F.—l

Note. Inland Telegram Tariff : Prior to the Ist September, 1869, inland telegrams were charged for on a mileage basis. From that date a uniform rate was fixed of 2s. 6d. for ten words and 6d. for each additional five words. From the Ist April, 1870, the minimum charge was reduced to Is. From the Ist November, 1873, the rate was further reduced to Is. for ten words and Id. for each additional word, address and signature, hitherto charged for, being free up to ten words. From the Ist July, 1877, there was introduced the " urgent" code, at double the ordinary rate. From the Ist July, 1878, a "delayed" system was introduced, the rate being fixed at 6d. for ten words, exclusive of address and signature up to ten words, and £d. for each additional word. From the Ist February, 1892, the number of words allowed for the minimum charge in each case was increased to twelve, with free address and signature up to six words. From the 15th August, 1892, the ordinary rate was fixed at Is. for eighteen words, including address and signature. From the Ist June, 1896, the rate was fixed at 6d. for twelve words, including address and signature, and Id. for each additional word; and "delayed" telegrams were abolished. From the Ist November, 1906, the charge for additional words was reduced to Jd. each. From the 23rd September, 1915, the ordinary rate was increased from 6d. to Bd. for twelve words (" urgent" Is. 2d.); and on the Ist August, 1920, it was further increased to Is. for twelve words and Id. for each additional word ; ("urgent" 25., and 2d. for each additional word); Sundays and holidays, double rates. From the Ist November, 1920, there was introduced a system of night letter-telegrams, to be delivered by post on the morning following the day of presentation. The rate (since altered) was Is. 6d. for thirty-six words and for each additional word. From the Ist February, 1923, the rate for ordinary telegrams was reduced to 9d. for twelve words, the charge for each additional word remaining at Id. ("urgent" Is. 6d., and 2d. for each additional word). From the same date the night letter-telegram rate was reduced to 9d. for twenty-seven words and Id. for each additional three words.

Table No. 11. Comparative Table showing the Development in the Telegraph, Toll, and Telephone-exchange Services during the Ten-year Periods ended 30th June, 1866 and 1876, the 31st December, 1886, the 31st March, 1896, 1906, 1916; and the past Five Years.

49

Telegraph and Toll. Number of Telegrams and Toll Messages forwarded during the Year. Revenue in respect of Telegraph, Toll, and Telephone-exchange Services. Telegrams. Telegraph. Total Year. Number Number number : r Tote! ; 1 i 7 r 1 Telephone Tele 8 ra P h > M pn?e°' Miles °' Offices Inland | Total Inland j Miscel- Total Revenue. ® xchan g e Telephoneline" Wire - °P ened - Ordinary. Urgent. Press. mint"" I Number of Messages. Ordinary, i Urgent. Press. fS™* mint?" Teksranh Tele g ra Ph Eevenue. exchange gjams. j Telegrams. gSms. | Revenue RCTeIlue - I j 1 I ! 1 1 £■££££ £ £ £ £ £ 30th June, 1866 699 1,390 13 *24,761 .. .. .. 2,476 27,237 .. *5,562 .. .. .. 483 .. 6,045 .. .. 6,045 1876 3,154 7,247 142 *890,382 .. .. .. 160,704 1,051,086 .. *62,716 .. .. .. 16,154 .. 78,870 .. .. 78,870 31st Dec., 1886 4,546 11,178 412 *tl,583,717 .. .. .. 252,549 1,836,266 .. *f88,385 .. .. .. 27,281 .. 115,666 .. {18,254 133,920 31st Mar., 1896 6,245i 15.764J 743 fl,553, 232 59,038 198.108 .. 224,579 2,034,957 89,254 f 7 3.160 7,510 9,508 .. 25,844 4,889 120,911 2,110 25,934 148,955 1906 8,355 25,116 1,312 3,995,998 211,571 379,185 .. 289,135 4,875,889 764,330 133,204 12,807 18,095 .. 24,168 3,895 192,169 16,368 89,542 298,079 1916 13,684 48,052 2,413 6,062,131 299,823 383,155 .. 127,841 6,872,950 3,963,801 223,843 22,770 27,557 .. 9,085 163,488 446,743 111,969 287,547 846,259 1922 13,767 52,176 2,327 5,341,479 238,024 364,535 18,210 152,428 6,114,676 6,819,789 336,660 31,366 47,437 1,639 8,458 12,009 437,569 268,753 614,367 1,320,689 1923 11,912 48,616 2,307 5,285,175 228,904 389,607 32,880 170,385 6,106,951 7,406,257 322,372 27,448 52,695 2,554 9,728 13,936 428,733 294,374 595.967 1,319,074 1924 12,954 52,910 2,295 5,581,185 265,772 432,120 106,219 69,597 6,454,893 3.021,973 288,183 27,686 61,661 5,287 4,930 11,566 399,313 317,512 830.470 1,547,295 1925 12,938 56,415 2,264 5,827,745 292,885 461,875 215,473 61,560 6,859,538 8,612,412 300,426 30,145 63,601 10,535 4,420 15,190 424,317 344,393 867,218 1,635,928 1926 13,052 59,791 2,221 6,043,563 317,021 488,487 317,484 58,460 7,225,015 8,976,859 310,039 32,385 67,481 14,738 4,992 17,158 446,793 358,037 :980,283 1,785,113 ! ' ' I ! j I _J I > j * Includes private, Press, and Provincial Government messages. t Includes " delayed" telegrams. X Includes miscellaneous telegraph revenue.