H.—36.

1935. NEW ZEALAND.

PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1935.

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

Printing and Stationery Department, Wellington, 29t.1i July, 1935. I have the honour to submit the annual report upon the working of this Department lor the year ended 31st March, 1935. , . 1 , The tables accompanying the report show the nature, extent, and result ot the year s working. Gazette— The number printed of each issue was 750, the number of subscribers 412, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £2,191. Hansard. —The number printed of each issue for session 1934-35 was 7,000, the number of subscribers 134, and the amount received from subscribers and sales £156. Stamp-printing— Stamps to the value of £14,374,305, and postal notes to the value of £29,726 were printed. . , „ OK , Stereo and Electro Plates.—The number of stereo-plates cast during the year was 35,570, ot which 1,446 were nickel-plated, the weight being 23,306 lb. Rubber Stamps— The number of rubber stamps made was 1,551. Railway Ticket 5.—5,288,577 railway tickets were printed, the largest number (793,637) being printed in December. . . . Work of the Year.—The year has been one of greatly increased activity, the turnover showing an increase of approximately £16,800 as compared with that of the previous year. Conditions generally have improved, and the present indications are that this improvement will continue. The Photo-litho and Process Engraving Branch dealt with 52 maps of survey districts, 9 city, borough, and county maps, and 328 miscellaneous maps, plans, posters, cheque forms, debenture forms, and diagrams. 1,805 half-tone, line, and three-colour blocks were made, in addition to 300 bromide prints, 259 negatives, and 26 lantern-slides. The Stationery Office dealt with .13,828 requisitions for stationery and publications, the total sales amounting to £35,823. These requisitions comprised 124,987 items, and, in addition to parcels, 2,951 cases of stationery were despatched. Cash orders numbered 6,552. In addition, 223 typewriters of the value of £3,840 were issued. Paper —Stocks of all the standard lines have been maintained at prices approximately the same as those of the previous year. The issues for the year amounted to £32,294, comprising 65,265 packages of paper and boards and 3,784,700 envelopes. ; _ Machinery. —Special attention has been directed to the introduction of up-to-date machinery,, and two " Intertype " composing machines, a new " Miehle " vertical job press, and a disc rulingmachine have been installed, with satisfactory results. Several old machines were disposed of at very satisfactory prices. Accommodation. —The congested state of the paper store during the year due to lack ot space necessitated the use of the Public Works Department's store at Pipitea Point for the storage of paper As this arrangement involves waste of time and costly double handling of heavy stock, the question of providing suitable storage space on the premises requires urgent consideration. Finance. The year's working has resulted in a profit of £12,055 3s. lid., 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., G. H. Loney, The Hon. the Minister in Charge. Government Printer.