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STORES The value of stores and equipment ordered during the year was as follows, the figures for the previous year being given for comparative purposes : 1946-47. 1947-48. .£ £ For Post and Telegraph Department— From suppliers in New Zealand .. 784,340 943,039 Ordered for supply from overseas .. 1,643,645 2,469,697 For other Departments — From suppliers in New Zealand .. 224,658 519,578 Ordered for supply from overseas .. 48,652 119,956 The above amounts represent actual or estimated costs, including freight, customs duty, and sales tax where applicable. The value of the stocks, including stores on-cost, held in the Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington storekeeping districts at the end of the year, as compared with that of the stocks held on the 31st March, 1947, was as follows : 31st March, 31st March, District. 1947. 1948. £ £ Auckland .. .. .. .. 422,014 482,113 Christchurch .. .. .. .. 186,860 236,520 Dunedin .. .. .. .. 109,165 188,706 Wellington .. .. .. .. 1,868,179 1,747,063 £2,586,218 2,654,402 DEPARTMENTAL MOTOR-VEHICLES Of the new motor-vehicles placed in service during the year, 58 were cars and 35 commercial vehicles. The fleet now totals 1,247, comprising 380 cars and 867 trucks and vans. Of the total mentioned, 354 vehicles were obtained second-hand ex-Army, while the larger proportion of the remainder were purchased prior to the commencement of the war. It is expected that a supply of new vehicles likely to be obtained early in the new year will enable the Department to withdraw from service a number of vehicles that have passed their useful period of service and are proving costly in maintenance. The total distance travelled by departmental vehicles during the year was 9,792,712 miles. WORKSHOPS The value of work performed in the various departmental workshops during the year was £516,366. Of this amount, £99,033 represents the value of services rendered to other Government Departments. WORK PERFORMED FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS Value A total of approximately £200,000,000 was handled by the Post Office on behalf of other Departments during the year.

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