TELEPHONE SERVICE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4664, 20 February 1924, Page 2

TELEPHONE SERVICE.

HAURAKI PLAINS COMPLAINTS. DEPARTMENT’S ATTITUDE. Several ratepayers’ associations on the Hauraki Plains have within the last few weeks passed resolutions concerning delay i;n getting telephonic communication and urging that more circuits should be provided to meet the rapidly growing requirements of the district. This matter was referred to the chief telegraph engineer, Mr A. E. Lakeman, who, with Mr R. HBoyd, chief postmaster, Thames, was in Ngatea on Wednesday last. Mr Lakeman said his department realised that the district was going thead very rapidly. It was not a conservative department, and desired io keep ahead of the demand for telephonic facilities. However, it could not do everything it desired at once, as material had been very difficult to obtain and the amount of expenditure had been restricted by Parliament. The department was out to do the very best possible fori the public, but the system must be run on sound business lines. Considering the charges made, the service of the tiephone system of New Zealand compared very favourably with that of other countries. If the service provoked cause for complaint the department should be notified. Unless this was done the assumption was that the service was satisfactory. Upon’ receipt of a complaint full investigation was made, to find the reason, so that it could be rectified. While the department was np‘ always to blame for delays, the fault was theirs if they did not supply Sufficient circuits or maintain reliable apparatus and efficient operators, The service should, however, not be condemned when abnormal rushes of work, breakdowns, or the human element caused occasional delays. The department welcomed complaints, provided ‘.hey were made promptly tp allow of investigation while the records were handy. should be in writing to the Chief Telegraph Engineer, Auckland. Many persons felt reluctant to complain, thinking that it might be taken as a personal matter. This was a wrong attitude to take up, and one not tending to improve the service. The opinion voiced at the ratepayers’ meetings was that no blame could be attached to the operators, but that more circuits should be provided. Mr Lakeman pointed out that the installation of Morse sets at Turua and Ngatea had greatly relieved the local wires, and that tiie adoption of the Murray system had released many circuits to Auckland. It was the intention. of the department, when tiie material arrived, to lay another cable across the Waihou River. This would give Turua additional circuits to Thames and relieve the present lines. A rea<rangement of the circuits could then l.e made to relieve Ngatea and Kerepeehi. “We are looking forward and preparing for the time when every man will have a telephone,” concluded the Chief Telegraph Engineei.