D.—2.

Makotuku and Kopua were converted from ordinary to switch-out tablet stations. The tablet on the Te Kuiti - Puketutu and Paekakariki-Plimmerton sections were superseded by automatic signalling. The present position with regard to tablet working is as follows :— Total mileage equipped with tablet instruments .. 1,577 Number of tablet instruments in use .. .. . . ~ 893 Number of tablet stations .. .. .. . . 359 Number of tablet exchangers .. .. .. .. 317 Telegraph and Telephone Facilities.—During the year 603 miles of copper wire were erected in new circuits. Preparatory work for the South Island main trunk communications has continued, and the poleline and iron wire renewed with copper between Parnassus and Waipara, and a new circuit provided. Between Christchurch and Dunedin a second circuit is being provided and will be completed within three months of delivery of materials on order. Technical improvements were made to the Christchurch-Greymouth lines, and a switchboard from Dunedin installed at Greymouth. In the North Island the long-distance telephone channels were increased and improved by the installation of a three-channel carrier system between Wanganui and Ohakune, a single-channel system from Ohakune to Frankton Junction, and the transfer of a single-channel system from this area to Wanganui - New Plymouth. The communication system between Wellington and Palmerston North was improved by the full loading of the Wellington-Paekakariki telephone cable. The Napier train-control circuits were brought into operation as far as Waikokopu 011 the Gisborne line and Palmerston North to the south. A commencement has been made to improve the condition of the telephone-lines south of Auckland, and work in this connection has been commenced in conjunction with the Public Works Department between Penrose and Henderson. An eighty-line automatic-telephone exchange with a two-position switchboard and two-cord-circuit repeaters was installed at Frankton Junction. This board connects with the Post and Telegraph service and provides a combined Railway and Post and Telegraph service and efficient long-distance communications. The board released was overhauled and installed at Ohakune to replace an obsolete board. The statistics of communication facilities are as follows : Morse instruments .. .. .. . . .. . . 148 Telephones . . . . .. . . , . .. 3 539 Miles of wire .. .. . . . . , , 19 195 Miles of poles .. .. .. .. . . _ , 3 178 Railway exchanges, automatic .. .. .. .. 10 Railway exchanges, manual .. . . . , .. .. 12 Public-exchange connections . . . . . . .. ggj Level-crossing Alarms. —Flashing light signals have been installed as follows : Mair, Kamo "Road • Wairoa, Frasertown Road ; Port Ahuriri, Taradale Road; Gisborne Line, Taradale Road. Crossing-alarm bells have been installed at Tawhiti Road, Hawera. The wig-wag crossing signal at Feilding Road, Ashhurst, has been removed following the construction of an overbridge. Flashing lights were added to the bells at three crossings at Featherston (Revan, Fitzherbert, and Bell Streets). Flashing lights replaced wig-wags at Glandovey Road, Bryndwyr. The total number of level crossings now fitted with automatic warning-devices is 123. Traction. Christchurch-Lyttelton.—The overhead catenary system between Wilson Road and Waltham Road has been shifted to suit the new alignment of permanent way. Otira.—The glass-bulb mercury arc rectifier substation equipment for the Otira electrification has come to hand, and has been stored pending the completion of the substation building at the Otira portal of the tunnel, the building of which has been delayed by wet weather. It is anticipated that the substation will be ready for use by November. During the year the renewal of the Otira Tunnel catenary system and the relocation of the positive feeder has been completed. Wellington-Johnsonville Suburban Line.- The substations and the overhead equipment of this section have continued to function satisfactorily without interruption. Wellington — Paekakariki. A number of steel structures were erected to replace cross - wire suspension in connection with the duplication works on this sector. Main Workshops. The usual maintenance of the substations attached to the main workshops has been carried out during the year, together with that of the other electrical appliances, including motor generators, motor alternators, rotary converters, and switchgear. Considerable additions and structural alterations, particularly at Hutt Valley shops, has made necessary a large amount of electrical reticulation work involving alterations and additions to existing layouts. This work is still in hand. It is proposed to change over the 11,000-volt supply to the Hutt Valley Workshops from the Public Works Department's substation at Khandallah to that Department's substation at Mellin<> and the preliminary survey of the route has been completed and arrangements made for the delivery of the necessary materials.

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