THE TELEGRAPH SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2413, 31 May 1900, Page 29

THE TELEGRAPH SERVICE.

I may mention that, to give greater facilities to the public, the principal telegraph offices throughout the colony will bo opened continuously day and night. In the first instance this will be done at Auckland, Napier, Wanganui, Wellington, Chris tchureh, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. The importance of this to- people living in places whore the telegraph offices will not be open all night may be gathered from the fact that there are very few places in which, should emergency arise, the use of the telegraph office cannot be obtained by anyone desiring it, to establish communication with the principal centres, even though the place they happen to reside in may not have the office open ail night, and therefore the opening of the principal offices all night is important to all other places. *I do not on the present occasion intend to discuss any general matters affecting the post and telegraph service beyond the change I have just indicated, but upon some future occasion I intend to publicly review the working of that important department, and I trust to be able to suggest some improvements beneficial to its owners, the people of the colony. I have noticed that it has been Ftated by some journals that I proposed to deliver a speech dealing- with the policy of the Government during the coming session. This I have never had any intention of doing. We are now close up ~to the meeting of Parliament, and, in my opinion, the right place for this to be outlined is in ihe Governor's* Speech at the opening of Parliament. I felt it was due to the public to give them fome idea of the important changes I have indicated in the management of our State railwas's. It is the largest of our State departments, and represents more of the public money than in any other department.