11.-3(5

1928. NEW ZEALAND.

PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1928.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Sir, — Printing and Stationery Department, Wellington, Bth August, 1928. I have the honour to submit the annual report upon the working of this Department for the year ended 31st March, 1928. The tables accompanying the report show the nature, extent, and result of the year's working. Gazette. —The number printed of each issue was 1,120, the number of subscribers 557, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £2,969. Hansard. —The number printed of each issue for session 1927 was 6,800, the number of subscribers 146, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £192. Stamp-printing. —Stamps to the value of £5,572,405, postal notes to the value of £21,581, and Post Office investment certificates to the value of £4,721,900 were printed. Stereo and Electro Plates. —The number of stereo-plates cast during the year was 42,429, of which 2,031 were nickel-plated, the weight being 24,597 lb. The number of electrotypes was 916, and the weight 3,491 lb. Rubber Stamps.—The number of rubber stamps made was 1,132. Railway Tickets. —6,796,519 railway tickets were printed, the largest number (1,355,718) being printed in October. Work of the Year.—The various branches of the Department have been kept fairly busy throughout the year, but there has not been the same necessity to work overtime in order to keep pace with requirements. The installation of modern machinery has contributed in no small measure to the reduction in the amount of overtime as compared with previous years. The volume of work in the Photo-litho and Process Engraving Branch has been maintained. The branch dealt with 54 maps of survey districts, boroughs, and town districts, 117 sale plans and posters, 5 large county maps, 324 miscellaneous maps, plans, cheque forms, debenture forms, letter headings, and diagrams. 3,000 process blocks were made, in addition to a number of bromide prints, enlargements, lantern-slides, and transparencies. The Stationery Office dealt with 12,215 requisitions for stationery, the total sales amounting to £35,737. These requisitions comprised 129,848 items, and, in addition to parcels, 2,429 cases of stationery were despatched. Cash orders numbered 7,648. In addition, 153 typewriters, of the value of £2,435, were issued to Government Departments. Paper.—Stocks throughout the year have been kept up to the required standard, and prices for the main supply of paper have been satisfactory The issues for the year amounted to £45,546, comprising 80,000 packages of paper and boards, and 14,000,000 envelopes. Machinery. —During the year several old machines have been disposed of at satisfactory prices and more up-to-date machinery installed. An oSset machine, which will enable this Department to carry out all classes of colour work and to undertake special work in connection with publicity publications, has been ordered. Buildings and Accommodation. —The natural lighting of the composing-rooms in the old portion of the building has been greatly improved. The necessary alterations to the windows were carried out by the Public Works Department without any inconvenience to the work of the Composing Branch. Staff. —I have pleasure in testifying to the whole-hearted services of those holding responsible positions, while the staff generally has worked well. I have, &c., W. A. G. Skinner, The Hon. the Minister in Charge. Government Printer.