H.—36.

1934. NEW ZEALAND.

PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT. (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1934.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave. Printing and Stationery Department, Wellington, 31st July, 1934. I have the honour to submit the annual report upon the working of this Department for the year ended 31st March, 1934. . , The tables accompanying the report show the nature, extent, and result of the year s working. ■ Gazette.—The number printed of each issue was 845, the number of subscribers 407, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £2,342. Hansard. —The number printed of each issue for session 1933 was 7,225, the number of subscribers 115, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £117. Stamp-printing.—Stamps to the value of £4,373,470 and postal notes to the value of £24,381 were printed. Stereo and Electro Plates. —The number of stereo-plates cast during the year was 32,673, of which 794 were nickel-plated, the weight being 25,265 lb. Rubber Stamps.—The number of rubber stamps made was 1,000. Railway Tickets.—4/716,267 railway tickets were printed, the largest number (684,463) being printed in December. . . Work of the Year.—There has been a steady influx of printing orders during the year, with little variation in the volume of work as compared with that of the previous year. A small amount of overtime was worked, but this was kept down to a minimum, and special steps taken to avoid it wherever possible. The Photo-litho and Process Engraving Branch dealt with 50 maps of survey districts ; 11 city, borough, and county maps ; 14 sale plans and posters ; and 375 miscellaneous maps, plans, cheque formsr debenture forms, and diagrams. 1,378 half-tone, line, and three-colour blocks were made, in addition to 145 bromide prints, 43 blue prints, and 24 lantern-slides. The Stationery Office dealt with 12,938 requisitions for stationery and publications, the total sales amounting to £35,425. These requisitions comprised 119,368 items, and, in addition to parcels, 2,667 cases of stationery were despatched. Cash orders numbered 7,255. In addition, 121 typewriters of the value of £1,552 were issued. Paper. Stocks of all the standard lines have been maintained at prices slightly higher than those of the previous year. Strict economy has been observed throughout the year in the use of paper. The issues for the year amounted to £28,949, comprising 56,767 packages of paper and boards and 4,661,500 envelopes. Machinery.—A " Camco-Rosback " stitching-machine was installed during the year, and has greatly increased the efficiency of this section of the work. Two old machines, which were in use for many years, were disposed of during the year at satisfactory prices. Accommodation. —The lack of necessary storage space for paper stocks is causing a great deal of inconvenience. The congested state of the paper store hampers the work of the staff and prevents the handling of paper in the most economical manner. The position is such that, to afford relief, additional space for this purpose will require to be provided on the premises or storage accommodation obtained elsewhere. . . Finance. —The year's working has resulted in a profit of £11,534 175., after allowing for interest on capital and depreciation. Staff.— I have pleasure in testifying to the whole-hearted services of those holding responsible positions, while the stafi generally has worked well. I have, &c., G. H. Loney, The Hon. the Minister in Charge. Government Printer.