H.—.36

1937. NEW ZEALAND,

PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1937.

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

Printing and Stationery Department, Wellington, 30th August, 1937. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the annual report upon the working of this Department for the year ended 31st March, 1937. The tables accompanying the report show the nature, extent, and result of the year's working. Gazette.—The number printed of each issue was 750, the number of subscribers 343, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £1,773. Hansard.—The number printed of each issue for session 1936 was 7,400, the number of subscribers 310, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £208. Stamp-printing.—Stamps to the value of £3,532,542, and postal notes to the value of £38,358, were printed. Stereo-plates.—The number of stereo-plates cast during the year was 46,315, of which 5,746 were nickel-plated, the weight being 26,192 lb. Rubber Stamps.—The number of rubber stamps made was 9,734. Railway Ticket 5.—6,194,907 railway tickets were printed, the largest number (816,485) beingprinted in March. Work of the Year.—The Department has worked at high pressure during the year and all branches have been fully employed, the turnover showing an increase of approximately £36,900 over that of the previous year. The establishment of new Departments and services naturally created emergency activities, resulting in a large increase in the demands made for work of an urgent nature. The Photo-litho and Process Engraving Branch dealt with 37 maps of survey districts ; 6 city, borough, and county maps ; and 420 miscellaneous maps, plans, posters, cheque forms, and diagrams. Two thousand three hundred and forty-nine half-tone, line, and three-colour blocks were made, in addition to 132 bromide prints, 25 lantern-slides, and 252 negatives. The Stationery Office dealt with 16,706 requisitions for stationery and publications, the total sales amounting to £51,127. These requisitions comprised 160,486 items, and, in addition to parcels, 2,961 cases of stationery were despatched. Cash orders numbered 10,149. In addition, 599 typewriters of the value of £9,968 were issued. Paper.—During the year there has been an exceptional demand on paper stocks, necessitating heavy purchases and the provision of additional storage space. Prices of paper are advancing as a result of a shortage of raw materials. The issues for the year amounted to £45,066, comprising 110,642 packages of paper and boards and 4,936,000 envelopes. Machinery.—New machinery installed during the year included four machines in the Letterpress Branch, six machines in the Bookbinding Branch, and three machines in the Photo-litho and Processengraving Branch. In addition, thirty steel frames were installed in the Composing Branch to replace old wooden equipment. Finance.—The year's working has resulted in a profit of £9,453 os. 4d., 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 staff generally has worked well. I have, &c., E. Y. Paul, The Hon. the Minister in Charge. Acting Government Printer.