BANQUET TO SIR J. G. WARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8046, 9 February 1906, Page 2

BANQUET TO SIR J. G. WARD.

POSTAL WORK. LN'IERESTIN'G FIGURES. I'EK I'UKSS ASSOCIATION. AViii.MNinuN, February 8. Kir Joseph Ward, who leaves ou Saturday for Syduey, en route to Europe, for the purpose of atlciidiug the Postal 'JonCerence, was entertained nl u complimentary banquet held in the Town Hull this evening. About two hundred citizens were present. The Mayor presided. The Premier and other members of the Ministry were present. The toast of " The guest of (lie evening" was proposed by Hon. T. K. McDonald, who eulogised the work done by (Sir Joseph ul the head of his several departments. In the course of his reply, Sir Joseph stated that he looked forward with sanguine. uess to Ihe result of las efforts to bring about an universal system of penny postage. Since the establishment of penny postage in New Zealand, thosaving to the public ou the increased number of lcUcraJaniounted to t'ilo,05'.). The revenue from letters posted within the colony since that, time had amounted to 4847,093. If tho old rates had been in operation it would have amounted lo £1,234,481. Since the establishment of the sixpenny tele, gram system, the saving to the public, on increased business amounted to £3H3,ti3l. The concession given to the public by the reduction of passeu. gcr fares in live years amounted to over £33(>,000, and in respect of season tickets, lo £10,215,