TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION WITH CHRISTCHURCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 168, 26 February 1878, Page 2

TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION WITH CHRISTCHURCH.

On Friday evening last, telephonic communication was established for the first time between Akaroa and Cbristchurch ; but as this was merely a preparatory trial, there is little need to say much about it, further than that the experiments were highly satisfactory, and auguered well for the success of the pre-arranged, and, to a certain extent, public trial of the wonderful effects derivable from, and produced by, tin's really marvellous scientific discovery, which was to take place on the following day. At five o'clock on Saturday, when the telegraphic business was concluded for the day, the experiments were commenced, the cornopean playing at Christchurch being clearly heard, and the concerted music coming by the wire with the utmost distinctness. The greatest success, however, was in the evening of the same day, when the tones of the violin, played by Mr Wood, were distinctly heard in the Christchurch office, this being done by holding the telephone tightly against the sounding board of the violin. Previously in the afternoon, Mr Herbert Bridge, to whom the instruments belong, tried the experiment of holding the telephones over either hand as they passed along the keys of nn harmonium, and, although but faintly, the sounds were heard in Christchurch. Mr Daly's playing on the cornet was very plainly distinguished and highly appreciated, the cries of "encore" following every solo. Mr Robertshaw's singing, too, was much admired, his strong and clear voice being admirably adapted to producing the necessary effect. The cornet playing from Christchurch was a real treat; but the two best items of the telephonic programme from there were—the " God Save the Queen " at the conclusion of the afternoon experiments, when seven voices and a cornet were performing, and Mr Wallace's singing of " a che Iα morte " during the evening seance. Further experiments will be made and a further report given, but up to the present all the experiments have been highly successful, the transmission of the sounds of the harmonium and violin being, we believe, a novelty in these telephonic concerts, and, as far as this colony is concerned, the first time that it has been accomplished.