F.—l

IV

28 additional receivers were opened, 1 at Auckland, 1 at Cambridge, 1 at Thames, 3 at Wanganui, 2 at Napier, 3 at Wellington, 1 at Eeatherston, 1 at Nelson, 1 at Greymouth, 6 at Christchurch, 1 at Akaroa, 5 at Ashburton, and 2 at Dunedin. 7 receivers were abolished during the year. The total number of pillar, wall, and lamp-post receivers at the close of the year was 227. 6,141,091 letters, 246,525 post-cards, 394,239 books, parcels, and circulars, and 1,725,680 newspapers were delivered by letter-carriers during the year. This was an increase of 242,710 letters, 43,677 post-cards, 119,993 books, and 83,081 newspapers. 54 additional post-offices were established, 4 reopened, and 16 closed during the year:— Opened. Archhill, Auckland. Makarowa, Invercargill. Saddle Hill, Dunedin. Ardmore, Auckland. Manaroa, Blenheim. South Hillend, Invercargill. Baton, Nelson. Mataiwi, Napier. Springlands, Blenheim. Bruce Bay, Hokitika. Mohikinui, Westport. Tahatika, Dunedin. Bunnythorpe, Wellington. Mount Roskill, Auckland. Taonui, Wellington. Culverden, Christchurch. Netherton, Thames. Taumaranui, Auckland. Dobson, Greymouth. Newtown, Wellington. Te Kuiti, Auckland. Doric, Christchurch. Okoia, Wanganui. The Beach, Christchurch. Dovedale, Nelson. Opuku, Auckland. Tiniroto, Gisborne. Drummond, Invercargill. Oroua Bridge (reopened), Wellington. Waipiro Bay, Gisborne. Endeavour Inlet, Blenheim. Otorohanga, Auckland. Waiotahi, Thames. Hampstead, Christchurch. Poroaterao, Auckland. Walton's, Wellington. Hillend, Dunedin. Puni, Auckland. Wedderbum, Dunedin. Hunterville, Wanganui. Puramahoi, Nelson. Wendonside, Dunedin. Jerusalem, Wanganui. Purokireki, Dunedin. West Plains, Invercargill. Karangahake, Thamos. Putiki Bay, Auckland. Whare Flat (reopened), Dunedin. Kare Kare, Auckland. Rodcliffo (reopened), Timarn. Woodhill, Auckland. Little Kyeburn, Dunedin. Rees Gorge, Invercargill. Woodstock (reopened), Hokitika. Maerewhenua, Oamaru. Remuera, Auckland. Wright's Bush, Invercargill. Makaretu, Napier. Closed. Craigioburn, Auckland. Mataikuna, Wellington. Trondheim, Wellington. Gladfield, Invercargill. Parihaka, New Plymouth. Wangaparapara, Auckland. Harben, Westport. Springlands, Blenheim. Wendonside, Dunedin. Harcourt's Ferry, Hokitika. Sylvan Bank, Invercargill. Wharekahika, Wanganui. Ida Valley, Dunedin. Tawatapu, Wellington. Woodstock, Hokitika. Kopua, Napier. The total number of post offices at the close of the year was 1,043. The names of the following post offices have been changed : Kaituna Valley to Okaramio (Blenheim), Muddy Creek to Brooklynn, Wairoa to Cleveden (Auckland), Hampden to Tikokino (Napier), Haast Eiver to Okuru (Hokitika), Campbelltown to Biuff (Invercargill). Government Insurance agencies have been established at the post offices at Newmarket (Auckland), Katikati, Makotu, Paeroa (Thames), Danevirk, Mohaka, Port Ahuriri, Takapau, Taupo (Napier), Eketahuna, Mauriceville (Wellington), Boatman's, Longford (Westport), Cheviot (Christchurch). Government Insurance business is transacted at 190 post offices. 20 newspapers were registered for transmission through the Post Office. The total number registered is 187. 175 magazines are registered under the magazine post. 6 were registered during the year. The sum paid for the carriage of interprovincial and intercolonial mails by unsubsidized vessels was £4,869 13s. Id. 3,989 private boxes were let, which, together with the fees on 288 private bags, produced a revenue of £4,051 10s. The offices at Wangarei and Waipawa were destroyed by fire. Fortunately, the correspondence and property of any value were saved in both cases. The offices are to be rebuilt. A large number of offices were inspected during the year, with beneficial results. The rapid growth of the service made it necessary to appoint an Assistant-Inspector, whose especial duty for a time will be to visit the country offices. Amalgamation with the railway has been carried out at Matamata, Te Aute, Fairlie Creek, Little Eiver, and Dunback. The extension of the railway from Orepuki to Colac Bay, Morrinsville to Oxford, and Ellesmere to Little Eiver, admitted of an acceleration in the delivery of the mails. Free Official Correspondence. The estimated value of the official or free correspondence for the year is given in the statement underneath:—

The estimated value of the free correspondence for 1884 was £70,830 Is. sd.

Postal Districts. Letters. ' Boolis. Value. Postal Districts. Letters. Books. Value. Auckland Chames Sew Plymouth .. 3-isborne STapier Wanganui Wellington kelson Westport jreymouth lb. oz. 21,614 5 516 9 3,432 9 658 0 2,802 5 5,063 1 130,080 5 2,641 7 1,400 0 2,259 6 lb. oz. 15,003 2 845 1 1,800 0 603 0 5,226 0 5,080 0 279,532 0 2,148 0 201 0 4,704 8 £ s. d. 6,309 0 1 167 2 1 1,008 3 3 197 6 4 921 9 8 1,542 12 2 49,387 8 0 784 3 5 380 0 8 761 0 4 Hokitika Blenheim Christchurch .. Timaru Oamaru Dunedin Invercargill lb. oz. 1.946 12 2,340 7 3,121 0 2,447 15 1,098 8 9,401 7 2.947 0 lb. oz. 820 8 2,160 0 11,903 2 1,860 0 1/400 0 13,043 1 2,809 12 £ s. d. 546 9 8 698 9 10 2,567 0 11 716 4 5 339 12 0 2,948 3 10 880 3 0 Totals 205,374 0 319,859 2 70,214 15 8