BIRKENHEAD TELEPHONES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 229, 27 September 1928, Page 8

BIRKENHEAD TELEPHONES.

DEMAND FOR AUTOMATIC.

Replying to communications pressing lor the installation of the automatic telephone system, Mr A. Harris, M.P. informed the Birkeuhead Borough Council last evening that he would urge the matter on the Minister. The position, he added, was that the Birkenhead and Northcote Councils were advised in March, 1920, that the Department was prepared to instal the automatic system, provided a minimum of 200 subscribers' was guaranteed. There was. however, a doubt as to the time that would elapse before the installation could be made; possibly it would take two vear« It was now felt that this might be possible in twelve months, but owing to the demand for automatic equipment and the consequent delay in obtaining the same, no assurance "on that head could be given. At the present time there were 144 subscribers to the Birkenhead Exchange, so the joint councils should be quite safe in guaranteeing a minimum of 200. "The Department is prepared to go straight ahead when the guarantee U forthcoming, but up to the present no reply to its communication to both councils in March. 192(J, had been received," wrote Mr. Harris.

The Mayor (Mr. E. G. Skeatesi said while-the councils might readilv guarantee the 200, the difficulty was that it would, not be lejral to use the borough funds to pay any deficiency should t7ie minimum 200 subscribers not be obtained.

He moved that Mr. Harris be thanked for his letter, and that he be requested to use his best endeavours to have the Birkeuliead and Xorthcote telephones linked up with the Takapuna automatic system, until a sufficient number of subscribers is forthcoming for a separate automatic district installation.

The motion was carried, and the Xorthcote Council is to be apprised of this decision and asked to co-operate.