TELEPHONE USAGE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 14, 30 December 1930, Page 6

TELEPHONE USAGE

DOMINION PROMINENT. THIRD IN THE WORLD. Probably few who have the advantage of using a telephone are aware that New Zealand gives place to only the United States and Canada as far as the number of instruments in relation to population is concerned The annual report of the Post and Telegraph Department reveals that the United States leads the world with a telephone density of 16.3 in--100 and New Zealand third with 10 2. The service enjoyed by New Zealand is emphasised by the fact that the average for the whole world is fewer than two telephones to every 100 of population in those countries which use this form of communication. At Marrh 31 last tho number nf telephones in service in the Dominion was 161.323. Gisborne has the highest proportion of telephones to population, there being over 17 instruments to every 100 persons. Wellington comes next with 17 to every 100 persons, and Hastings and Hamilton are third with about 16.5 each. Dunedin. Christchurch and Auckland. are at the bottom of the list of the chief centres, the last named having only 9 5 instruments to every 100 persons.