p.—l

14

Dillmanstown, Motupiko to Sherry, Blenheim to Wairau Bar; and at present under construction, Collingwood to Capo Farewell. The Blenheim and White's Bay Section has been overhauled and strengthened. The lines in the district have been carefully overhauled and placed in an efficient state of repair. A telephone exchange has been opened at Nelson. Canterbury District. During the year the following lines and wires have been erected : New wire, Christchurch to Waitaki; line, Albury to Fairlie Creek; line, Oxford to View Hill; telephone line, Akaroa to Akaroa Lighthouse; telephone line, Lyttelton to Lyttelton Lighthouse. Christchurch to Kaikoura : Some parts of this section will require additional attention shortly. Christchurch to Waitaki: Many of the poles in this section will want renewing, as they are getting very tender. Arahura Junction to Eolleston : The road-crossings in this section have been raised. The line between Bealey and Arthur's Pass will be overhauled shortly, and all defective saplings removed. Christchurch to Akaroa : Many of the poles in this section are getting tender. A slight overhaul has been made during the year. A considerable diversion had to be made along Lake Forsyth to allow the railway works to proceed. All other lines in this district are in thoroughly good order, and have been carefully overhauled. The telephone exchange in Christchurch is working very well, and gradually increasing. Otago Disteict. During the year the following lines have been erected: Gore to Pukerau, Gore to Eiversdale, Dunedin to Bavensbourne, Dunedin to Caversham, Bluff to Signal Station and Flagstaff, Queenstown to Frankton, Duntroon to Kurow and Hakateramea, a section of wire (14-J- miles) from Oamaru to Waitaki. Several Eailway and Marine Department lines have been erected. The principal works of maintenance have been reconstruction (six miles) from Mataura southwards. The whole of the line from Mataura to Balclutha was overhauled, and a number of new pole-butts put in. About a mile of line has been reconstructed between Milton and Balclutha. The line from Waitaki to Dunedin was overhauled. In addition to special repairs all lines have been overhauled and many minor repairs made, and are now in thoroughly good working order. The Bluff to Invercargill, Invercargill to Eiverton, and Invercargill to Winton Sections, however, require an overhaul. The telephone exchanges at Dunedin, Invercargill, Port Chalmers (branch), and Oamaru are working very satisfactorily.

The usual tables and Telegraph charts are appended.