TELEPHONE ANNIVERSARY.
CHRISTCH URCH EXCHANGE. FIFTY YEARS OF WORK. Fifty years ago Iho people of Christchurch were much excited over the installation of (lie lirst telnplnnic svs- ( phi. Yet, at lirst tliey looked suspiciously at. (lie new contrivance, for it is recorded that Dr. Lemon, the Superintendent of Telegraphs, in order lo secure the minimum of .30 connections witli which he would open the exchange, had to present free sets to the police, the post office and the fire brigade. Tim Christchurcli exchange was open for business on Septemher 24, 1881, and, allowing for the lew mistakes wliich wen- the result of inexperience, gave excellent communication among the 30 subscribers. The telephone grew rapidly in favour. Within two years tlirre were, more than 200 connections, and an assistant operator hail to lie appointed. To-day (lie number of subscribers is 9700.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20990, 29 September 1931, Page 10
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140TELEPHONE ANNIVERSARY. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20990, 29 September 1931, Page 10
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