B.—4a,

Subdivision V. —Geological Survey Branch. 1263. The work in connection with the geological survey has been reduced considerably, and it is not proposed to fill any vacancies on the staff which may be caused by death or retirement. 1264. Possible economies in this Branch are as follow: — Item—Salaries, £4,312. 1265. A reduction of £220, apart from savings as a result of the Public Expenditure Adjustment Act, 1932, should be possible. Saving, £220. Item,—Advertising, Photographs, Books, &c., £45. 1266. This item should be reduced to £25. Saving, £20. Item—Aerial Surveys, £175. 1267. This work should not be proceeded.with in the meantime. Saving, £175. Item—Field Expenses, £350. 1268. A reduction of £50 should be possible on account of the curtailment of this work. Saving, £50. Item—Fuel, Light, Water, £85. 1269. This item should be reduced to £65. Saving, £20. Item—Wages of Field Hands, £400. 1270. The curtailment of the work will enable this item to be reduced to £200. Saving, £200. Subdivision VI. —Meteorological Office. 1271. There is little room for economy in this Office, except in regard to the following items'. Item —District Weather-reporting Stations, Establishment of, £10. 1272. It is not proposed to establish any further stations, and this item need not be continued Saving, £10. Item—lnstruments: Purchase and Repairs, £200. 1273. This item should be reduced to £100. Saving, £100. Item —Observatories, Maintenance of, and Establishment, £150. 1274. This item should be reduced to £100, Saving, £50. Item—Office Fittings and Requisites, £30. 1275. This item should be reduced to £20. Saving, £10. Item—Postages, Telegrams, and Rent of Boxes, £3,680. 1276. Almost 50 per centum of the expenses in connection with the Meteorological Office is for postages and telegrams. There is an arrangement whereby the Post and Telegraph Department transmits a daily weather report and forecast to 124 telegraph offices and a charge of £10 per Annum for each office is imposed. Also, the Department sends a nightly radio message to ships within wireless range. It is understood that one transmission only is involved and the actual charge for this service is £664 per annum. The Post and Telegraph Department also receives on behalf of the Meteorological Office wireless messages from ships within wireless range, indicating weather conditions then prevailing, and a charge of £200 per annum is made by the Post and Telegraph Department for this service. We are particularly impressed by the disparity in the last-mentioned charges. The messages received from the ships are individual transmissions, and must involve more work than the outward message, which is not addressed individually to all ships within range. We consider that a reduction of at least £500 per annum should be made by the Post and Telegraph Department in respect of these services. 1277. There is also a charge of £75 per annum for the transmission of the weather report and forecast to each of the radio stations in the Dominion. We see no reason why these messages should be telegraphed, and consider that if the weather report and forecast were handed in to the Wellington Station the messages should be broadcast without cost to the Department. 1278. A total saving of £575 in this item should be possible. Saving, £575. Item —Printing and Stationery, £250. 1279. This item should be reduced to £225. Saving, £25.

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