p.—i

XIV

Arrangements are being made to immediately erect two copper wires between Wellington and Auckland for telegraph purposes by a new route on the Main Trunk Railway line which is much shorter than the existing routes. These wires will also be used during certain hours for telephonic purposes between the two cities. Between Auckland and Whangarei (126 miles) a telephone circuit was superimposed on two telegraph wires, with most satisfactory results. The two wires (Morse and telephone) between Nelson and Motueka have been utilised to form a trunk metallic circuit with the Morse superimposed over it. A similar circuit has been arranged between Nelson and Wakefield. Additional telephone circuits have been superimposed over existing metallic circuits between Ashhurst and Palmerston North, Masterton and Greytown, and Masterton and Eketahuna ; and Morse circuits have been superimposed over metallic circuits between New Plymouth and Waitara, Manaia and Opunake, and Wellington and Levin. Maintenance of Telegraph and Telephone Trunk Lines. The following are principal lines overhauled and strengthened during the year : — „ . Morrinsville-Putaruru .. . . .. . . . . . . . . 36 Henderson Helensville .. .. .. .. .. .. ..22 Waipu - Parua Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Waipu - Pollok Settlement .. .. . . .. .. 13 Paekakariki - Palmerston North . . .. .. .. .. 61 Gisborne-Opoutama .. .. .. .. .. .. ..50 Tikokino - Makaretu - Ashley Clinton .. .. .. .. ..31 llawera-Opunake .. .. .. .. .. .. ..29 Woodville-Dannevirke .. .. .. .. .. .. ..17 Omoana-Eltham .. .. .. .. .. . 26 Greymouth-Ahaura .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 Hokitika-Ross .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 Blenheim-Kekerangu .. .. .. .. . . .. 55 Blenheim-Tophouse .. .. . . . . .. .. .. 60 Christchurch-Timaru. main Hne (Hinds-Timaru section) .. .. ..36 I'a Imerston- Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. .. ..41 Dunedin-Clinton .. .. .. .. .. .. ..73 Mataura-Clinton .. .. .. .. .. .. ..34 Gore-Edendale .. .. .. .. .. .. 17 Invorcai-gill-Bluff . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Dunedin-Akatore .. . . .. .. . . .. .. 42 A section, one mile in length, of Ohiwa line had to be removed back and reconstructed on account of sea-encroachment. Arrangements have been made to overhaul the Fraiikton-Otorohanga and Frankton-Kawhia lines. Owing to frequent washing-out of poles at the Wairau Ford river-crossing, eight sets of iron pipes (four in each set) have been driven 20 ft. into the Wairau River bed as supports, and wooden poles braced thereto. The supervision of the Ross Goldfields electrical installation was undertaken by this Department under the powers conferred by the Board of Control. The work of rebuilding the line between Christchurch and Timaru was completed simultaneously with the running of the new 300 lb. copper Morse wire for Dunedin, and the two wires for the Timaru trunk circuit.

The following is a comparative statement showing the length of new lines and wires erected in Telegraph Engineers' districts during the last five years : —

li 15. 1906. 1907. 1908. 1909-10. is. Wire. Poles. Wire. Poles. Wire. Poles. Wire. Poles. Wire. Poles. lUckland 'hristohurch )unedin felson Wellington M. ch. 63 30 57 20 136 50 25 15 128 71 M. ch.l 101 50J 165 40l 400 20; 152 l| 592 78: M. ch. 186 60 111 30 48 40 !l46 67 il56 35 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 494 40 139 60 ! 350 GO 170 8 90 47 266 20 392 20 !121 0 518 20 217 49 ! 245 16 : 484 77 641 40 J104 43 ! 690 74 M. ch. 228 60 62 30J 248 60 52 22 157 2J M. cli 795 0 641 50 644 60 254 58 974 52 M. cli. M. ch. 191 36 952 78 17 78 268 40 64 0 : 286 40 38 16 ! 189 72 192 55 j 490 53 Totals 411 26 !l,412 29 598 72 1,915 77 J701 6 2,311 11 749 15 3,310 60 504 25 2,188 43