POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 191, 18 August 1900, Page 3

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

In the House of Representatives, on Friday, the Hon. J. G. Ward, Minister for Railways, delivered his first annual statement, of which the following is a summary : —To inaugurate the new century a universal penny post is to be introduced into tho colony from Ist January, 1901, it being estimated that only a few years will elapse beforo the loss at the outset will be mado up. The telegraph business had increased beyond the most sanguine estimate. The amount to credit of depositors in the Savings Bank was £5,320,370, as agairst £4,907,771 last year. Payments ta old age pensioners had entailed much extra work, and necessitated increase in mono/ order offices. It is proposed to extend to other large offices the automatic post marking machine as used with great success in Wellington. Parcel post had been established with America. The Oceanic Company's offer re conveyance of 'Frisco mail will bo considered, with proposals for a new contract, which are to be submitted o tho llouse—the basis of payment is understood to be £150,000 per annum. A money order convention with Cook Island had been signed, and should prove a boon to the islanders. The to al value of tho telegraph and tjle phono business for tho yrar was £192,376 as ayainst £170,794. The demand for telephones still continues.