AUCKLAND TELEGRAPH OFFICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8508, 7 March 1891, Page 5

AUCKLAND TELEGRAPH OFFICE.

ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS A number of alterations and improvements have just been ; effected at the Auckland Telegraph Office. The superintendent (Dr. Lemon) some short time back represented to the Hon. E. Mitchelson (Commissioner of Telegraphs) that the accommodation of the Auckland office was insufficient for , the requirements of the growing telegraphic business. Mr. Mitchelson inspected the office, satisfied himself that the representations were reasonable, and at once authorised the necessary expenditure. Accordingly Dr. Lemon arranged for five offices on the first floor to be thrown into one room, and used as an instrument room. It is 88 by 16, is well lighted and ventilated, and will be ample for the requirements of the city, unless any unforeseen circumstances arise, for a quarter of a 1 century to come. The instruments are of tho latest pattern, and the fittings specially designed by Dr. Lemon, as the standard to be used in the offices throughout New Zealand. The wires are brought in from the main line by a cable, and led to their respective lightning guards. From thence they are carried to the line test board, and their respective instruments. The battery wires are brought to the battery test board adjoining that of the line wires, to enable all the changes in connection with the alteration of lines, increase or other alteration of batteries, by the simple insertion of spring plugs, without the usual unscrewing of wires with their concomitant evils. The instrumenttables have been made by Mr. Halyday, cabinetmaker, from the standard design, and have polished cedar tops. The instruments have been fitted to cedar slabs, and all the connecting wires carried underneath, so that there is no danger of accidental breakages of the wires, and the inconvenience caused thereby. The main leads have been carried round the room in troughs, and thence through grooves in the floor in an upright iron pipe to their respective tables. Owing to the convenient height of tho new tables the operators, instead of being perched up on stools, will be able to sit on comfortable chairs. On entering the instrument - room, one is immediately impressed with the ingenious and unique design of the fittings. Instead of seeing the walls covered with wires, as in the old style, one only recognises that it is a telegraph office from the instruments on the table, the wires having, as previously described, been led through the trough and grooves to their respective terminals. Dr. Lemon came up himself and arranged for the placing of the tables and other fittings, and left Mr. Gell, of the Wellington office, who hits visited other centres for a like purpose, to carry out and supervise the details of the work. The work has been carried out in an efficient manner, and by the time this account of it is in the hands of our readers, the operators will have been transferred to their new quarters.