"Line's Engaged!"

NZ Truth, Issue 1186, 23 August 1928, Page 6

"Line's Engaged!"

I IKE the tar-farped Maxwelton Braes, *"* Christchurch is indeed a bonny place. -But there js some little drawback : wherever you go. In Christchurch, : it's 'the 'telephone system. Unlike the rest of the centres, Christchurch has not yet got the automatic 'phones going; It depends, to a very great extent, upon the ears and brains of the sweet young things who president the boards m the excharige. As girls, the exchange attendants of Christchurch leave nothing to be desired. But.a sweet young voice coming plaintively over the wire is little comfort for a- business man whose patience has ■_ been •; ripped tp ribbons by his Herculean efforts toT"get through." To be put on the right nuriiber first pop is, m the Cathedral City, on a par with striking the first prize m a big art unibn-r-something to be proud of, to be talked about. . - i Preparing 'to use the 'phone m Christchurch is like gettirig, ready for a big marathon race,, only twice as exciting. You . approach . the 'phone, find your number and go for it. It may so happen^— for the days of miracles are still with lis— rthat you will get very near to the number you want— s6B7 'instead of 7568, tor. instance. '.'.,.. . As a rule, after a good ten minute^' struggling' with the handle that monotonously rings the little bell, the subscriber might get through — if he's lucky.; r : '.' ■; ■:..'■ Admittedly the growth of the . telephone system has npt kept up with the increasing business arid private requirements. '•■..• 7 ' " Still, subscribers 'are paying good lhoney for an inferior service and com-) plaints are many. Will; the automatics never come? * , ' •