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second wing of the new Cbristchurch Training College ; additions to the Timaru Boys' High School, and additions to the Waitaki Boys' High School. The Education Department is continuing its policy of centralizing schools in localities where the condition of the roads, the location of the existing schools, and other material factors render such a course advisable and economical. LIGHTHOUSES. During the year both Cape Foulwind and Kahurangi Point Lighthouses were converted to automatic operation, enabling a reduction to be made in the number of light-keepers required. These two lights are the most powerful that have so far been converted to automatic operation. At the French Pass a new automatic beacon, replacing the original oil beacon, was installed, thus obviating the daily attention which was necessary previously. A new automatic beacon light has been provided at Piako to take the place of the two oil-burning leading-lights there. It has been decided to provide lighthouses at Kaikoura and the North Cape, and. automatic apparatus has been ordered for both localities. At Dog Island the original keepers' cottages have fallen into disrepair, and, as they are very old, arrangements were made to replace them with two up-to-date cottages. Contracts were let accordingly, and the work is well in hand. A new diaphone fog-signal has been erected at Pencarrow Head, and will be in operation shortly, while another one at Godley Head will be proceeded with immediately. HARBOUR-WORKS. At Westport a large amount of work has been carried out in connection with protective works necessitated by the flooding of the Buller River. The dredging on the bar has been carried on regularly and a good entrance maintained, while a start has been made with the dredging of a swinging-basin, a bucket dredger being chartered to carry out this work. At Karamea extensive works are being put in hand in order to provide stone for the maintenance and reconstruction of the training-wall. Extensions to the wharf were also carried out. A new wharf was erected at Little Wanganui, and subsidies were provided towards the new Mrro-concrete wharf at Russell, and a timber-wharf at Paihia. At Havelock fairly extensive wharf repairs were carried out. Minor works were subsidized at Whangape, Horeke, Mangawai, Waikouaiti, and a number of other small centres. TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. The expenditure for the year was £31,981, as against £43,486 for the previous year. The main expenditure incurred during the year was for improvements to the Rotorua drainage system, extensions to the Rotorua electrical system, additions and improvements at Waitomo Caves, Helensville, and Te Anau, and the purchase of a new lauch for the Waimangu round trip. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. The past year has been one of steady progress, both in the matter of providing greater facilities for inter-communication by telephone between various parts of the Dominion and in extending the local exchange systems. Some idea of the vast amount of developmental work which is carried out in the course of twelve months in connection with the Dominion's telephone system may be gauged from the fact that the additions to plant during the year consisted of 1,023 miles of pole line, 32 miles of single-duct line, 168 miles of cable containing 47,415 miles wire, 8,660 miles of bare aerial wire, 1.400 miles of covered wire, 10,560 main and 2,830 extension telephones, together with a large number of improvements to plant, the extent of which cannot readily be illustrated by figures. The most important work undertaken during the year in connection with the toll-line system was the erection of a new trunk telephone circuit between Seddon
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