TELEPHONE SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 28, 14 May 1947, Page 5

TELEPHONE SERVICE

WHAKATANE DISTRICT SUPERVISOR’S LETTER In reply to a further letter from Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., the Supervisor, Mr F. Hackett, has written as follows: I am in receipt of your further letter of the 14th April about Post Office matters in the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Murupara-Galatea areas. No doubt you have now- received my letter of the 21st April in reply to your previous representations. In that letter I covered the position regarding the erection of lines in the Bay of Plenty district and at Ngakuru (Rotorua). So far as the provision of service for the settlers in the Galatea Estate is concerned, I have to say that the Department’s. District Engineer at Hamilton discussed this matter with the settlers in 1945 when it was suggested that the Galatea settlers should erect a private line to connect with the Murupara telephone office. However, the new toll line from Murupara to Te Teko will run through the Galatea settlement, and this may have some effect upon the ultimate plans for furnishing telephone service to the people at that place. I will enquire further into this aspect and let you know th’e position.

As regards the delay on toll calls from Whakatane: I am pleased to say that many new toll circuits are being provided throughout the Bay of Plenty and Waikato areas. Much of the work is already in hand and when completed Whakatane will have additional outlets to Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga and Auckland. When these additional circuits are in use, Whakatane subscribers will enjoy a greatly improved toll service.

So far as the Rotorua exchange is concerned, I have to say that it has now been decided to install a new lamp-signalling branching multiple switchboard in a separate building. A building to house the installation is included .in my Department’s building programme for the current financial year, and when it is ready the work of installing the new switchboard will be proceeded with without delay. , I will communicate with you separately about the erection of a new Post Office building for Whakatane. I note that you would like to discuss telephone matters generally with an Engineer of my Department. I shall be pleased to arrange for an Engineer from Hamilton to get in touch with you .when next he is in your area. If, however, you should be visiting Hamilton, I would suggest that you call on the District Engineer, Mr T. E. Thompson, who will be only too glad to give you any information you may require abSut proposals, for providing telephone service generally in the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Galatea areas.