TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE REFORMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2014, 29 September 1892, Page 33

TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE REFORMS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, September 23.

The Postmaster-general's attention has been directed to somo suggestions in the Obago Daily Times respecting the extended use of telephones in rural districts, particularly for urgent nighfc work, such as summoning medical aid. Mr Ward has made inquiry into the matber, and requests me to inform you thab the arrangement suggested had been already made in every part of Otago where it had been asked for, with the single exception of Wyndham, which will be connected so soon as the requisite material can be sent, if, indeed, thab has nob been done ' by this time. Mr Ward tells mo that as matters now stand Hyde can ring up Naseby at any hour of the night, and so can all the stations in the Naseby district. Queenstown can be rung up at night by any of the stations that communicate with ib; so can Cromwell, Roxburgh, Gore, Otautau, Balclutha, and other places. Officers sleep on bhe premises, and can bo called ab any bimo in the night by the telephone bell. Otago Heads, Otakou, snd Portobello can telephone for a doctor at Porb Chalmers and Broad Bay and Cape Saunders can ring up any doctor in Dunedin, so Mr Ward bhinks that practically all is done or being done that can be desired in the direction referred to. Representations have been made to the Postmaster-general that the present telegraph charges are too high. Ifc is alleged that New Zealand charges are higher than those of England or Victoria, as it has been stated that in EDgland "a 20- word telegram goes anywhere

for 6d." Mr Ward points out that this is an entire misconception. In England the charge is "6d for the first 12 words, id for every additional word, and addresses are charged for;' in Victoria six words for 6d, each extra word Id, address and signature charged for ; New Zealand, ordinary, 18 words for Is, including address and signature, each extra word Id, and delayed telegrams are charged only 6d for 18 words, and an extra £d each word. In Vicboria the press rate for 100 words is Is 6d, in New Zealand 6d. Mr Wards conbends, therefore, thab on the whole New Zealand rates are the most liberal of any.