TELEGRAPHIC ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Lyttelton Times, Issue 1510, 14 October 1865, Page 12 (Supplement)

TELEGRAPHIC ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The following is the report of the \ Telegraphic Engineer: — t Christchurch, Aug. 11,1865. I have the honor to present my annual ( general report on the progress of the tele- t graph works placed under my control, and on ] the general condition of the department. < Since my lait report upwards of four nun- j dred and thirty-one (431) milefl of double ( line of telegraph have been completed, and - three hundred and seventy-one (371) miles ( hate been brought into operation for the use , of the public in the Middle Island. Much of , the line has presented more than ordinary difficulty in the construction, owing to , the sinuosity of the roads in some districts, and the character of the rivers in others, the latter more especially in Canterbury. Two of these rivers, the Arowhenua and the Ashburton, have been particularly troublesome. They were not considered of sufficient importance to require the adoption of special arrangements, but the extraordinarily heavy freshes that have occurred in these rivers put the line to the severest test, and it was soon found that works of a similar nature to those adopted at the largest rivers, such as the Waitaki, Rakaia, and Molyneux, had to be erected at the Ashburton, to insure our not being interrupted by breakages of the line on the recurrence of heavy floods and freshes, such as those that have taken place this year. At the Molyneux, Waitaki, Ashburton, and Rakaia, poles forty (40) feet long have been used, which has enabled me to cross these rivers without having recourse to the expensive method of laying insulated cables. Although the undertaking was considered bold and hazardous ; it has, nevertheless, succeeded perfectly well, and the arrangement will probably last till these rivers are bridged, when all difficulties will The four hundred and thirty-one (431; miles of line now completed extends from Invercargill to the Hurunui, and the three hundred and seventy-one (371) miles of line brought into operation for the use of the public, extends from Invercargill to Christchurch. The total cost of the four hundred and thirty-one (431) miles of line may be set down at twenty-eight thousand eight hundred and nine pounds twelve shillings and sixpence (£28,809 12s 6d), being at the rate of sixty-six pounds sixteen shillings and tenpence (£66 16s lOd) per mile. See return B. This sum slightly exceeds the original estimate, which was sixty-five pounds (£65) per nile. The excels may be attributed to the pri'je of. the posts in some instances, which have been greatly augmented in price by the heavy charges incurred by the carriage of timber, and alss to the charges for carriage and freight on the other material. The line in Southland has cost two thousand four hundred and seven pounds twelve shillings and fourpence (£2407 12s 4d), being at the rate of seventy-five pounds four shillings and niuepence (£75 4s 9d) per mile, the highest price of any section yet completed. The great cost of this section may, however, be attributed to the fact that the material had to be imported from the provinces of Canterbury and Otago. The next section, namely that passing through Otago, has cost thirteen thousand one hundred and eight pounds nineteen shillings (£13,108 19s) being at the rate of sixty-nine pounds seven shilling and two pence per mile (£69 7a 2d), and the high rate of this section may be set down to to the price of the poles. The contract for the poles was, however, for the most part let out by the Provincial Government and transferred to the General Government. The Canterbury portion of the line is lower than any of the previous sections, the total cost amounting to thirteen thousand two hundred and ninetythree pounds one shilling and twopence (£13,293 Is 2d), being at the rate of sixtyr three pounds six shillings (£63 6s) per , mile. This section may be regarded as the best portion of the line, both as regards posts and insulation. Between the Waitaki and the Pareora, the ; posts are sawn totara, between the Pareora and the Rangitata they are sawn blue gum, j imported from Tasmania, between the Rangitata and Woodend, the posts are of sawn or squared timber, but the timber is of a mixed 1 character, and may, therefore, be considered somewhat inferior to the posts mentioned in • the two previous sections. The great difficnlty of obtaining timber for this portion of ' the line, rendered the adoption of mixed • timber necessary. The poles erected between ; Woodend and the Hurunui are black pine saplings, and though they may not last so long as the swan posts, they were considerably ' cheaper, and I have no doubt they will endure 1 the ordinary term of telegraph posts in Eng- » land and the neighbouring colonies, that is i from seven to nine years. With regard to the remaining portion of the line between the Hurunui and the city of Nelson, the works 1 are progressing satisfactorily. A certain amount of clearing of bush, land and blasting , of rock'have to be effected, which will cause . delay; but they cannot be avoided, and must be considered as necessary portions of • the work. The difficulty of landing on the East Coast of the Island, | has caused much delay in the delivery ,of the wire, insulators, and other ' material for this portion of the line. The

greater portion of the material has, however, been landed, and we may therefore expect the Vorks now to proceed without further delay. Should no unforeseen difficulties arise, we may safely calculate on placing Picton in communication with the rest of the telegraphic system of the Middle Island, in less than three months from the present time. The works between Picton and Nelson will

then be proceeded with as expeditiously as the nature of the country will permit, and I doubt not but that telegraphic communication will be completed between the Bluff and Nelson in less than six months. In addition to the four hundred and thirty-one miles of line that have been erected during the year the Go-

vernment has purchased two short lines, one nineteen (19) miles in length, from the Provincial Government of Southland, and one eight (3) miles in length, from the Provincial Government of Canterbury ; thus the whole length of available line amounts to the extent of four hundred and fifty-eight miles (458). Stations are established at the following places—Campbelltown, Invercargill, Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, Christchurch, Heathcote "Valley, and Lyttelton.

A return of the business done at the various stations since the date of opening or transfer of each station up to the end of July will be found in return A. It is gratifying to see by this return that the business of the department is steadily on the increase. In looking to the future prospects of the department it mnst be borne in mind that the amount of business now doing is by no meßns a fair average, for we are not only passing through a period of general commercial depression, but the present is the dullest season of the year, as far as commerce is concerned. I have not the least doubt but that during the wool season, the receipts at some of the stations will be nearly double what they now are. The only stations that have been opened for two entire months, and which can, consequently allow of a comparison of the two months' business, are Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill, and the result is as follows : —At Christchurch the increase of July business on that of June amounts to twenty pounds three shillings and threepence (£2O 3s 3d). Dunedin shows an increase during the same period of sixty-one pounds thirteen shillings and sixpence (£3l 13s 6d). Invercargill, notwithstanding the depressed state of its commercial affairs, has increased its business for the month of July to the extent of five pounds nineteen shillings and ninepence (£5 19s 9d). Looking, then, to the general result, we find the business done in May was seventy-nine pounds sixteen shiland threepence (£79 16s 3d). The business done in June was three hundred and twenty-four pounds eight shillings and sixpence (£324 8s 6d), shewing an increase of two hundred and forty-four pounds twelve shillings and threepence (£244 12s 3d). The business done in the month of July amounted to four hundred and ninety-four pounds eighteen shillings and sixpence (£494 18s 6d), shewinp an increase of one hundred and seventy pounds ten shillings (£l7O 10s.). It would, I think, be found beneficial to the

interests of the department if the hours of business were extended from 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. at the chief stations ; but to effect this certain additions should be made to the staff I should propose extending the hours of business at Lyttelton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, and the Bluff. For this purpose we should require three good telegraphists at Christchurch and Dunedin, and two good telegraphists and a junior assistant at the Bluff, Invercargill, and Lyttelton. Numerous complaints have come under my notice of the inconvenience experienced by the early closing of our stations, and I feel myself justified in recommending the Government to extend the hours as suggested above. While speaking of stations, 1 would, recommend the establishment of telegraph stations at the Molyneux, Tokomairiro, and Kniapoi. These stations may be worked in connection with the post-offlces in those town*, a telegraphist being appointed postmaster at the Molyneux. Before closing my report, I should recommend that where the telegraphic service is attached to the post-office, a telegraphist should be appointed to the office of postmaster, and not the postmaster to the office of telegraphist. {Several of the telegraphists now in the office have exercised the functions of postmasters in the neighbouring colonies, and are consequently capable of fill n g both appointments ; while i; is almost impossible to make many of the postmasters telegraphists, and assistant telegraphies have consequently to be given them, atatfreat additional cost to the original estimate for working the combined offices. Alfred Shkath, Telegraphic Engineer.

Cost of Collecting the Census. — The following is an extract from a return which has been laid before the General Assembly. It shpws the cost ot taking the triennial census of New Zealand, in the various provinces of the the colony, for the years 1858, 1861, and 1864

Name of Province. 1858. 1861. I SO}. £ 8. A. £ s. d. £ h, d. General 100 0 0 — I — Auckland 1071 2 312 116 3 1489 H 0 Taranaki 37 12 0 32 16 0! 133 6 0 Wellington 345 10 0 310 9 o! 428 1 6 Huwkes Bay 110 3 6 199 00' 2(H 3 2 Nelson 171 0 6 159 7 6 249 10 2 Canterbury 267 15 0 695 9 8 552 1 4 Otago 275 19 0 596 15 (5 ] 873 15 9 Marlborough ... — 138 10 0, 269 010 Southland — 168 10 0 307 13 9 Stewart's Island ... — — — Chatham Islands ... — — (15 0 0 Totals 2389 6 3 3521 13 115612 3 6 New Zealand Exhibition.—We liave been favoured by Mr. Holmes, the secretary of the local committee in this province, with a complete list of exhibitors of this province to whom honorary certificates have been awarded. The certificates have been received from Dunedin, and will be distributed to the persons mentioned in the following list, on their calling upon the secretary at the Government Buildings, ChristchurcbF. Thompson, excellent building stone, from Bridle path quarry ; N.and A. Ellis, building stone, from Greystone quarries; W. G-. Brittan, building stone, from Halswell quarries ; Chalmers and Hall, building stone, from Crighton dale quarry; Forgan and Son, limestone, from Weka pass; Graham and Weybourne, grey and freestone of excellent quality; Hall, Bros., building stone from Mr. T. N. Hodgson's quarries ; I). "W. Wood, wheat; Trent and Knapman, prepared coffee; Ward and Co., ale in bulk, of superior quality; John King, pale soap; G. Holmes, woods from Canterbury Province ; R. Cameron, New Zealand flax, prepared as "half stuff" for paper; J.Anderson, selfacting "turn-out" and specimens of tramway ; Jos. Keetley (Kaiapoi), excellent swing plough; W. Doyne, apparatus for allowing the expansion of girders over piers of long iron bridges ; E. Dobson, plans and sections of the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway; James Woodford, Wheatstone's telegraphic instruments ; James Elsbee, photographs of Canterbury scenery; J. Suckling, boots of excellent workmanship; C. M'Nicol, boots of excellent workmanship ; Ward and Eeeves, illustrations of chromolithography; Julius Haast, maps, sections, and geological and other collections, admirably illustrating the physical character of the Province of Canterbury ; W. Buller, admirably preserved illustrations of the ornithology of New Zealand; Wm. Howell, inlaid worktable, of excellent design and workmanship. Acclimatization Societt. —The works in the domain of this society are being carried on, and the grounds areap icaching such a condition that the visitor can form some idea of what the design and plan will I e when completed. The wire for the aviaries having been received, a portion of the latter l ave been erected. One is tenanted by the Australian quails; these are very elegant birds, their plumage being pretty. Their heads, which are covered with feathers striped with various colours, are furnished with a curiouslooking tuft which they,can raise or depress at pleasure. The birds are at present very wild. In the aviaries are placed small shrubs, New Zealand ferns, &c., among which the quails seem to take pleasure in hiding themselves. There is a handsome pair of Guinea fowls, and a few native birds, amongst others a native falcon, which is placed in a cage, and, at the time of our visit was sitting on a perch in sulky silence, but evidently ready for a pounce. In a wired enclosure are the rabbits. One of these, presented by Sir G. Grey, is a fine specimen of the the tnie silver-grey-furred breed. Sir G. Grey informed the Society that a single skin of this animal fetches 10s. 6d. Truly a species worth acclimatising ! The others are a cross-breed, between the sort just named, ana rabbits of an inferior descriptiou. fcome pheasants from Banks' Peninsula have been promised, and they are said to be of a >wy fine sort. Preparations are being male for their reception. The grounds under the immediate care of Mr. Johnsou> the curator occupy about four acres. 1 his gentleman has worked very hard in trying to reduce the land into something like order. The want of funds, however, operates as a great hindrance to the progress of the gardens. If it was possible to have the permanent assistance of one competent man, muc might be done to complete the grounds, i tie ponds are being formed for the. reception o the salmon and trout, which are expected to arrive from England. The latter will put in the ponds, but it has been sug gested to arrange a portion of the run ning stream for the former, because temperature of the stagnant water in ponds is subject to such great, ana sudden changes. One morning the temperature is 80° Fahrenheit, and 65° on ttie succeeding one. These ponds are formu from the old' shingle-beds, and are ooveaa at the bottom partly with stones and parti} with shingle. The earth removed for tuc formation has been thrown up into eyott, which are planted with ornamental trees ana shrubs, having first been seed-sown. One o these trees is a pine from the old £ !ircK ' iu Cathedral Square, but it looks a» as if it would not survive the remo™'• Tench, roach, and other English fish will w imported from England, together with <; gold and silver fish. A special pond will m formed for the latter. It should have I>«n mentioned that the ponds are fitted up * " a contrivance to prevent the escape or " fish, and also to exclude eels, which won make sad havoc among the young fry. * tached to the curator's house is a £"?(. - house for the rearing of the more (lcll plants and vegetables. Here are s thriving specimens of the native ferns, I,u ing the beautiful tree-fern. We may men that Jack, the emu, having become more.. • and decorous in his demeanour, has allowed to resume his wonted liberty. ;i noteworthy objects are to be seen ' _ " 0 " np ..j c ' s specimen of the pendulous nest or a - 1 of native bird ; and the other is a n of bee-liive, introduced by Mr. Joini ■ > „ termed by him-" The colonia 1 By the use of this lnve, not oiny. t]iC honey be removed without < listr^ mu >h bees, but the quantity of hon 9 ' llive s. greater than that produced m ordinal}