Hotel Service

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 12

Hotel Service

Sir,—lt seems odd that if "Another English Visitor” has really been so satisfied with the standards of service and everything else in New Zealand, he (or she) should find it necessary to shelter behind a pseudonym. However, the writer concerned has obviously not been in this country long enough to know that the average New Zealander does not and could not possibly afford to stay in such hotels as the Milford—however good—where the charges range from £4 10s to £6 10s a person a day. Service at the T.H.C. hotels is certainly better than at most places, but so It ought to be at these prices, which are extremely high by most foreign—and certainly by English—standards.—Yours, etc., (Mrs) M. S. BERKELEY.

March 11, 1967. Sir,—Mrs Berkeley does not exaggerate in her views of many New Zealand hotels, where the type of service she expects does not exist, and one may wander round long corridors on different levels in several directions before locating one’s room. Simply, many hotels are understaffed, and apart from waitresses and chambermaids, who perform their duties admirably during fixed hours, there is no-one available for extra service of any kind. On the credit side, food usually is good and the hotel spotlessly clean. It is commendable that the management of Milford Hotel acted so well in an emergency, but even here, apparently a request had to be made for a heavy bag to be carried; it was not an automatic service.—Yours, etc., G.B.W. March 10, 1967. [This correspondence is now closed.—Ed., “The Press.’’] Telephone Service Sir,—About six weeks ago I rang the service department of the Post Office and asked them to change my standard type telephone to a modern wall type. I was informed that it would be done in approximately three weeks. After four weeks I again asked how long it would be and was told two more days. Then, after a further delay, I was informed that it would be some time yet, so then I asked would the charges for installation be at the new, higher rates, although it was asked for a month before the increase was announced. They said it would, so it seems that the Post Office is deliberately withholding services requested so they can charge at higher rates.—Yours, etc., R. J. THOM. March 3, 1967.

[The Chief Postmaster, Christchurch (Mr M. E. Wilson), replies: “I would be pleased to discuss this case with the writer if he would kindly ring or call. Certain imported parts of these telephones are out of stock at present but supplies are expected later this month. The new installation charges are not effective until April 1, but requests made before that date which cannot be satisfied before April 1 will be charged at the old rate.”]