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which there was little or no stoppage of the work during that time. The new arrangements will prove quite satisfactory when the hydraulic lift has been erected and heating apparatus provided. The machines are now driven by steam-power, and can be run at differential speeds. The printingpower will be increased shortly by the addition of a new machine, quad, crown size, to print from stone 32 in. by 42 in., built by Purnival and Co., England. The out-turn of the litho. machines and presses has been greater than that of any previous year. The number of subjects dealt with has been 1,447, or 433 more than last year. The number of impressions pulled amounted to 1,375,641, or 277,138 more than last year. Of the total impressions taken, the machines are to be credited with 1,306,581 and the hand presses 69,060. The out-turn of work from the photographic gallery has been very large, the number of plates taken being 1,114, or 226 more than last year, and the number of silver prints 648 for the year. This result is very creditable to Mr. Boss and his assistant. No trial has been given to the photo-trichromatic or three-colour work referred to in last year's report, for, although the colour-filters have been obtained from England, there has not been spare time for experimenting. Twenty-three wash-drawings of scenery have been made. For tinting, etching, sets-off, corrections, touching up, &c, nearly four hundred lithographic stones have been prepared. Two hundred and fifty photographs have been improved by Mr. Sturtevant for reproduction as process pictures. Details of the photographing and lithographic printing and plan-mounting done during the year are appended. I owe thanks to the staff for cheerful assistance in disposing of the work.

Lithographic Printing and Photographing.

Abstract of lithographs printed during the twelve months :— Head Office ... ... ... ... ... ... 899,811 Auckland Office ... ... ... ... ... 4,500 Westland Office ... ... ... ... ... 12 Otago Office ... ... ... ... .. ... 4,000 Total ... ... ... ... 908,323 Number of subjects taken in hand and printed off, 987. Number of plate-transfers pulled, 51. Number of maps, tracings, and photographs mounted, 965. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. Mr. Short, the Chief Clerk, reports as follows : — During the year 17,200 letters and telegrams were received and 14,300 despatched. The following Proclamations, Orders in Council, and warrants were prepared and issued, namely : — In respect to Land Administration under the various Land Acts : Warrants opening land under Part 111., 53 ; warrants of sales by auction of land, 35; Proclamations setting apart villagehomestead lands, 10; Proclamation withdrawing village-homestead lands, 1; Orders in Council

Printi: 'gNumber of Photographing. Number of I: take; ipressions Department. Separate Printings. :. By Machine. By Hand. Number of Plates. Number of Silver Prints. Number of Bromides. K O A £ SM ti o ti fi a ■z wan Purvey 'ublic Works ... lailway lines larine Justoms 'ostal iegistrar-General 'remier 1,025 156 57 86 35 2 20 7 19 11 4 16 2 3 3 1 818,475 39,601 161,680 132,275 6,150 500 17,000 8,700 47,000 3,750 500 66,000 1,800 900 2,250 53,272 6,383 4,250 1,229 2,095 1 240 160 6 300 4 14 862 54 416 3 10 60 112 13 12 4 1 "200 6 J-overnment Insurance ... igriculture and Stock ... treasury Education leteorological ... Jolonial Secretary J-overnment Printer 6 100 1,000 42 '"8 2 "29 4 Totals 1,447 1,306,581 69,060 1,114 648 60 16