THE POST OFFICE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1927, Page 4

THE POST OFFICE

REV KNEE AND KX PENDHTRI-

WELLINGTON, Aug. 22

'[’l.iim.ua! Rriiort of llio Post ami Tei'ogrnpli Department laid on tne table of the House of Representatives to-day slums that the receipts for the past year have increased, while tlio expenditure has been lessened. The im rease in receipts is £120.270, and the decrease in payments £(52,282. Receipts exceeded payments hy £874.292.

“ It is obvious, however.” states the Hon. Mr Nosworthy, Postmaster-Gen-eral, " that in a growing Department iii a growing country, such as New Zealand, expenditure can be curtailed nr kept down only by the constant vigilance of Departmental officers.' The .Minister makes reference to the

general efficiency of the staff. The .Depart ment was concerned with transport arrangements as well as communication facilities in connexion with the visit: of tlu> Duke and Duchess of York in which it further enhanced its reputation.

iii tho Savings' Bunk, the wftndrawals exceeded the deposits, hut the excess oi' withdrawals was less by £75,639 than the excess for tlic precious year. The number of accounts increased by 2.5,("2. The number of depositors at .March .‘list last was 783,827 and the total amount at their credit IMS, 98.5..502.

The Department now delivers and coli’eets railway parcels in Wellington, work that was previously done by contractor. The rural delivery system, a iKilicy that lias been more than Justified, has worked satisfetorily. Ttio introduction of the machine-printing telegraphs has proved an unqualified success. The system has been extended to Wanganui and Napier. In regard to automatic exchanges it is hoped to convert those at Stratford, Danncviike, and Dunedin in the near future. The Dunedin service has been delayed, lmt after the cut-over, it will bo equal to any in the world. There lias been an increased demand for public call telephone and tlie demand has been met in the most pressing eases. In future, the cabins will be of concrete, steel, or wood :ir, cording to the partieui'ar location. Tho

revenue : from their -source is increasing. * On March 31st last, there were 18,102 radio receiving licenses. At the same period in 1925, there were but 3588.

The reorganisation of the stores branch has been carried another step by setting up in the secretary’s office a division to purchase supplies and to arrange for the maintenance of necessary stocks at various points. District stores have now been opened under stores managers at Christchurch and Dunedin. Christchurch controls stores on the West Coast of the South Island, while Dunedin controls stores in Otago and Southland. Under the new arnngement, stores, particularly those of a bulky nature, purchased overseas, can he consigned to the point at which they will lie brought into use. thus effecting considerable savings in freight and handling charges.

By the lire on the Remuera, 200 parcels, including a few insured, were destroyed. and a large number more or less damaged. At March 31st, 1(52,341 motor vehicles were registered. 100,430 in the North, and 61,911 in the South Tsi'and.