TELEPHONE CHARGES AND REGULATIONS (REVISION OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1911 Session I, F-10

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1911. NEW ZEALAND.

TELEPHONE CHARGES AND REGULATIONS (REVISION OF).

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Memorandum. Telephone charges and regulations have now been carefully revised, particular attention being given to the possibility of recasting the rates in such a way ;is to give fanners and other country residents the lowest possible rates for long distances while at the same time maintaining the service on a profitable basis. The attached schedule shows by way of comparative statement the present charges and those proposed. In regard to telephone exchanges not open continuously, it is proposed that the minimum rate foi an exclusive wire of short distance shall remain the same—viz., £5. For two subscribers on a single line of 1 mile in length it is proposed to charge £3 10s. as against £4, while for three, four, five, or six subscribers on lines of I£, 2, 2\, or 3 miles in length it is proposed that the charge be reduced from £4 6s. Bd., £4 10s., £4 125., £4 13s. 4d. to a uniform rate of £3, which shows a substantial reduction in all cases, and should encourage the use of party wires for long distances. Business connections will, according to rule, be expected to pay £1 more. For subscribers beyond 3 miles the present charge for five subscribers on a 5-mile line is £6 each, plus £7 4s. for the first year. It is proposed to reduce this charge to £4 Bs. without any charge for capital cost for the first year. For a line 1\ miles long the present charge is £8 each subscriber, with £24 4s. for the first year for capital cost. It is proposed to reduce this to £6 Bs. without any charge for the first year for capital cost. This shows a workable number of subscribers on the line, but there will, of course, be no objection to the number of subscribers being increased to six, when the rates can be further reduced. It is not proposed that the Department should undertake the erection of lines beyond a distance of 9 miles for six subscribers, 8 for five subscribers, 7 for four subscribers, &c, from the exchange, and any group of subscribers living beyond that distance will be encouraged to erect private wires to connect with the Department's lines at a distance of either 9 miles or 3 miles, whichever is preferred. If, however, it is desired that the Department should do the work for a tance. the following example shows the cost for five subscribers on a 10-mile line : — Present Rales. Proposed Rates. £10 each, with capital cost £41 4s. to be paid for £8 Bs. each, with capital cost £8 10s. to be paid for the first year. the first year. Business subscribers will be expected to pay £1 extra per annum. This, however, is little more than a saving clause, as there are not likely to be any business connections on the majority of country lines. At exchanges having a continuous service, the charges will be slightly higher—as a rule ss. per annum for each subscriber —to cover the extra cost of the all-night service ; but this cannot be objected to, as such lines would as a rule be in thickly populated suburbs. Business subscribers to continuous exchanges will, of course, be required to pay the usual additional rate. Careful calculations have been made which have satisfied me that the proposals are not likely to result in loss of revenue. The receipts in all cases are expected to balance the annual charges. A slight profit will, however, result by striking an average for the whole country, as I have in all cases estimated the erection of a completely new line, which will not always be necessary. Even though the estimates are bare, I consider that farmers and other country residents are entitled to a maximum consideration at the hands of the Department, and it should not be forgotten that all of these new lines will bring in revenue from bureau and other communications from beyond the limits of the farmers' lines.

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The regulations are proposed to be revised in the following manner : — No. 10 clears up the point in dispute as to whether charitable institutions should pay the whole cost of a line or only that beyond 1 mile from the exchange, as was intended. No. 11 provides for a reduction of £1 on additional exchange-connections in the same premises. This should encourage business houses to subscribe for a number of wires covering necessary requirements. No. 13 reduces the charge to a uniform rate of 10s. per annum for every additional J-mile up to 3 miles, and 15s. per annum beyond 3 miles. If a special line of poles has to be erected beyond the 3 miles, the charge is £1 per \ mile. No. 14 clearly defines points which have been in dispute about the use of extension telephones and annunciators in business premises, generally known as private branch exchanges. No. 15 specifies the term for which subscribers have to sign bonds for long lines. No. 16 provides a charge for temporary connections of 10s. for the first fortnight and ss. for every subsequent week, plus the net cost of making the connection. This has heretofore been undefined. No. 17 provides that subscribers who have already paid for the cost of construction beyond the 3 miles limit will be charged a uniform rate of 10s. per j-mile, instead of 15s. for a circuit on an existing line and £1 for a circuit on a special line, as heretofore. Nos. 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 are fully dealt with in the preceding remarks. It is proposed for long-distance telephones over trunk lines to increase the mileage at the Is. 6d. rate from 140 to 150 miles, and at the 2s. rate from 180 to 200 miles, and to charge an additional 6d. for every 50 miles thereafter. While it is necessary that the rules should be sufficiently rigid, the Department reserves the option, where spare wires, either cable or aerial, exist, to extend the maximum distance specified to the limit of such wire on the usual mileage charge. The foregoing proposals will meet the convenience of a largely increased section of the public. There is, however, another section to whom relief should be given as early as possible. While under the new proposals a subscriber may, by combining with a neighbour, rent a party wire at a reasonable rate, a different principle will be applied as rapidly as possible to the principal cities. It is not desirable at present to make definite proposals, as, if automatic exchanges are introduced, it is hoped that it will be possible to treat the metropolitan areas as single exchanges without regard to thedistanceof the subscriber from the main exchange. This will be possible under the automatic system, as blanch exchanges can be worked without attendants. The ultimate object will be to place automatic branch exchanges within about 2 miles of each other, or as may be found convenient, so that no subscriber's individual wire need exceed 1 mile. The present difficulty could, of course, be overcome by erecting branch exchanges at such places as Newtown with junction wires to the city exchange; but it would not, in view of the proposed introduction of modern apparatus, be desirable to incur such a large expenditure. The practical perfection of automatic and semi-automatic exchanges appears to be so assured that it would be at present unwise to incur cost for extending manual exchanges in outlying parts of the principal cities. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General.

Comparative Statement.

The estimates relating to 5 miles and ovor are based on the supposition that the first 5 miles consist of a circuit on an existing line of poles ; beyond /> miles, special poles. Up to 3 miles, 10s. per J-mile; 3to 5 miles, 155.; and over over 5 miles, £1 per J-mile.

Continuoi is Service. Not open coi ltinuously. Business. Private Residences. Business. Private Residences. Present Rates. Proposed Rates. Present Rates. Proposed Rates. Present Proposed Rates. Rates. Present Proposed Rates. : Rates. 1 subscriber, \ mile 1 subscriber, 1 mile 2 subscribers, 1 mile 3 subscribers, \\ miles 4 subscribers, 2 miles 5 subscribers, 2£ miles 6 subscribers, 3 miles 3 subscribers, 5 miles Capital cost, each 5 subscribers, 5 miles Capital cost, each .. 5 subscribers, 7J miles Capital cost, each 5 subscribers, 10 miles Capital cost, each £ s. d. 7 0 0 8 0 0 6 10 0 6 13 4 6 15 0 6 16 0 8 Iβ 8 9 13 4 12 0 0 8 4 0 7 4 0 Iβ 4 0 24 4 0 12 4 0 41 4 0 £ s. d. 7 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 5 6 8 5 5 0 5 5 0 5 5 0 8 0 8 Nil 0 13 0 Nil 8 18 0 Nil 10 13 0 8 10 0 £ s. d, 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 6 8 4 10 0 4 12 0 4 13 4 7 6 8 12 0 0 6 0 0 7 4 0 8 0 0 24 4 0 10 0 0 41 4 0 £ s. d. 5 0 0 5 0 0 •4 0 0 3 6 8 :i r> o 3 r> 0 3 5 0 6 6 8 Nil 4 13 0 Nil 0 13 0 Nil 8 13 0 8 10 0 £ s. (1. 5 0 0 6 0 0 4 10 0 4 13 4 4 15 0 4 16 0 4 16 8 7 13 4 12 0 0 6 4 0 7 4 0 8 4 0 24 4 0 10 4 0 41 4 0 £ s. d. 5 0 0 6 0 0 4 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 7 0 0 Nil 5 8 0 Nil 7 8 0 Nil 9 8 0 8 10 0 £ s. d. 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 6 8 4 10 0 4 12 0 4 13 4 7 6 8 12 0 0 6 0 0 7 4 0 8 0 0 24 4 0 10 0 0 4] 4 0 £ s. d. 5 0 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 (I 3 0 0 6 0 0 Nil 4 8 II Nil 6 8 0 Nil 8 8 <» 8 10 0

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DEAFT REGULATIONS. TELEPHONE EXCHANGES. 1. Where a telephone exchange is established, the Department is prepared to receive applications from intending subscribers, subject to the conditions and regulations set forth hereunder, or any amendments or extensions thereof. 2. Every person desiring to hire any telephone instruments or set of telephones oonnected with a telephone exchange shall make application to the Secretary, General Post Office, on the form supplied for that purpose by the Department. 3. In addition to the tabulated rates, an entrance fee of £1 must accompany all first applications. Subsequent applications for additional connections to the same exchange will be exempt from the entrance fee, providing a, pre-existing connection is simultaneously held for one year after the date of the additional connection. 4. Subscribers at each exchange will be furnished with a list of persons with whom they may communicate by telephone, and as new subscribers are connected with the system from time to time notification of the fact will be given by the Department. 5. Tbe Minister of Telegraphs may refuse to connect with the telephone exchange any place of business, house, or premises which in the opinion of the Minister is or are used for any illegal, immoral, or improper purpose, and may, either with or without previous notice, exclude from the telephone exchange any subscriber who allows the telephone instruments in his custody or control to be damaged or destroyed, or put to any improper use, and may remove or cause to be removed any instruments allotted to the use of such subscriber. No person shall have any claim for damages or otherwise whatsoever in consequence of the refusal of the said Minister to oonneot any place of business or house with the exchange for any of the causes aforesaid, or in consequence of the removal of any instruments, or the exclusion of any subscriber as aforesaid. 6. All charges payable in respect of the hire of any telephone instruments shall be paid half-yearly in advance, but for distances over three miles the charges may, if desired by the subscriber, be paid quarterly in advance, the first payment to commence from the date when the connection with the telephone exchange is completed, and to oover the then ourrent quarter or half-year. 7. If such payment is not made within one week after demand, the connection with the exchange may be discontinued without prejudice to any proceedings for the recovery of any moneys then due or otherwise. 8. Telephones connected with exchanges are to be used on the business of the subscriber or that of his employees, family, or guests only. 9. No extra telephones, special instruments, or appliances other than those provided and maintained by the Department will be allowed to be used by any subscriber in connection with an exchange wire. 10. It shall be optional on the part of the Minister of Telegraphs to permit any premises of any public hospital, or public benevolent or charitable institution duly acknowledged as suoh by the Minister, to be connected with a telephone exchange at half the business rates (other than the entrance fee) as detailed in section 11. Such institutions will be required to bear the cost of any line-construction beyond 1 mile from the exchange in order to qualify for the reduced rental beyond the mile. Charges. 11. In addition to the entrance fee of £1, the charge per annum payable in respect of the hire for any telephone instrument connected with a Government telephone exhange is as follows :— For an exclusive circuit, — Per Annum. At exchanges which are open continuously— £ Business establishments .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Private residences .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Or if two-thirds of the total number of subscribers at any time express in writing, addressed to the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department, their desire in that behalf For each subscriber at the rate of .. .. .. .. .. 6 Such expression as aforesaid shall be deemed to be operative until reversed by an expression of the desire of at least two-thirds of the subscribers that the annual rates be £7 and £5 respectively. At exchanges which are not open continuously— Business establishments and private residences .. .. 5 Additional exchange connections to the same premises, £1 per annum less. 12. The above rates are for business connections not exceeding or for private residences not exceeding 1 mile, from the exchange. Business connections comprise warehouses, stores, shops, or any premises which bear prima facie evidence of being utilized for business purposes or are advertised as such. 13. On existing lines, for every additional |-mile or fraotion thereof up to 3 miles, the charge is 10s. per annum ; beyond 3 miles, 15s. per annum. If a special line of poles has to be erected beyond 3 miles, the charge will be £1 per annum for each J-mile or fraction thereof beyond the 3 miles. For maximum distances over whioh lines will be erected by the Department see section 22. 11. Extension telephones, not fitted for internal'communication, are charged for at £1 per annum each, in addition to the cost of switching-devices, material, and fitting. Extension telephones fitted for intercommunication, in addition to exchange facilities, are charged for at £2 per annum each, except the annunciator telephone, the subscriber to pay the cost of the annunciator and of erection. The annunciator telephone is provided by tbe Department. An extension telephone is one which is placed within the same premises as that in which tbe original connection is placed. 15. Subscribers will have to sign a bond to hold the connection for 1 year for each 2 miles or fraction thereof of circuit wholly provided by the Department. Thus, for a distance up to 2 miles, 1 year ; over 2 miles and not exceeding 4 miles, 2 years ; over 4 miles and not exceeding 6 miles, 3 years. 16. Temporary connections (for a period less than one year) will be granted, provided the applicant pays the net cost of giving the connection, and a rental of 10s. for the first fortnight or fraction thereof, and fis. for every subsequent week. In the event of the temporary subscriber ultimately deciding to have the temporary connection converted to an ordinary permanent one, the usual bond must be given, and the regular charges will lake effect from the date of the completion of the bond. In such a case the cofct of making the connection will be refunded.

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17. Where subscribers have already paid for the cost of construction beyond the 3-mile limit, the charge for such extension will be 10s. per J-rnile, whether a special line of poles is constructed or not. 18. Printing additional names or designations in the telephone list in connection with the same number wiil be charged for at 10s. for each additional entry. Party Lines. 19. In cases where from two to six subscribers use the same circuit, the following charges will be made :— Each, per Annum. £ ». d. For 2 subscribers, 1 mile or less from the exchange .. 310 0 ~ 3 . 1§ „ ..300 „ 4 „ 2 „ ..300 „ 5 „ 2$ . ..300 „ 6 ~ 3 „ ..300 Only one entrance fee is required for each circuit. For each business connection on a party line— At an exchange open continuously, £2 extra per annum. At exchanges not open continuously, £1 extra per annum. Where continuous service is provided— For each party line, for three subscribers or less, £1 per annum additional. For each subscriber beyond three, ss. per annum. 20. Beyond the distances detailed above, the additional charges will be in accordance with paragraph 13. 21. The Department will extend any line, exclusive of party, beyond the 3-mile limit for a further distance of 1 mile for each subscriber on tne circuit. If a line is required beyond these extended limits, the Department will extend the line for a further distance of 1 mile fur each subscriber on the circuit, on the condition that the subscribers contribute half the cost of doing so. For any further extension, the subscribers must pay the whole cost of construction. Where the Department may have spare wires, either cable or aerial, the maximum distances specified may be exceeded to the extent to which such wire is available. 22. It will be optional for subscribers to erect and maintain their own lines beyond the distances for wbich the minimum charges are made. 23. The following are the hours of attendances observed at telephone exchangee, according to the number of paying subscribers connected therewith: — Hours. Subscribers. a.m. p.m. Ito 50 (inclusive) .. .. 9 to 5 51 . 100 . .. .. ..8.8 101 . 125 .. .. .. 8 » 10 126 . 150 . .. .. .. 8 „ midnight. 151 and over .. .. Open continuously if at any time not less than two-thirds of the total number of subscribers express in writing, addressed to the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department, their desire that the telephone exchange should be so open. Such expression as aforesaid shall be deemed to be operative until reversed by an expression of the desire of at least twothirds of the subscribers that the hours observed be from 8 a.m. to midnight. System of working Telephone Exchanges. 24. A subscriber requiring an exchange should ring, then take the receiver off the hook to listen, and the exchange should answer without ringing back. 25. An exchange requiring a subscriber should ring, take up the receiver to listen, and the subscriber on hearing the ring should take up the receiver and speak without ringing back. 26. A subscriber originating a connection or being joined through to another subscriber should ring up, then take up the receiver and listen, and the subscriber receiving the ring should take up the receiver and speak without ringing back. TELEPHONE BUREAUX. 1. A "telephone bureau" meane any ordinary telegraph or telephone office which is mentioned as a bureau in the list of telegraph-offices published in the Post and Telegraph Guide for the time being, as well as any such bureau specifically constituted. 2. The following are the charges to be paid by the public for the use of Government telephones at a telephone bureau in New Zealand : — For the first period of three minutes or fraction thereof— For a distance not exceeding 25 miles : s. d. For subscribers speaking from own exchange .. 0 3 , non-subscribers .. .. .. .. ..06 For each succeeding one minute or fraction thereof: For subscribers speaking from their own exchange .. 0 1 , non-subscribers .. .. .. .. ..02 Over 25 miles and not exceeding 50 miles: For all persons .. .. .. .. ..06 For each succeeding one minute or fraction thereof 0 2 , 50 miles and not exceeding 75 miles: For all persons .. .. .. .. ..09 For each succeeding one minute or fraction thereof 0 8 75 miles and not exceeding 100 miles : For all persons .. .. .. .. ..10 For each succeeding one minute or fraction thereof 0 4 . 100 miles and not exceeding 150 miles : For all persons .. .. .. .. ..16 For each succeeding one minute or fraction thereof 0 6 „ 160 miles and not exceeding 200 miles : For all persons .. .. .. .. ..20 For each succeeding one minute r,r fraction thereof 0 8 And for every succeeding distance of 50 miles or less : For the first period of three minutes or fraction thereof 0 6 For each succeeding one minute or fraction thereof 0 2

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For communications on toll lines over 25 miles long, between 8 p.m, and 8 a.m., half the above charges are to be paid—for example, 3d. instead of 6d., 4Jd. instead of 9d. Half-rates apply only at telephone exchanges which are open after 8 p.m. A toll line is any Departmental line (as distinct from a subscriber's line) connecting two places or exchanges, for the use of which a charge is made. Until further defined, all lines, except subscribers' lines are toll lines. 3. Owners of private telephone lines led into a bureau may use the departmental lines when available for speaking purposes through such bureau. The charges for this service are the same as those payable by non-subscribers, the distance being calculated from the telephone bureau. 4. When a message to the effect that any person is required to attend at a telephone bureau is sent to such bureau for delivery beyond the premises in which the bureau is situated, 3d. will be charged for delivery. These charges must be paid by the sender. Messages for addresses outuide the ordinary delivery limits are subject to special charges for delivery, according to the extra expense thereby incurred. 5. Any one person may use the wire for six minutes only at a time—that is to say, if another person requires the wire, at the end of six minutes it must be given up. Should the wire not be asked for, then the person using it may continue to do so at tariff rate. On Sundays ordinary rates only are charged. Long-distance Communications. 6. The following are the charges for the use of Government telephones, when prearranged by " reply paid" telegram or otherwise, for the purpose of conversing over long-distance wires on Sundays or at other times approved by the Minister, usually between midnight and 8 a.m.:— (a.) When the conversation takes place through exohaoges which are open oontinuously, or through other exchanges or bureaux during the ordinary hours of attendance of switchboard or bureau attendants: For a period not exceeding six minutes, 2s. 6d. ; and a further charge of sd. for every additional minute or fraction thereof. (6.) When special attendance of switchboard or bureau attendants out of ordinary hours of attendance is required, then for each switchboard or bureau attendant called upon to make the necessary wire-connections: For every hour or less, 2s. 6d., in addition to the charges set forth in paragraph (a). 7. No free conversations on public service are permitted over long-distance oirouits. 8. The long-distance circuits are : Dunedin-Christchuroh, Wellington-Napier, Wellington-Auckland, Napier-Gisborne, and Napier-Auckland. 9. A long-distance communication is a communication made by telephone over one of the Morse (telegraph) circuits named above. 10. Communications under these regulations may also be obtained at intermediate offices on any of the above-named long-distance circuits or over a portion or the whole of any two of them if circumstances permit. PBIVATE LINES. Conditions undbb which Line will be constructed, supplied with Instruments, and maintained. 1. Application should be made direct to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, for any information regarding the cost of construction and the conditions under whioh private lines will be constructed or supplied with instruments. 2. The erection of private lines is not permissible on telegraph or telephone poles, nor may such lines be connected with departmental earth-wires, except as specified in clause 3. 3. Private wires between places of business or other premises within towns where there are telephone-poles available, which in the opinion of the Secretary, General Post Office, may be used for carrying suoh private wires without detriment to the Department's business, may be erected on such telephone-poles at the cost of the applicant, and maintained by the Department at the following rates, payable yearly in advance:— For the first mile or fraction thereof, £2 per annum, and 10s. per annum for every additional quarter of a mile or fraction thereof. i. If a private line or any portion thereof cannot be erected on any existing telephonepoles, and therefore necessitates the erection of new poles, then for suoh new line the maintenance will be at the rate of £4 per annum for the first mile or fraction thereof, and £1 per annum for every additional quarter of a mile or fraction thereof. 5. The applicant must use the line for his own bona fide business only, and must on no account, directly or indirectly, allow the line to be used for any purpose which might be construed as an attempt to defraud the Department of its revenue. 6. The Department may construct private'telephone-lines on behalf of the owners, but will not license any person to construct his own telephone-line. 7. The construction of a line erected by its owner and at his risk is subject to the oonsent of the County Council, Road Board, or other local body; but such consent will not abrogate the claims of the Department to the right of road. Any private line interfering with the construction or maintenance of any departmental line will be liable to removal on the order of. the Minister. 8. Private lines intended to be connected with a telephone bureau must be equipped with bridging-bell telephones supplied by the Department, the cost of whioh, including battery, is £5 each. Any other apparatus or material required for the construction of a private line may also be purchased from the Department, provided it can be spared by the Department and cannot be obtained from any dealer in such goods. 9. The Department does not maintain private lines or telephones constructed as indioated in clauses 6, 7, and 8. 10. A private line may be connected with a telephone-office at whioh there is no telephone exchange on the following conditions:— (a.) The line must be led into the office under the supervision of a departmental lineman to a lightning-guard, switch, and telephone. The owner will be charged with the lineman's time and expenses while engaged in the work.

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(b.) The telephone at the telephone-office must be of the bridging-bell pattern ii there is more than one telephone on the line, but it may be an Edison-Bell telephone if there is only one telephone on the line. It is furnished, together with the fittings, at the expense of the owner of the private line. 11. When a private line is connected with a telephone-office in charge of a permanent officer a switohing fee, to be paid in advance, of £1 10s. per annum for each telephone, is to be charged for switching the private line to another private line. The service of switching the private line to the bureau, and the transmitting and receiving of telegrams on the private line, will be given free of charge; but the usual charges for use of the bureau, and the cost of the transmission of telegrams over the public line from the bureau, must be paid. 12. Non-permanent telephonists may fix a fee to be charged for their services in switching one private line to another private line. Approximately the charge is about £1 10s. per annum per telephone, but non-permanent telephonists may charge only the usual bureau fees and the cost of transmitting messages for switching to a departmental line. 13. Where a telephone exchange has been established in a country town private lines may be connected with the same on the owners signing the prescribed form of application and paving the entrance fee of £1 and the charges set out in clause 14. Only one entrance fee is required for each line. 14. When a private line is joined up to a telephone-exchange connection, either through a subscriber's wire or direct to the exchange by a departmental wire the rates in addition to the entrance fee shall be in accordance with those specified for exclusive and party lines. 15. The Department supplies a telephone free of charge to each subscriber, and, where necessary, an earth-plate, and, in the case of a long line, a lightning-guard ; but these remain the property of the Department, and are not installed or maintained by the Department except at the expense of the subscriber and when the Department can conveniently spare the services of a lineman. Neither does the Department maintain any part of the private line. The Department will, however, supply material for renewing batteries, and will also repair or replace a defective telephone if it is sent in to the telephone exchange by the subscriber. Otherwise such subscribers have all the privileges of ordinary subscribers. MAXIMUM DISTANCES WHICH THE DEPARTMENT WILL ERECT LINES FREE OP COST TO SUBSCRIBERS. 1 subscriber .. .. 4 miles .. .. 2 years'bond. 2 subscribers .. 5 .. .3 :{ „ .. .. 6 „ .. .. m 4 „ .. .. 7 „ .. .. 4 5 „ .. .. 8 .. . . . . 4 r> . .. .. (t ~ .. .. s

Approximate V.ost of Prtjwr.—Preparation, not given ; priming (1,500 copies), £<">.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government. Printer, Wellington 1911

Price «</.