PRIVATE TELEPHONES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14947, 21 March 1912, Page 5

PRIVATE TELEPHONES.

NORTHERN WAIROA SYSTEM.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Some few years ' ago the Dargaville firm of A. E. Harding, Limited, instituted a private telephonic system, the cheap benefits of which were readily recognised by settlers. Acceding to numerous requests, the- firm carried its lines to many homesteads, and ultimately subscribers increased so greatly in numbers that it was obliged to hand over the system to the Northern Wairoa Dairy Company, which now controls some 250 miles of line, and caters for 100 subscribers. Three cables cross the Wairoa River, and connect with settlera' homes hi the eastern portion of Hobson County, whilst central stations exist at five creameries. As the line was originally planned, the construction per mile coat from £3 to £6, but it has been found prudent to erect stronger and more durable poles, which slightly increases the original cost.

The service is essentially a farmer's one, and in order to placo it upon a sounder basis, meetings of subscribers are now being held throughout the district, with a view to the system being controlled by a definite association. It is the largest private system in New Zealand, and extends from Ruawai and Tartararifci in the south, to Tangiteroria, Mangakahia, and Tutamoe in the north. It is shortly intended to carry it up the Kaihu Valley, and out to the back-block settlements beyond the Kaihu terminus. The present cost to subscribers is an installation fee of £7, to which is added the cost of the branch connection and the subscriber's share of the upkeep of the main line. Some years ago the Government constructed a line from Dargaville to Tangiteroria, a distance of 16 miles, at a cost of £900, and the numerous guarantors had for years to pay their quota to the declared deficiency in revenue. Shortly afterwards, Harding and Company constructed a line between the two places, at a cost of £90, and which does equally as good work as that erected by the State. This was an object-lesson to settlers, and proved a fine advertisement for the privately-constructed scheme. The meetings referred to as being held, are to formulate a definite basis of control, and delegates therefrom are to report to the present authority in a month's time, so that early steps may be taken to improve and enlarge the equipment at the central bureau. Moreover, the residents at Matakohe, Paparoa, and Maungaturoto are now arranging for a private circuit in their district, and it is estimated that fully 200 subscribers will be interested therein. It has been suggested that their system should connect with the Wairoa one at Ruawai, and if such a link .eventuates the benefits to the Hobson and Otamatea communities will be very large. The cost to subscribers would be materially lessened, and it is estimated that for £1 per year settlers would individually be enabled to keep in touch with business and other matters arising in both counties. '

The State telephonic regulations now allow private linen to bo connected with Government bureaux, by which means private subscribers can connect with the State line, and converse at tho ordinary rates with those not within their system. The Harding system now (spreads throughout Hobson County, and in portions of Otamatea, and if the proposed connection is made the whole of Central and Upper Kaipara will be brought into touch, at a ridiculously small cost.