F.—l

28

WESTPORT-KARAMEA RADIO SERVICE. The radio service instituted between Westport and Karamea following the destruction of the telephone-line to Karamea during the earthquake of June, 1929 (see page 15 of this report), ceased 011 the 31st March, 1930. Thereafter traffic was handled by telephone. The radio sets are, however, being kept in position, and will be operated should necessity arise. WEATHER TELEGRAMS FOR AVIATORS. From the 26th July, 1929, the privilege of obtaining from Postmasters weather reports by means of prepaid weather telegrams was accorded aero clubs and aviators. The charge for such messages is at the uniform rate of Is., including reply, the number of words in each message not to exceed twelve. If required, the messages may be made urgent at double the above rate. VISITS OF FOREIGN WARSHIPS : TELEGRAPHIC FACILITIES. The German cruiser " Emden " arrived in New Zealand on the 25th June, 1929. The privilege of "sending, free of charge, inland telegrams from officers of the vessel and radio-telegrams from the Commander to or from the ship was extended during the period of the visit. The French cruiser " Tourville " arrived on a visit to New Zealand on the 30th July, 1929. Similar privileges were extended to the Commander and officers of this vessel. TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE OFFICES OPEN FOR BUSINESS. During the year twenty-two offices were opened and sixty-two closed. The number of offices remaining open at the 31st March, 1930, was 2,098, classified as follows : — Telephone-offices and toll stations combined .. .. .. .. 1,719 Morse telegraph-offices and toll stations combined .. .. .. 352* Telephone-offices (no toll station) .. .. .. .. .. 6 Morse telegraph-offices (no toll station) .. .. .. .. 4 Toll station (no telephone-office) .. .. .. .. .. 9 Radio-telegraph stations (including coast stations, Auckland, Awarua, Chatham Islands, and Wellington) .. .. .. .. 8 2,098 * Five converted from telephone to Morse, and three from Morse to telephone. TELEGRAPH AND TOLL TRAFFIC. The figures which follow show the position in regard to telegraph and telephone traffic. Fuller information is contained in Table 10.

Total of all Classes of Messages and Value thereof.

Schedule of Paid Telegrams, Cable Messages, and Toll Communications. *t u Value. .Number. £ Ordinary .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,694,886 491,423 Urgent .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 219,314 21,524 Press .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 580,867 80,528* Letter .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 404,444 18,048 Toll communications .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,404,175 482,571 18,303,686 1,094,094 Less net amount paid to other Administrations on cable and radio messages .. 205, 919 Net total for paid messages of all codes, 1929-30 .. .. .. 18,303,686 888,175 Net total for paid messages of all codes, 1928-29 .. .. .. 17,516,343 847,461 * Includes £3,719 paid to other Administrations.

1929-30. 1928-29. Increase. ! p^c^t Number.. .. .. 18,347,104 17,560,372 786,732 4-48 Value .. .. .. £891,977* £851,159 £40,818 4*795 * Includes £3,802 representing the value of franked Government telegrams and urgent marine telegrams.