SETTLERS' TELEPHONES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 414, 15 November 1911, Page 6

SETTLERS' TELEPHONES.

- o— o Settlers in the Waitomo district evidently bslieve in the virtue of selfhelp, and the necessity for being in communication with civilisation. The district is one, which has a scattered population, owing to the holdings of farmers being on the large, side, and feeling the necessity of a telephone service they decided to establish one themselves. About six months ago the work' was commenced atid altogether about 45 miles of telephone wire was stretched in network fashion throughout the district, tapping Putake. Ilauturu, the head of the Awa- ! roa Valley, and other districts, con- ; neciing at Waitomo. The line is \ substantially erected, and will last; for many years to come. Without the | cost of instruments settlers estimate the outlay ot the Hue at. .t'H per ; mile. Altogether some la settlers; will be connected. When application was made to the (dnvernment for j telephones they were unable to supply \ them, with the result that settlers arc; j in communication with a few Ancle- ; land firms regarding the purchase ofi instruments. A few of 'lie settlers ' have installed second-hand machines \ at the farthest points, for the time | being, and these are proving a great! benefit to the district. It is the in- j tention of settlers'! to have their line I connected with the Waitomo post ; office. j