F.—L

Wellington Distbict. Construction. Thirteen new telephone stations have been opened during the year, viz. : Apiti, Eskdale, Hurleyville, Makakahi, Mangatera, Maxwelltown, Newman, Pohangina, Pohui, Eaumai, Tutakaera, Waituna West, and Whakataki; and m connection therewith 49 miles of poles and 50 miles of wire have been erected. Additional wire accommodation being required to overtake the increased traffic in rising districts throughout the North Island, a new copper wire has been erected between Wellington and Auckland, so that the old iron wire might be available for the minor stations. Taking advantage of the fact that the gap in the Forty-mile Bush, between Eketahuna and Pahiatua, had been bridged over by the opening of Newman, Makakahi, and Hainua offices, this new wire was taken by that route, it being twenty miles shorter than the old one. By the same route another wire has been run between Masterton and Pahiatua, connecting with Woodville, Palmerston North, and Feilding, thereby giving a second route to those offices, as well as direct communication with Wellington. A new line has been constructed between Wellington and Makara (a second wire having been run since last report) to carry the wires connected with the cables at Oterangi Bay. Separate wires have been erected between Bunnythorpe and Feilding (Bunnythorpe being cut out of the main telegraph wire) and between Bulls and Sanson, and the latter office converted into a telephone-station. A total of 65 miles of poles and 380 miles of wire have been erected in connection with extensions. Maintenance. The main lines, generally, throughout the district are in good order. The Paikakariki to Marton section of the West Coast main line, however, especially that portion between Paikakariki and Foxton, is somewhat unsafe. This line has always given a considerable amount of trouble, owing-to'leakage in consequence of its close proximity to the sea. To overcome this, and seeing that a large sum of money would be required to put the old line in thorough order, it has been deemed more advisable to reconstruct the line from Paikakariki by way of the Manawatu Eailway-line, and to continue it via Palmerston North, along the line of Government Eailway as far as Marton, where it will join the old line. It is anticipated that this diversion will save a considerable expenditure annually in maintenance, besides giving better results in dealing with the traffic. The New Plymouth telegraph-office has been entirely refitted. The other offices in the district are in good order. Telephone Exchanges. Since last report, an exchange has been opened at New Plymouth. There are now a hundred subscribers. The exchanges at Wellington, Napier, Palmerston North, and Wanganui are all in good working order, and the number of subscribers is steadily increasing. The large number of subscribers now connected with the Wellington Exchange has made it necessary to order a " Multiple " extension-board from England, in order that the work of the Exchange may be more satisfactorily and expeditiously overtaken. Cables. The second new cable, referred to in last report, was laid between Oterangi Bay and White's Bay, on 6th January, with the best results. The old No. 4 Cable was overhauled, and the fault indicated last year cut out. The cable has worked most satisfactorily since. Nelson Disteict. Construction. New lines erected: White's Bay to Ocean Bay, about seven miles, on iron-rail poles; shunt line to Flaxbourne from main line, 1 mile (iron) : total, eight miles. New wires run : Extra wire, White's Bay to Blenheim, fourteen miles ; Nelson to Wakapuaka, fifteen miles; Tuamarina to Koromiko, seven miles; copper wire, No. 12-J, has been substituted for old No. 1 between Blenheim and Kaikoura, which was No. 8 iron (about eighty-six miles): Total wire run, 130 miles. Overhauls and Repairs. The line from Belgrove to Sherry Biver (22 miles) has been thoroughly overhauled and repaired. Iron rails have been used to replace decayed wooden poles where required. The sections, Motueka to Takaka (40 miles) and Westport to Inangahua (27 miles), have been thoroughly cleared of scrub, and doubtful poles attended to. The condition of lines is generally satisfactory throughout the district, and beyond the usual attention necessary in rough parts of country, nothing in the way of extra outlay is to be anticipated during the ensuing year. New Stations. Telephone offices have been opened at Ogilvie's, Ocean Bay, Eobin Hood Bay, and Flaxbourne. Telephone Exchanges. The three exchanges, namely, Nelson, Greymouth, and Blenheim, are in a satisfactory condition. iv—F. 1.

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