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STAFF. Comparative Return of Persons employed in the Post and Telegraph Department on the Ist April, 1926 and 1927. The total number of persons employed on the Ist April, 1926 and 1927, was as under : — Permanent staff— Ist April, Ist April, 1926. 1927. Administrative Division .. .. .. .. 4 4 Clerical and Engineering Divisions .. .. .. 3,426 3,543 General Division .. .. .. .. .. 4,752 4,993 8,182' 8,540 Temporary staff .... .. .. .. 199 192 Casual staff .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,025 1,557 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 9,406 10,289 Non-permanent staff— Country Postmasters and Telephonists .. .. 1,988 1,910 Postmasters who are Railway officers ' .. . . 102 101 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 11,496 12,300 Health op Permanent Staff. The following table gives the average absence of officers on sick leave : — Number on Average Absence Average Absence for Stafi. per Sick Officer. each Officer employed. Men .. .. .. .. 7,719 9-26 5-04 Women .. .. .. 821 13-74 9-62 Twenty-seven officers died during the year. Personnel. Mr. A. T. Markman, Secretary of the Department, retired on superannuation, ceasing active duty on the 31st October, 1926. He was succeeded by Mr. G. McNamara, First Assistant Secretary, who in turn was replaced by Mr. J. Robertson, Second Assistant Secretary. Mr. Robertson was succeeded by Mr. M. B. Esson, Chief Inspector, who was replaced by the promotion of Mr. A. P. Bennett, Principal, Staff Division. APPEAL BOARD. The Post and Telegraph Appeal Board, under the chairmanship of Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., sat on three occasions during the year. One hundred and three appeals were dealt with, of which one was allowed by the Board. DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE CLASSES. Officers to the number of 644 enrolled in the departmental correspondence classes, which provide tuition for those who desire to sit for departmental examinations. The classes now provide tuition for ten departmental examinations. The value, of the classes is reflected in the examination results : of 618 students who w T ere examined, 568 (equal to 92 per cent.) gained passes. Apart from preparing officers purely for examination purposes, the classes tend to bring about a general increase in efficiency throughout the Service. EXAMINATIONS. The number of officers who entered for departmental efficiency examinations held during the year was 1,742. The candidates that were either wholly or partially successful numbered 1,008. BUILDINGS. Post-office buildings were completed as under : — Brunnerton. Paeroa. Kaukapakapa. Paihia. Marton. Poolburn. Ohai. Seddon (telephone exchange). Omakau. Te Kauwhata. Oturehua. Wellsford. Outram. The new post-office building at Marton, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1925, was completed on the 27th April, 1927. The building, a photograph of which appears at the end of the report, is a handsome two-storied structure of brick and concrete. It will be seen from the photograph that the building is in appearance a distinct departure from the usual types of post-office building in the Dominion. The architecture embodies many features of modern building. One is the provision throughout of ample light and air. The building is fitted with every modern appliance and convenience.