F.—l

Change of Designation. From the Ist March the designation of the Engineers in charge of the Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington Engineering Districts was changed to District Engineer. EXAMINATIONS. Officers who were candidates for departmental examinations during the year numbered 2,873, of whom 1,840 were either wholly or partially successful. SUGGESTIONS BOARD. Officers continue to avail themselves freely of the opportunity of making suggestions designed to improve the working of the Department. Suggestions to the number of 280 were received during the year, and 28 awards for meritorious proposals, involving a total sum of £75 10s., were made. Since the Suggestions Board was established ten years ago over 3,300 suggestions covering all phases of the Department's activities have been received. COMMERCIAL BRANCH. The revenue value of the business accruing to the Department through the operations of the Commercial Branch during the year amounted to £66,634, representing an increase of £6,629 (9-9 per cent.) on the figures for the preceding year. Of the total amount, £45,865 represents telephone business and £20,769 advertising and miscellaneous services. This is the highest annual revenue recorded by the Branch since its inception seven years ago. In addition, business of a revenue value of £12,040 (telephone, £11,636 ; advertising and miscellaneous, £404) was obtained by officers operating temporarily as commercial agents at places other than the four main centres. Indicative of the general improvement in conditions were 1,400 orders secured during the year for inter-communicating extension-telephone positions (private automatic exchange and interphone) compared with 561 for the preceding year and 119 for the year ended the 31st March, 1931, the first year of operation of the Branch. Publicity measures were continued during the year both by newspaper advertising and by the distribution of folders, leaflets, &c. STORES BRANCH. The following statement shows the value of stores received and issued in the Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington store-keeping districts during the year, and the value of stocks held at the end of the year. For the purpose of comparison, the particulars for the previous year are shown also :—

The total value of orders placed during the year was £805,624. Of this amount, £238,092 represented the cost of stores for supply from within the Dominion, including £35,615 for stores purchased under contracts arranged by the Stores Control Board. The total value of orders placed during the previous year was £344,387. Particulars of purchases arranged by the Post and Telegraph Department on account of other Departments under the Stores Control Board Regulations are set out hereunder, the figures for the previous year being shown also : —

During the year the purchase of 454 motor-vehicles for other Departments and 234 motorvehicles for the Post and Telegraph Department was arranged. The figures for the previous year were 214 and 87 respectively.

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1936-37. 1935-36. t> • , * r * Stock on hand, -r, • . * T „„„ „ * Stock on hand, Receipts.* Issues.* 3 i st March> 193 7. Receipts.* Issues.* 31st March; 1936 . £ £ £ £ £ £ Auckland .. 192,910 185,260 103,308 132,898 148,525 95,658 Christchiircli .. 72,533 77,945 61,468 57,294 61,520 66,880 Dunedin .. 47,385 47,346 41,534 33,631 40,380 41,495 Wellington .. 349,836 350,508 248,528 276,713 284,137 249,200 Dominion totals .. 662,664 ! 661,059 454,838 500,536 534,562 453,233 * Excluding transfers within store-keeping districts.

Value of Items purchased. Year ended Requisitions. Items. ; - On Indent. Locally. Total. I | £ £ £ 31st March, 1937 .. 4,363 19,182 16,332 171,073 187, 5 31st March, 1936 .. 3,713 16,871 20,800 96,645 117,^5