A BANQUET

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1670, 9 February 1906, Page 2

A BANQUET

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S REPLY.

(Per Press Association.)

Wellington, last nigl

Sir Joseph Ward, who leaves on Saturday for Sydney en route to Europe for the purpose of attending the Postal Conference, was QQtertsico'i at a complimentary banquet held in the Town Hall this evening. About '2OO citizens wore present, Tne Mayor presided.' The Premier and other members of the Ministry were present. Tho toast of the guest of the evening was proposed by the Hon. T. K. Maodonald, who eulogised the work done by Sir Joseph at the head of his several Departments, la the course of hie reply, Sir Joseph stated that ho looked forward with sanguineness to the result of his effort to bring about a universal system of Id postage. Since the establishment of Id postage in New Zealand tho saving to tho public on tho increased number of letters amounted to £415,009. The revenue from letters posted within the colony since that time had amounted to £847,093; x If the old rates had been in operation it would have amounted to £1,234,481. Sinoe the establishment of the sixpenny telegram system the saving to tbo publio on the inoreased business amounted to £383,631. The concessions given to the publio by the reduction of passenger fares in five years amounted to over £236.000, and in respect of srason tickets to £16,215.