2

H.—2B

Telegraph Forms. Tenders were invited during last year, both in London and in this colony, for the printing of sixteen millions of telegraph forms ; in response to which five tenders were received, from London and nine from New Zealand firms. lam glad to be able to state that the tender from this department was accepted, being the lowest by J94 15s. 2d. The order has been duly completed, and I have the satisfaction of stating that, while the work was performed in the colony instead of in London as hitherto, the actual cost of production was well within my estimate. Arrangements have been made for executing an order for another sixteen millions of forms on the same terms for the coming year. The Stereotype Branch. The number of stereotype plates produced last year was 1,212, and of electrotypes 660. A considerable amount of leads of various sizes were also cast for the use of the office. The number of rubber stamps manufactured in this branch for the various departments of the Government was 221. The railway-ticket printing for all Government lines, which is performed in this department, shows an increase over last year. The numbers were : Railway tickets, 2,425,2-10 ; season tickets, 10,517; flag-station tickets, 63,400; lost-luggage tickets, 35,000; weighbridge tickets, 19,000. The printing of the railway tickets required 11,701 separate alterations, being an average of one alteration to every 207 tickets. The number of stations for which tickets have to be printed is 578. The manufacture of electrotypes for postage and beer-duty stamps is carried on in this branch. During the past year two new plates of postage and one of beer-duty stamps have been executed. A set of designs for postage stamps for Tonga and Samoa are now being engraved by Mr. Bock, of Wellington, from which electrotypes will be prepared in this department. Stationery Store. The number of requisitions received and complied with during the past year was 11,779, or at the rate of 37 per day. The number of separate items in the requisitions was 60,668. The receipts from the sale of official publications amounted to £1,689 3s. lOd. The quantity of waste paper shipped during the year was 51 tons, representing in value £127 10s. The Dunedin paper-mill takes all I can supply at 50s. per ton. I have, &c., George Didsbtjry, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Government Printer.