D.—1.

XXVIII

system, as well as in the installation of subscribers' telephones and subsidiary apparatus. If the outstanding items of equipment for subscribers' stations come to hand according to schedule time, as is confidently expected, the whole of the Christchurch metropolitan area will be completed and converted to automatic working in a few months. One indirect advantage arising from the delay that has occurred is that the Christchurch area, being the last of the large centres to receive full automatic treatment, will have the benefit of a number of the very latest developments in machine switching equipment. As soon as the cut-over takes place attention will be directed to the installation of a further 2,000-line extension, so that no unnecessary delay will arise in meeting the growth that is expected to follow the introduction of automatic methods. WORKS FOE DEFENCE DEPARTMENT. The mobilization base and training-camp at Waikato Camp, Ngaruawahia, is practically completed. The small-arms-ammunition magazine, ordnance workshops, vehicle-shed, forage-store, and other miscellaneous small buildings—all of which were under construction at date of last Statement —have been finished. A bathhouse, drying-room, three magazines (high explosive), coal-store, and hospital building have been erected, various facilities of a minor nature provided, noxious weeds and scrub removed, and the area generally improved. On the erection of the laboratory (under construction) and the clearing and grassing of a scrubcovered area the camp will be complete. At Trentham Camp the water-supply system has been connected to the Upper Hutt water-supply. The camp buildings, roads, and other services have been maintained. Burnham Camp has been generally maintained, and a concrete strong-room and Ordnance workshops erected. Various additions and improvements to fortifications, drill - halls, and miscellaneous buildings throughout New Zealand have been carried out and the buildings maintained. Very considerable progress has been made with the development of the New Zealand Air Force Base, Hobsonville, Auckland. The area has been cleared of trees and hedges, and two houses sold for removal. The landing-ground has been levelled, rolled, and sown in grass. A large land-plane hangar in reinforced concrete, with electrically-operated doors, workshops, and appointments, has been erected. A residence for the Officer Commanding and five houses for married airmen have been completed, while a sixth is under construction. A transport shed (for motor-vehicles), switchhut (for power lines), small boat-house, control-tower, and meteorological hut and base office have been erected. A sufficient water - supply was found by boring, and a water - tower, with pump-house and pumping plant, has been completed. The seaplane apron, involving considerable excavation, filling, and a stone sea-wall, is complete except for surfacing. The reinforced-concrete slipway (40 ft. in width and 290 ft. long) from the apron seawards is under construction, while the jetty (approximately 300 ft. in length) for handling stores and launches is nearing completion. Extensive accommodation for seaplanes, consisting of marine store, two large hangars, aircraft-repair shop, engine-repair shop, plumber's and blacksmith's shops, dope-shop, and offices, is required on the apron, and will be provided in one large reinforced-concrete building, work on which is well under way. An access road to land-plane hangar, office, and seaplane area has been completed. Extensive surface drainage, sewer - drains, septic tanks, waterreticulation, and underground power and telephone lines are proceeding as the base develops. MECHANICAL APPARATUS. The prosecution of the Tawa Flat Railway Deviation and other railway works has occasioned the purchase of numerous items of plant, while hydroelectric and main-highways construction has also involved certain important new purchases.