F.-1.

TELEGRAPH BATTERIES. During the year the universal telegraph battery system was installed at Hamilton, Taumarunui and New Plymouth, thus dispensing with the use of a large number of primary cells at those offices. EXTENSION OF TELEGRAPH AND TOLL SYSTEMS. As in recent years, the Department's programme of works during the year comprised only the most urgent works which were considered necessary for the proper working of the telegraph and toll services. These works consisted mainly of reconstructing existing assets, including the rearrangement of circuits to provide improved toll facilities. In a few instances new lines were erected. The following are the places between which the efficiency of the existing circuits was improved or between which new circuits were erected or provided : — Auckland Engineering District: Kohukohu-Kaikohe, Auckland-Wellington, Kaeo-Otangaroa, Otangaroa-Mangonui-Peria, Tangaihi-Pouto, Tuakau-Onewhero, Waiwerā- Auckland, Huntly-Pukemiro, Ngat.ea-Paeroa, Auckland-Hamilton, Hamilton-Raglan, MorrinsvilleHamilton, Kawhia -Te Awamutu, Ohaupo Cambridge, Te Awamutu - PukeatuaPutaruru, Ohura-Tahora, Auckland - Huia Dam, Pukekohe-Tuakau. Wellington Engineering District: Napier-Gisborne, Napier - Palmerston North, PakowhaiTaradale, Gisborne-Muriwai, Martinborough-Hinakura,, Heretaunga-Kaitoke, Feather-ston-Kaitoke, Stratford-Douglas, Urenui-Pukearuhe, Oakura-Koru, Manaia-Kaponga, Hope Junction - Lake Rotoiti, Wye River-Lake Rotoiti, Motueka—Thorpe, Hicks Bay - Potaka, Hawera-Opunake, Waitotara-Ngamatapouri. Canterbury Engineering District: Harihari-Waiho Gorge, Waiho Gorge-Weheka, RakaiaWest Kyle, Purau - Port Levy, Christchurch-Greymouth, Port Levy - Pigeon Bay, Springfield-Cass. Otago Engineering District: Lawrence - Tuapeka Mouth, Balclutha-Kaitangata, MossburnTe Anan, Lumsden-Kingston, Invercargill-Riverton. In addition to the foregoing, 551 miles of toll and telegraph pole-line were reconstructed during the year. This work involved the replacement of 823 miles of wire. Other improvements to the plant and equipment used in connection with the telegraph and toll services include the following : — The conversion of telephone-bureau circuits to central-battery working and the addition of one bureau circuit at the Auckland Chief Post-office. The provision of facilities for toll dialling between Auckland and Hamilton, Weber and Dannevirke, and Ashburton and Christehurch, and the extension of dialling facilities on the toll boards at. Morrinsville, Hamilton, Hawera, and Palmerston North. The installation in the Auckland Telephone Exchange of the " demand " system on the toll boards, and a monitoring and general utility amplifier on the toll testboard. The installation at Napier and Gisborne of 24-volt 216-ampere-hour secondary batteries for carrier-telephone purposes ; the installation at New Plymouth of charging equipment for a 130-volt battery (carrier equipment) ; and the installation at Seddon of repeater equipment batteries. The installation of new testboards at Papakura and Waitakaruru, and the installation at New Plymouth of a toll testboard and a combined telegraph testboard and carrier-line filter-rack. The provision of extra recording facilities on the toll-board in the Hawera Telephone Exchange. The installation at Palmerston North of three bureau circuits. The provision of new lead-in toll and telegraph lines at a large number of offices. POLES AND WIRES. During the year 66 miles of pole-line and 707 miles of wire (including wire in submarine cable) were erected for telegraph and telephone (toll) purposes, while 122 miles of pole-line and 681 miles of wire were dismantled, or, in localities where no longer required by the Department, sold to settlers for use as private telephone-lines. The lengths of pole-line and wire (including wire in submarine cable) in use for telegraph and telephone toll purposes on the 31st March, 1934 and 1935 respectively, were as follow :— Year ended Year ended Pole-line and Wire. 31st March, 1934. 31st March, 1935. Miles of Pole-line .. .. .. .. 12,222* 12,166 Miles of Wire .. .. .. .. .. 64,913* 64,939 NEW ZEALAND SUBMARINE CABLES. COOK STRAIT CABLES. On the 27th February an earth fault developed in the Cook Strait four-core telephone cable, the effect of which was to render inoperative one of the speech channels normally available for use between Wellington and Blenheim. Localization tests disclosed the existence of the fault at a point approximately 1-3 nautical miles on the seaward side of the Lyall Bay cable-hut. Subsequent investigations showed that the trouble was brought about by the chafing of the armour wires where the cable had been lying over a small patch of rock.

* Revised figures.

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