TOLL SERVICE EXTENSION

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24910, 25 June 1946, Page 4

TOLL SERVICE EXTENSION

TELEPHONE LINKS WITH NORTH ISLAND A further new 12-channel telephone carrier system between the South Island and Wellington is expected to be opened next month. The next extension to the present channels will, it H expected, relieve much of the present toll Congestion. Work on the system is being carried on now under nigh priority. It will grovide better service between both •unedin and Wellington and‘Christchurch and Wellington, Discussing the need for additional services linking the South Island with Wellington last December, the Post-master-General (the Hon. F. Jones)

said that when additional outlets were available it was intended to provide direct circuits between the mam centres of the North and South Islands, so eliminating the need to switch calls between the more distant centres through Wellington and Christchurch. Telephone toll calls have kept the toll room staff at the Chief Post Office extremely busy in recent months, pie benefit of the new circuit, in reducing delays, should be felt equally by staff and subscribers.

The demand for new telephones continues to grow, and the waiting list of applicants at the Chief Post Office is now 3700. Steps being taken to meet the demand have been outlined in recent official statements. First priority is given to returned servicemen desiring to start in business.