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Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32626, 26 September 1945, Page 5

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TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SUGGESTION FOR PLAINS STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT “ In reply to your letter asking for a scale of telephone rentals on the basis of consolidation of surrounding exchanges with Ngatea, I have to advise that owing to the special construction required for such a scheme it would be necessary to devise special rates to meet the circumstances,” stated a letter from the telegraph engineer, Hamilton, to the September meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council. “In order to provide - subscribers at outlying exchanges with direct access to a central exchange it would be necessary to install special equipment which is not at present available,” the letter added. “You may be assured, however, that every opportunity will be taken to develop the telephone system in the best interests of telephone users,” concluded the letter. Substantial Increase The chief postmaster, Thames, writing on the same subject, stated that while the proposal for a central telephone exchange'at Ngatea would have the advantage that free intercommunication over a much greater area would be possible it was doubtful whether those subscribers whose interests are mainly local would be prepared to pay the higher rental charges that would follow the adoption of the suggestion. Rentals, he stated, would be substantially increased due to the longer distances involved. The present demand for new telephones from some 20,000’ applicants would have to be satisfied before the department Would be in a position to consider any reorganisation of the telephone exchange systems in the Hauraki Plains area. It was agreed to write to the department and ask for the estimated cost of the telephone service from a central exchange when the material was available.