TELEPHONE CONDITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22070, 2 July 1935, Page 8

TELEPHONE CONDITIONS

FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IK COUNTRY DISTRICTS 12 HOUR SUNDAY AND HOLIDAY SERVICE PORT CHALMERS PARTICIPATES ■ [Special to the ‘ Stab.’l WELLINGTON, July 2. Following the recent reductions ia toll rates, a further improvement, in telephone conditions in country disS* tricts was announced to-day by the Postmaster-General (the Hon. Adam Hamilton). At the telephone exchanges in 108 of the smaller towns of the dominion the attendance at present _ observed on Sundays and holidays is limited in most cases to one hour in the morning and one ■in the evening. ,Jt is felt by the Minister and his department that in these growing towns a; much; longer, service is necessary, and accordingly it is being arranged for ■ those exchanges at which the number of subscribers is in excess of 100 to be kept open on Sundays and holidays from 8 a.m.,.t0 8 p.m. The extended attendance: is] to coino into operation on Sunday next, and will affect the telephone exchanges in such places’, as Helensville, Huntly, Katikati, Manaia,Ohakune, Otaki, Picton, Rakaia, Port Chalmers, Riversdale, and Riverton.

The observance of an attendance of 12 hours on Sundays and holidays at such places will, the Minister hopes,greatly increase the benefit obtainable by ; settlers from the telephone exchange service, not only for ordinary intercommunication between subscribers, but also for toll communication purposes.