F.—l

XI

In addition, 1 aneroid barometer, 1 gold watch and chain, 1 silver watch and chain, 2 silver watches, 1 gold chain and pendants, 1 gold pendant (maltese cross), 1 gold chain, 3 gold rings, 1 gold brooch with pearl, 1 gold brooch, 1 silver brooch, 1 ladies' silver bracelet, gold horseshoe scarf-pin, ■J-dwt. of gold, 1 silver-handled pocket-knife, 1 pair of spectacles, 1 passage ticket (Westport to Wellington) were received. 896 unclaimed registered letters were dealt with. 1,223 newspapers and 515 books and other articles without addresses were received, a considerable number of which were subsequently applied for and delivered. 214 letters were posted without addresses. 12 letters with libellous addresses were intercepted. 481 letters were either wholly, imperfectly, or wrongly addressed. 4,587 letters were refused by the addressees. 21 letters were posted with previously-used stamps. Buildings. The determination to erect a separate office at Invercargill was set aside in favour of adding the wing to the block of Government buildings, as originally intended, for the requirements of the Post Office and Telegraph. The addition will provide ample accommodation for both branches of the department. The public office for Post Office and Telegraph is on the ground-floor, where there is provision also for the mail-room and other offices needed for the Post Office. The operating and Telephone Exchange rooms are on the first floor, convenient means of communication from one floor to the other being, of course, provided. The addition of a tower for a four-dial illuminating clock has been decided upon. The tower will add decidedly to the appearance of the building. The alterations and additions to the Christchurch Chief Post Office are in hand, and will be completed in a few weeks. The intention to enlarge the interior accommodation of the Chief Post Office, Dunedin, which involved the acquiring of the offices occupied by the Stamp and Registry of Deeds Offices, has for the present been deferred. A rearrangement of the mail-room space has, in the meantime, been made, but as a makeshift only. A new office, in brick, is being erected at Waimate; and a small building at Fortrose, for the accommodation of the Post Office and Telephone, is nearly completed. The following are some of the more important additions, alterations, or repairs effected during the year: Thames, alterations and additions, providing for accommodation for a telephone exchange; Lower Hutt, repairs to roof, additions, &c.; Greymouth, improving drainage; Onehunga, repairs, and renewing fence; Hamilton, repairs to roof, and painting; Naseby, repairs and fencing; Havelock, repairs to residence ; Kamo, repairs ; Kaitangata, repairs, erection of post-and-wire fence, &c.; Bulls, painting, and covering lobby-roof with iron; Oamaru, repairs and painting ; Newton, repairs and painting; Lawrence, renovating ; Charleston, additions, and repairs to residence; Kumara, repairs and drainage-works; Wakapuaka, repapering quarters and erecting woodshed ; Warkworth, re-roofing with iron and erecting a lean-to ; Eoxton, painting ; Mongonui, painting; Port Chalmers, renovating; Westport, general repairs to office and quarters; Castle Point, repairs and repapering; Dargaville, rMftting; Eawene, painting; St. Bathan's, repairs, repapering, and painting; Milton, repairs; Opotiki, painting; Waipu, covering residence with iron; Kaikoura, painting; Christchurch, relaying floor of operating-room, and new workshop ; Tenui, addition of a lean-to; Woodville, alterations and additions to residence ; Dunedin, alterations Telephone Exchange, and fittings Chief Post Office; Hunterville, additions; Blackstone Hill, repairs ; Helensville, repairs, Taupo, alterations; Queenstown, repairs to quarters; Napier, alterations and painting; General Post Office, alterations. The increase of business at Ashburton has outgrown the accommodation. Plans are being prepared providing for enlarging and adapting the present office so as to better meet requirements. Inland Mail-sebvices. The following are the particulars of the several inland mail-services in operation during the year : — Performed by coach and mail-cart... ... ... ... ... 212 Performed on horseback ... ... ... ... ... ... 290 Performed on foot ... ... ... ... ... ... 53 Performed by water ... ... ... ... ... ... 41 Performed by rail way ... ... ... ... ... ... 78 Total number of services ... ... ... 674 Aggregate mileage ... ... ... ... ... 11,139 Total number of miles travelled ... ... ... ... 3,945,654 Cost to the department ... ... ... ... ... £27,301 15s. 9d. Average cost per mile .. ... ... ... ... l'66d. The total cost in 1890 was ... ... ... ... £26,174 7s. 10d. And the cost per mile ... ... ... ... .., l-62d. The following services were established during the year:— Twice weekly between Lichfield and Taupo (during tourist season only). Weekly between Hunterville, Otaera, Paraekaretu, Turakina Junction, Fordell Eoad, and Mangahao Valley. Thrice weekly between Willowby and Eiffelton,.