SETTLERS' TELEPHONES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 17

SETTLERS' TELEPHONES

THE PAPAROA SYSTEM TRANSFER TO GOVERNMENT [BY telegraph—OWN correspondent) PAPAROA, Tuesday The annual meeting of the Paparoa Settlers' Telephone Association was held last evening, Mr. H. H. Sutherland presiding. Messrs. Connan and Chandler, of the Post and Telegraph Department, were in attendance. The question of the future of the in view of the conflict with the coming electric power scheme was considered. Correspondence was received from the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, M.P., and Mr. G. McNamara, Director-General of Post and Telegraphs, dealing with the request of the association that its subscribers should be taken into the Gov ernnient scheme at a flat rate to he arranged instead of a low subscription for residents near by and a higher one for back settlers. The reply from the department said that'after careful consideration it must decline the request as it would lead to anomalies and would be showing partiality to one section of the people, thus causing friction. Reports presented to the meeting pointed out that with the proximity of the electric power lines there would be severe inductive interference. It would cost £SOOO to recondition the association's lines with metallic circuit to avoid this, and a heavier charge for maintenance. The following resolution was adopted: " That this meeting instructs the incoming committee to proceed with negotiations with the Government in taking over the association s system on the best possible terms, with full power to act." . After hearing the views of delegates from the Mareretu Association, who stated that they intended to approach the Government in an appeal for a flat rate, it was resolved to accept their offer to collaborate with the Paparoa Association in negotiating with the Government regarding transfer of the telephone services, the association to do all in ite power to support Mareretu. In view of the closing-down of the association's service during the next 12 months, it was resolved that the incoming committee should assist outlying settlers by donating poles, etc., for the repairing of lines to connect with the Government system.

The following committee was appointed for the ensuing year:—Messrs. E. R. Jenkins, O. Hughes, R. Betts, E. T. Birtles, Ivan Coates, H. M. Reed, and Bruno Weber.