F.—l

3

Forms of application for registering patents are now to be procured at any money order office. 5,898,381 letters, 202,848 post-cards, 274,246 books, circulars, and parcels, and 1,642,599 newspapers were delivered by letter-carriers during the year. The letters increased by 558,507, post-cards 29,632, books, &c, 52,792, and newspapers 153,295. The letter-carriers' deliveries in several districts were extended and altered to meet requirements. Deliveries have been established at Akaroa and Geraldine, and the deliveries at Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Greymouth extended. At Auckland the deliveries were extended so as to include Surrey Hills, Eichmond Boad, Eichmond Avenue, and Great North Eoad. At Christchurch the deliveries now include Avonside, Hitchen's Corner, the Suburb of Dallington, and Spreydon. At Dunedin daily deliveries have been established at Eavensbourne and Eothesay, and deliveries extended to Mornington, Woodhaugh, and Pine Hill. At Greymouth the delivery now includes High Street (South) and Preston Eoad (South-west). 13 additional receivers were opened during the year—l at Auckland, lat Napier, 3at Wellington, 1 at Patea,l at Greymouth, 2 at Christchurch, 1 at Oamaru, 2 at Dunedin, and 1 at Invercargill. 7 receiving boxes were closed during the year. The total number of pillar, wall, and lamp-post receivers increased to 216. Newspapers are now permitted to be posted in all receivers. 45 additional post-offices were established, 4 reopened, and 14 closed during the year:—

Adams Plat (reopened), Dunedin. Birkenhead, Auckland. Brookby, Auckland. Chelsea, Auckland. Cunningham's, Wellington. Dacre (reopened), Invercargill. Eltham, Wanganui. Gimmerburn, Dunedin. Glen-iti, Timaru. Greenhithe, Auckland. Harben, Westport. Hicks Bay, Gisborne. Hillgrove, Oamaru. Hunter, Timaru. Kaiawa, Thames. Kerikeri, Auckland. Kopua (reopened), Napier. Ashburton Porks, Christchurch. 'Big River, Thames. Horrelville, Christchurch. Kowai Bush, Christchurch. Mangawhero, Wanganui.

Opened.

Lichfield, Auckland. Manurewa, Auckland. Matarawa, Wellington. Morrison's Bush, Wellington. North Taieri, Dunedin. Okoroire, Auckland. Omata (reopened), New Plymouth. Orewa Palls, Auckland. Oroua Downs, Wellington. Otama Bridge, Invercargill. Port Underwood, Blenheim. Pouto, Auckland. Puhatikotiko, Gisborne. Pukerua, Wellington. Quartzville, Thames. Romahapa, Dunedin. Closed. Matamau, Napier. Middle Kyeburn, Dunedin. North Taieri, Dunedin. Omata, New Plymouth. Redclifie, Timaru.

Botoiti, Thames. Euapuna, Christchurch. Seatonville, Westport. Tawatapu, Wellington. Tawhere, Auckland. Te Atukara, Wellington. Te Rori, Auckland. Upper Takaka, Nelson. Waiomio, Thames. Waipara, Christchurch. Waipipi, Auckland. Waitaha Perry, Hokitika. Waitakerei, Auckland. Wataroa, Hokitika. Wharekahika, Gisborne. Whareora, Auckland. Terawhiti, Wellington. Waiheke, Auckland. Whare Plat, Dunedin. Wliatipu, Auckland.

The total number of post offices open at the end of the year was 969. The following table shows the numbers open in 1883 and 1884:—

The names of the following post offices have been changed : Waterford to Katikati, Governor's Bay to Teddington, Ohinetahi to Governor's Bay, Ohinemutu to Eotorua, Makeritu to AshleyClinton, Waimea to Goldsborbugh, Swift Creek to Heriot, Elbow to Luinsden, Upper Ferry to Hakateramea. Government Insurance agencies were established at the post offices at Fairlie Creek, Lumsden, Port Albert, St. Andrew, and Whitianga.

!4. 181 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 2 1 1 1 1 202 33 19 14 44 28 73 33 22 22 27 16 136 40 19 130 80 1 205 35 21 15 46 29 74 35 23 23 28 19 139 41 20 132 82 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 i 189 30 19 11 a 28 67 32 ■20 22 25 15 137 39 18 129 78 1 192 32 21 ia 46 29 68 34 21. 23 26 18 140 40 19 131 80 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Totals 17 13 939 969 17 13 904 934