F.—l.

Since the inception of the Branch in 1930 the personnel of the field staff has been increased from time to time and is now as follows : Wellington, 5 ; Auckland, 4 ; Christchurch, 3 ; Dunedin, 2 : a total of 14 officers. In view of the success which has been achieved by officers operating at the four main centres, special efforts to secure new telephone business are now being conducted at other large centres and are meeting with a considerable measure of success. Newspaper advertising by the Department was inaugurated in November, 1934. Other publicity measures respecting departmental services are taken from time to time by the distribution through departmental channels of advertising leaflets, folders, and dockets, and the exhibition of posters at post-offices. During the period 10th-27th April, 1935, a departmental stall was established at the Wellington Winter Show for the purpose of demonstrating certain phases of the Department's activities in respect of telegraph, telephone, and toll services, particularly the overseas radio telephone service. The arrangement was most successful, great interest being displayed by the public in the various services. This publicity served to demonstrate the availability and reliability of the overseas radio-telephone service. In this connection an acknowledgment is due to the Australian Administration for its ready co-operation in the arrangement. During the period 4th-14th March last the Department reciprocated by co-operating in a similar series of radio-telephone demonstration calls arranged by the Commonwealth authorities at the Sydney Radio Exhibition. STORES BRANCH. The value of stores received and issued in the Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington storekeeping districts during the year, and the value of stocks held at the end of the year, are shown in the following statement in comparison with the figures for the previous year : —

The total value of orders placed during the year was £344,387. Of this amount, £170,701 represented the cost of stores for supply from within the Dominion, including £33,965 for stores purchased under contracts arranged by the Stores Control Board. The total value of orders placed during the previous year was £272,879. Particulars of purchases arranged by the Post and Telegraph Department on account of other Departments under the Stores Control Board Regulations are set out hereunder, the figures for the previous year being shown also : —

During the year the purchase of 214 motor-vehicles for other Departments and 87 motor-vehicles for the Post and Telegraph Department was arranged. The figures for the previous year were 168 and 28 respectively. Sale of Obsolete and Unserviceable Material. A number of auction sales of obsolete and unserviceable material, including worn-out motorvehicles from various Departments, was held during the year. The total value of property disposed of was £10,882 18s. 2d. This sum includes the value of scrap lead and other metals. Marine Insurance Fund. The insurable value of stores from countries within the Empire and the United States of America covered under the New Zealand Government Marine Insurance Fund was £172,211.

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1935-36. 1934-35. Rpopirtts * Issues * St0ck 0n haIld > Receiots * Issues * Stock 0n hand ' Keceipts. issues. 3i st March, 1936. Uecel P ts - ! issues - 31st March, 1935. ££££££ Auckland .. 132,898 148,525 95,658 98,611 97,370 111,285 Christchurch .. 57,294 61,520 66,880 51,326 53,892 71,106 Dunedin .. 33,631 40,380 41,495 29,646 29,070 48,244 Wellington .. 276,713 284,137 249,200 192,054 192,264 256,624 Dominion totals .. 500,536 534,562 453,233 371,637 372,596 487,259 * Excluding transfers within storekeeping districts.

Value of Items purchased. Year ended Requisitions. Items. On Indent. Locally. Total. £ £ £ 31st March, 1936 .. 3,713 16,871 20,800 96,645 117,445 31st March, 1935 .. 3,659 17,838 25,025 54,371 79,396