F.-l

XXIV

No. 8 copper wire is at present being substituted for an old iron wire between Blenheim and Kaikoura. The lines, generally, are in fair condition. On the Hokitika-Ross line a complete renewal of 130 poles may be necessary. Telephone Exchanges. The exchanges at Nelson, Greymouth, and Blenheim are in good order. At each place the number of subscribers is slightly in advance of last year, the total number for the district being 212. Chbistchuech. Construction. The following works have been completed :— Miles of Miles of Poles. Wire. Waikare-Hawarden ... ... ... ... ... 4* 4* Ashburton-Mayfield ... ... ... ... ... 4 22| For Railway Department— Waimate loop ... ... ... ... ... ... 0* 1 Total ... ... ... ... ... 9 28 Maintenance. The following lines have been overhauled: Amberley - Rangiora, Raugiora-Addington, Rangiora-Oxford, Hornsby-Southbridge, Christchurch-Akaroa (about 4 miles), ChristchurchSumner (about 3 miles), and Jackson's-Otira. On the last-named section large arms have been put up so as to give the wires greater spread than is usual. The section Waiau to Kaikoura is being strengthened by reducing the spans to about 3 chains and erecting extra double poles. During the current year the following works may require to be undertaken: Completion of overhaul of sections Christchurch-Akaroa, Akaroa-Akaroa Lighthouse, Christchurch-Sumner; removal of a large number of poles between Jackson's and Old John's; rebutting and renewal of arms on Darfield-White Cliffs Section; strengthening of the main line between Studholme and Waitaki; shortening of spans and general strengthening of the Christchurch- Lyttelton line. Morse sets on the closed-circuit system have been fitted on the following circuits: TimaruFairlie, six sets; Christchurch-Ashburton, one set; Ashburton-Timaru, one set. At Waiau and Jackson's, open-circuit sets have been fitted to facilitate testing. Between Rangiora and Oxford 17 miles, and between Southbridge and Ellesmere 10 miles of wire have been dismantled making a total of 27 miles for the district. Telephone Exchanges. A sub-exchange was opened at Rangiora during the year with eight subscribers. There are now four exchanges in the district—viz., Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, and Rangiora. The total number of subscribers last year was 1,017. This year there are 1,093, or an increase of 76. A multiple switchboard on the branching system will be erected at Christchurch during this year. Dunedin. Construction. The following extension-works were carried out during the year: — Miles of Miles of Poles. Wire. Dunedin to Burkes (railway-wire)... ... ... ... ... 4 Balclutha to Toiro and Warepa ... ... ... ... 6* 9 Eweburn to Ranfurly ... ... .. ... ... 1J 1* Colac to Round Hill ... ... ... ... ... 3 3 Drummond to Heddon Bush ... ... ... ... 6 6 Wairio to Annandale ...» ... .... ... ... 5 5 Merrivale to Eastern Bush and Clifden ... . . ... 12* 12J Invercargill to Otautau (trunk telephone-wire) ... 31 Wingatui semaphore and block wires ... . . ... ... 1J Total ... ... ... ... ... 34* 73* Maintenance. 376 miles of line have been carefully overhauled by repairing parties, some portions being reconstructed where necessary. There have been no faults or interruptions of any importance during the year. The total mileage of lines at the end of the year was 1,513 of line and 3,342 of wire in the telegraph branch, and 97 of line and 1,149 of wire in the telephone-exchange branch of the service. . ... Telephone Exchanges. A new sub-exchange was opened at Otautau, with 8 ordinary subscribers and 9 bureau connections, the whole being connected to the Invercargill Exchange as required by means of a copper wire 31 miles in length. There are now 14 ordinary and branch exchanges in the district, with 1,600 telephones in use in connection therewith. The net increase of subscribers during the year amounted to 95. A multiple switchboard on the branching system will be erected at Dunedin during this year