TELEPHONE FACILITIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2102, 10 June 1907, Page 2

TELEPHONE FACILITIES.

CONTINUOUS SERVICE ASKED FOR. The Chief Postmaster informed the Farmers’ Union on Saturday that the Department could not see its may to open'the Gisborne telephone exchange all day on Sundays. But if the whole of the subscribers would pay £1 each above the present fee the exchange could be kept open continuously. This has been done at Hastings and is in accordance with new regulations gazetted on the 9tli inst. The' Chairman considered they should try and get the people of the district to accept this offer: It was better than the £2 offer for the business people alone. The increased facilities would cost the 450 subscribers £1 each whilst the cost to the Department- would bo about £250. He suggested that the Union promote a petition on the matter, and no doubt a majority would favor it. Country subscribers would have to arrange with the local bureau. Constant communication was very necessary, especially in the case of accident, sickness an ! other emergencies. The system of two hours on Sunday was unsatisfactory and £1 was only a paltry sum to pay for the convenience. Mr. Cameron pointed out that they had formerly asked for a reduction of. the present charges. Now they would go for an increase.

The Chairman: This is a different matter. We could still ask for a reduction of the bureau charge, indeed we Would have an additional argument to put before the Department-. It was unanimously decided to circulate a petition asking for a continuous service on the terms mentioned.

URGENCY AGAIN DEMONSTRATED.

TROUBLE WITH SHIPPING

The urgent necessity for continuous telephone service was amplified yesterday, owing to the non-report-ing of the Talune, from Auckland. The vessel was timed to leave at 0 15. m., but did not get away till 9.15, and the Union Company were not advised of the time of departure. What made matters worse was the fact that the usual marine telegram for the Post Office notice board was. not despatched until 5 o’clock last evening, and thus Gisborne had absolutely no information of the vessel’s movements. The East Cape lino was in contact with a local subscriber’s line, and nothing could be gleaned from that quarter. The Post Office authorities had information (unofficial) that the boat left at 11 p.in. As this upset the arrangements made for lightering, and the passenger launch also, Mr. Kevell, the Union Company’s manager, made inquiries, and was fortunate enough to meet a telegraphist after the office had closed, and eventually was informed that the steamer left at 9 j).m. Accordingly, he altered the time of the launch to 8 J5.m., and about 8.30 the Talune arrived. As the. Napier telegraph office had closed, the telegraphist connected through to Auckland, via the Napier Exchange (continuously open), and secured, the information. Tho presonce of the telegraph officer was a fortunate circumstance, and had the local exchange been open all through, no inconvenience and conse. quent alteration of arrangements would have resulted. Only .-Cl extra is needed to gain the desired end, and there should surely be no hesitation on the part of subscribers -n signing tho petition for continuous attendance.