THE TELEPHONE SERVICE.

Subscribers to the Blenheim Telephone Exchange have now the opportunity, if they so desire, to secure a continuous servico, the Chief Postmaster having circularised them with a view to obtaining an expression of opinion on the subject. The present hours are from 8 a.m. to midnight, and although these are sufficient for general purposes there are often times when subscribers feel the need ©f telephone facilities during the period when the exchange is closed. Of this nature are cases when medical attention is desired. Ifc is, of course, possible under j existing conditions to secure an all-night connection with a doctor's residence where his services are likely to be ' required, but under the automatic system which is now being installed this will no longer be ..feasible, because, unless tho continuous service is decided upon .the machinery at the exchange will cease running at' midnight and the telephones will tbe silent until 8 o'clock next morning. The Chief Postmaster's circular sets out two -means by which! an all-night service can be secured. One is for the business section of the community to agree to their annual subscription being increased from £5 to £7, and the other is for an all-round increase to £6. It seems to us that the latter method of paying for the greater facilities that a continuous service would give is .the fairer one, as ©arlymorning telephone are more likely to be required by household subscribers than by the business people. It is necessary that two-thirds of the subscribers shall' agree to either proposal in order that it may be carried into effect. We trust that the required majority will be obtained, for Blenheim , will then have a telephone service equal to any in the /Dominion. In any case^ it is to be hoped that subscribers will signify their wishes one way or the other, so that a representa'tivo vote may be secured.