UNTIMELY HOLIDAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17006, 13 November 1918, Page 6

UNTIMELY HOLIDAY

PUBLIC SERVICES SUSPENDED TELEPHONES' AND TELEGRAPH. Acting in accordance with instructions received from the head office, the post office, telegraph office and telephone exchange all ceased work yesterday morning upon the receipt of the official news of Germany's surrender, and remained closed until ten o'clock Inst night, only a minimum staff remaining on duty. It was stated by an official that these instructions had been issued to the Post and Telegraph Department in each of the four centres on Monday evening. So far as Auckland is concerned these instructions could not have como at a worse time, especially as no public notification was made. As a result of yesterday's suspension of business the activities of those fighting tho influenza epidemic were most seriously hampered. A restricted telophone service was maintained, but this was inadequate, as householders and others not included in tho emergency list were unable to communicate with those telephones on the restricted list. Calls for doctors and nurses wore accepted, but much important general work in connection with the relief of the epidemic was seriously impeded.

" We have suffered the gravest inconvenience at a most critical time," said Dr. Pro'tigley yesterday. "The authorities would have been well advised to have referred the suggested curtailment to me beforehand, instead of simply shutting down without warning to the public, in view of the fact that Auckland is at present in a much more serious position than any other centre." At the Health Department's offices many urgent telegrams lay on tho desk throughout the day. The only messages transmitted woro death notices.

Tho public inconvenience, apart from epidemic matters, was equally great. Large numbers of people gathered at the poet office throughout the day to transact ordinary business, but it was impossible even to purchase "stamps, the office being entirely closed to tho public.

The Customs Department was tho only branch of tho Public Servico open during the day. Tho Railway Department also maintained tho present curtailed services.