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Termination of Arthur's Pass - Otira Mail-service. On the day prior to the opening of the Otira Tunnel an event of historical interest took place. This was the termination of the overland mail-servico between Arthur's Pass on the Canterbury side and Otira Railway-station on the Wostlancl side. For a period of about thirty-throe years this service linked the east coast of the South Island with the west coast, and for many years it was maintained by Messrs. Cassidy and Co., and at a later stage by Messrs. A. Hall (Limited), and since 1914 by these firms combined in business partnership. Originally the service was performed between Springfiekl (Canterbury) anel Kumara (Westland) ; but with the advance of the railheads towards the mountains the coach service was gradually reduced, until on the 4th August the opening of the tunnel rendered the coach service no longer necessary. Notwithstanding the often perilous journevy over Arthur's Pass, which was frequently blocked by heavy falls of snow in winter, Messrs. Hall and Cassidy rendered, both to the Department and to the public, long and faithful service, and discharged their obligations in an efficient manner. Rural-mail Boxes. There are now 10,612 rural boxes in use, an increase of 544 over the number in use last year. RETRANSFEE OF CERTAIN OFFICES FROM HAMILTON TO AUCKLAND DISTRICT. Mainly owing to the! inconvenience caused savings-bank despositors in and around Mercer, the Mercer Post-office, and several smaller offices for which Mercer acted as a circulating office, were retransferred from the Hamilton to the Auckland Postal District. STORES BRANCH. The following figures indicate the value of supplies purchased, issued, and remaining in stock for the year ended 31st March, 1924, while those for the previous year are shown for the purpose of comparison : —

It will bo observed that there is a large increase in the volume of purchases and issues of stores. The increase is due mainly to tho purchase of additional stocks of telegraph and telephone material. The figures would have been still larger but for the difficulty in securing the delivery of telegraph poles and. arms. The number of indents placed for the year ended the 31st March last, compared with that of the previous year, is—l923-24, 611 ; 1922-23, 337—an increase of 274, equivalent to 81 per cent. The total inward consignments for the year, compared with those of the previous year, ares— 1923-24. 1922-23. Shipments .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,766 1,013 Packages .. .. .. .. .. .. 182,060 118,980 With the exception of hardwood timbers, requirements have on the whole been adequately met. The responsibility of arranging contracts for the purchase by all Government Departments of motor-vehicles, accessories, tires, petrol, kerosene, and lubricating-oils for internal-combustion engines has been placed on the Stores Branch during the year, and this, with other work in connection with purchases under Stores Control Board Regulations, has considerably added to the extent of the duties undertaken, and at the same time resulted in economies being effected by all Departments. Accommodation for storage' of material still leaves much to be desired, and the necessity for better facilities is becoming pressing. The supply of articles of uniform for departmental officers is more satisfactory than ' has obtained since 1914, deliveries now being much more regular and prompt. WOEKSHOPS. In order to cope successfully with the growth of this branch additional accommodation and plant have been provided. During the year the manufacture of power-driven post-marking machines was undertaken, with entirely satisfactory results. Other work successfully carried out was the manufacture of telegraph material, telephone-exchange'switchboards, and apparatus the'machine-printing telegraph system recently installed. BICYCLES. The scheme outlined in last year's annual report under which, in consideration of the cost of upkeep being borne by the riders, bicycles Issued by the Department become the property of the officers concerned on'the expiry of periods of use in the Department's service varying from four to six years, is proving popular with officers. Approximately three hundred bicycles are now on issue under the scheme.

1923-24. 1922-23. Increase. Decrease. Increase Per Cent. Decrease Per Cent. Balance, 1st April Purchases Issues Balance, 31st Marcli I £ 330, ,577 912,923 953,742 289,758 I £ £ 384,716 501,389 555,528 330,577 £ 82 72 14 411,534 398,214 40,819 12