NORTH SHORE AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15639, 19 June 1914, Page 4

NORTH SHORE AFFAIRS.

IMPROVED COMMUNICATION.

A meeting of the Waitemata Chamber of Commerce was held last night in the Borough Council Chambers, Devonport. There wero present: Messrs. F. Hcldt (in the. chair), J. Henderson, F. W. Catbolt, G. Arklu, S. G. Vail], J. Lowe, J. R. George, W. Walker, D. Sisson, M. D. King, and A. H. Gentil (secretary).

It was reported that the Post and Telegraph Department had given permission to have an extra mail made up from Dovonport to Auckland at 10 a.m. each day. The mail would close at ten o'clock and bo forwarded by the 10.20 a.m. ferry steamer. Tho extra service has now been in operation for over a. week and is regarded by the members of the Chamber of Commerce, and the business community generally, as a great advantage. Improvements in telephone communication are also promised. It was stated by Mr. J. Henderson that in an interview with the Prime Minister the disadvantages under which Devonport laboured in the matter of t.lio telephone service were discussed, and there was a puspect of improvement. The machinery tor the installation of the automatic tern was all ordered, and it was expected that within 12 months tho whole of tho North Shore would bo linked up with that system. That would do something to obviate the long waits at present experienced in ringing tip Auckland. In the meantime- business men wero to bo given the option of pa\ ing a pound or two morij per annum for the telephone than was- at present charged, which would enable them to secure unlimited use of the telephone. The present system was that they were charged £5 per annum according to t.he distance, and 3d per call extra, with Id por minute beyond the three minutes allowance. This was a very costly arrangement for business men, and the promised now system would be an advantage.