D.—2

XI

Waimiha, Ongarue, Okahukura, Matapuna Bridge, Piriaka, Kakahi, Owhango, Raurimu, Waimarino, Erua, Pokako, Horopito, Rangataua, Karioi, Tangiwai, W T aiouru, Hihitahi, Mataroa, Utiku, Mangaweka, Ohingaiti, Bankside, Rakaia, Chertsey, Dromore, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Ealing, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, Temuka, Pareora, St. Andrews, Makikihi, Morven, Glenavy, Maheno, Herbert, Hampden, Kartigi, Palmerston,- Goodwood, Waikouaiti, Puketeraki, Seacliff, Lovell's Flat, Stirling, Warepa, Waiwera, Waipahi, Pukerau, McNab, Mataura, Kamihi, Woodlands, One Tree Point. All stations on the North Island main lines, Auckland to Wellington, previously equipped with fixed signals, have now been fitted with distant signals, also all stations on the South Island main lines, Lyttelton to Bluff, with the exception of nine stations, which are in hand. The total number of officered stations (including tablet stations) is 494, of which 295 are equipped with fixed signals, 96 are interlocked, and 103 are unequipped. Eighty-nine electric repeaters have been fitted to signals. The total number now in use is 324. Interlocking of Points and Signals. The electric pneumatic installation at Dunedin has again worked, satisfactorily during the year. The following stations have been equipped with signalling and interlocking : Silverstream, Trentham, and Pitcaithly's (partial scheme). The interlocking at the following stations has been altered and added to : Westfield, Parnell Tunnel, Morningside, Mount Eden, Mount Albert, Waikumete, Auckland, Palmerston North, Lower ffiutt, Christchurch, and Greymouth. The following sidings and flag stations have been interlocked with the tablet system, viz. : Summit Station; Waro Station; Hikurangi Coal Company's private sidings (two); Northern Coal Company's private sidings (two); J. R. Reyburn's private siding, Whangarei Section; service sidings at 14 m. 64 eh., 15 m. 52 eh., 16 m. 49 eh., 25 m. 20 eh., and 27 m., Auckland District; Southdown Station; Runciman Station; Opaheke Station; Firth's Pumice Company's private siding near Ohinewai; Ngaruawahia ballast-pit siding; Canterbury Roller Flour-mills private siding and sale-yards siding near Ashburton; Orari ballast-pit siding; Christchurch Meat Company's and Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association's private siding at Smithfield; J. and T. Meek's private siding, Oamaru; New Zealand Pine Company's private siding at Ryal Bush; Federal Steam Navigation Company's private siding at Ocean Beach. Four additional stations in the North Island and thirteen in the South Island have been equipped with special switch-locks interlocking the facing-points with home signals. Three switch-out tablet stations have been equipped with special locking arrangements for points and signals. Total stations now interlocked, 96; tramway crossings, 7; sidings and flag stations interlocked with tablet, 102; stations where Wood's locks are installed, 246. The expenditure for the year on signalling and interlocking works was as follows : New works, £22,584 os. lid.; maintenance, £13,317 Is. 4d. Block-working (Electric Tablet). During the year sixteen additional tablet instruments and thirty-seven miles of line have been fitted with electric-tablet working and brought into use, embracing the Rangiora-Waikari and Hornby-Lincoln Sections; also Kakariki and Smart Road have been installed as switch-out stations in place of Bell Block and Rangitikei Bridge. The total mileage now equipped with tablet apparatus is 1,657 miles of single line, out of 2,925 miles of single line open for traffic. The number of tablet instruments now in use is 900, at 376 stations. Eleven automatic tablet-exchangers have been installed at nine additional stations. The total now in use is 345. Lock and Block. During the year the electric lock-and-block system for double-line working has worked satisfactorily. The total mileage equipped is forty-four miles of double line. Lock-and-block instruments in use, eighty, at thirty-six stations. Parnell tunnel-box has been converted to a switch-out during the year. Telegraph and Telephone Facilities. Forty-two miles of new line and three miles of poles have been brought into use, and various alterations and additions have been made to improve existing wires. The Culverden-Hanmer wire and various local circuits have been converted to metallic circuits. Forty telephone connections to railway wires, five connections to public-telephone exchanges, and seven extensions to existing telephone connections have been made. Ten electric bells have been installed. Total now in use : Morse sets, 278; telephones, 1,575; electric bells, 263; miles of wire, 7,000; miles of poles, 2,591. Electric Light and Power. During the year electrio light has been installed at three additional stations—viz., Khan■dallah, Trentham, and Sawyer's Bay; also in the new engine-shed and goods-yards, at Auckland, Stationmaster's house at Stratford, Burnside, and Mosgiel.