I—H. 18.

H.—lß.

1925. NEW ZEALAND.

TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PENSIONS DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1925.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 70 of the Pensions Act, 1913.

The Commissioner op Pensions to the Hon. the Minister of Pensions.

Sir, — Pensions Department, Wellington, 30th June, 1925. I have the honour to furnish herewith, for the information of Parliament, the report of the Department relating to war, old-age, widows', Maori War, miners', epidemic, blind, and sundry pensions for the year ended 31st March, 1925. The following comparative statements relate to the annual value and gross payments of all pensions administered by the Department for the past two years : —

Pensions in Force, and Annual Value.

At 31st March, 1924. At 31st March, 1925. Class of Pension. j Number. Annual Value. Number. Annual Value. £ £ War .. .. .. .. .. 23,166 1,213,126 21,318 1,140 168 Old-age .. .. .. .. .. 21,468 780,664 22,062 850,795 Widows' .. .. .. .. .. 3,526 209,739 3,598 281,141 Maori War .. .. .. .. 589 28,861 519 25,431 Miners' .. .. ., .. .. 580 36,634 607 37,934 Epidemic .. .. .. .. 457 25,886 365 16,226 Boer War .. .. .. .. 72 3,100 69 2,949 Sundry pensions and annuities .. .. 93 7,891 102 10,380 Civil Service Act, 1908 .. .. .. 74 19,702 67 17,776 Blind .. .. .. .. .. •• .. 114 4,485 Totals .. .. .. .. 50,025 2,325,603 48,821 2,387,285