AUTOMATIC TELEPHONES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 26 June 1912, Page 6

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONES

TO BE INSTALLED IN AUCKLAND

BT TELEGB.A.PH—PB.SSS ASBOCIATIOB

AUCKLAND, June 24

It is learned from authoritative sources that a system of automatic telephones is likely to be installed in Auckland just as soon as the exchange battery, which has. done service ' for the past fifteen years, can be replaced by more up-to-date plant to be fitted up in the new Post Office buildings. For some time past the fact has been recognised that the battery now in use having almost ended its day of usefulness, must soon cease to be. Already it is carrying a load of nearly 4,000 subscribers, and at the present rate of increase the total will before very long have overrun the capacity of the exchange. According to the scheme for reorganisation in connection with branches of the Post and Telegraph Department, the Auckland telephone exchange of the future will be located in buildings proposed to be erected as a city south post office and an old age pension department, on a corner block opposite the new V.M.C.A. buildings in Wellesley street East. The occasion of moving- the exchange from its present location in the Shortland street office will, therefore, be opportune for the modernising of the service on lines which have proved most successful in older countries.