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STAFF.

Comparative Return op Persons employed in the Post and Telegraph Department on the Ist April, 1924 and 1925. The total number of persons employed on the Ist April, 1924 and 1925, was as under : — Ist April, Ist April, Permanent stafl — 1924. 1925. Administrative Division .. .. . . . . 4 4 Clerical and Engineering Divisions .. .. .. 3,218 3,321 General Division .. .. .. .. .. 4,495 4,559 7,717 7,884 Temporary staff .. .. .. .. .. .. 243 306 Casual staff .. .. .. .. .. .. 970 2,194 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 8,930 10,384 Non-permanent staff— Country Postmasters and Telephonists .. .. .. 2,074 2,031 Postmasters who are Railway officers .. .. .. 102 99 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 11,106 12,514 Health of Permanent Staff. The following table gives the average absence of officers on sick-leave : — Number Average Absence Average Absence on per Sick for each Officer Staff. Officer. employed. Men .. .. .. .. 6,919 10-2 4-2 Women .. .. .. . 961 13-8 8-2 Twenty officers died during the year. Casual Staff. Owing to the large number of new works being undertaken by the Engineering Branch it has been found necessary to double the casual staff of workmen. Personal. Mr. Markman returned from the Stockholm Conference on the 22nd December, and resumed his secretarial duties immediately. A regrettable incident occurred on the 17th December last, when Mr. J. J. France, Postmaster, Eketahuna, lost his life whilst making inquiries in respect of the views of the settlers concerning the' Eketahuna-Pahiatua rural delivery. The motor-car conveying the officer referred to was precipitated into a gully off the Kaitawa-Hinemoa Road, and Mr. France died as a result of the injuries which he sustained. Apart from slight injuries and shock, the other occupants of the car escaped unhurt. APPEAL BOARD. The Post and Telegraph Board of Appeal, under the chairmanship of E. C. Cutten, Esq., S.M., sat on three occasions during the year. 486 appeals were dealt with, of which one was allowed by the Board and four were, conceded by the Department. Only seventy-eight appeals against the reclassification of officers as from the Ist April, 1924, were lodged, not one of which was allowed. DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE CLASSES. The departmental correspondence classes, which are still being continued, were extended during the year so that tuition in matters pertaining to machine-printing telegraphy could be provided for officers. The first instructional term for this subject is now in session. Keen interest is being displayed in this new branch of the Department's activities. Tuition is now provided for nine departmental examinations, and during the year 761 students were enrolled for tuition. Of the total number who were examined, 80 per cent, gained passes—a sufficient indication of the high standard of instruction. EXAMINATIONS. During the year 1924-25 the number of officers who sat for efficiency examinations was 2,267, of which number 1,247 were either wholly or partially successful. " HOUSEHOLDER " CIRCULARS. The revenue from this class of matter for the period Ist April, 1924-, to 31st March, 1925, was £4,847, as against £4,845 for the preceding twelve months. A concession rate of §d. for each packet up to 2 oz. is payable when circulars to the number of 250,000 are posted by one sender at one time. It is expected that the concession will result in increased business.