PUBLIC SLOT TELEPHONES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28950, 18 July 1959, Page 17

PUBLIC SLOT TELEPHONES

Reasons For Lack Of Limit The limitation of calls fr'-m public telephone boxes has discontinued because the slot telephones now in use are designed to be used for toll calls and the sending of telegrams, according to the Chief Postmaster at Christchurch (Mr R. Elcock). He was replying to the following letter to the editor of “The Press,” dated July 14, and signed by “Phone”: > “Why does the Post Office persist in putting advertising inside a telephone box? It prevents people seeing that others are waiting to use the telephone Probably it is a source of revenue, but at the expense of efficiency. Women are the worst offenders. Many get so absorbed in their conversation that they cannot see people waiting for a turn. I complained before, and the advertisements were removed; but they are back’ again. There is no limit now to the time of conversation, so many go on like a babbling brook. A notice in large letters. "Please limit your conversation: others are waiting,” would remind users to be a little considerate. The department cannot supply telephones, so it might do something to assist. Today I had six calls to make, so I took two at a time, and then made way for someone else. We could do with two boxes at the corner of Ilam and Clyde roads.” Right of Display

“The right to display advertisements in telephone cabinets in New Zealand is let by contract and limits are placed on the number and size of advertising panels permitted in cabinets,” said Mr Elcock yesterday. “The location and dimensions of panels are aimed at ensuring that there is no undue interference with the lighting and that the panels do not prevent users from seeing when others are waiting to use the telephone,” he said. “On the older type slot telephones, calls were arbitrarily limited to three minutes by clockwork mechanism, but a caller could continue the conversation by putting in another coin when the warning buzz was heard. Slot telephones now in use are designed to be used for toll calls and the sending of telegrams and for this reason it was necessary to discontinue the limitation of calls. In the near future all slot telephones will be available for tolls and telegrams. “The regional engineer has been asked to look into the practicability of providing an additional telephone box at the corner of Ham and Clyde roads,” Mr Elcock said.