F.—l

XXIX

Many minor faults have been caused by traction-engines and threshing-machines fouling the wires, and several others through trees being felled over the lines. Persons responsible have been called upon in each instance to defray the cost of repairs. The following sections have been overhauled and strengthened with extra or larger poles where necessary : — Miles. Waipukurau to Dannevirke ... ... ... ... 35-J-New Plymouth co Uruti Eoad (partially) ... ... ... 42 Eketahuna to Pongaroa (partially) . . ... ... ... 39 Blackburn to Makaretu ... ... ... ... ... 2 Napier to Pohui ... ... ... ... ... ... 27 Longburn to Shannon ... ... ... ... ... 15 Palmerston North to Feilding ... ... ... ... 12-J Mangaweka to Taihape ... ... ... ... ... 13J Greatford to Bull's ... ... ... ... ... 4 Wairoa to Nuhaka (partially) ... ... .. ... 20 Featherston-Riniutaka line (partially)... ... ... ... 1 Hutt to Petone (reconstructed) ... ... ... ... 1-J-Levin Township „ ... ... ... ... O^ Hatuma Railway „ ... ... ... ... Of Manaia to Otakeho „ ... ... ... ... 2 Total ... ... ... ... ... 216| The overhaul of the Upper Hutt-Kaitoke and Napier-Taupo sections is now in progress. A quadruplex repeater has been installed at Palmerston North, which enables that office to work duplex with Wellington, while at the same time Feilding can also duplex to Wellington on the same wire. Metallic Circuits. Following up the satisfactory results attained by superimposing telephones on telegraph and combined telegraph and telephone wires, thereby giving a metallic circuit for the telephone, circuits have been so arranged between Pahiatua-Woodville, Palmerston North-Feilding, Palmerston North—Marton, Marton-Wanganui, and Palmerston Norch-Foxton. In each case a telegraph circuit works over the closed circuit, the telephonic communication being effected by means of transformers. The results have in all cases been very satisfactory, induction being practically eliminated. A telephone metallic circuit has been established between Palmerston North and Woodville. Offices. Transfers to new offices were effected at a large number of places, chief of which were Carterton, Levin, Hunterville, and Port Ahuriri. Levin and Taihape have been converted from telephone to Morse offices. There are now 321 offices in the district, of which 260 are connected by telephone and 61 by Morse instruments. Gables. The several cables across Cook Strait have been periodically tested, with satisfactory results. No faults have occurred since repairs were effected in May of last year. Telephone Exchanges. Two new exchanges were opened during the year—viz., Foxton and Sanson. In connection with the Wellington Exchange, the Adelaide Eoad and Eiddiford Street line has been reconstructed on account of the widening of the street, and heavier poles erected in view of the contemplated metallic cables. A large amount of work has been done on account of the City Corporation in connection with clearing departmental wires from the track of the tramway-trolley wires and span-poles. In anticipation of the heavy induction from the electric tramway wires, which will seriously affect the working of the exchange telephones, steps have been taken to replace the earth circuits with metallic circuits contained in lead-covered aerial cables. The first instalment has been received. The total number of subscribers co this exchange at the close of the year ended the 31st March was 2,103, an increase of 201 since last report —2,003 paying, 47 free, and 53 bureaux. The mileage of poles and wire connecting subscribers totals 49£ and 1,865 miles 65 chains respectively. At Hunterville, Carterton, and Woodville the exchanges have been transferred to new offices, a considerable amount of reconstruction being entailed. At Stratford the exchange was transferred to a new room. Owing to limited accommodation for ihe switchboards similar work will be necessary at Hawera and Masterton. Fires at Wanganui, Palmerston North, Gisborne, Patea, and Elcham caused injury to our lines, but no serious inconvenience to subscribers was occasioned. Sixteen telephones were destroyed by fire, 10 of which were at Wellington. There are now 30 exchanges in the district, which are all working satisfactorily. The subscribers connected therewith aggregate 4,868, an increase of 572 for the year. Of this number 4,510 are paying, 106 free, and 252 bureaux, connected by 253f miles of poles and 3,533 miles of wire. Extension telephones at the various exchanges number 582, making a grand total of 5,450 telephones in use in this district.