F.—l.

LONG-DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION. The continuation of the unfavourable economic conditions necessitated a farther suspension of activities under this heading, with the result that no new works have been carried out in this particular branch during the year. Although progress has been held up on the constructional side, there has been no relaxation of effort in the direction of improving maintenance and operating methods, in consequence of which it can be stated that the efficiency of the long-distance telephone network has been raised to a still higher level during the last twelve months. The investigational work which has been undertaken with a view to providing additional telephone channels over the Cook Strait single-core unloaded telegraph cables, and which was referred to in last year's report, has been brought to a successful conclusion. RADIO TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE SERVICES. The departmental radio-telegraph and radio-telephone services continued to function efficiently and to meet all the demands made upon them. The overseas radio-telephone service could be used more freely by the public, but in view of the present economic conditions the use made of the service can be regarded as satisfactory. While the present overseas service is a high-grade one, it is hoped, as the demand grows, to considerably improve and extend the facilities available. Remarkable ranges are achieved with short-wave transmission from departmental radio-telegraph stations. The Wellington Radio Station is now frequently able to maintain contact for the whole period of the journey with liners voyaging between New Zealand and England via Panama. DETAILED REPORT. A detailed report of the Department's activities during the year ended on the 31st March, 1933, will be found in the following pages. I have the honour to be Your Excellency's most obedient servant, Adam Hamilton. General Post Office, Wellington C. 1, 21st August, 1933.

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