F.—l.

CORONATION MEDALS. The sale of Coronation medals in the Dominion was undertaken by the Department the total number sold being 7,085. COMMERCIAL BRANCH. With the steadily increasing knowledge on the part of the public that officers are available to give advice on all matters pertaining to the Department's activities, the call for the services of commercial in an advisory capacity has become greater. Notwithstanding the demands thus made on officers' time, the search for new business, which constitutes the primary function of the Branch has been pursued actively. Apart from the large number of transactions which do not affect the revenue position, such as the internal or external removals of telephones, the rearrangement of existing equipment and the transfer of telephones from one person to another, the revenue value of the business secured by the Branch during the year amounted to £69,204, compared with £66,634 for the preceding year. The value of the telephone business obtained was £48,041, the balance (£21,163) representing advertising, postal and miscellaneous business. Publicity measures respecting various phases of the Department's activities were continued, both by newspaper advertising and by the distribution of folders and leaflets. STORES BRANCH. The following statement shows 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. For the purpose of comparison the particulars for the previous year are shown also

The total value of orders placed during the year was £980,491. Of this amount £297,893 represented the cost of stores for supply from within the Dominion, including £50,707 for stores purchased under contracts arranged by the Stores Control Board. The total value of orders placed during the previous year was £805,624. 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 404 motor-vehicles for- other Departments and 107 motorvehicles for the Post and Telegraph Department was arranged. The figures for the previous year were 454- and 234, respectively. Sale of Obsolete and Unserviceable Material. Several auction sales of obsolete and unserviceable material, including worn-out motor-vehicles from various Departments, were held during the year. The total value of property disposed of was £3,293. This sum includes the value of scrap copper 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 £618,865.

14

1937-38. 1936-37. _ ReCeiptS -* | l8SU6S -* j 3 1 at Mareh^l938. J I—-* £ £ £ £ £ £ Auckland .. 272,554 234,953 140,909 192,910 185,260 103,308 Christchurcli .. 107,136 98,113 70,491 72,533 77,945 61'468 Dunedin .. 84,109 75,162 50,481 47,385 47,346 41^534 Wellington .. 630,849 532,839 346,538 349,836 350,508 248' 528 Dominion totals .. 1,094,648 941,067 608,419 662,664 661,059 .454,838 * Excluding transfers within storekeeping districts.

Value of Items purchased. Year ended Requisitions. Items. On Indent. Locally. Total. £ £ £ 31st March, 1938 .. 4,328 21,058 20,088 199,979 220 067 31st March, 1937 .. , 4,363 19,182 16,332 171,073 187,405