THE TELEPHONE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2536, 20 October 1884, Page 2

THE TELEPHONE.

We were favoured on Friday last; with an invitation by Mr MacDermott, the Telegraph Master, to witness a trial of the telephone which is to be used in sending messages between Kumara and Dill man's Town. The trial was made by establishing telephonic communication between the Kumara and Hokitika telegraph stations, aud proved of a very interesting character. At about 8.30 p.m., the ordinary business of the day beinw over, Mr Smith, the liueman of the district connected a telephonic battery in a room at the Telegraph Office with the Hokitika telegraph wire; and a telephone at Hokitika being also connected with the same, verbal communication between the two places was made perfect. His Worship the Mayor aud Lady Mayoress were present, also the Misses Hanuan, Mrs MacDermott, and several gentlemen. Messrs Martin and Thompson, and with them possibly several ladies were linguists or listeners at the Hokitika , station. By means of the telephone a ! controversy was kept up for some time between Mr Smith and Mr Martin as to the number and character of the audience at either terminus, and eventually the former prevailed on Mr Martin to oblige the Kumara audience with a song. Two ear-cups attached to the telephone battery enabled two persons to listen at the same time, and each in turn were able to testify to the novel and curious effect of listening to the voices of those they in most cases had neither seen nor known; now passing a cautious or laughable joke, now singing a song. Songs were given by the Misses Hannan for (he beueh't of the Hokitika operators. Mr Martin gave " The Hazel Dell," "The British Lion," "Old Jeff," and «Naucy Lee;" Mr Thompson sang " Come where my Love lies dreaming," and " 0 let me like a Soldier fall." The Misses Hannan, either as 6olos or in a duet sang "Kate O'Shane," "Come buy my Pretty Flowers," " Excelsior," and "Many Happy Returns of the Day." Mr Valentine told the listeners " I'm a Hearty Young Fellow;" and Mr Coutts rendered " The Little German Band." The songs and the conversation were as distinctly heard from tlin opposi o 01 distant, termini, as if the parii.'s lud been aim st in the same room, the Yuiuco ui who were

known to each other even being recognised. The visitors retired at about ten o'clock, being highly pleased with the illustrations afforded of the perfection to which the telephone haa been brought. The telephone may be briefly described as a small bar magnet, with a coil of wire round one end, placed close behind a diaphragm of ferrotype, the whole being enclosed in a case furnished with a mouthpiece. Words spoken into the telephone are reproduced faithfully on a similar instrument at great distances, and by the use of the microphone the most minute sounds have been distinctly heard and even magnified.

We understand that for a sum less than £2O Knmara and Dillman's might be connected direct with Goldsborough and Stafford, which would be of great benefit in cases of accident or medical assistance being required in either of the last-named towns.