p.—l

8

made, is exactly suited to the host of people whose circumstances do not justify the employment of other means to safeguard their valuable papers against loss by fire or burglary. Notwithstanding the facilities provided by the Department, there is ample evidence that people still resort to all sorts of unsuitable methods of protecting their valuables. It is by no means uncommon to have submitted the charred remains of documents which have been stored in tins or cash-boxes, or again, pulped paper, the remains of documents that have been buried in a back garden for safety. POSTMASTER-GENERAL: RELINQUISHING OF OFFICE. My colleague, the Hon. J. G. Coates, who assumed charge of the Department on the 4th September, 1919, did not relinquish control until the 31st ultimo ; consequently the report herein is a record of the transactions undertaken during his tenure of office. DETAILS OF REVENUE, ETC. Matters of detail with reference to the financial operations and business of the Department will be found at length in the statement and tables which follow. I have the honour to be, Your Excellency's most obedient servant, C. J. Parr, Postmaster- General. General Post Office, Wellington, 6th July, 1925.