TELEPHONE SERVICE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 257, 11 October 1928, Page 2

TELEPHONE SERVICE.

LINE TO TAURANGA. j Chamber Seeks Direct Connection. The Matamata Chamber of Commerce has approached the Post and Telegraph Department with a view to securing a direct telephonic connection between Matamata and Tauranga, by the connecting up over the present gap of twelve miles between the termini of the services from both sides. The following is a copy of a letter sent from the Matamata Chamber to the Acting-Postmaster, Matamata:— “ Now that the whole of the road on the Kaimai Hill has been metalled there is already a considerable increase of traffic between Matamata district and Tauranga. In view of this fact it would be of no small service if the gap in the telephone line between the two places was connected up, so that people could ring through direct for accommodation.

“ Moreover, with the completion of the railway it would also be convenient for tradespeople and others to phone to Tauranga for citrus fruits and other perishable goods, which could be railed through without delay.-

“ Trusting that the matter will receive the active approval of the Department.”

Last Tuesday night the vice-presi-dent of the Matamata Chamber (Mr. L. Flower) and the secretary were guests of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, when the telephone service was one of the subjects of mutual interest discussed. The following is a report of the discussion which appeared in the Bay of Plenty Times:—

I “ The chairman (Mr. Rutter) welcomed Messrs. T. E. McMillan and L. I Flower, members of the Matamata < Chamber of Commerce.

“ Mr. McMillan said he was pleas- ] ed to See that the Kaimai road was I Ireing . metalled, and predicted there I would be tremendous motor traffic on j that road to the benefit of Tauranga. I He urged the linking-up up of TauI ranga and Matamata by telephone, I and pointed out that the gap of line 'i was about twelve miles. He advoj cated the improvement of the road to Mount Maunganui, so that motorists from outside districts could proceed direct by car to their destination at the Mount. He expressed his pleasure at having met members or the local Chamber of Commerce, and complimented them on the large attendance and the expeditious manner in which the business was transacted.

“ Mr. Flower said he was glad olthe opportunity to attend the meeting. Now that the Kaimai road wa* metalled there would be a large influx of visitors from the Waikato to Tauranga.

“ Mr. Entwistle moved that representations be made to the Post ana Telegraph Department to provide telephonic communication between Tauranga and Matamata. —Seconded by Mr: Christian and carried.”