F.-l
22
The following table shows the total number of each class of message, excluding Press, forwarded during 1923-24, as compared with the number forwarded during 1922-23.
WIRELESS TRAFFIC. The number of forwardeel and received radio messages shows an increase of 16-47 per cent, and 14-51 per cent, respectively. The amounts earned by Now Zealand show an increase under both headings of 15-77 pesr cent, and 16-06 per cemt. respectively. The number of words of forwarded radio Press telegrams decreased from 107,293 to 98,607. TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE TOLL LINES. Poles and Wire. During the year 142 miles of pole-line and 2,151 miles of wire were erected for telegraph and telephone (toll) purposes, while; 47 miles of pole-line and 144 miles of wire were dismantled, or, in localities where no longer required by the Department, sold to settlors for use as private telephonelines. The length of pole-line and wire in use for telegraph and. telephone toll purposes on the 31st March, 1923, and 1924, respectively, was as follows :-
The telegraph and telephone wire in use —viz., 52,910 miles —is classified as under : — Miles of wire used exclusively for telegraph traffic .. .. .. 12,124 Miles of wire used oxel usively for telephone toll traffic .. .. .. 7,958 Miles of wire; used conjointly for telegraph and telephone toll traffic .. 32,828 The total length of wire available for telephone toll traffic is therefore 40,786 miles; the total length available for the transmission of telegrams, 44,952 miles; the length of wire gained for telegraphic transmission by superimposing, 9,397 miles ; and the length of telephone toll lines over which telegrams may be transmitted by telephone, 14,032 miles. Phantom circuits were increased by 594 miles, and superimposed circuits by 2,013 miles. New Works. The more important of the telegraph and telephone circuits completed during the year are as follow : — Auckland-Waimauku. Palmerston North - Shannon. Amborley-Omihi. Taipa-Parapara. Shannon-Levin. Christchurch-Ashburton. Hamilton-Cambridge (2). Levin-Otaki (2). Christchurch-Prebbloton. Hamilton-Ngaruawahia. Otaki-Waikanae. Sockburn-Dunsandel. Taumarunui-Matiere. Wellington - Palmerston N. (2) Fairlie -■ Te Kapo. Te Awamutu - Ohaupo. Featherston - Cross Creek. Dunedin-Lawrenco. Stratf ord-Whangamomona. Christchurch-Greyiuouth. Lawrence-Heriot. Wanganui-Raetihi. Kumara-Otira. Balclutha-Clydevale. Uruti-Urenui. Kumara-Hokitika. Dunedin-Seacliff. Tahora-Tatu. Ross-Harihari. Tapanui-Kelso-Horiot. In addition to the above, the rearrangement of circuits consequent upon the erection of new wires enabled additional or improved telegraph or telephone facilities to be provided between the following places : — Tangiterbria-Tangowahino. Hamilton-Rotorua. Palmerston North - Napier. Auckland -Te Kuiti. Hamilton-Huntly. Palmerston North - Masterton. To Kuiti - New Plymouth. Ngaruawahia-Taupiri. Wellington-Napier. Hamilton - Te Awamutu. Taupiri-Huntly. Wellington-Taranaki. To Awamutu - Otorohanga. Wanganui-Kakatahi. Geraldino-Woodbury. Otorohanga - Te Kuiti. Wanganui-Pipiriki. Looston-Brookside. Te Kuiti - Ongarue;. Wanganui - Waimarino County. Waimatc - Waihao Downs. Ongaruo -Taumaruuui.
1923-24. 1922-: 23. Forwarded. ed. Received. Forwarded. Received. Full-rate international cable messages Deferred international cable messages Daily letter-telegrams Week-end telegrams Australian cable messages 79,824 16,149 11,803 25,216 121,727 4 76,454 9 17,010 3 6,343 6 15,568 7 115,937 80,481 17,868 76,622 16,220 22,434 113,567 13,369 107,723 Totals 254,719 231,312 234,350 213,934
M M Pole-line and Wire. liles of pole-line liles of wire Year ended Year ended 31st March, 1923. 31st March, 1924. 12,859* 12,954 50,903* 52,910 * Revised figures for 1923. Increase. 95 2,007