VALUE OF SERVICE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32625, 24 September 1945, Page 5

VALUE OF SERVICE

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SUGGESTION FOR PLAINS POINTS MADE BY MR J. NEATE In view of recent discussions by the Hauraki Plains County Council, branches of the Farmers Union and other organisations, regarding the possibility of a central 24-hours-a-day telephone exchange for the whole area, established at Ngatea, the following points made by Mr J. W. Neate of Ngatea in a petition in 1938 on this question to the PostmasterGeneral will be of interest to readers.

Mr Neate wrote to the Minister as follows: —

“In respectfully placing before you a request for a centralised 24-hour telephone exchange at Ngatea, the signatories to this' letter, representing every branch of the community, append a statement of facts in support of their request. “Ngatea is the geographical centre of the Hauraki Plains and the seat of local government. The population of the area covered by the request is about 3500 and the area itself is comprised of Ngatea, Turua, Kopuarahi, Pipiroa and Waitakaruru districts. Three Exchanges “At present the following exchanges operate during the hours set opposite their names: — “Ngatea.—l74' subscribers, daily hours, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays' and holidays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. “Turua. —160 subscribers, daily hours, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays and holidays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. “Waitakaruru. —B2 subscribers, daily hours', 7 a.m'. to 9 p.m.; .Sundays and holidays', 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. “The Turua exchange is six miles from Ngatea, and the Waitakarui’u exchange 84 miles from Ngatea. At present the 1 position is somewhat chaotic as the respective exchanges overlap one another and the Paeroa exchange extends into the Kerepeehi area, so that Ngatea, to communicate with parts of Kerepeehi, seven miles away has to operate through the Paeroa' exchange, 154 miles away. No Extra Staff Needed

“The population of the district is increasing rapidly. New Zealand rightly claims' to have one of the most efficient telephone services in the world, but we claim that it is not living up to its reputation in this district. It is felt that although it might not Be economical to maintain a 24hour service at each of the named exchanges the desired result could be effected by centralising. Investigation by your officers will reveal that no extra staffing’ will be invovled. Reasons For Request “A few of the principal reasons urged in support of this request aie as follows: — “A doctor is in practice at Ngatea but is isolated from his patients, also urgent maternity and accident cases between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. and in the case of Waitakaruru between 9 p.m. and 7 aan. “A veterinary surgeon is employed by the Hauraki Plains Farmers’ Veterinary Club and is stationed at Ngatea. His services are not available for stock during the hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and in the case of Waitakaruru between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Power Troublemen “Hauraki Plains County is wholly a dairying district with electric power universally in use for milking machines. Milking generally commences at about 4 a.m. and there is insufficient telephonic access to the troubleman stationed, at Ngatea and Turua. In consequence when a breakdown occurs at an early hour, the industry is completely dislocated from the milking shed's to the butter andl cheese factories.

“The same applies to water. The whole of the Ngatea, Waitakaruru and Pipiroa districts are served by a water supply for stock and 1 domestic use. The Turua and Kerepeehi districts' are being reticulated similarly, and all water supply is controlled by the county council. When a break occurs in a main during night time, the county officials cannot be communicated with until 7 a.m. In Case of Emergency

“Early in the last month the northern portion of the county bordering on the sea coast was inundlated by a tidal wave which swept over the seawall at 11.15 pan.’ Other quite adjacent parts of the county were quite ignorant of this disaster until next morning and many families were compelledl to spends the night of May 4 on the roofs of their dwellings in pouring rain. Had telephone communication been available would have been

succoured immediately. Area Suggested “A lithograph plan is enclosed showing the districts it is suggested' should) be centralised at Ngatea edged in blue. Existing post offices are marked in red. The Nethertbn' district is adjacent to Paeroa and' accordingly, enjoys a full-time service. Patetbnga is in the Morrinisville positftl district but could quite well be included in the suggested Ngatea centralisation, although that should be,a matter for your depa.rtment to decide. “•We Ernst that you will give this request full investigation, which we are confident will reveal the .necessity for what is asked.”