TELEPHONE COMPLAINT.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1922, Page 4

TELEPHONE COMPLAINT.

RAHOTU AND THE HOSPITAL. A serious complaint regarding the telephone service between Rahotu and New Plymouth was made by Mr. H. A. Mills, J.P., at the inquest concerning the death of Mr. C. F. McGregor, which was held at I New Plymouth last night. After the verdict had been given, Mr. Mills asked the Coroner’s permission to draw attention to the fact that after the tragedy had happened it had been impossible to get into touch with the New Plymouth Hospital by telephone. Of his own knowledge he knew that the postmistress at Rahotu bad done her best, and he had been informed that she had not been able to get into communication with even the New Plymouth exchanges. In any case, owing to their inability to communicate with the ambulance, the deceased, who was then alive, had had to make the journey in a car. In this case it would probably not have made any difference; but at any time the need might be a matter of life or death, The Coroner (Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M.) agreed, and said that he would suggest that some inquiry be made into the position, to find out who was responsible. A so-called up-to-date institution like the New Plymouth Hospital should have someone handy to the telephone, he added, when Senior Sergeant McCrorie stated that only two nurses were on duty at night, and it was impossible for them to attend to it.