TELEPHONE CABLES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 243, 11 September 1940, Page 6

TELEPHONE CABLES

PLACED UNDERGROUND. NEW CITY DEVELOPMENT. In accordance with the modern tendency to remove wires and poles on streets from view as much as possible, some preliminary work has been carried out in Palmerston North in the laying of telephone cables underground. This is one of the first centres in the Dominion where this type of reticulation lias been carried out, as it is a. fairly new development in this country. From the main underground cable in the street smaller cables encased in galvanised iron pipes lead off into tho houses. This presents an ideal arrangement. Although installation costs are more expensive, the maintenance cost in this method is cheaper than that of the overhead wires, and improved service is given, as fewer faults develop. The war has necessitated postponing the full use of this method, but when conditions again return to normal it is anticipated that it will be developed extensively. . At present the laying of cables underground in Palmerston North is confined to one or two new streets, where it is anticipated there will be a high proportion of telephones. Underground reticulation has been carried out in ltawliiti Avenue, and arrangements are being made for work in Ake Ake Street. One or two other streets will be included if material can he obtained, but this may present difficulties. Galvanised iron piping, and cable are already in short supply. Among other places where underground reticulation is carried out extensively is the Ohakea aerodrome. The laying of the cables is done with the aid of thrust-borer machinery, and follows the same methods as those by which gas and water are laid on in houses.