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Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 12 July 1921, Page 7

A question as to the year in which the telegraph service was instituted in New Zealand necessitated a hunt through records, sar? the Dunediri Star, and rVthe nublic will doubtless be interested in" the facts that Mr W. H. Ferens has gleaned out of Dr Hocken's works. The first telegraph line to he erected in New Zealand was between Dunedin and Port Chalmers and the Heads. The contract was let to Woodley and Co. to construct the line between Port Chalmers on March 1, 1862, the first pole was erected in May 24, j the line between Port Chalmers and Dunedin was completed on August 18, and it is presumed the first official telegram was sent on that date. The next line to receive attention was between Dunedin and Invercargill, which was opened for traffic on May j 15, 1865. The first Press telegraphic communication was from Bluff to Dunedin on the same date, and the Dunedin to Christchurch line was opened for traffic on May 23. The Cook Strait telegraphic cable was successfully laid after two attempts on August 24, 1866, and the first cable message sent from Wellington to Dunedin on August 28. - BE PATRIOTIC. Don't talk patriotism and support foreign tyres at the same time—be ;. practical patriot and gain material beneht by always using Spencer Moultcr' lyres. Obtainable from all patnoiir' parades or Box 2^- Christchurch.--Advt.