WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2966, 17 August 1878, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Friday,

The b.s. Zealandia, with the July London mails of the 18th, left San Erancisco on the sth August, contract date.

The City of Sydney, with the New Zealand July mails from Auckland of the 23rd July, arrived at San Francisco on the 14th August, one day in advance of contract date.

The annual Postal report just published says the recent general postal union may be regarded as one of the most important events bearing on the future administration of the postal service, and although the decision to join the same will entail a small loss of revenue, it is held that from the many important advantages secured the colony should bo prepared to incur the loss. The absence of any serious complaint against the departments is a proof that the public interests are well cared for. It is intended to establish a land parcels post, by which merchandise, raw and manufactured, and many other articles; may be forwarded through post at nominal rates. Owing to arrangements made with Imperial Post-office authorities by the A gent-General, arrears of postage to the amount of £3,600 due to the colony have been paid. Penny savings banks at schools and factories may be established, and the necessary forms are being printed. The question' of establishing suburban deliveries is under consideration. The gross revenue for the year is £49,101. The estimated expenditure is £135,389, being £4,846 less than the expenditure for the preceding year. The increase of letters is 1,284,133; books and newspapers, 845,743; equal to 10 per cent. Tlie circulation of post cards has not diminished the revenue. The cost of free or officially franked correspondent has been £52,848 ; newspaper wrappers sold amount to £72,130 (?): unclaimed or dead letters dealt with, £65,953; registered letters, £60,587. New post-offices are to be built

at Wellington and Timaru. Comparisons are made-between the time taken in delivering Londpn mails via San Francisco and Suezl >By the former mails have been delivered at Wellington in 42 days; by the latter, at shortest, in 47 days. The net cost to the colony of the San Francisco service, £13,181 (?); Suez service, £6,844; money orders 99,672, for £334,973. - The revenue, from money orders, is £5,714, and savings bank deposits £60,953, representing £681,294. There was an excess of deposits over withdrawals of £14,271.