TELEPHONE CONGESTION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 314, 21 December 1936, Page 4

TELEPHONE CONGESTION

STRATFORD POSITION Christmas Rush Justifies New Installation.

Installation of further circuits which will double the carrying capacity of the toll lines between Stratford and New Plymouth is at present being carried out. No clearer demonstration of the necessity for this step could be needed than the experience of the department at Stratford, which during the past week has, along with the Telegraph Department, been, experiencing an unprecedented Christmas rush.

An idea of the extent of the demand on long-distance telephones can be gained from the figures supplied to a “Press” representative this morning. On December 16, 330 calls were put through at a value of £l2/1/-; on December 17, 315 at £ll/11/6; December 18, 33G at £l6/15/-; December 19, 295 at £ll/0/2. These figures, which are for calls put through from Stratford ’phones v alone, and do not include those from ’phones between Tangarakau on the east and Rowan on the west, which are handled through Stratford, represent a value in calls considerably over twice that of the average for the early months of the year. Last year the figures for the corresponding periods were 293 (£lO/8/-), 265 (£9 15/4), 298 (£9/13/-), 289 (£9/12/8). The same tendency prevails in the Telegraph Department. On the 16th, 94 telegrams were receiv/ed, compared with 59 last year; on the 17th, 57 compared with 56; on the 18th, 81, compared with 43; and on 19th, 75, compared with. 49. Indications are that the staff will be even more rushed this week. This morning at 11 o’clock the toll-room had far more calls than the lines were I capable of putting through in the time, and the telegraph department already has a large number of Christgreeting telegrams to be delivered on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.