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Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1926, Page 2

The failure of the telephone system has been stressed very greatly in regard to the recent fire. The position ns it has been revealed suggests how many thousands of pounds could have been saved had there been an nll-nignt telephone service in vogue here. Instead of the loss of time To despatching a motor car. a- ring on the ’phono could have acquainted the nearest subscriber to the turncock, and many precious minutes could have been saved. It was costing about £SOO a minute to wait for the water, which showed at a glance wluil could be saved were a continuous service, in operation. Besides, with an operator on duty at the exchange, a. ring from the nightwatohnmn to the operator would mean direct and prolonged rings to all connected with the fire service, thus ensuring greater security still. It seems opportune therefore to revive tho need for the continuous telephone system, and to urge the people concerned to take a. broad view of the matter and realise how useful such a service would he to tho community ns a. whole, for it can never be anticipated who will be the next victims of serious fire ravage*.