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Third Wire, Masterton to Waipukurau. The stretching of this wire was commenced on the 7th April, 1874, and completed on the 13th July of the same year. The cost of this work is shown in Table I. LINES AND WORKS PROJECTED AND FINISHED DURING- THE YEAR. Cargili/s Line from Roxburgh. The erection of this line, the cost of which was refunded to the department by Messrs. Cargill and Anderson, was completed on the 3rd July. The wire, for the greater portion of the distance, is carried on poles already in use. The cost of erection, &c, is shown in Table I. Geraldine Line. A branch line from Temuka to connect Geraldine was commenced on the 30th January, and completed on the 23rd of the following month. An office was opened at Geraldine on the 6th April. The length of this line, as also cost, &c, will be found in Table I. Fourth and Fifth Wires, Christchurch to Bluff. The erection of these wires, which are now completed from Christchurch to Dunedin on the one side, and from the Bluff to Clinton on the other, was commenced simultaneously at either end. The increasing work of the Southern stations called for immediate attention in the shape of additional facilities for speedy communication, and the completion of these wires, it is estimated, will meet every demand for the present. The cost of erection up to the points above named will be found in Table I. Foxton to Palmerston. This line, which is 25 miles in length, has, with the exception of a gap of three miles, been completed, and an office fitted up for some time past. Owing to a slight difficulty as to the ownership of the land where the gap mentioned is situated, communication has been delayed, but it is hoped that in the course of a few weeks this difficulty will be overcome, and communication established. Fourth Wire, Wellington to Masterton, and Waipukurau to Napier. The erection of this wire, which was commenced simultaneously from either end, is now completed. The work of intermediate stations between Wellington and Napier is performed on this wire, leaving three through wires for the work of the more important stations North— Napier, Grahamstown, Auckland, &c. The cost of this work is shown in Table I. Tokatea Line. A branch line from Coromandel, four miles in extent, has been erected to Tokatea, and a station opened at that place on the 22nd March last. Thames Alterations and Pukorokoro Line. It was found necessary to make considerable alterations in the route of this line. In places an entirely new line has been erected. A lineman's station has been established aud opened at Pukorokoro. The cost of these alterations is shown in Table I. Second Wire, Wanganui to Hawera. The increased population on the west coast of the North Island, and consequently the increased work offered to the department, called for this additional facility. A station has been opened at Wairoa, the work of which office, as also that of Patea and Hawera, will be performed on this wire, leaving a through wire, when necessary, for the transmission of New Plymouth telegrams. Second Wire, Wellington to Wanganui. The erection of this wire, which was reported as being completed to Bull's in the last Annual Report, has now been further carried to Foxton on the Wanganui side, and extended to Otaki on the Wellington side. Owing to slight Native difficulties encountered, some delay has ensued, but it is now anticipated that there will be no further difficulty experienced in connecting between Otaki and Foxton. Every precaution has been taken for the proper maintenance of this line at that part where it was necessary to re-erect it inland from Waikanae, a good horse track having been cut, and all the creeks on line of route substantially bridged. lines and works in course op construction. Nelson to Lyell. The erection of this line, carrying two wires, and branching off from Richmond, is now being carried out. From Nelson as far as Richmond the wires will be stretched upon the poles carrying the Motueka wire.