D.—l

XXV

The erection of a new telephone trunk circuit between Christchurch and Seddon, the installation of repeating-apparatus (amplifiers) at Wellington and Seddon respectively, and the laying of a special subterranean cable between the extremities of the new Cook Strait cable and the Wellington and Seddon Exchanges respectively. The improvement and extension of the toll facilities between Napier and Gisborne, Wanganui, and Palmerston North, and between Dunedin and Invercargill and the intermediate stations. The conversion to automatic working of the magneto exchanges at Hawera and Takapuna. Extensive construction work at Christchurch in connection with the conversion of the telephone cabling system from aerial to underground and the reconstruction of the other outside distributing plant. Automatic installation work at Christchurch, Dunedin, Napier, Dannevirke, and Stratford in connection with the conversion of those exchanges to automatic working. The establishment of five new telephone exchanges in country districts. The extension of the switching facilities at forty-three exchanges. The providing of telephone exchange facilities for 10,560 new subscribers. RIVER-IMPROVEMENT AND LAND-PROTECTION WORKS. Under this head important work has been carried out on three major schemes of river-improvement and land-protection. Brief particulars of the work accomplished during the year are as follows : — Wairoa River : An extensive system of stop-banks is under construction to protect the rich Ruawai flats against river-encroachmenfc, and the progress made is represented by the building of four miles and a half of stop-banks. Arrangements have also been made for the commencement of the protective work against tidal and current erosion by the Wairoa River, and a large contract is let for the delivery of rock spauls for this purpose. Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers : Substantial progress has been made towards the completion of this improvement scheme. Work is now concentrated on the Lower Waihou River. Three miles and a half of very heavy stop-banks have been built with suction dredges. Much work has been done enlarging tributary streams, and in clearing the beds and banks of the rivers of willows, snags, and other sunken timbers. The reconstruction of the Ohinemuri River Bridge, Paeroa, is also in hand. I anticipate that in eighteen months this important work will be completed. Taieri Plains Protection : The purpose of this work is to protect the Taieri Plains from the floods of the Taieri and Waipori Rivers, which have caused such heavy losses in past years. During the year covered by this statement eight miles of stop-bank, together with associated works, have been completed, and some benefit is already apparent from the completed work. An important contract for the supply of the plant for the main pumping-station has been let. DEFENCE WORKS. Admiralty Naval Base and Ftjel-oil Depot, Devonport. The fuel-oil depot at the Naval Base includes two 5,000-ton fuel-oil tanks which have been erected by my Department for the Navy Office. The erection of these tanks had been completed during the period covered by my last Statement. During the year now under review the necessary pumping plant arrived from England and was installed, together with a stand-by power unit consisting of generator and 100 h.p. Diesel engine. The installation of the fire-fighting plant was also completed.

iv—D. 1.