SPORTS INQUIRIES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 12

SPORTS INQUIRIES

"EVENING POST" SERVICE

NEW INSTALLATION

For information by telephone on Saturdays concerning the day's sports engagements dial Nos. 43-018 (Rugby), 45-018 (basketball and hockey), and 44-008 (Association football and other

sports)

That, briefly, is, the outcome of an important change-over in the system governing tho long-established telephonic information bureau through which the "Evening Post" meets inquiries'as to the playing or postponement of sports fixtures on Saturdays. This service to the public has expanded with the growth of activity .on the field of sport locally. Calls, especially on wet Saturdays, have become so heavy that breaking point, has been reached. The wet-Saturday experience has been that "The Post" telephone.lines have been subjected to serious blockage, the effect of which has been felt in the main Telephone Exchange as well as in the business area covered by this section of the telephone system. In "The Post" itself the pressure has at times blocked the essential channels through which"' inward and outward business with the various departments is transacted. '.

The position became so serious that it meant either that this service to the public would have to bo discontinued or that an extension of the system, at considerable • cost would have to be macle. "The Post" had no desire to curtail a service which, obviously, lias been appreciated by the public. Consequently, by arrangement with the telephone branch of the P. and T. Department, the proprietors of the "Evening Post" have gone to the expense of having installed a new and separate telephone system for. the express purpose of dealing with Saturday sports inquiries." Special attendants will be on duty, and it is hoped that the various sports bollies will eo-opcrate in making the,service as.complete and,as efficient as possible by notifying "The Post" as early as possible of any variations from the fixtures as published each Friday. Those desiring information will appreciate tho fapt that in most cases the decisions as to postponements, etc., are not made until late in the morning. On that account inquiries should not be made before 11 a.m. By that time it is hoped to have the information from - tho various sports bodies. < , ,

A special feature of the new service will be that each branch of sport will have a distinctive number. For instance, if Eugby information is wanted the call will be made- by dialing No. 43-018. Calls relating to other sports will be made on other numbers. In view of these provisions Nos. 44-040, 44-045, and- 44-046 will no longer be available for the answering of Saturday morning local sports calls.

, The new installation will bo in use as from Saturday next. . In future, then, those using the service" on Saturdays are asked to dial the undermentioned numbers according to the branch of sport about which information is wanted:—

: Kugby Football.—No. 43-018. Basketball and Hockey.—No. 45-018. ' r . Association Football and Other Sports.—No. 44-008. A reminder is also given that inquiries should not be made before 11 a.m.