F.—l

The following lines have been erected during the year : Springston line, one mile and a quarter New Brighton line, three miles; Hororata line, five miles. The lines generally are in good working order. Otago District. The following new lines have been erected : Blackstone Hill to Cambrian, four miles of poles ; Henley Eailway-station to Berwick, four miles and a loop, equal in all to six miles. Otautau to Wairio and Nightcaps : Thirteen miles. Clinton to Waiwera South : Seven miles of wire. Broad Bay line loop : A mile and a half. The principal maintenance work has been as follows : 210 new poles (old railway rails) on Clinton-Waikaia line. The Green Island to Mosgiel section is now being reconstructed. The section Invercargill to Eiverton will require poles renewed shortly. Four miles of the Palmerston-Hainpden section will be reconstructed shortly. About a mile and a half of the Lawrence-Eoxburgh section requires reconstruction, which will be put in hand soon. Oamaru to Waitaki and Kakanui: At least five miles of this section will require longer poles; the wires at present are too low at many new crossings and gateways. The lines generally in this district are in good order.

The usual circuit plans showing in detail the number of instruments in each office, and the several lines that are duplexed, will be found attached to the report. Postal maps of the North and South Islands, showing offices and postal and railway routes, are also attached.

iii—F. 1.

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