TAHORA-TATU TELEPHONE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1916, Page 4

TAHORA-TATU TELEPHONE.

DEPUTATION TO HON. DR. McNAB. FURTHER CONSIDERATION; . PROMISED. The need for telephonic communication between Tahora and Tatn was placed before the Hon. Dr. Robert McXab, Acting Postmaster-General, by a deputation representing th<» New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce on Saturday evening. Mr. H. J. Okey, M.P., introduced the deputation, and Mr. J. D. So'e, president of the Chamber, presented the matter to the Minister. The distance concerned, said Mr. Sole, was about 10 miles, and it had been estimated that six men could do the work in one month.

Mr. Newton King said that at present it was necessary, in order to communis cate with the Ohura from New PlyPlymouth, to do so via Taumarunui and Auckland, This meant considerable delay and inconvenience to settlers who had businessi relations with New Plymouth. The Ohura district, said Mr. King, was growing tremendously, and all the stock was drifting this way. Mr. W. J. Penn pointed out that telephonic communication would also greatly assist those, who travelled through the Ohura. and Whangamomona County Councils had guaranteefl to make up any deficiency tn the cost of maintaining the service. "Mr. 8. Shaw supplemented the remarks that had been made by observing that business generally would be greatly facilitated by the provision of telephonic communication between Tahora and Tatu. In reply. Dr. MeNab pointed out that he was only locum tenens for Sir Joseph Ward, and that the latter had given the request careful consideration. It ha(' been ascertained that the eost of th connection would be £7500, nn expendi ture that, assuming supplies of material could be had. was a very big one. Ai the work could scarcely be regarded as absolutely ncccssdry, he questioned whcjJier it could be gone on with while the war lasted. Mr. King pointed out that the freezing works' at Fitzroy would soon be opened, and that another line of 11 miles at Tokomaroi had been constructed since the present application was made. Dr. McXab said he would give the matter further consideration in the light of the information given by the deputation, and would communicate later with the Chamber. The deputation thanked the Minister and withdrew. -•-,.- *