CONTINUOUS SERVICE WANTED.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 278, 7 March 1929, Page 1

CONTINUOUS SERVICE WANTED.

PUTARURU TELEPHONES. A Petition Suggested. The question of a continuous telephone service was discussed at the meeting of the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening, and it was decided to draw up a petition to be signed by the residents. In introducing the question, Mr. T. F. Snell said a continuous telephone service was required in the district. There were the necessary number of subscribers. The chairman (Mr. J. W. Barr Brown): When we have enough subscribers we can force the Department to give us a service.

Mr. B. McFarlane pointed out that such was not the position. Over 1000 subscribers were required, and in the present instance it was optional whether it became continuous. The town now had sufficient subscribers, and if a petition were fully signed such a service could be obtained upon the payment of the additional fees.

Mr. Snell said that if the people knew about these facts it would do a great deal towards impressing them. Mr. McFarlane, in reply to a question, stated that business telephones were charged an extra £2 and private houses £l. In the opinion of Mr. A. H. Dukeson, it seemed unfair that the business houses should be made to pay the bigger amount. The policy of the Department, said Mr. McFarlane, in inflicting that charge was due to the fact that more calls were made by the business people as compared with the residents. He agreed that if a petition were circulated he would do all he could to assist. Further discussion resulted in it being agreed to circulate a petition, while members out of the town wou'd do what they could in the same direction.