CONTINUOUS TELEPHONE SERVICE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13917, 31 May 1909, Page 7

CONTINUOUS TELEPHONE SERVICE.

To the Editor of the '•Timaru Herald.'"' Sir,—-As we will soon know the result of the voting on the proposed working of the new telephone system I would like to make a suggestion in case the continuous service is not carried by the majority of the subscribers. For myself I hope the people will adopt the new system as the benefits to be derived are numerous in comparison with the? extra charge. Should this result, however, not come about the Borough Council and the Insurance Companies, who to a certain extent assist our capital finbrigade. together with the medical practitioners might- subsidise a certain amount towards keeping the exchange open. Of course it is hardly fair to ask the last named to do this, but the annoyance of having the telephone cut ofT after midnight and during Sunday. must be nerve-racking to them, as well as to those who have charge of invalids in a dangerous state of health. The names of all those who are against the scheme might bo handed to the Postmaster, and if they Nbould at any time use the telephone :>fter hours a fine of 2s Gd or os could be imposed upon them. This amount would be gladly paid if an urgent message had to be despatched. The necessity of having the telephone open after midnight is becoming greater every dnv. Only last week a resident of the north end of the town had to rush to the Fire Brigade Station to announce that his house was in flames, and a similar case happened only a couple of weeks ago. Soon we will lmve an U))-to-date telephone svstem. why not use it ? At present the exchange is or>en Of} hours per week, and with a continual service we will have an additional 72 hours. Surely this is worth a little extra. Hoping that some abler pen will take, the matter up. —I am. etc..

UP-TO-DATJ'