'PHONE EXCHANGE

Franklin Times, Volume XXI, Issue 66, 8 June 1931, Page 5

'PHONE EXCHANGE

THE QUESTION OF SERVICE. A WRONG IMPRESSION. "An entirely wrong impression about service given by the Pukekohe telephone exchange had been created a short time ago," remarked the president, Mr G. Cooper, at Thursday's meeting of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce. Mr Cooper added that when the postmaster, Mr R. G. May, departed for Westport Ihc service became indifferent, but this was due entirely to the change over from one system to another and not due to any laxity on the part of any of the post office officials. Consequent upon the alterations being effected, the organisation in the exchange was considerably upset, and this accounted for delays and inconvenience experienced. Both Mr M. S. Campbell and himself who had been appointed by the chamber to wait on the postmaster with a view of ascertaining the cause of the erratic service, were invited to inspect the exchange and they accepted the invitation and were surprised to sc 1 how busy the exchange attendants were. "I would like members to see for themselves how busy the attendants are between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily. They would then be in a position to realise that every effort was made to give subscribers an efficient service," said Mr Cooper. He said lie had been given to understand that before further improvements co*uld be effected a new' board would have to be installed, and more attendants employed, which meant greater expense. Members expressed the opinion that the service given lately had been reasonably good. Mr M. S. Campbell endorsed Mr Cooper's remarks and added that some of the delays were due to subscribers not observing the regulations .strictly. For instance some did not ring off correctly, while others did not hang up the receivers. He said that the postmaster invited subscribers having complaints to report them at once giving the nature of the complaint and the exact time. It was decided to write to the postmaster thanking him for the courtesy extended to the deputation and his explanation of the position.