HARIHARI PHONE EXCHANGE OPENING

Grey River Argus, 9 November 1949, Page 2

HARIHARI PHONE EXCHANGE OPENING

To-day, the new automatic telephone service, for the district around Harhari, South Westland, will begin to operate. Mr J. B. Kent yesterday expressed his gratification that the installation had been completed and that the residents of the district would have thio amenity. There has also been a rural automatic exchange installed a 1 the Ahaura district, and others arc projected in this district. The Harihari exchange has been reconstructed and the telephone line, south of Ross renewed.

Hon. F. Hackett, Postmaster-Gen-eral, in a letter to Mr Kent, states.— “I am pleased to inform you that the rural automatic exchange which is being installed at Harihari, will bo brought into service on Wednesday, November 9. Initially, some 77 subscribers will be connected to the exhcange and they will enjoy a’ continuous service, both for local calls and for toll calls. Local calls will be effected by dialling the telephone number of the person required, wh’le toll calls will be obtained by dialling a number which will place the subscriber in touch with an operator at the Ross exchange during the hours that exchange is open. When . theRoss exchange is closed, Harihari subscribers will effect their toll calls through th*e Hokitika exchange. 1 feel confident thta the settlers who are connected with the new exchange will find the service excellent in every respect. The installation of the Harihari exchange is in accordance with the Government’s policy or providing telephone service in. country areas equal to that given in the city centres and marks a further step forward in the telephone development in the West Coast area.