TELEPHONE SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 170, 16 April 1934, Page 7

TELEPHONE SERVICES

Early Developments

ENGINEER’S RETIREMENT

A prominent figure in the develop-" ment of electrical eommuuieatlon work in New Zealand and abroad during the last 20 years, Mr. E. Kofoed, plant engineer for Standard Telephones and Cables (A’sia.) Ltd., announces his retirement. I

Mr: Kofoed first commenced telephone switchboard installation wofck with the Post and Telegraph Department at Iu T vereargill in 1009, when one of the first common battery multiple units was placed into service. Shortly after the change from the old to the new service, New Zealand was visited by Professor Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the first speaking telephone in 1870. Professor Bell took a great interest in all matters connected with telephone services, as well as showing kind consideration toward anyone associated with the work. Mr. Kofoed, who was then only a lad, was persuaded to go to the United States to gain experience. The knowledge gained there was of much value upon his return to New Zealand a few years later to assist in the installation of this country's automatic telephone exchange network . Commenting on the telephone service throughout New Zealand, Mr. Kofoed said that great credit was due to the officers of the department for the way in which they; had handled their communication problems. To keep pace with new developments and maintain a service of such high standard there was a lot of hard work to be done. .In some instances changes were made that involved new methods and installation of costly scientific apparatus. The irony of the'situation was that the user of the telephone seldom realised that anything very important bad happened. Adversely, telephone men did not go round looking for kudos, neither did they indulge in many hobbies other than experimenting in their spare time (when they had any) with dials, digits, and gadgets. Such work was interesting—even fascinating, and they got a “real kick” out of it. ■