THE NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICES.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1691, 22 July 1879, Page 3

THE NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICES.

Tho telegraph department will be amoved from the old offices in Colombo street 4o the pew Government Buildings in Cathedral .square to-day. As in tho ease of tho postoffice, the original design has been somewhat deported from, in the construction of tho different offices and general arrangements for tho internal working of tho department. Whorefora it has been considered aoViwblo to give a desorption of tho now offices as they are now. Tho main entrance fronts Colombo street. the hall, and turning into the right head lobby cn the first floor, the

public entrance to the telegraph office ie at the extreme end, being entered through folding doors. Here all the telegrams are received, and every attention has been paid to the comfort and convenience of the public, for whose use there are no lose.than thirteen desks in which to write messages, whilst the counter clerks have no less reason to be satisfied with the arrangements for their accommodation. The fittings and furniture in this part of the building are very creditable. This is the only portion of the offices on the ground floor. Between this and the despatch clerk’s room communication is afforded by means of a lift, through which all the telegrams are passed. The despatch clerk’s room fronts the Q-odley statue. It was originally intended that this should be also used as a receiving room, but that was found impracticable Next to this compartment is the instrument room or operators’ department, in which there are eighteen instrument tables, each table being supplied with two battery cabinets, one on either side. The room is spacious and well lighted, but so extensive has the work of the department become, that there is not more than sufficient accommodation for the operators to be engaged. Leading out of the last-mentioned office is the messenger’s room, with which the despatch clerk’s room communicates by means of a rmill window. It may be noted hero that a considerable departure from the original design is to be immediately put in execution. It was proposed that the messengers should go through the main entrance to the building, and so depart in the course of their duty ; but this was obviously inconvenient, and it has been determined to provide a back entrance for the messengers, leading from the yard to the hall on the second floor by means of a staircase. The inspector’s (Mr Meddinge) office is situated near the gallery; the wires are brought into this room, communicating with a testing board, for (he purpose of testing tho insulation, faults, &c. No room, however, has been set apart for the use of tho officer in charge, an omission which must result in inconvenience to those of the public doing business with that gentleman. The workmen have been engaged night and day preparing for tho romeval, and the department have shown most indefatigable energy in effecting tho necessary preparations. It should not be omitted that the telegraph department have out-offices, stables, &o , apart from the Post office, and also a separate yard entrance.