RURAL TELEPHONES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 86, 31 May 1911, Page 5

RURAL TELEPHONES.

, A cottier saves tiio cu'pfhil cost ol Ins private telephone in the first "i- : months,” said a ,speaker at (.lie Auckland A. and P. Associations’ conicronno, wiien speaking on the snhivi: ol rural tolepliones. TJie discussion was raised hy a motion hy Air {Somerville (To Kniti'l: —“That the ■ip’aeull.nr.il associations and farmers’ clniis throughout this province he urged 1.-> encourage the extension of the telephone system in rural district;; hy -endeavouring to induce local authorities and (Seal residents to establish telephone systems in centres where the Government cannot undertake to do so.”

_Ai r Rutherford seconded the motion, am! spoke pointing out the advantages of the telephone to people in isolated districts and of : tlie prohibitive rates in place;; now charged hy the Government. The secretary stated particulars, received from the Prime A 1 mister given as the result of the inquiries made after last conference in his letter. Sir Joseph Ward stated that county councils laid power to contract with the Minister far Telegraphs, and employ portions of the county funds for erection or extension of telephone linos. The County Council was the only local body which had that power. Private individuals and residents could make arrangements for the local system connected with the Department’s systetm and such private owners of telephones could receive and despatch messages over the Department's wires without extra charge. This last concession was not generally known.

The motion was unanimously ad.opI.