TELEPHONE BETTING

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26856, 8 October 1952, Page 3

TELEPHONE BETTING

Sir, —I have been a constant reader of “The Press” for a number of years and admired its prompt and efficient service, but now I am wondering. I have been waiting for over a week to read all about the new system of betting by telephone at the Totalisator Agency Board. Can this “hush hush” policy have any bearing on the shortage of telephones available to the public. I suggest telephone betting would make an enlightening story for your readers. And do please tell us how the board and agencies obtain telephones and specialised service when the Postmaster politely informs the long-awaiting public that there are no lines available.—Yours, etc., T.A.B. (TELEPHONING AT BOXES.)

October 3, 1952. [The Acting Chief Postmaster, to whom this letter was referred, says: “The position was explained in ‘The Press’ by the Chief Postmaster in May last, in reply to two letters under the heading ‘Telephones,’ with particular reference to telephones for the Totalisator Agency Board. Only normal business priority for telephones has been granted to the board and its agencies at Christchurch. There is one normal trunk line installed at the board’s main office. To meet the Saturday and holiday needs of the board, however, additional trunks have been provided, but these trunks are available only on Saturdays and holidays. They are taken from the traffic reserve sections of the automatic equipment, which takes the load during heavy week-day calling. These lines cannot be used for ordinary week-day traffic. They are available only for incoming calls to the board. There is no question of the Totalisator Agency Board getting telephones at the expense of people who are waiting until the new exchanges can be opened.”]