F.—l

V

The total number of pillar, wall, and lamp-post receivers at the close of the year was 288. 6,701,407 letters, 287,761 post-cards, 607,153 books and circulars, and 1,831,215 newspapers were delivered by letter-carriers. 37 post-offices were established, 2 reopened, and 11 closed during the year, as under : — Opened. Ararimu South, Auckland. Levin, Wellington. Paraparaumu, Wellington. Big Omaha, Auckland. Linton, Wellington. Raukokore, Thames. Blackball, Greymouth. Lowburn Ferry, Dunedin. Ruthcrglen (reopened), Greymouth. Cullensville, Blenheim. Maioro, Auckland. Rangitukia, Gisborne. Dalefield (reopened), Wellington. Maraetai, Auckland. Round Hill, Invercargill. Dumbarton, Dunedin. Mahakipawa, Blenheim. Te Ahualra, Auckland. Fitzroy, New Plymouth. Marumaru, Napier. Tokatoka, Auckland. Freeman's, Auckland. . Mangawhara, Auckland. Waimamaku, Auckland. Glenary, Dunedin. Marsden Point, Auckland. Waiteti, Auckland. Greenmeadows, Napier. Newman, Wellington. Waikaka Valley, Invercargill. Greenvale, Dunedin. Otonga East, Auckland. Whananaki, Auckland. Kawerua, Auckland. Opuawhanga, Auckland. Whangamata, Auckland. Lower Shotover, Invercargill. Porewa, Wanganui. Wendonside, Invercargill. Closed. Arundel, Timaru. Mahakipawa, Blenheim. Silverstream, Timaru. Camptown, Greymouth. One-tree Point, Invercargill. Waiwaka, Wellington. Dalefield, Wellington. Putaruru, Auckland. West Spit, Westport. Little Kyeburn, Dunedin. Rees Gorge, Invercargill. The total number of post-offices open at the close of the year was ,1,145. The names of the following post-offices were changed : The Beach to New Brighton, New Brighton to Burwood (Christchurch), Greenvale to Park Hill (Dunedin), Mahakipawa to Cullensville (Blenheim), and Mataiwi to Maharahara (Napier). Government Insurance agencies were opened at the post-offices at Makatoka, Morrinsville, Pahiatua, and Eketahuna. 17 newspapers were registered for transmission through the post. The total number of registered newspapers at the end of the year was 188. 49 magazines and trade catalogues were also registered ; and the total number on the register at the end of the year was 281. Inland Paecel-post. The following table shows the number and weight of inland parcels posted, and the number delivered, during the year 1888 :—

The inland parcel-post was established in October, 1887, and there has not yet been, time for a comparison of results which would be of any practical value. Late returns indicate that the increase in the number of parcels posted is at the rate of about 7,000 a year. As the system and its advantages become more widely known, a much larger annual increase may be looked for. Foreign Paecel-post. The Act providing for establishing parcel-posts with foreign countries was passed in August last. Before it had actually been assented to, preliminaries had been arranged for an early exchange of parcels with the United Kingdom, with the desire that, if practicable, the public at Home should have the opportunity of forwarding parcels by parcel-post in time to reach the colony about Christmas or the New Year. Through the hearty co-operation of the Agent-General and the London Post Office authorities this was accomplished, and the initial parcel-mail despatched from London on the 16th November, and delivered in the colony on the 30th December. About 1,000 parcels were received by this number far in excess of the most sanguine estimate. It had been originally determined that only one parcel-mail by each steamer should

Posted. Postal Districts. Delivered. Number. Weight. Auckland Blenheim Christchureh.. Dunedin Gisborne Greymouth .. Hokitika Inveroargill .. Napier Nelson New Plymouth Oamaru Thames Timaru Wanganui Wellington .. Westport 15,267 1,165 10,893 16,594 694 1,496 922 2,295 3,810 3,058 722 650 886 1,267 2,794 16,591 674 Lb. oz. 39,276 0 2,603 10 29,534 3 44,115 4J 1,731 11 3,840 13 2,517 12 4,748 0 9,787 6 8,405 14 1,744 0 1,417 7 2,091 11 2,740 8 6,044 0 42,627 8 1,497 2 8,343 2,711 5,692 9,709 1,508 2,099 1,698 2,911 5,060 2,286 1,644 1,434 1,776 2,049 5,229 10,500 1,474 Totals 79,778 204,722 13J 66,723