H.—l4.

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of the keys, the amount for which cash has actually been received, as distinguished from those telegrams which, under various systems still in existence, are not accompanied by cash. It is difficult at the present stage to state in set terms the economy which has been effected. Generally speaking, the work prepared by machines is much better in every way than the work prepared in manuscript. It is more legible, more readily checked, and the mechanical accuracy of the addition is such that errors are very infrequent. Officers generally, wherever machines are in use. are relieved from mental fag and routine duty, and their time can be more profitably utilized for higher classes of work. There is also the factor that, in a growing Department like the Post Office, a change which saves the greater part or even the whole of one officer's time does not lead to the direct saving of an officer, because he is absorbed by the general expansion of the xvork in his office. The saving, therefore, comes in the fact that the Department has not had to appoint so many new officers to cope xvith the increased work as would othcrxvise have been the case, and I think it would be perfectly fair to state that the nexv appointments xvould have to have bftn increased by quite ten officers had the machines now in use not been in possession of the Department. The estimated economy for the coming year may be said to be practically the same, unless a further expansion of the use of machines takes place. If so, it will be proportionately increased. There is still considerable opportunity for enlarging the scope of machine-work performed in the Department, and it is hoped, as opportunity offers, to take further advantage of the mechanical appliances offering. Printing and Stationery Department. No machines have been introduced during the current year, though the purchase of one machine was effected. This was in place of a machine xvhich had been on loan to the Department. The estimated economy effected during the year ended 31/3/14 by the use of the combined typing and adding machines and the adding and listing machines amounted to £200. The economy for the year ending 31/3/15 is estimated to be the same —viz., £200. Public Service Superannuation Office. One book-typing and adding machine, installed in 1912, is used for taking out. totals and balances of contributors' accounts, writing schedules of payments, and for various items of work in which writing and adding are conjoined. We also use an adding and listing machine borroxved from the Government Statistician occasionally. Estimated economy during the year ended 31/3/14, £35. Estimated economy during the year ending 31/3/15. £40. Public Trust Office. The following machines were introduced during the year ended 31/3/14: One adding and listing machine and one combined typing and adding machine. The following machines were in use prior to that date: Two adding and listing machines, one combined typing and adding machine, and two adding non-listing machines. The following new xvork was undertaken by the machines during the year ended 31/3/14: (1) Checking the ledger-posting by the new method recommended by the Commissioner, xvhich resulted in the abolition of the ledger-dockets; (2) typing the Classification-book simultaneously with the statements of receipts and payments; (3) typing at the same time the daily balancesheet of the General Cash-book; (4) analysing the Cash-book for the purposes of the check-ledger; (5) typing simultaneously the schedules of payments made by the High Commissioner and the Remittance-book; (6) typing simultaneously the schedules of payments made by the Bank of New Zealand and the Remittance-book; (7) typing the Cashier's bank-slip and duplicate for office use; (8) typing the salary abstracts and monthly-allowance vouchers for more than one month at a time; (9) typing Native rent-notices (with schedules) and interest-notices; (10) performing general work — e.g., the addition of ledgers, summaries, statements, distributionsheets, &c. The economy effected during the year as the result of the introduction and the extended use of machines is as folloxvs : After careful consideration of the xvhole matter an estimate has been made as follows : 'Salaries of officers occupied in writing, calling, sorting, checking, and adding dockets, 120,000 annually, £555; saving of time on Cashier's xxork, £50; saving of time typing notices and vouchers, £25 —£630. Less —proportion annual contribution to cost of machines (estimated life, twelve years), £40; proportion salaries of operators, £140 —£180. Net result, assuming alterations have been in force a full year, £450. The nexv system of ledger-checking (the most important economy effected) came into force in October, 1913, and the majority of the other items have been brought into practice during the past six months. This system of checking the office ledgers have proved entirely satisfactory during the first half-yearly period of its operation. It has been demonstrated that the'system is well adapted to the requirements of the Department. It entails less work than the old system, costs less, and has proved itself quite effective. The time saved has been devoted to the other xvork of the office. One officer has entirely been transferred to other duties, and the introduction of the machines has rendered it unnecessary to appoint any cadets for several months. The economy likely to arise during the year ending 31/3/15 may be safely, taken at not less than the £450 shoxvn above.