GOVERNMENT PRINTING DEPARTMENT (REPORT ON, FOR THE YEAR 1881).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1882 Session I, H-11

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1882. NEW ZEALAND.

GOVERNMENT PRINTING DEPARTMENT (REPORT ON, FOR THE YEAR 1881).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Government Printing Office, Sib,— Wellington, 29th May, 1882. I have the honor to submit the following report on the operations of the Printing Department and Stationery Store for the year 1881. In no previous year have the requirements of the several departments been more promptly met, or so few complaints made of delays in the execution of orders. These, however vexatious, are unavoidable at times, and beyond the power of ordinary prudence and foresight to guard against; but a judicious subdivision of labour, combined with the hearty co-operation of the overseers, and improved machinery and appliances, have enabled the department to deal more promptly with the numerous orders for printing received. DEPARTMENTAL RETURNS. The returns appended to this report are —(1) Balance-sheet of the department for the year 1881; (2) return of the printing and binding executed ; (3) the number and classification of the employes; (4) the quantity and value of paper and parchment consumed; (5) the value of work pei'formed at the Lyttelton Gaol. The balance-sheet is given in greater detail than formerly, and affords fuller information under the various heads in which the expenditure is divided. One noticeable feature is the large reduction which it shows in the expenditure for printing as compared with that of the previous year. In 1880 the expenditure of the department was £17,742, which, with the addition of £294 paid to local printers during the session for work which the department could not undertake, amounted to £18,036. Last year the total expenditure was £14,733, and, as no work was given out during the session, the reduction in expenditure amounted to £3,303. In the amount for wages and overtime alone the respective totals for 1880 and 1881 were £16,711, as against £14,076, or less during the latter year by £2,635. The receipts from Gazette advertisements and subscriptions, and from sale of Government publications, &c, show a steady increase, and amounted to £2,757 17s. 2d. The return of employes shows the number engaged in the department dui'ing each month in the year. During the month of August last the number reached 145, but was reduced in December following to 91. The average per month was 121, as compared with 135 5 for the previous year. "With reference to the return of work performed at the Lyttelton Gaol, it will be found that during the year work to the value of £586 4s. Bd. was performed for the Railway Department. The work sent from the Printing Department to be executed consisted almost exclusively of legal and other forms, to keep up the stock in the Stationery Store, lleturns of work performed are sent to me by the Chief Gaoler at the end of each month, accompanied by files containing a copy of each job printed. With the quality of the work I have no fault to find. MACHINERY, ETC. The gas-engines recently imported to take the place of steam as a motor fully bear out the economic and other advantages claimed for them by the makers (Messrs. Crossley Brothers). The two engines now at work (of 3i- and 6-horse-power respectively) are estimated to effect a saving of about £225 a year; and if to that be added the greatly-reduced risk from fire, the cleanliness, and the saving in time effected by being able to start them at full power whenever wanted, the change from steam to gas may be regarded as in every respect a most desirable one. The folding machine has been rendered much more serviceable by the improvement in the mode of delivering the, sheets, effected by the engineer to the department. Formerly only certain descriptions of paper could be folded, but now no difficulty is experienced, however limp or flimsy the sheets may be. Among the new machinery introduced into the binding branch during the year is an embossing press, which now enables the requirements of departments to be met which were formerly dependent on private establishments for this class of work. One of Brehmer's wire-stitching machines, also recently introduced, is found so great a convenience that I propose ordering one or two more of them. It enables books, pamphlets, &c, to be fastened with wire staples instead of thread. The machine is adjustable to various-sized staples, according to the thickness of the book ;to be stitched. The inconvenience experienced occasionally, during the session, by the operation of the Females Employment Act, will be overcome by its use. I—EL. 11.

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Among the productions of the binding branch may be mentioned the copying portfolios now so generally used by departments. Polygraphs are also made when required, but the demand for them isdiminishing since the introduction of the portfolio. EXAMINATION OF PRINTERS' ACCOUNTS. The examination of all accounts for printing and advertising is a duty with which the department is charged. The number of vouchers which passed under review during the last year was 4,480, and the deductions made therein amounted to £150 12s. Bd., being at the rate of sjd. off each account. This average is about the same as that for the year 1880. ELECTORAL ROLLS. Though not strictly coming within the scope of this report, I deem it my duty to offer a few remarks on the printing of the electoral rolls, which were executed at the private printing offices in the colony prior to the late general election. The whole of the accounts for this printing having been submitted in the ordinary course for inspection, placed me in possession of all necessary information as to the cost of printing the rolls in each electoral district. Tenders were invited for the work in every instance, but there was little or no competition in many places, owing to the short time allowed for executing the work. Where competition was keen the prices were reasonable, and exhibit a marked contrast to those obtained by printers who had the field to themselves. For instance, in some districts the work was done for Bs., Bs. 6d., and 9s. per page, while in others 305., 31s. 6d., and in one case actually 50s. per page were demanded and paid. The total cost of printing the rolls for the ninety-one electorates was £2,154 14s. 7d. It has been found desirable in some of the Australian Colonies to purchase a sufficient stock of type and material to admit of the whole of the electoral rolls being kept standing from year to }'ear, thus saving the cost, labour, and delay of resetting whenever a reprint is required. Should it be thought advisable to adopt a similar plan in this colony, it would be necessary to purchase a supply of type sufficient to keep 2,550 pages standing, representing 21 tons weight of material, which, at £120 per ton, would cost £2,520. The amount paid for printing the rolls for the last election (£2,154 14s. 7d.) would, within a few hundred pounds, have been sufficient to defray the cost of the necessary material. The first cost of setting up the typo would not be more than 7s. per page, or, say, £892 ; after which any subsequent editions could be got out for the whole of the electorates at a cost of not more than £150. While on this subject, I would point out that the cost for composition and the outlay for type would be considerably lessened were the tabular form dispensed with. The alteration in style would be found equally as convenient for all practical purposes, while the ugly blanks in the last column caused by the introduction of the residential qualification would be avoided.* WANT OF ACCOMMODATION. The necessity for the enlargement of the premises is becoming year by year more pressing. But for the inconvenient and unsuitable character of the building, one of the gas-engines at present used could be made to supply all the power required. Much space is lost by the number of rooms into which the building is divided ; and, in many of these, the light is very indifferent. The yard has been gradually encroached upon until now barely sufficient space is left for a cart to enter. The lithographic "branch of the Survey Department occupies a portion of the building, and is unable to introduce some much-needed machinery in consequence of the lack of accommodation. The buildings are erected on leasehold ground, and, as the lease will expire in a few years, representations were made to the Minister of Lands, which led to half an acre being reserved on the reclaimed land as a site for the erection of a new printing and lithographic office, and the necessary provision being made on the Estimates for the erection of a portion of the structure to accommodate the lithographic branch. STEREOTYPE AND ELECTROTYPE BRANCH. During the past year a new series of postage- and revenue-stamps have been turned out. They consist of seven electrotyped plates, of 240 stamps in each, of values ranging from one penny to one shilling. These stamps are entirely of local production, the credit of which is due to the combined efforts of Messrs. W. li. Norris, A. Bock, and W. H. Kirk. The design and execution compare favourably with those now in use in the Australian Colonies. A new series of beer-duty-stamps have been designed, and are now in course of execution. They are about twice the size of those now used, being 2f inches square. These, like the new postage- and revenue-stamps, are entirely of local production. Amongst the new industries added to this branch during the past year is the manufacture of rubber-stamps, which are extensively used by Government departments, and have hitherto been purchased from private manufacturers, at prices varying from 15s. to 255. each. The advantages of carrying on the industry in connection with the stereotyping branch are that the moulds can be taken by the same process, and the work performed by the stereotyper in addition to his other duties, thus enabling the stamps to be manufactured at a cost of not more than Is. 6d. each. The necessary ink, ink-pads, and turned handles for the stamps are all made on the premises. Autograph and departmental stamps have been supplied to departments as requisitioned for, and in future the requirements of the public service throughout the colony can be provided for at a merely nominal cost.

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* The following specimen is given as an illustration of the style recommended : — 5. Alexander, Joseph, Naseby, miner; residential 10. Jopp, William, Rough Ridge, miner ; residential 6. Allen, Peter, Serpentine, miner ; residential 11. Jones, George, Idaburn, labourer ; residential 1. Anderson, John, Bluekstone Hill, farmer; residential 12. Robinson, John, Hamilton, setller ; freehold land, 8. Askin, John, Hyde, farmer ; residential Hamilton 9. Coram, James, Naseby, hotelkeeper ; freehold land, 13. Rice, William, Kyeburn, carrier; freehold land, Kyeburn BTaseby 14. Mountain, Thomas, Kden Creek, shepherd ; residential

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Electrotyped stamps for cancelling purposes have also been supplied to all the Law Courts, Wardens' Courts, and District Land Registrars throughout the colony. These were at first proposed to be cut in steel, with movable dates similar to those used in the Post Offices ; but the expense attending their manufacture was so great, and the time allowed for their execution so limited, that resort was eventually had to the stereotype process, by which 229 of these stamps were manufactured within the time allowed, at a cost of not more than one shilling each. The usefulness of this branch is year by year becoming more manifest, and I must in justice add that this is largely due to the intelligence and ability of the stereotyper (Mr. Kirk). The railway-tickets for the whole colony are printed and issued under the supervision of the stereotyper. The tickets are printed by Waterlow's inimitable'machines, three of which are in use, and the operation of counting the tickets before issue is also performed by machinery, hence mistakes are of rare occurrence. Another machine is brought into requisition to chop up the "used" tickets into small pieces when returned, after which they are packed up with the waste-paper and sold to the mills. The number of different stations required to be provided with tickets is 470, and the total number of tickets issued during the year was 1,521,135. STATIONERY STORE BRANCH. The work carried on in the store during the past year appears to have given general satisfaction' and complaints arising through non-delivery. of stores are now seldom heard of. The number of requisitions received during the past two years were as follows : In 1880, 8,570 requisitions, containing 30,118 items, or 421 in each ; in 1881, 7,209 requisitions, containing 45,370 items, or 603 in each. The annual order for stationery is sent to the Agent-General, who calls for tenders in England for the supplies. The value of the order sent in 1880 was £7,883 ;in 1881, £8,095. The expenditure in the colony in the purchase of stationery during the last year has been small compared with former years, and amounted to £384, as against £881 during the year 1880. The receipts from sale of publications show an increase of £108 4s. over those of the previous year, and amounted to £1,385 12s. The waste-paper exported during the year shows a decrease of 12 tons, which may, I presume, be regarded as satisfactory. The use of cancelled forms for many purposes instead of clean paper has had an appreciable effect in bringing about this result. During 1881, 43 tons of waste-paper were shipped from Wellington, 21 of which were sent to England, and 22 disposed of to paper-mills within the colony. The amount shipped from Wellington in 1880 was 55 tons. I have, &c, Geo. DiDSßiiiiT, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Government Printer.

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Table No. 1. Balance-sheet of the Government Printing Office for the Year ending 31st December, 1881.

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Dr. Peinting Branch :— Permanent Hands —Wages ... „ Overtime Extra general hands —Time-hands „ Piece-hands „ Overtime Hansard hands —Time-hands „ Piece-hands „ Overtime Additions to stock Working expenses £ s. d. 5,1.3 12 6 263 4 7 2,645 4 6 912 18 9 40 9 o 1,089 9 ° 833 o 2 205 o o 181 14 4 149 2 o £ s. d. 5>43 6 >7 « 3,59 8 l2 3 2,127 9 2 330 16 4 £ s. d. Cr. Peinting Beanch :— Value of work, as per detailed statement Cash Receipts, — Advertisements Gazette subscriptions ... Miscellaneous Sale of official publications by Stationery Store Land Transfer advertisements Gold-mining lease advertisements Value of manufactured material, repairs, &c, by office engineer ... £ s. d. 656 6 5 55 7 6 121 4 10 1,385 12 2 >39 o 3 287 4 o 113 2 o £ s. d. 16,400 19 10 £ s. d. 2,757 J7 2 19,158 17 o Euel G-as Moiety of ground-rent 172 9 2 158 10 6 100 o o Binding Beanch :— Permanent hands —Wages ... „ Overtime Extra hands —Wages ,, Overtime Additions to stock Working expenses Fuel Gas Moiety of ground-rent Balance 1,715 12 o '5 3 5 832 10 6 046 15 16 6 58 18 6 43 2 3 79 5 3 50 o o 430 19 8 1.73° 15 5 832 15 o 72 15 o 172 7 6 11,924 r4 6 2,808 12 11 10,138 1 S £24,871 8 10 Binding Beanch :— Value of work, as per detailed statement 5,712 1 1 10 £24,871 8 10

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Table No. 2. Return of the Value of Printing and Binding executed in the Government Printing Department during the Year ending 31st December, 1881.

Table No. 3. Return of the Number and Classification of the Employes in the Government Printing Office for each Month during the Year ending 31st December, 1881.

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Table No. 4. Return showing Quantity and Value of Printing Paper, &c., consumed in the Government Printing Office during the Year 1881.

Table No. 5. Return of the Value of Printing and Binding executed at the Lyttelton Gaol during the Year ending 31st December, 1881.

By Authority : G-eoege Didsbttey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB2.

[uantity. tescripl tion. :ate. .mourn >uam Rescript lion. late. .mount. I3a rms. 29i ., 3i 1. Post folio— Hand-made ... Double cream wove „ for money-orders Foolscap— Coloured, 15 lb. „ J faint ruled ... 18 lb. h.m., 18 lb. ... Buff Double bank ... Double foolscap— Copying Yellow wove printing, 26" Blue wove Coloured Cream wove and cream laid Demy— Coloured Blue laid Yellow wove, double ... Hand-made ... Coloured, double Double toned „ buff '... 29/0 23/6 12/0 £ s. d. 19 11 6 34 '3 3 18 12 o 1,000 rms. 7a ,, 6* „ 62 „ 6 „ Royal— Yellow wove printing ... Coloured ... Hand-made ... Superfine hand-made ... Imitation hand-made ... Medium— Hand-made ... Loan, hand-made Imperial— Hand-made ... Cartridge— 60" Royal Glazed buff ... 9/4 ■5/6 58/6 70/6 34/6 £ s. d. 466 13 4 5 16 3 18 15 7 218 11 o 10 7 o 19 ., ioi „ 4i „ 95 „ 3°6 „ 14 „ 7/10 8/4 10/6 22/6 5/6 10/0 7 8 10 4 7 6 2 4 7 106 17 6 84 3 o 700 10 „ 5 .. 46/0 28/0 23 o o 700 7 ,, 95/° 33 5 ° 7°8i „ !>5°8 „ ,453 „ 48 „ 321 ,, 4/0 8/7 11/2 12/8 14/5 141 14 o 1,505 IO 4 861 5 2 30 8 o 231 7 9 42 „ 14* „ '3i „ 25/6 'S/° 20/10 53 " ° 10 17 6 '4 1 3 10 „ 200 „ 250 ,. 118 „ '9 „ 378 „ 96* ,, 6 1 8 127 10 o 200 o o 177 o o 15 4 o 321 6 o 8 „ 17 ,- 141 i rolls 8 „ 46 gross 21,000 Brown paper ... Blotting-paper ... Parchment, 18" x 27" „ 28"x32" ... Pasteboard Cards, large 25/6 15/° 73/o 148/0 11/0 6/2 1040 12 15 o 516 9 6 59 4 ° 25 6 o 696 12/2 12/9 16/0 30/0 16/0 17/0 10/2 5,443 12 1 49 « '

Department. Value. Railways Government Printing Office Her Majesty's Gaol, Lyttelton ... Hospital, Christchurch Supreme Court, Christchurch .., Survey Office, Christchurch Lands Registry, Christchurch ... £ s. d. 586 4 8 389 12 10 56 15 6 o 17 o 4 '5 ° o 10 o 126 £1,039 J7 6