DEPUTATION AT BLENHEIM.

TELEPHONIC FACILITIES

■••Yesterday afternoon a deputation representing tho Marlborough Ch-im-i.er of Commerce waited on tho Hon. it. McuSSab. It was introduced by Mr K. McCalhim, M.P. Mr C. W. Parker, the president of iho - Chamber, : aj.d Mr J. M. Lightfoot were tho speakers. They represented tlmt the present systom of issuing the list of-subscribers, "to the telephone exchange was unsatisfactory and asked that the old style be reverted to. They also urged that tlu's community be accorded facilities for long-distance telephoning such as were '-enjoyed in the North Island. Tho advantages of easy communication with Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, and other places would be very great. The Minister said that the change made in connection with the issuing of the telephone subscribers' Hstswas authorised before he became Acting-j Postmaster-General, and he was not in a position to say what reasons prompted it. He would go fully into the matter. He did not, of course, want to lightly set aside the matured judgment of the Postmaster- ■ "General. He haa been told that tinder tho old system a continual stream of complaints was received, iHid that after careful consideration! of tho methods' in, use in other parts of the world those in use in the great telephone exchanges in New York were adopted. It was thought that when the system came into proper working order and the people became accustomed to it, it would meet the purpose. He would look, into thfe matter, and coafer with the officers of the Department and let the Chamber know''the result. As for the inadequacy" of the Blenheim; exchange generally speaking, he hoped $ht*' prospect of having the most up-to-date exchange in New Zealand opened in the near future would reconcile them to the present incon-vesuerices. In regard to longdistance telephoning, h^ would see to what extent this district could be met, but' he could not hold out any hope that if tfie provision of better facilities meant anew cable it could be supplied at the present time. He would ascertain whether- Blenheim could be granted . better telephonic communicatiojti with "Wellington, Nelson, and other places. : 'The Hon." .R. McNab left for Wellipigton by the 4 p.m: train yesterday.