A TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2400, 25 November 1880, Page 3

A TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

The telegraph department (says the “ Christchurch) Press” have made arrangements for introducing a system of telephone exchange. The idea js to place the telephone in ollices or private residences within a reasonable distance of the telegraph office, and they will be connected with an apparatus at the chief office by which a subscriber can cause himself to be placed in telephonic communication with the office or residence of any other subscriber, and be thus able to converse with persons at those places.

Arrangements having been made by the Telegraph Department for a supply of the Edison and Bell Telephone Apparatus, the department is now ready to receive applications for the use of such instruments in connection with a telephone. The instruments to be used, we arc assured, have been proved to be a thorough commercial success. The} are not likely to get out of order, and the use of them can be shown to any one in a few minutes. It may bo hoped that the telephone exchange will find favor in Christchurch, but of course its usefulness will be measured by the extent to which it is taken advantage or, and in the same way the introduction of the system in any town will depend upon the extent to which the public express their readiness to avail themselves of it.