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DUNBDIN. The following lines were erected during the year :— Miles of Poles. Miles of Wire. Oamaru to Peebles... ... ... ... 1-J- l^ Invercargill to South Invercargill ... ... ... If Lawrence to Alexandra (second wire) ... ... ... 62 Invercargill to Waimahaka ... ... ... ... 25-f Henley to Waihola ... ... ... ... 5 Invercargill to Wyndham (trunk wire) ... ... 25 42 Invercargill to Gore (metallic circuit) ... ... ... 40 Invercargill to Eiverton (trunk wire) ... ... 19 19 Winton to Limehills ... ... ... -| 7J Eiverton to Gummie's Bush ... ... ... 6 6 Georgetown to Borton's ... ... ... ... 5-J-Main line to Waikouaiti (trunk line) ... ... ... J Palmerston to Goodwood ... ... ... \ 5 The Camp to Broad Bay ... ... ... 2 11 Duntroon to Livingstone ... ... ... 11 11 ' Henley to Berwick... ... ... ... ... 4 Dunedin to Kaikorai ... ... ... ... If Georgetown to Ikawai ... ... ... 4 4 Heriot to Dunrobin ... ... ... 6 6 Wyndham to LMendale (trunk wire) ... ... ... 3f Winton to Lumsden (trunk wire) ... ... ... 35f Waimahaka to Titiroa ... ... ... \ \ For the Railway Department- - Eanfurly to Wedderburn ... ... ... 8£ 8| Oamaru to Breakwater, &c, and removing wires and instruments to new station, Oamaru ... ... 1-J- 3-J Dunedin to Cattle-yards ... ... ... ... 3-^ Invercargill Eailway to Signal-cabin Dunedin to number-taker's box 1 Invercargill to shunter's box Dunedin to north box Kensington to Semaphores ... ... ... ... 2-J-Main line to Cattle-yards ... ... ... f 2-|-Mosgiel to Stationmaster's house) ± Hyde to Stationmaster's house ) For Public Works Department— Wedderburn to Blackstone Hill ... ... 8| 12J Owaka to Public Works Camp... ... ... ... 2 Orepuki to Public Works Camp ... ... ... J Heriot to Public Works Camp... ... ... ... 1 Total ... ... ... 95 336 i The above additions bring the totals in the district up to 1,641 miles of poles, carrying miles of wire. • Offices. The total number of telegraph-offices open for public business is 62, and of telephone 175, a total of 237. The telephone-office at Eweburn was closed and the bureau at Mosgiel transferred to the post-office. Maintenance. The lines throughout the district have worked very well during the year, there having been no serious interruptions. Some 500 miles of line were overhauled and put in good order. Although a great number of totara poles have now been in use for upwards of thirty years, a large percentage is still in first-class condition, both North and South Island timber giving equally good results. Telephone Exchanges. The multiple switchboard which was brought into use in the Dunedin exchange on the 26th May, 1900, has demonstrated by its smooth working its great superiority over the old system. The work has been greatly facilitated. The number of subscribers connected with the exchange increased during the year from 1,082 to 1,204, a difference of 122. In anticipation of further increase, a new section of 450 numbers has been ordered, which will bring the capacity of the exchange up to 1,950. New Exchanges. New exchanges have been opened at Edendale, Lumsden, Ngapara, Eiverton, Waikouaiti, and Wyndham. Two metallic circuits have been established between Invercargill and Bluff, and one between Invercargill and Gore, with excellent results, the disturbances from induction previously experienced being practically eliminated. The total number of subscribers in the Otago District at the end of the financial year was 1,967, an increase of 294. The number of telephones in use connected with exchanges numbered 2,208, in addition to 190 connected with the telegraph system. The total mileage of telephone-exchange poles was 114f, and of wire 1,357f. v—F. 1.

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