H.—l2.

are No. 10, and are thoroughly insulated, and kept apart a distance of 2 inches, the small branches which lead direct to the lamps being alone allowed to come closer. Wherever a branch has been taken off special provision has been made for safety against fire by the insertion of a leaden plug. Should the current prove too strong for a branch this plug simply melts away, thus disconnecting the branch without interfering with any other part of the works." The number of lamps actually used is 63, but the nominal power of the dynamo-machine is calculated for 60 lights only. The lights are distributed as follows: In two of the composingrooms, 26 and 24 respectively; in the three reading-rooms, 5; in the engine-room, 5; and in my own office, 3. When the permanent fittings are erected, and a slightly larger dynamo-machine substituted, the lamps now used could be redistributed, and, with the addition of about three dozen more, would afford sufficient lighting power for the remaining rooms. The lamps will require to be renewed periodically, but, as they are calculated to burn for 1,000 hours, they will serve our purpose for two years at least; and, as the " life "of a lamp is said to be capable of prolongation to nearly double the number of hours stated, if used with care, one set may be made to do duty for three or four sessions. The cost of each lamp at present is 65., but no doubt the price will ere long be considerably reduced, as I am informed they can now be manufactured at a cost of Is. each. They are calculated to give about half as much light again as a good bats-wing burner; but I am quite within the mark in saying that they afford twice the illuminating power of the gas lights hitherto used, and, what is of great importance, the light is steady and free from flicker or pulsation. While undoubtedly a clearer, purer, and cooler light is obtained by the use of electricity, it is interesting to know at what cost it is produced as compared with gas. To obtain reliable information on this point I have caused careful observations to be made since its introduction into this office, and find that, when using the light for five hours of an evening, the cost for 63 lights is 2s. If d. per hour. To obtain the same illuminating power from gas would require the consumption of 440 cubic feet per hour, which, at 10s. per 1,000, would cost 4s. 4-fd. The value of the complete "installation" is £331, to which must be added the cost of the engine, £375; the erection of shed, belting, shafting, &c, and fitting-up the lights, £160; and moiety of ground-rent, £7 10s.: making a total of £873 10s. Computing the interest on this sum at 7 per cent, it would amount to £61 2s. lOd. per annum, and, as it is estimated the light will be required for about 500 hours during the year, the cost for coal, &c, would be £53 2s. 6d.; making a total of £114 ss. 4d. The gas consumed for the same number of hours would cost £109 7s. 6d., thus leaving a balance in favour of gas of £4 17s. lOd. But, when comparing the cost of the respective lights, the improved conditions under whicE the men work should also be considered as constituting an important factor in the calculation, for undoubtedly they are placed in a position to do considerably more work than could reasonably be expected from them with the lights they have hitherto used. The following table shows the quantity of coal used for electric-light purposes on three different evenings:—

DEPARTMENTAL EETUENS, ETC. The usual returns will be found appended to this report. They consist of: (1.) Balance-sheet of the department for the year 1882; (2.) Eeturn of the printing and binding executed; (3.) Number and classification of the employes; (4.) Quantity and value of paper and parchment consumed; and, (5.) Value of work performed at the Lyttelton Gaol. The Gazette advertisements, subscriptions, and sale of Government publications show a satisfactory increase, and amounted to £3,009 2s. 7d. While referring to Gazette advertisements, I may state that not one-fourth of the existing mining companies comply with the 135 th section of "The Mining Companies Act, 1872," so far as the publication in the Gazette of their annual statements is concerned, although heavy penalties are imposed for failing to do so. During last year only sixtyseven companies submitted statements for publication. I cannot ascertain how many are registered, but it is estimated there are fully 300 companies in existence. The return of employes shows the number of all classes engaged in the department during each month of the year, the average per month being 113. The total number of pointers' accounts examined during the year was 4,790, from which deductions to the amount of £157 16s. 9d. were made, being at the rate of 7fd. off each account. The number of railway tickets for the colony, printed and issued under the superintendence of the stereotyper, was 1,828,560, and these were supplied to 482 separate stations. I mentioned in my last report that the manufacture of rubber stamps was carried on in connection with the stereotpye branch. The number supplied to the various departments during last year was 304.

2

tantity eonsi ied Date. Description of Goal. Time during which Light used. Cost per Hour for Sixty-three Lights. In getting up Steam. From time of Lighting up. Total. "une 14 'une 15 "une 18 Greymouth Newcastle (slack) Newcastle (screened) lb. 127 120 126 lb. 520 600 558 lb. 647 720 684 h. m. 4 30 5 0 5 0 s. 2 2 2 d. 2 2 Of