PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1919.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1919 Session I, H-36

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1919 NEW ZEALAND.

PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1919.

Laid on the/Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Sir, — Printing and Stationery Department, Wellington, sth July, 1919. I have the honour to submit the annual report upon the working of this Department for the year ended 31st March, 1919. The tables accompanying the report show the nature, extent, and result of the year's workings. Gazette. —The number printed was 1,690, the number of subscribers 183, and the amount received £289 9s. Hansard. —The number of Hansards printed for session 1918 was 7,300, the number of subscribers 87, and the amount received £20 18s. Stamp-printing.-The; number of sheets of stamps of various values printed was 1,086,268, the number of stamps 148,402,873, and the value £3,418,361 10s. 4d. In addition 35,000 war-loan certificates, of a value of £791,900, were printed by this branch. Stereo and Electro Plates. —The number of stereo-plates cast during the year was 26,318, the weight being 19,993 lb. The number of electrotypes was 5,571, and the weight 971 lb. Rubber Stamps.- —The number of rubber stamps made was 6,931. Railway Tickets. —7,496,715 railway tickets were printed, the largest number (781,916) being printed in December. Work of the Year. —The year has been a strenuous one in all branches, and two shifts have been worked throughout in the Machine Branch, and even then it has been difficult to keep pace with the extraordinary amount of work. The demands for printing are growing every year, and to keep pace with requirements it will be necessary to have the fastest machinery available. Overtime. -It is still necessary to work a considerable amount of overtime, and though since the signing of the Armistice our employees have been steadily returning from the front, a fairly large number have yet to come back. Fortunately, most of our men have returned in good health, and have rapidly regained their pre-war usefulness. Paper and Stationery. —There has been a fall in the price of paper since the close of the war, but prices are still high, and it is difficult to gauge the future in this respect. It is certain, however, that it will be some time before the position becomes normal, and it is doubtful if prices will ever come back to pre-war rates. We have, with considerable difficulty, been able to keep up our stocks, though at the present time, by reason of the improvement in shipping, the position is easing off, and more regular supplies are coming to hand._ To successfully carry out all the demands made upon the, Department a careful check has been necessary in dealing with orders, and frequently the Department ordering has been asked to cut down numbers owing to the paper difficulties. As pointed out last year, sufficient consideration is not given in ordering, and if responsible officers gave more attention to this matter a deal of overprinting would be saved. All items of stationery are difficult to obtain, even at enormously enhanced prices, and considerable inconvenience arises therefrom. This condition of affairs should show an improvement very shortly. Machinery.—There is urgent need for more up-to-date machinery in all branches, and when the manufacturing business assumes its normal condition an officer of this Department should be sent to England and America to buy the latest and most suitable machinery available for the growing demands of the service. Five years ago Cabinet decided on this course, but the matter was postponed owing to the outbreak of war, and the office is now in a worse position than it was at that time. It is not economical to the Government or in the best interests of its employees that there should be a necessity for so much overtime being worked, but this can only be avoided by the installation of the best machinery available. Except in session time there should be no necessity for two shifts in the machine-room, but one cannot look forward to any change in this respect until faster and better machinery is installed. This, of course, means a considerable outlay, but good fast machinery always justifies the money expended in its installation.

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The flat-bed rotary printing-machine which has been under order for two years has not yet been started on, and the contractor has just advised that he is not able, owing to difficulties in securing labour, to fix a date when he can proceed with it. This machine is badly needed, and the manufacturer has been urged to speed up its delivery. A letter-card machine is on order from Messrs. Bell and Valentine, of Melbourne, and is now completed and awaiting delivery. The disk ruling-machine, which, has been under order since 1916, is likely to come to hand, very shortly, though at an advanced price on that given when the order was placed. Tenders were called for the sale of the steam-engines, generator, and water-tank, and the generator was disposed of. The engines and water-tank were, not sold, and are now for ririvate sale. The railway-ticket-printing machines are worn and out of date, and new machines are required. These machines are the property of the Railway Department, and representations have been made upon the matter to that Department. Returned Soldiers. Wherever possible in engaging temporary assistance preference has been given to returned soldiers, but in a technical, department such as this there are not many 'vacancies for other than tradesmen. I have, however, fitted in a few returned men, and it is proposed to continue this course wherever practicable. The Staff. —The staff has had a busy year, and I have pleasure in testifying to the valuable services rendered by all in responsible positions. I have, &c, Marcus F. Marks, Hon. Mr. Russell, Minister in Charge. Government Printer.

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PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT. Balance-sheet at 31st March, 1919. Dr. Liabilities. £ s. d. £ s. d. Or. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Capital Account . . .. 107,040 4 2 By Buildings . . .. .. 44,448 6 4 Sundry creditors .. .. 2,487 4 11 Less depreciation .. 1,057 18 (i Consolidated Fund Account 48,728 16 I £ s. d. 43,390 7 7 Suspense Account .. 6,643 19 11 Plant—Printing .. 12,127 16 4 164,900 5 1 Less depreciation. . 907 10 0 Profit and boss Aooount (balance to credit of) 9,727 14 1 —11,220 6 4 Plant—Binding .. 3,240 5 4 Less depreciation.. 243 0 0 2,997 5 4 Plant - Lithographic, &c. .. .. 1.802 18 11 Less depreciation. . 135 0 0 ],OG7 18 11 Plant—Engine-room 459 16 9 Less depreciation.. 50 0 0 — 409 16 9 . 16,295 7 4 Type .. .. .. 7,550 9 8 Less depreciation. . .. 562 10 0 6,987 1.9 8 Furniture .. . . 468 17 11 Less depreciation. . . . 37 10 0 431 7 11 Sundry debtors .. .. .. .. 49,661 1 0 Stock in hand .. .. .. .. 57,86115 8 £174,627 19 2 £174,627 19 2 Profit and Loss Account for Year ended 31st March, 191 i). Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Or. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Lighting and water .. .. 1,530 14 0 By Manufacturing Account .. 15,065 14 5 Repairs and maintenance . . 601 10 3 Stationery Trading Account . . 5,909 2 0 Salaries .. .. .. 4,095 9 4 Publishing Account .. .. 1,040 6 7 Office expenses .. .. 342 15 11 ■ 22,015 3 0 Discount .. . . .. 44 17 4 Freight . : .. .. 1,064 1 1 Postage .. .. .. 1,288 3 9 Medical service .. .. 139 9 6 Depreciation .. .. 2,993 8 6 Insurance . . .. .. 186 18 9 12,287 8 11 Balance—Profit for year •• .. 9,727 14 1 £22,015 3 0 £22,015 3 0 Wellington, 3rd July, 1919. B. B. Allen, Accountant.

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Return of Printing and Stationery issued to Departments for the Year ended 31st March, 1919.

Advertising Office Agriculture Journal of Agriculture Audit Office ' Bacteriological Laboratory Bankruptcy Cambridge Sanatorium Canteen, Featherston Camp Cook Islands Administration Crown Law Office Customs Defence ,, Soldiers' Financial Assistance .. ,, Discharged Soldiers' Information ,, Military Service Boards ,, New Zealand Munitions and Supplies . . ,, Recruiting Boards ,, National Efficiency Board ,, Repatriation ,, Units Education —Head Office ,, Examination Branch ,, School Journal „ Teachers' Superannuation Fund Electoral Friendly Societies Gazette Public Service Journal General Assembly Bills ,, Hansard .. „ Joint Account ,, Statutes Geological Survey Government Accident Insurance Government Life, Insurance Government House Government Statistician Hector Observatory Hospitals and Charitable Aid House of Representatives Appendix . . ,, Journals .. ,, Miscellaneous ,, Order Paper Immigration Imperial Government Supplies Internal Affairs Internal Affairs, Minister's Offices Justice Kahili Labour Land and Deeds Land and Income Tax Land for Settlements Lands and Survey Legislative Council Journals ,, Miscellaneous ,, Order Paper Marine Meteorological Mental Hospitals Mines Dominion Museum National Provident Fund Native New Zealand Naval Adviser Pensions - ■ • • I I Printing. £ s. d. 67 2 6 1.692 4 1 4.204 7 0 127 18 0 9 17 0 90 8 3 L4 6 0 2 5 6 12 0 0 253 .19 0 491 3 3 16,888 8 2 603 10 0 227 4 0 83 19 0 441 6 9 133 4 0 114 14 0 302 15 3 2,071 II 0 1,208 10 8 5,455 9 5 35 12 0 3.514 7 2 121 17 6 10,150 2 4 183 12 6 780 6 0 2.774 0 9 365 8 6 1.859 I 3 187 7 0 164 11 0 1,822 15 9 147 2 6 6,964 2 8 50 3 9 5,002 17 0 331 17 6 242 2 6 420 8 0 1 18 0 296 10 0 1,315 11 3 394 13 10 1,194 3 3 2,081 6 I 1,436 8 9 541 7 0 2,024 13 8 6 14 6 3,654 18 0 117 14 6 44 10 6 71 5 0 1,487 1 3 5.4 1 6 288 12 2 423 6 9 680 5 6 249 4 0 735 7 5 21 9 0 1,603 10 9 I I Stationery. £ 8. d. 43 11 4 1,253 15 5 117 10 8 24 2 J 87 3 8 16 15 7 9 4 5 47 2 1 568 4 9 10.501 0 8 268 IJ 3 85 19 9 75 6 8 218 0 3 68 12 4 123 8 8 190 2 5 9 18 0 742 19 5 3 15 0 556 11 9 1 3 2 47 16 4 15 17 8 1.073 17 10 77 5 0 193 19 6 31 13 4 2 5 9 78 6 2 7 6 3 141 9 7 701 0 10 332 2 9 1.405 5 5 361 4 5 272 7 8 325 4 8 16 14 7 1,705 0 0 25 17 9 321 3 6 12 1 10 243 16 4 128 9 6 55 6 10 172 3 2 307 12 5 51 4 0 324 12 8

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Return of Printing and Stationery issued to Departments, etc. — continued.

Printing. Stationery. £ s. d. Patents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 833 3 0 Police .. .. .. .. .. .. ., | 2,915 19 9 Post and Telegraph Head Office .. .. .. .. 5,125 17 0 Controller of Stores .. .. .. 28,545 15 1.0 Prime Minister's Office .. .. .. .. ... 141 17 6 Prisons .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 18 0 Public Health .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 ,044 15 8 Public Service Commissioner .. . . . . . . . . 245 10 7 Public Service Stores Tender Board .. .. .. .. 25 7 6 Public Service Superannuation Board . . . . . . 100 8 6 Public Trust Office . '. .. .. .. .. .. 4,182 4 5 Public Works .. .. .. .. --.-.■•■ .. 1,589 19 3 Railways-Head Office . . .. . . .. . . 807 19 0 „ Accountant .. .. .. .. .. 67 2 0 Day tickets .. . . .. . . . . 788 4 9 ,, Chief Engineer . . .. .. .. .. 2 11 0 ,, Mechanical Engineer . . . . .. .. 26 11 6 Stationery Clerk .. .. .. .. .. 16,211 16 5 Stores Manager .. .. .. .. .. 080 Stores, Petone .. -.. .. .. .. 27 1 0 ,, Ticket-printer .. .. .. .. .. 1,175 1 5 Time-table, .. .. .. .. .. 1,432 0 1 Chief Traffic Manager .. .. ■ .-. .. 56 10 6 Registrar-General .. . . .. . . . . . . 905 6 0 Stamp .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,035 6 9 State Advances .. .. .. .. .. .. 356 4 3 State Coal—Head Office .. .. .. .. .. 19 19 6 ,, Christchurch Depot ,, Dunedin Depot .. .. .. .. .. 117 6 ,, Greymouth Depot .. .. .. .. Ill 1 7 ,, Wanganui Depot .. .. .. .. 886 State Fire Insurance .. .. .. .. .. 552 7 2 Tourist .. . . .. .. .. . . . . 419 15 0 £ s. d. 833 3 0 2,915 19 9 5,125 17 0 28,545 15 10 141 17 6 307 18 0 1,044 15 8 245 10 7 25 7 6 100 8 6 4,182 4 5 1,589 19 3 807 19 0 67 2 0 788 4 9 2 11 0 26 11 6 16,211 16 5 0 8 0 27 1 0 1,175 1 5 1,432 0 1 56 10 6 905 6 0 1,035 6 9 356 4 3 19 19 6 £ s. 52 18 1,279 9 68 1 702 11 57 9 287 14 318 18 248 11 20 18 1,792 15 1,670 2 6 1 10 0 1 13 62 13 1 2 1 19 4 9 275 19 456 18 112 6 33 6 6 1 52 17 4 15 408 5 159 18 £ s. d. 52 18 11 1,279 9 10 68 1 1 702 11 0 57 9 10 287 14 4 318 18 3 248 11 10 20 18 5 1,792 15 1 1,670 2 10 6 1 0 10 0 2 1 13 6 62 13 3 1 2 0 1 19 10 4 9 9 275 19 8 456 18 3 112 6 8 33 6 8 6 1 8 1 17 6 111 1 7 8 8 6 552 7 2 419 15 0 2,041 8 4 546 3 9 52 17 11 4 15 5 408 5 7 159 18 6 529 11 5 319 16 8 Treasury .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,041 8 4 Valuation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 546 3 9 529 11 319 16 Totals.. .. .. .. .. .. 159,990 12 2 159,990 12 2 32,391 14 32,391 14 5 Summary. 1918—April .. .. .. .. .. .. I 10,798 17 8 May .. .. .. .. .. .. 12,716 2 2 June .. .. .. .. .. .. ! 12,692 5 7 July .. .. .. .. .. .. 14,873 13 1 August .. .. .. .. .. .. 14,833 14 2 September .. .. .. .. .. .. 12,720 9 11 October .. .. .. .. .. .. 12,362 14 10 November .. .. .. .. .. .. 9,288 16 10 December .. .. .. .. .. .. 12,504 9 9 1919—January .. .. .. .. 10,305 17 8 February .. .. .. .. .. .. 12,314 16 3 March ' , . .. .. .. .. .. 24,578 14 3 1,696 10 3,100 15 3,125 12 3,350 4 3,843 13 2,577 17 2,811 3 1,857 1 2,466 19 1,656 10 2,183 19 3,721 5 1,696 10 2 3,100 15 9 3,125 12 8 3,350 4 7 3,843 13 5 2,577 17 7 2,811 3 4 1,857 1 10 2,466 19 2 1,656 10 9 2,183 19 4 3,721 5 10 Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. 159,990 12 2 i 32,391 14 32,391 14 5

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Return of Adhesive and Impressed Stamps printed from 1st April, 1918, to 31st March, 1919.

War-loan Certificates. Sheets, 3,500. Notes, 35,000. Value, £791,900.

Approximate Cost 0/ Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (760 copies), £6 10s.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l9

I'rice 6d.\

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Description. Sheets. Stamps. Value. Postage . . Duty Railway Postal notes Letter-cards Post-cards 605,004 7,012 3.000 191.200 177,552 52,500 50,000 129,829,572 823,485 360,000 1,912,000 1,597,968 840.000 400,000 12,639,848 £ s. d. 887,193 18 0 2.402,820 0 0 1,125 0 0 7,774 19 3 9.815 17 4 3.493 15 0 907 8 0 105,250 12 9 Newspaper-wrappers fmpressed stamps Totals 1,086,268 148,402,873 3,418,361 10 4