"TWOPENCE-IN-THE SLOT!"

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1291, 21 November 1911, Page 4

"TWOPENCE-IN-THE SLOT!"

PUBLIC TELEPHONES A SUCCESS.

A Dominion" representative was informed yesterday that tho new twopence-in-the-slot public telephones wliic.li lnivo been erecte<l in Wellington havo proved (i complete success, and it is the intention of the Department to erect others as .'■oon as they can tie turned out. At present, there are only four at work—one each at fhorndnn and Lambton railway stations, one ou the Queen's Wharf, and une at: Kolhurno. The machines are a splendid pattern perfected by Mr. Palmer, chief mechanician to tho Department. and have ffiven every satisfaction I,nil, to the public, amd the Department. Due leading official, who was recently in England, states (hat the local mae.hi.ucs aro a. great, improvement on those in in 1/omlan. There the aural system of notification is used. Tiii.s means that the (,'irl in the exchange must hear tho viutul of the. two pennies falling before she will connect up. "I used ono of these telephones one day." said (lie official, "anil alter dropping my premies in itt-Ueil for a number. Tut; your tuppence. in,' slid a female voice. 'I liavc put it in.'.l replied. 'Didn't hear it," she said. Si) I bad to nut in anolher 'tuppence' before V could pet. the number 1 wanted." The loeal machine is never guilty of exacting a double eluo'ijo, One penny gives you the exchange, and after vim nominate the number u-nnted, the second penny is dropped, and connection is established. As seen as the machines can lie turned out. they will be supplied fo other centres in New /calami.