DISTRICT TELEPHONES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 22, 30 April 1947, Page 5

DISTRICT TELEPHONES

MUCH CRITICISED SERVICE M.P.’s REPRESENTATIONS Following his recent representations with regard to improving the telephonic service in this district, Mr W. Sullivan has received the following letter from the Supervisor, Mr F. Hackett: In reference to your representations about the provision of telephones in the Whakatane district, my enquiries disclose that the delay in providing new telephone connections in the town of Whakatane and at Hillcrest and Ohope is due to the lack of spare circuits in the telephone cables from the Whakatane exchange. Proposals are in hand for the recabling of the areas affected, but in view of the present shortage of skilled labour, it is likely to be some time before the work can be commenced.

In the Paroa, Piripai and Thox-n----ton districts, ai-rangements are being made for the regrouping of the subscribers on several existing lines, and when the work is completed vacancies will be available for furnishing service to a number of waiting applicants in the areas concerned. /

The provision of service for waiting applicants at Edgecumbe and Awakeri involves the reconstruction of the existing pole line, and as this is dependent upon the reticulation of the Edgecumbe area by electric power lines some time may elapse before additional telephones can be installed at these places. At Te Teko it is proposed to regroup a number of existing subscribers, and this work, which will be commenced during the next few weeks will enable telephone service to be provided for several waiting applicants in that area. , Preliminary arrangements have been made for the erection of three new lines to serve a number of waiting applicants at Taneatua, and this work will be commenced when labour is available.