D.-l.

of equipment for private automatic branch exchanges, thirteen of which were installed during the year and four existing installations transferred for use elsewhere. The following is a brief summary of the more important operations in regard to the development of telephone-exchange systems in the Dominion : — The laying of 22 miles of underground cable ducts. The laying or erecting of 47 miles of lead-covered cable containing 11,156 miles of wire for subscribers' circuits. The erection of 192 miles of pole-line and 2,196 miles of open aerial wire for telephone-exchange subscribers' circuits. The installation of seventy public-call offices and seven pay stations. The installation of additional two-party-line equipment at Auckland Central, Wellington Central, and Dunedin Central, and the initial provision of similar equipment at the Onehunga, Takapuna, and Oamaru automatic telephone exchanges. The modification at a number of automatic exchanges of the end-line equipment of certain groups to provide " step-on " facilities for private automatic branch exchanges where more than one trunk is leased. The provision of motor-generator sets with automatic charging control at P.A.B.X. stations at Auckland. The installation of a stand-by engine-generator set at Wanganui automatic telephone exchange. The installation of timing-devices in a large number of public-call offices. The installation of branching multiple switchboard equipment at Morrinsville and Rangiora, and the removal of the latter exchange to the new building. The installation of increased switchboard accommodation at Kerikeri, Tauranga, and Ranfurly telephone exchanges. The replacement of the telephone-exchange battery at Greymouth. The reconstruction or partial reconstruction of open aerial systems at forty-nine exchanges. The replacement of marline hangers for aerial telephone cable with galvanized-steel cable rings at a number of exchanges. Extensions and improvements to the plant at Wellington Radio during the year have caused this station to attain, in some respects, the status of a national radio centre conducting not only coastal services for the benefit of shipping, but also services to the island dependencies and certain Pacific Islands of other Administrations. All the short-wave services undertaken by the station are now equipped with transmitters of high-frequency stability, making a notable improvement in the standard of the service given. One of the chief improvements was the replacement by modern equipment of the crystal control type of short-wave transmitter used for the mobile service. Simultaneously with this replacement, automatic apparatus was installed for the transmission of the daily press news to ships at sea and island stations within range. The main transmitter used in the coastal service for mediumwave transmissions has also been replaced by more modern equipment providing higher frequency-stability and improved power-output. At Awarua Radio modern transmitting-apparatus was installed, and this station is now up to modern standards in this respect. SETTLEMENT OF UNEMPLOYED WORKERS. During the year steady progress was made with the development of the areas acquired by the small farms for settlement under the provisions of the Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Act, 1932-33. The cottages erected during the twelve months number forty-nine, the average cost of each being £281, as against £241 last year. This increase can be attributed to the increased cost of building materials.

XXVI