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and a large portion of the Wellington Postal District. Its boundaries are —North : The former boundary between the Wellington and Wanganui Postal Districts (except that Greatford and Bull's are included in the new district), and from a point on the former boundary between the Wellington and Napier Postal Districts in a straight line to the coast, taking in Matamau and Herbertville. South : From a point north of Otaki Beach, taking in Manakau, Mangahao Hydro, and Mangamaire, thence in a straight line to a point south of Rakaunui, and from there to a point midway between Aohanga and Whakataki. TRANSFER OF OFFICES. On the Ist March, 1925, the Manihiki and Rakahanga post-offices were transferred from the Auckland Postal District to the Rarotonga Postal District. DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE CLASSES. Officers to the number of 792 enrolled for instruction in the departmental correspondence classes, and at the various examinations held during the year 86 per cent, of these students gained passes. Officers generally have profited by the facilities provided for study, and the value of the tuition given to students is reflected in almost every branch of the service by the display of increased efficiency. EXAMINATIONS. During the year 2,530 officers sat for departmental efficiency examinations, and of this number 1,415 were either wholly or partially successful. With a view to placing departmental examinations on a more satisfactory footing, and to introducing into the examination .system improvements which were considered desirable as a result of the experience gained since the inception of the present series of examinations in 1919, or which were rendered necessary in consequence of changes that have taken place during the last few years in some branches of the Department, a committee of officers was appointed in June last to inquire into and report on the working of the Department's examination system. As a result of the recommendations of the committee those examinations which were considered no longer necessary were either abolished or combined with other examinations; the scope of examinations was, in a few instances, altered ; anomalies that existed in connection with some examinations were removed ; and the frequency of a number of examinations was reduced. BUILDINGS. Extensive alterations were completed during the year in the Christchurch chief post-office building. The public portion of the office was greatly improved. With the additional accommodation now provided the Christchurch post-office building should meet requirements for a number of years. Not only in the heart of Christchurch City was an improvement effected, but a fine post-office building was erected at New Brighton, the old building being altered to serve as a residence for the Postmaster. The growing marine suburb of Eastbourne, Wellington, also was provided with a new edifice in keeping with the requirements of the district. A new post-office building has been erected at Paeroa, and at Marton one is in course of erection. The extensive alterations to the chief-post-office building, Gisborne, referred to in last year's report, are now completed. The increase in business at Darfield and Hawarden necessitated the erection of departmental buildings at those places. Formerly the work was handled at the railway-stations. It was found necessary to build garages at Cambridge, Gore, Kaikohe, Otautau, Taupo, and Waimate, and to increase the garage accommodation at Wanganui. At Kaikohe a workshop was erected in conjunction with the garage, while at Wanganui a blacksmith's shop was added to the building. Pending the erection of a suitable building at Auckland, a temporary workshop was built at Newmarket. A list of new buildings and of alterations to existing buildings which it is considered will be required in the next decade has been carefully compiled, and the work will be carried out strictly in order of urgency. While there is still much leeway to be made up in the provision of buildings the work is proceeding steadily. In addition to the buildings already mentioned, structures were erected at Ohau, Okaihau, Ruawai, Tuatapere, Waitahuna, Awakino (linesman's residence); and the Department contributed towards the cost of erecting and agreed to meet the cost of maintaining a new building at Maungatapere. Additions were made to the post-office buildings at Albany, Hanmer Springs, Hikurangi, Matata, Moray Place, Newmarket, Patetonga, Queenstown, and Raetihi. At Castlepoint a building belonging to the Marine Department and at one time used as a lookout station was removed to a suitable position, and" was fitted up as a post-office. In order to provide for future expansion additional land was purchased at Wanganui and Pahiatua. For storage purposes land was acquired at Port Ahuriri. While the buildings to be proceeded with during the coming year will be dependent upon the amount of money available, it is anticipated that the comparatively large undertaking of making

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