F.—l

XXXI

Cheistchubch Distbict. Construction. The undermentioned lines and wires were erected during the year : — Miles of Poles. Miles of Wire. Leeston to Southbridge (metallic trunk) ... ... ... 8 Timaru to Waimate „ ... ... ... 65 Ghristchurch to Belfast „ ... ... ... 6 Ghristchurch to Lincoln „ ... ... ... 14 Studholme Junction to Waimate (metallic trunk) ... ... 5-| Domett (lead off Cheviot wire) ... ... ... Of Of Christehurch to Beckenham ... ... ... ... 2 Woodend to Tuahiwi ... ... ... ... \\ 1-J Papanui to Hare wood Boad ... ... ... 2J 2 \ St. Andrew's to Otaio ... ... ... ... ... 3f For the Bailway Department — Christehurch to Christchureh Eailway (extension of Little : Biver wire) ... ... ... ... ... 2 H in Line dismantled — Kaiapoi to Belfast ... ... ... ... 4f This latter line ran on old wooden poles, and for this length the wire has been shifted to the new iron-rail line of poles erected by the Railway Department for tablet-working. Line transferred to Bailway Department— Addington to Bolleston (for tablet-working) ... ... 12 24 Maintenance. The following sections have been overhauled and strengthened in a number of places with extra poles : — Miles. Timaru to Washdyke (reconstructed) ... ... ... ... 4 Timaru to Studholme Junction ... ... ... ... 27 Studholme Junction to Waimate ... ... ... ... 5-| Washdyke to Fairlie ... ... .... ... ... 35 Bolleston to Hornby ... ... ... ... ... 8 Bangiora to Oxford ... ... ... ... ... 22 Total ... ... ... ... ... 101J The section of line north of Timaru towards Christehurch is now being overhauled. The Waipara-Cheviot line requires attention and a considerable length removed from paddocks on to roadway. The poles are very old and in an unsatisfactory condition. Other sections are in fair order. The total mileage of poles and wire maintained in this district is 904f and 3,489 respectively, exclusive of railway-lines. Offices. An additional outlet for telegraph-work at Waimate has been provided by superimposing a telegraph circuit over the metallic trunk telephone-line between Timaru and Waimate ; and a metallic telephone circuit has been arranged for telephonic communication between Christehurch and Ashburton by superimposing the telephone on two telegraph-wires. It is a complete success in every way. The speech is good and the revenue satisfactory, and the arrangement is largely taken advantage of, whilst the telegraph service is in no way impaired. The electric light has been installed in the Christehurch Post and Telegraph Offices. Exchanges. Six new sub-exchanges were opened—viz., Waimate, Studholme Junction, St. Andrew's, Lincoln, Lyttelton, and Southbridge. There are now 16 exchanges in the district, all of which are working satisfactorily. The number of subscribers to the Christehurch Exchange is now 1,479, an increase of 196 for the year. A large amount of reconstruction had to be undertaken owing to heavier poles being required to carry the increasing load. The total connections with the various exchanges is 1,974, an increase of 281. Of these, 1,831 are paying, 50 free, and 93 bureaux. The mileage of poles and wires connecting subscribers totals 144f and 2,041f respectively.