THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S REPORT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1406, 17 August 1878, Page 3

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S REPORT.

[By Telegbaph.] Wellington, August 16. The annual postal report just published says that the recent general postal union may bo regarded as one of the most important ovents bearing on the future administration of postal service, and although the decision to join tho same will entail a small loss of revenue, it is held that owing to the many important advantages secured, the colony should bo prepared to incur the loss. The abseneo of any serious complaint against the department is proof that tho public interests are well cared for. It is hit-ended to establish an inland parcels' post, by which merchandise, raw and manufactured, and many other articles m-vy bo forwarded through the post at nominal rates. O wing to tho arrangements made with the Imperial Post-Office authorities by the AgentGreneral, arrears of postages to tho amount of £36,000, duo to the colony, has been paid. Penny savings banks at schools and factories may bo established, and the necessary forms are being printed. The question of establishing suburban deliveries is under consideration. The gross revenue for the year is £114,291. The estimated expenditure is £135,359, being £4846 lees than the expenditure of the preceding year. The increase of letters was 1,234,133, and of books and newspapers 815,743, equal to 10 per cent. Tho circulation of post cards has not diminished tho revenue. The cost of free or officially franked correspondence has been £52,818. Tho newspaper wrappers sold amount to 72,130. T'io unclaimed or dead letters dealt, with were 05,953; registered letters, 60,5.8'/. New post offices are to be built at Wellingon and Timaru. Comparisons are made between the time taken in the delivery of the London mails via San Francisco and Suez. By tho former the mails have been delivered at Wellington in forty-two days, by the latter in the shorter time of thirty-seven days. The nett cost to the colony of the San Francisco service for the year was £13,181, and of the Sues service £6844. Tho money orders istucd were 90,672, for £334,973. The revenue from money orders was £5714. The Savings' Bank deposits were 60,953 in number, representing £681,294. There was an exess of deposits over withdrawals of £141,271.