MAILS AND TELEPHONES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10305, 4 March 1922, Page 1

MAILS AND TELEPHONES.

Mr Morris (secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department) and Mr Shrimpton (Chief Telegraph Engineer) have just completed a tour of the South Island, per motor car, for the purpose of looking into matters connected with their Department, particularly into telephone extensions and rural mail deliveries. At Waitohi Flat they were met by a deputation of thirteen settlers, Mr Mcll wrick acting as spokesman. Their request was in connection with the proposed extension of the, Trmuka—Upper Waitohi rural delivery along Bush gully, Matthews’ road and down Gardiner’s hill to the Waitohi Flat road. The proposed route was gone over and it was found that granting the request would involve the mail car travelling an additional three-quarters of a mile each mail day. The main difficulty it was said, is Gardiner’s hill, which contractors, consider dangerous. It was stated that the settlers would themselves guarantee to make the hill safe for traffic. After talking the matter over it. was arranged that the decision should be sent to the settlers later on. At Geraldine, Dr. Paterson inteiviewed the Secetary and Chief Telegraph Engineer re improved telephone facilities between Rangitata Island and Geraldine. He pointed out that Rangitata Island, Clandeboye, and Orton were on one circuit to Temuka, and after hours and on Sundays and holidays their rings reached Temuka only They had no facilities for communicating, with f ; --;:'d':io doc tors, though Geraldine was much nearer than Temuka. Communication was wanted so that doctors in dither centre could have equal facilities. Could the upper part of Rangitata Island, he asked, be connected with Geraldine through Rangitata and Peel Forest? Mr Shrimpton said that would take five miles of line. It was proposed (when conditions were favourable) to put a metallic circuit thfough from Geraldine to Ashburton and to re-group in more convenient circuits the smaller telephone offices in the district referred to, enabling each to be worked from its nearest centre. This would be done when finances permit. Dr. Paterson asked whether some better facilities could not be given at present. / Mr Shrimpton explained that at present works of this kind had to be confined to giving telephone facilities to new districts, not at present served in any way. Only works of extreme urgency could at present be considered. Dr. Paterson referred to several ceses of serious illness when it was most important that prompt communication should be available,. The flooded and dangerous condition of the river'made"this an important matter. Mr Shrimpton stated that he would-endeavour to make this one of next year’s works. It would take 5i miles of line construction to link up the Island with Rangitata, and that could not be undertaken at present. The department officers were accompanied by Mr T. D. Burnett, M. P., on their tour.