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POST OFFICE. INCREASE IN POSTAGE RATES. To obtain revenue for the Consolidated Fund for the year ending the 31st March, 1932, postage rates and charges were increased as under on the Ist March, 1931 : —

INLAND MAIL SERVICES. Except for the interruptions due to the earthquake in Hawke's Bay, particulars of which are furnished in the paragraph concerning the earthquake published 011 page 14 of this report, mailservices by road have been performed with regularity throughout the year. The contracts for the various services performed under contract in the North Island expired on the 31st December, and new contracts were arranged for a further period of three years from the Ist January. The result of the reletting was most satisfactory, a saving in subsidies of approximately £4,500 per annum being effected, notwithstanding that a number of improvements were effected. For most services there was keen competition. There was a noticeable increase in the number of tenders received for " blocks " of services. There is a distinct tendency towards the centralization in the larger towns of the commencing-points of 'the services to outlying districts, the existence of many motor passenger services resulting in road mail-services being run from the larger centres. Gisborne is now provided with a night mail-service by road to and from Napier, with the result that all mail-matter (except ordinary parcels) is available in Gisborne twenty-four hours after despatch from Wellington. Parcels that are not sent " express transit " reach Gisborne thirty-eight hours after leaving Wellington. Previously letters only were carried on the night service, and parcels and second-class matter on a next-day service. The cost of the new service is considerably less than the cost of the former separate services. Another improvement was effected by arranging for mails to and from Kaitaia and Awanui and other places in the district to be conveyed via the Mangamuka Gorge. Formerly most of the Kaitaia and Awanui mails were conveyed via Kaeo and Mangonui. Rawene and other places on or adjacent to the Hokianga River, previously served by launch from Horeke, are now served by roacl from Kaikohe. The mail-service route for Dargaville has also been altered. Mails for and from that place are now transported by rail and road via Tangowahine (the present terminus of the new railway for Dargaville) at a considerable saving in cost, the former contract river mail-service between Helensville and Dargaville having been dispensed with.

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Item. J Old Rate. New Rate. Letters and letter-cards for inland Id. for first ounce and |d. for each 2d. for first ounce and Id. for each delivery additional ounce additional ounce. Letters and letter-cards addressed to Id. for each ounce . . . . 2d. for first ounce and Id. for each places within the Empire, United additional ounce. States, and certain other places Late fee . . . . . . Id. . . . . . . .. 2d. Post-cards (inland) .. . . Jd. . . . . . . . . Id. Inland packets .. . . . . fd. for each 2 oz. or fraction thereof Id. for each 4oz. or fraction thereof up up to 2 lb., and 2d. for each to 1 lb., and 4d. for each additional additional pound up to 5 lb. pound up to 5 lb. Registered magazines .. . . Each copy Id. for each 8 oz. or fraction Each copy 2d. for each 8 oz. or fraction thereof thereof. Newspapers— Inland . . . . .. £d. per copy .. .. .. Each copy Id. for each 8 oz. (From 23rd March, rate altered to Id. for each 16 oz.) Overseas to all places to which Id. per copy . . . . .. Each copy Id. for each 6 oz. Postal Union rates do not apply (From 13th April, rate altered to Id. for each 16 oz.) Registration . . . . . . 3d. .. .. .. . . 4d. Acknowledgment of receipt of regis- 2Jd. . . .. .. . . 3d. tered article Parcels (inland) .. .. .. Not exceeding lib., 6d. ; for each Not exceeding 1 lb., 6d. ; not exceeding additional pound up to 10 lb., 2d. ; 2 lb., Is. ; for each additional pound and for each additional pound up up to 11 lb., 3d. ; maximum weight, to 281b., Id.; maximum weight, 11 lb.; maximum size, 6 ft. in length 28 lb. ; maximum size, 7 ft. in and girth combined. length and girth combined Parcels (inland) containing fishing-rods Not exceeding 3 lb., Is. 6d. ; for each Not exceeding 3 lb., 2s. 6d. ; for each and golf-clubs exceeding 3 ft. 6 in. additional pound or fraction thereof additional pound or fraction thereof but not exceeding 4 ft. 6 in. in length up to 11 lb., 3d. up to 11 lb., 3d. Fragile fee— For ordinary sized parcels .. 6d. .. . . .. Is. For light bulky parcels . . .. 9d. . . . . .. ... Is. 6d. Insurance of parcels (inland) .. Minimum fee, 3d. .. .. Minimum fee, 4d. Undelivered printer matter returned Jd. .. . . .. .. Id. to sender Customs clearance fee .. .. 3d. . . .. . . 6d.