XXXVII

F.—l.

Net increase for the year, 245 miles 16 chains of line, and 484 miles 77 chains of wire. There are 1,411 miles 69 chains of line and 3,643 miles 15 chains of wire maintained in the district There are seven authorised but uncompleted works, some of which are nearing completion, and others will be proceeded with as soon as practicable. These works include extensions to new districts and the erection of wires on existing lines to give increased accommodation, and to improve existing services. The following are the works referred to :— In course of erection — Belgrove-Kohatu. Eotokino Fork. Stephen's Island. To be erected— North Bank. Tcremakau Settlement. Waihopai. Waitaha Settlement. Submarine Cables. This matter is dealt with under " New Zealand Cable Services." Maintenance. The main lines throughout the district are in good order. The sections Eoss to Okarito, Kumara to Otira, Kaikoura to Clarence Eiver, and the Karamea line have been overhauled and strengthened. The overhaul of other sections is now in progress. During September, 1907, a very heavy snowstorm was experienced on the Longford section, 51 poles and 350 arms being broken. Heavy bush-fires occurred in parts of the district during February. 1908, and the lines suffered considerably in consequence. A telegraph duplex circuit has been superimposed on the Westport-Greymouth metallic circuit, thus doubling the Morse accommodation between those two places. Telephone Exchanges. There are nine telephone exchanges in this district, with a total of 1,334 connections, of which 1,091 are paying, 39 free, and 204 bureau connections. The number of extension telephones in use is 82, making the total number of telephones connected with exchanges in the district 1,416, an increase of 216 during the year. The Nelson exchange has 13 miles 53 chains of line and 198 miles 58 chains of wire. The number of connections is 350, of which 312 are paying, 14 free, and 24 bureau-connections. There are 32 extension telephones, making the total number of telephones in use 382. The new branching multiple switchboard at the Nelson exchange has been completed, and is now working, giving every satisfaction. The Greymouth exchange has 27 miles 3 chains of line and 181 miles 35 chains of wire. This exchange is now in the new building, and a new equipment of switchboards and a bureau-board were provided. The Blenheim exchange has 27 miles 13 chains of line and 143 miles 78 chains of wire. The exchange has been rearranged to meet the growth of business. The nine exchanges in the district are connected by* 82 miles 77 chains of line and 652 miles 23 chains of wire. The metallic circuits used for telephonic communications, and the Morse superimposed on the several telephonic circuits, are giving entire satisfaction, and are a great aid to public business. Offices. Forty-four new offices have been opened during the year, making a total of 230 offices in the district, of which 28 are Morse and 202 are telephone offices. Nelson is now working direct to Wanganui, the cable which was formerly terminal at Wakapuak l being connected to a land line so as to make Nelson the terminus. Wakapuaka no longer transmits the work between the two islands that passes over the cable, this work being performed at Nelson. Kohutu and Eoss have been converted into Morse stations. On the transfer of the post and telegraph office at Greymouth to the new building a new tele-graph-equipment was provided. The offices at Burnett's Face, Kaikoura Wharf, Karamea, Kenepuru Heads, Mangarakau, Ngakawau, Pakawau, Eeefton Eailway, Tadmor, Waiho Gorge, and Wakapuaka Suburban have been removed to other premises. Several offices have been refitted. Additions and alterations are now being made to the lineman's residence at Eeefton.