DUNEDIN TELEPHONE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17936, 15 May 1920, Page 5

DUNEDIN TELEPHONE

SYSTEM

A NEW AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE. MB SHRIMPTON INTERVIEWED. A P&OGIJJSSIVE POLICY. OUTLINED. The prosoot position and future prospects of the Dimediu telephone system were dotailed to a representative o£ the Otago Daily limes yc&ttirday by Mr Ji. A. JSiinuiptou, engxueor-in-ataat oi the 'i'okigrapa LopurcJllfcUt. '•Jiie switchboard in the Dunediu Telephono lsYc.li.iU iffo is lull, and that has boen ,ute position ior some time," aaul Air ijlirimpton. "To overcome Uiat uiihculty, and w> give relief io prospective subecribeiß, tho Xtoaiyn exchange \v\ls established, it was a cuatiy oxpeoivnt, but it gave rebel m a number of cases, 'liieie are, however, several hundred (about 2i9) still waiting lor telephone connections* ihero are also a number oi country subscribers awaititig connections, but at present material is unprocurable. In subsequent conversation Mr tihriinptou stated ttiat there were 806 unsatisfied apphcotious toe telephone connections in VVeiiimgton, and 604 in Auckland. Even these numbers aro vory small compared with the prospective applicaiita in Now said to number 140,uX). "The laet ia," Mr Shrimpton explained, "there is a world-wide demandi for telephones, and the necessary material is not available." Mr Shrimp ton said that the original intention of his department was to await the erection of the new Lu.iedm T'cet Office. That was expected to Le an up-to-dato, modern building, and tho new exchange was to occupy tho top storey, 'ihe old Post Office building is still standing, however, and the new Post Office would likely take fivo years to erect. A further period would then be required to equip the new telephone exchange. In view oi the urgency of an improved telephone system for Dunedin, that idea was abandoned, and another site was souight for a new telephone exchange. Prior to tho selection of a site, Mr R- 1J- Veitch, district telegraph engineer, was instructed to prepare a map allowing tile theoretical centre for a telephone exohange. In other wards, tho local officers mode a inatlieimiatical calculation to asojrtain the centre of telephone distribution. That was found to bo a point at tho corner of Dowling audi Princes strjaets, and, consequently, the nearrar the exchange site could be found to that point tho fairer would it be for subscribers, &k1 the better and more economical for tho department. The local iKquiremente were placed before tile Postmaster-General (the Hon. J. G. Ooates). who authorised tho purchaso of a site. The department has now secured a section opposite the Commercial Travellers' Club in 'Dowliag street. 'Ihe area is 66ft x 165 ft, and ila position is most suitable for the new exchange. Incidentally ,it may bo stated that this purchase was made in a businesslike way, nsd tape being entirely dispensed with. Even the late owner waa unaware of the real purchaser or the purpose until the deal was complete. Tho intention is to erect immediately a Hfw telephone exchange, which" will be wholly automatic. It is estimated that the building will bo completed in a year, and that Dunedin should have a full automatio system in operation in two years and a-half. There are difficulties with regard to materials, of course, but it is expected that these will become fewier in the future.. Wo had oontraats abroad for automatiq exchanges prior to war, but much of our material found its way to the bottom ot the sea, instead of to New Zealand , Those who are awaiting immediate telephony connection may rest assured that all possible temporary expedients will be resorted to, though some of these a-io very costly. The local officers are anxious to provide numbers for all intending subscribers, but it is impossible to give complete relief until tho new exchange and tho full automatic system is in operation. Tho placing of the telephone cables underground —a work which is at present being pushed ahead—is part of tho larger plan, ajid those main cables will take tho place of aerial distribution.

Mr Sfhnmpton leaves for London' shortly, and part of his business will bo to make final arrangements for the purchase of a submarine cable and special apparatus to connect the North and South Islands by telephone. It will then be possible to> communicate with Wellington or Auckland by telephone. This is an important work, and a costly one The cable will weigh some 15 tons per nautical mils, and tho cost will not be loss than £1000 por mile. As the distance is about 60 miles, the total capital cost, including apparatus and cost of'lay- '"£> wi'l easily absorb the best part of £100,000. The department is clearly committed to a progressive and up-to-dato policy with respect to telephone conveniences, and such a policy will surely havo the approval of tho people of the dominion.