NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5142, 15 September 1877, Page 5 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

The thirteenth annual report of the operations of the Telegraph Department has been aid before Parliament by Dr. Lemon. The report states that— The total earnings of the department for the year 1876-77, exclusive of the value of General Government telegrams, amount to £65,614 15s. 3d., being £2929 Is. lid; in excess of the receipts of last year. This amount is £1355 Is. 9d. less than the estimate, which was set down at £67,000, a circumstance, however, fully accounted for by tho fact that no stations of importance have during the year been opened which have proved any great sources of revenue.

The number of telegrams transmitted during the year was 1,124,432, being an increase over •the previous year or 73,346. Comparing this increase with that of the increase of the year 1875-76 over the year 1874-75, it will be seen that the increased number transmitted falls short by some 60,612. Talcing into account the value of the General Government telegrams, the total earnings of the department fertile year amounted to £82,669 45., and, as will be seen on reference to the debtor and creditorstatement, this exceeds the expenditure iu maintenance of lines and stations by £1384 ss. 2d. Tlie cost of maintenance of stations for the' year rvas £63,353 10s. 10d., and of lines £17,931 Bs. , The former item shows an increased expenditure over the previous year of £1656 16s. 5d., and the latter a decrease of £3143 Os. Bd.

The number of telegrams transmitted during the year, as compared with tiro number of letters posted during the same period, shows that 20*29 telegrams were sent for every 100 letters. The comparative number for tire previous year was 22*21. The proportion fertile present year is, therefore, somewhat less, but the fact that the number of letters shows an increase of 809,047 has to be taken into consideration.

The number of money order telegrams sent during the year was 12,386, representing a value of £55,32*2 2s. 6d., being an increase of 1624 messages, and £6333 ss. 3d., as compared with the previous year. The commission collected by the Post Office on these transactions amounts to £1554 12s. Bd.; and after deducting £616 165., due to the Telegraph Department as fees on telegrams, there remains to the credit of the Post Office £937 16s. Bd., being within a fraction ot I*7 per cent, upon the total amount transmitted. Upon reference to table C, it will be scan that the largest number of orders’ were issued in Dunedin, Wellington coming next, and Auckland and 'Christchurch third ini point of numbers ; but Auckland’s transactions exceeded those of Christchurch by more than £ISOO. During the year, 105 miles of line, carrying 176 miles of wire, have been erected.

The number of stations open to the public on the 3Oth June was 155,15 of which were opened during the past year, 7 being in the North Island and 8 in the South Island.

The cost per mile for maintenance of- lino was £5 12s. lid., the extent of line maintained being 3174 miles (85 miles line not included in.maintenance table—see foot-note, tablo G.) On tho 30th June, 1877, 3259 miles of, lino, carrying 7123 miles of wire, were in circuit, showing an Increased mileage upon the previous year of line, 105 miles; and wire, 170. Owing to tho numerous demands made to the department . for establishing telegraph stations, as well as the constantly increasing work, it is found necessary to keep a class of cadets constantly in training. . This accounts for the increased nominal strength of tho department, which at the 30th June, 1877, was 612, as compared with 567 of the previous year, , *

Since the date of the last report the new offices at Dunedin have been completed, and afford the greatest satisfaction. It was found necessary to make additions to the head office of the department, as well as to the Wellington instrument room. A large and commodious clearing-house has been erected, affording the greatest convenience for the proper chocking of tho accounts. A new office for the General Manager has been added, as also a workshop for the mechanician. Tho old clearing-house has been converted into an instrument gallery, and will afford sufficient ao'commodation for eight additional instruments. Since tho date of tho last report, tho duplex system of telegraphy has been further ex-

tended between Christchurch and Dunedin, Government Buildings and Blenheim, and Blenheim and Dunedin. This latter section is about 500 miles in length, and is one of the longest circuits upon which the system has yet been tried without translation.

The Government Buildings and Blenheim duplex is worked on the No. 2 Cook Strait cable, thus giving the three wires of No. 1 for the work of commerce.

On the 2nd November, 1876, the Blenheim office was totally destroyed by five. By the strenuous exertions of the, officers comprising the staff, all the instruments of value were saved, and the wires- joined through until temporary accommodation could be obtained. Little delay was experienced. Temporary offices are still occupied,until the completion of new office, for which tenders have been let.

Arrangements are now being made for taking over the whole of the railway telegraphs hitherto worked by the late Provincial Government of Canterbury. At every railway telegraph station telegrams will be accepted from the public for transmission, and at every railway station adjacent to a telegraph station (as in the case of Timaru) telegrams will be received from the public and forwarded to the telegraph office proper for transmission. The details of working of railway wires, so as to prove of the greatest advantage to both departments, without impairing the efficiency of either, are now under consideration.

Appended to the report are plans showing the various telegraphic circuits, as also maps showing the geographical position of the various telegraph stations throughout the colony.