymouth. Birdling's Plat, Christchurch. Leahytown, Thames. Rangiahua, Auckland. Burkes, Dunedin. Lismore, Christchurch. Rimu, Hokitika. Cairnbrae, Christchurch. Longridge, Invercargill. Sea View, Christchurch. Claremont, Timaru. Martinborough, Wellington. Springburn, Christchurch. Claremont (reopened), Timaru. Mataikuna, Wellington. Tamahere, Auckland. Clonmore, Greymouth. Matamau, Napier. Upper Mill, Auckland. Colac Bay, Invercargill. Nightcaps, Invercargill. Waihi, Thames. Cross's Creek, Wellington. Ohonga, Wellington. Waimatuku, Invercargill. Epsom, Auckland. Okaiawa, Wanganui. Waipuku, New Plymouth. Fairfax, Invercargill. Oropi, Auckland. Waipuna, Auckland. Garston, Invercargill. Otiake, Oamaru. Wairio, Invercargill. Harcourt's Ferry (reopened), Hokitika. Otipua, Timaru. Waitapu, Auckland. Hawea Flat, Dunedin. Owen River, Nelson. Whangape, Auckland. Hawkeswood, Christchurch. Peria, Auckland. Whirinaki (reopened), Auckland. Hedgehope, Invercargill. Piako, Auckland. White's Point (reopened), Westport. Hikurangi, Auckland. Pine Bush, Invercargill. Whitford, Auckland. Humphrey's, Hokitika. Closed. Appleby, Invercargill. Kawhaka, Hokitika. Round Hill, Invercargill. Big Paddock, Hokitika. Malvern, Christchurch. Te Kao, Auckland. Bridge, Blenheim. Mapourika, Hokitika. Victoria Bridge, Dunedin. Claremont, Timaru. Newmarket, Auckland. Waianiwa, Invercargill. Edenvale, Auckland. Okoroiri, Auckland. Waihenga, Wellington. Flint's Bush, Invercargill. Opawa, Christchurch. Waikawa, Invercargill. Goodfellow's, Hokitika. Papanui, Christchurch. Whirinaki, Auckland. Harrisville, Invercargill. Pleasant Valley, Timaru. Woolston, Christchurch. Inch Clutha, Dunedin.

The number of post offices increased to 900; and the total number open on the 31st December last, compared with the number in existence in 1881, is shown in the following table:—

The names of the following post offices were changed : Kapanga to Coromandel, Eichmond to Matata, Lake Takapuna to Takapuna, Matawai to Tiki, Whau Bridge to Avondale (all in the Auckland District) ; Hastings (Thames) to Tapu; Upper Woodstock (Hokitika) to Eimu; Upper Waianiwa (Invercargill) to Waianiwa. Government Insurance agencies were opened at the post offices at Stirling, Kamo, Manaia, and Te Aroha. The agencies at .Napier, Wanganui, and Invercargill were separated from the post office on the Ist April last, and it is also proposed by the Insurance Department to create agencies at Oamaru and Timaru* distinct from the post offices. 18 additional money-order and savings-banks offices were established. Amalgamation with the railway was carried out at Ormondville, Eordell, Brunnerton, Belfast, Birdling's Plat, Papanui, and Ngapara.

Ill

181 «. 181 tt. Postal Districts. Chief Offices. Secondclass Post Offices. Sub-Post Offices. Totals. Chief Offices. Secondclass Post Offices. Sub-Post Offices. Totals. Auckland Thames New Plymouth .. Gisborne Napier Wanganui Wellington Nelson Westport Greymouth Hokitika Blenheim Christchurch Timaru Oamaru Dunedin Invercargill Chatham Islands 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 i i i 196 16 17 8 43 27 63 29 17 26 24 14 136 39 19 131 64 1 200 17 19 9 45 28 64 31 18 27 25 17 139 40 20 133 66 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 i i 188 14 15 8 40 26 60 28 16 25 24 15 132 36 18 132 60 1 192 15 17 9 42 27 61 30 17 26 25 18 135 37 19 134 62 2 *2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Totals 17 13 870 900 17 13 838 868