TELEPHONE RENTALS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 143, 21 May 1925, Page 5

TELEPHONE RENTALS.

IN OUTLYING DISTRICTS,

ALTERATIONS IN SERVICE! NECESSITATED.

A meeting of private telephone line holders was recently held at Pohang na, when tiro telegraph engineer, Mr D. X. Allan, addressed those present on the reconstruction necessitated in the lines an the result of the introduction of electric light and power reticulation throughout the district. “What is popularly known as an earth working or single wire system,” explained the speaker, “has , boon changed into a metallic system. This reorganisation or chango must be also ipplied to private lines if the users are desirous of having a satisfactory or workable system, and in view of tlio expense of making such a change it has been found more economical and certainly more advmtageous for private line owners to surrender their private line set for one wholly departmental. On making further enquiries into till! matter a “Standard” reporter was informed that it is tho genera, tendency for private lines throughout the whole district to be converted into departmental fines. Under the old telephone rates, it lad been found that the rentals for long distance departmental lines proved so excessive that it had become necessary for settlers who were a considerable distance lion exchanges and desired connection thereto, to erect portion of their own circuit, irius shortening the department’s section ,and consequently reducing tho rental. However, under the rates; now in vogue, it has been found that a considers'lie concession has been granted tc* sett lees in tho outlying districts, so that, though many miles distant from an exchange, they can obtain telephone connection therewith at a comparatively low rental. From information supplied by tho district telegraph engineer at the meeting of settlers, it was found that a group of 10 settlers -it Ranmai, who are 15 miles distant from Palmerston North, could obtain continuous telephone connection with this centre til a rental of only £8 per annum per telephone. At Pohangina, 18) miles from Palmerston North, a similar service could bo obtained at. a rental of £9 8;-; per annum per telephone. From Raunmi to Ashhurst exchange, a distance of. £>) miles, a similar service could be obtained for £3 14s per station, whilo from Ash hurst to Pohangina, a distance of nine miles, “lie rental was £5 2s. The above figure;- arc applicable to a 10-party line, but it is possible to cater for party lines on tlie sun o basis down to the number of f.vo loloi phones per line, a. sliding seals bring provided which would increase* the* rental for party lines less in number than tho above.