H.—36

1931. NEW ZEALAND.

PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1931.

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

gju Printing and Stationery Department, Wellington, 27th June, 1931. I have the honour to submit the annual report upon the working of this Department for the year ended 31st March, 1931. , The tables* accompanying the report show the nature, extent, and result of the years working. Gazette. The number printed of each issue was 1,000, the number of subscribers 499, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £2,973. Hansard. —The number printed of each issue for session 1930 was 7,075, the number of subscribers 156, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £189. Stamp-printing-—'Stamps to the value of £2,753,814, postal notes to the value of £29,214, and Post Office investment certificates to the value of £46,961 were printed. Stereo and Electro Plates.—The number of stereo-plates cast during the year was 44,524, of which 2,270 were nickel-plated, the weight being 29,181 lb. The number of electrotypes was 669, and the weight 145 lb. Rubber Stamps. —The number of rubber stamps made was 1,893. Railway Ticket 5.—4,867,899 railway tickets were printed, the largest number (797,619) being printed in October. . Work of the Year.—A falling-ofl in the volume of work, particularly during the last quarter of the year, necessitated a reduction in staff, and the present indications are that, apart from sessional work, the position will not improve for some time. ... The Photo-litho and Process Engraving Branch dealt with 32 maps of survey districts, 5 city and county maps, 90 sale plans and posters, and 299 miscellaneous maps, plans, cheque forms, debenture forms, and diagrams. 2,655 half-tone, line, and three-colour blocks were made, in addition to 343 bromide prints, and 59 lantern-slides. _ _ The Stationery Office dealt with 13,088 requisitions for stationery and publications, the total sales amounting to £38,712. These requisitions comprised 120,763 items, and, in addition to parcels, 3,065 cases of stationery were despatched. Cash orders numbered 6,839. In addition, 138 typewriters. of the value of £2,256, were issued. Paper. — Purchases of paper throughout the year were made at very satisfactory prices showing a decline on those of last year. The issues for the year amounted to £44,175, comprising 88,212 packages of paper and boards and 14,640,000 envelopes. _ .■ . . Machinery. Apart from several small additions- to plant, the installation of new machinery was confined to replacements necessary to maintain efficiency. The folding-machines in the Binding Branch are obsolete, but replacement has been deferred. Several old machines were disposed of at satisfactory prices. . Accommodation.—The work of installing a new heating system consequent upon the breakingdown of the old steam-heating system was commenced during the year. This necessitates a small addition to the building, and will provide a little more accommodation. Finance. —The year's working has resulted in a profit of £4,378 2s. 2d, after charging interest on capital and depreciation in full. The result is satisfactory. Staff. I have pleasure in testifying to the whole-hearted services of those holding responsible positions, while the staff generally has worked well. I have, &c, W. A. G. Skinner, The Hon. the Minister in Charge. Government Printer.