STORES CONTROL BOARD (ANNUAL REPORT OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1934 Session I, H-04

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1934. NEW ZEALAND.

STORES CONTROL BOARD (ANNUAL REPORT OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

Stores Control Board, Wellington, 20th August, 1934. The Hon. J. Bitchener, Chairman, Stores Control Board. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Stores Control Board for the year ended 31st March, 1934. P. Ellerm, Acting-Secretary.

REPORT. Purchases. During the year ended 31st March, 1934, the expenditure on the purchase of stores, as compared with the year ended 31st March, 1933, was as under: — Year ended Year ended 31st March, 1933. 31st March, 1934. £ £ Railways .. .. •• •• •• 897,104 990,821 Public Works .. .. .. .. •• 371,978 439,436 Post and Telegraph .. .. .. .. 124,276 178,183 Mental Hospitals .. .. .. 165,238 157,361 Native .. .. • • • • • • ■ • 102,385 94,434 Naval 76,436 87,243 Unemployment .. .. .. .. .. 570 78,578 Defence .. •• •• •• 36,660 56,678 Printing and Stationery .. .. .. .. 41,131 47,978 Agriculture .. .. •• •• •• 43,672 41,919 Prisons .. . • •• •• 40,990 37,443 Health 34,714 29,627 Education .. .. .. .. ■ • 29,521 29,015 Lands and Survey .. .. .. .. 19,120 21,568 Industies and Commerce, Tourist and Publicity .. 20,649 21,418 Marine 15,265 17,753 Mines 16,598 15,675 State Forest Service .. .. .. .. 12,720 15,377 Other Departments .. .. ■■ 60,671 57,169 £2,109,698 £2,417,676 The expenditure on stores shows an increase of £307,978 when compared with the previous year. The purchases during the past ten years were as under : — £ £ 1925 .. .. .. 4,416,833 1930 .. .. .. 4,345,030 1926 .. .. -- 4,690,569 1931 .. .. .. 4,286,803 1927 .. .. 3,877,275 1932 .. .. .. 2,757,214 1928 .. .. 3,947,117 1933 .. .. 2,109,698 1929 .. .. •• 4,199,822 1934 .. .. .. 2,417,676 With the exception of a few instances where circumstances were too urgent to allow of the usual procedure being followed, tenders or quotations were invited for the whole of the stores purchased.

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General Contracts. At the 31st March, 1934, contracts arranged by the Board were in operation for the supply of the undermentioned stores to all Departments : — Batteries for motor-vehicles. Electric lamps. Bricks, fireclay, earthenware pipes, and Motor-lubricating oils. fittings. Motor-spirit and kerosene. Brushware —painters' and general. Motor-tires. Candles, soap, and soda. Photographic work. Cement. Polish—metal, floor, and boot. Coal, coke, and firewood. Typewriters. Disinfectant. In addition to the above, numerous departmental contracts were also in operation, the principal items concerned being as under : — Aviation-spirit. Foodstuffs (milk, bread, fish, poultry, hams and bacon, &c.). Fuel oil for Navy and Government ships. Lubricating-oil for m.v. " Maui Pomare." Tobacco for mental hospitals. Uniforms for messengers. Competition for all items has been exceptionally keen, and, despite the difficult trading period, the service rendered by contractors during the year has, in general, been efficient and satisfactory. Stationery Committee. The Stationery Committee, which was set up in 1929 with the object of co-ordinating the purchase of printing and stationery items required by all Departments, continues to function satisfactorily. During the year particular attention has been given to the standardization of items in general use and the bulk purchase of the combined requirements of the Post and Telegraph, Printing and Stationery, and Railways Departments, with resulting economy. Acting under the Board's authority, contracts are arranged for the supply of items in common use, and contracts for the following supplies were in operation as at the 31st March, 1934 :■ — Cyclostyle correcting fluid. Cyclostyle stencils. Ink —Cyclostyle, fountain-pen, and writing (powder and fluid). Paper—Carbon, toilet, and wrapping. Sensitized papers and linens. Typewriter-ribbons. The Committee has also given consideration to the standardization of types of diaries for use in Government Departments, and finality in this matter will be reached at an early date. Purchases for Australian Squadron. During the visit to the Dominion of the Australian Squadron the purchase of stores required by H.M.A. ships whilst in New Zealand waters was arranged by the Board, and the Australian Naval Board has expressed its appreciation of the services rendered. Standardization of Office Furniture and Fittings. During the year a special committee was set up to report on the standardization of office furniture and fittings for use by Government Departments. The committee has completed its work and the proposals contained in the report are now under consideration. Maintenance of Typewriters. Early in the year an arrangement was made with the Post and Telegraph Department to undertake the quarterly servicing of typewriters held by Government Departments at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. From data obtained since the inception of the scheme, it is apparent that, owing to the regular attention given to machines in operation, a definite saving will be effected in the cost of repairs and overhauls. At the end of the year the mechanical condition of the machines had improved to such an extent that less labour is now involved in servicing, as a result of which the maintenance charge made by the Post and Telegraph Department will be reduced as from the Ist April, 1934. Preference to New Zealand and British Manufacturers. In the purchase of stores for use by Government Departments preference is given to New Zealand and British manufacturers, and this policy has been maintained during the year.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (440 copies), £2.

Authority : G. H. Lonest, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 934.

Price 3d.]

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