SLOT TELEPHONES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16568, 4 June 1914, Page 10

SLOT TELEPHONES.

INSTALLATIONS IN CHRIST-. CHURCH. The following letter was sent by Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., in reply to a communication from tho PostmasterGeneral, dated May 16, in regard to the installation of slot telephones in Christchurch: — "You will find on referring to the records that the telegraph engineers of Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Dunedin were instructed in June, 1912, to prepare a comprehensive report on desirable sites for slot telephones, that tuck report was received and approved, and instructions wero issued for the erection of. slot telephones on the sites named in the report, so I cannot understand the delay in connection with the erection of more slot telephones in the Christchurch South district.

"I am sorry you cannot see your way to authorise telephones for tho I corner of Barrington Street and of \ Wychbury Street, Spreydon. With all 1 due respect to the recommendation that one should be placed at the corner of Hanover Street in preference to tho corner of Brougham Street and Windmill Road, I still consider j that one is very much needed at this I spot. That one is needed at the corner of Hanover Street, I have no doubt, and I am certain it would pay. There is a considerable population in the neighbourhood of Antigua Street at its junction with Moorhouso Avenue, and a telephone here i 6 very much needed. There are quite ' enough people living in this neighbourhood to justify the Department in placing a telephone on this site. One at the corner of Colombo Street and Moorhouse Avenue, as suggested, would undoubtedly prove a public convenience, but I venture to say not so great a ; convenience as' one situated at the corner of 3foorhouse Avenue and Antigua Street. I cannot agree that the residents of Montrose Street are within reasonable distance of slot .telephones. There is a big population in this district, and the great majority of the people are not in a position to afford telephones in their own homes. The many calls that are needed for various purposes justify me in asking that the residents, in these districts should be provided with cheap telephones. As the Department has tho monopoly of supplying slot telephones, it ahould carry out its obligation by providing what the public need, namely, cheap telephonic facilities wherever they are required."