Cheaper to telephone

Press, 2 July 1979, Page 4

Cheaper to telephone

Making a toll call will be I much cheaper than sending a I telegram in many cases when the new telecommunications charges come into ; effect in October. A 10-word telegram would then cost $1.60 to send between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.. said the manager of the telegraph branch of the Christchurch Chief Post Office (Mr R. J. Wills). This will be an increase of 60c. A telegram delivered outjside the Christchurch freeI delivery area mill cost a minimum of $3.20 for 10 i words compared with the I present charge of $l.BO. None I of the increases take into I account the new delivery I charges. I Telegrams delivered in the I Christchurch free-delivery | area will still be delivered [free of charge during ordin-, ary hours but outside these

? I hours there w ill he a delivery i fee of $2. Outside the free-delivery s area people will have to pav • the actual cost of delivery, t as is the case now, but there will be a minimum charge of I $2 from October. Money-order telegrams will II cost $3.60 to send after Oct tober, an increase of $1.60. 1, Mr Wills said that he . could not see the Post Office - maintaining a telegraph service until 10 p.m. after Octo- - her and the week-end service - would probably have to he ( “severely curtailed.” ) It had reached the stage y where it would cost at least ■ $7 to send a "decent wedding I [telegram.” The greeting ■charge on telegrams nad risen from 15c to 30c. ■ In some cases it would lie ■ j more economical to make a I! toll call than to send a tele- ■ Igram, especially after hours ■ when toll calls were cheaper.