SLOT MACHINE TELEPHONES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29055, 18 November 1959, Page 13

SLOT MACHINE TELEPHONES

Conversion For Tolls

The Post and Telegraph Department hopes to convert 50 public telephones in Christchurch to combination •‘toll” and “local call” machines by the end of this year, according to the regional engineer (Mr W. Service).

“In the Christchurch Metropolitan area there are 390 public call Stations, commonly known as slot telephones, and from 55 of these it is possible to lodge toll calls and telegrams, which are paid for by inserting the appropriate amount on request from the toll operator,” said Mr Service. “The machines are designed to take pennies, sixpences and shillings and from a combination of these coins the correct amount can be paid for the call. Local calls may be made also from these machines. “From the remaining 335 installations it is possible to lodge calls to subscribers in the Christchurch Metropolitan area only by inserting two pennies and following the directons in the telephone cabinets. "It is the department’s intention ultimately to convert all the installations so that the public will be able to make “toll” or “local” calls from the same machine, but there is insufficient equipment available to enable this conversion to be carried out immediately.” Convert 50 Mr Service said it was hoped, however, to convert 50 telephones, which were situated in strategic positions, before the end of this year and that the conversion of the remainder would take place over the next 15 months. “First in priority will be those in the vicinity of city and suburban post offices, and these will be followed by a selection in areas where there are a large of waiting applicants.” he said. “By this means it will be possible for full telephone facilities to be made available, either from private residences or from public call stations, over the greater part of the Christchurch area,” said Mr Service.