F.—l

XX

The following figures show the growth of the traffic in bureau messages as compared with ordinary telegrams:— Average Value. Year Year 1905-6. 1904-5. The total number of ordinary tele-) 275,884,0r\ /£8,625 4s. lld.,) QlO , aIR , grams increased by J 7-42 % and relative re I or 6-81 % P l2i B ' l6d ' The total number of bureau com.-) 138,042, or j celpts by •" J £2,534 lis. 9£d.,) .. . , - „ n , munications increased by J 22-04 % j [ or 18-32 % J O- - 14 "- 0-6 W. The number of official telegrams forwarded was 289,135, valued at £24,168 10s. 4d., as compared with 259,250, of the value of £20,597 lis. lOd. —an increase of 29,885 in number, and of £3,570 18s. 6d. in amount. 63,682 money-orders, for £228,423 ss. 10d., were transmitted by telegraph, as against 61,057, for £210,790 7s. 6d., in 1904—an increase of 2,625 telegrams. The number of paid forwarded telegrams to every hundred letters posted in New Zealand for delivery within the colony was 826, as against BPOB8 P 08 in 1904-5. Telegraph Messengers' Deliveries. Telegraph messengers' deliveries (by departmental messenger) were established as follows: Christchurch —Amberley, St. Albans. Dunedin—Omakau. Invercargill—Mataura. Napier — Ormondville, Takapau, Weber. Timaru—Pleasant Point, Winchester. Wanganui—Raetihi. Wellington—Johnsonville. Offices opened and closed during Financial Year ended 31st March, 1906. Opened. Ahipara Islington Niagara Springburn Ahuriri Flat Kaihiku Ohinewai Taikorea Allanton Bureau Kaikoura Suburban Ohura Tapawera Aponga Kaipara Flats Oruanui Tawai Ashley Downs Kaurihohore Otara Te Anau Barrhill Kelchers Ouruhia Te Haroto Bishops Kiritaki Pakipaki Te Maire Blind River Koeke 1 Pakowhai Te Moehau Braemore Komako Parkvale Te Pare Cardiff Korere Paterangi] Te Tatua Carnarvon Levels Pohonui Te Teko Clydevale Little Wanganui Ferry Progress Junction Te Uku Dromore Lowcliffe Pukenui The Key Edievale Mabel Bush Pukeroa . Tokonui Gorge Greenfield Makahu Puniwhakau Totara Valley Green Hills Manapouri Puponga Tututawa Grove Bush Mangamaire Purangi Twelve-mile Landing Hairini Matatoki Quarry Hills TJmutoi Hangatiki Matau Rakauhauka Upper Waiwera Hazelburn Matiere Rangiheke Utuwai Herbert Bureau Merton Raurimu Waihaorunga Herekino Miramar Reikorangi Waikawa Highbank Moana Rewa Waikawa Valley Hillend Moewhare Rongokokaho Waikiekie Holmeslea Mokoiaj Rotomana Waimai Huiroa Momona Ruatangata Waimea West Ida Valley Moumahaki Farm Ruataniwha Wakatahuri Ihuraua Valley Myross Bush Seaward Moss Whangape. Islay Downs Ngaputahi Shag Valley Closed. Kawarau Bridge Tokatea Upper Mohaka. Summary. Number of offices open on the 31st March, 1905, 1,200; opened during year, 115; closed during year, 3; increase, 112. Number of offices open'on the 31st March, 1906, 1,312. Ocean Cable Services. There has been an increase of 62 per cent, in the number of messages, but a decrease of 037 per cent, in the value of the colony's ordinary outward international cable traffic for the year; while the ordinary traffic from Australia shows increases of 3*37 per cent, in the number of messages, and 054 in the value. The proportion of cable messages to and from New Zealand transmitted by the Pacific cable exceeds 75 per cent, of the total traffic. The working of the Pacific cable has been satisfactory. Delays due to weather conditions and forest fires occurred occasionally on the Canadian land lines, but as a rule they were trifling. New Zealand's proportion of the deficit of £75,849 18s. 6d. on the third year's working of the Pacific cable amounted to £8,427 15s. 4d. The receipts and working-expenses of the Pacific cable for the year ended the 31st March, 1906, are estimated as under: — £ . £ Traffic Revenue .. .. .. 82,000 Annuity and Renewals .. .. 111,545 Estimated Deficit .. .. .. 86,017 Working-expenses .. .. .. 56,472 £168,017 £168,017