GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 14555, 24 June 1913, Page 2

GENERAL.

The government h^s appointed Wednesday. July 16th, for the cele^ fbration ctf Arbor^Day, and in order that the movement may be made "as successful as possible expresses the hope '"'that tihe Mayors of, various municipalities and; chairmen of local bodies will place the matter prominently before the people of the Dominion, and-do. all,they can to encourage the plantixig! of jmblic reserves,, and other available lands, both public and with ti'ees suited to the locality." .

Writes our Auckland, correspondent: During the past few days masculine voices have . occasionally i*esponded from "Central" to the calls of telephone subscribers. An inquiring reporter was informed that the presence of male switchboard attendants is due to a decision of the Postal Department to refrain from appointing; any more "hello girls" to> the; Auckland staff, in view of the pending introduction 'of the "automatic system of telephones. Consequently, as vtacancies occur, you Mis are being brought from country post offices to maintain the "Central" staff at stand? ard strength until the automatic system comes into general use. Subscribers will then manipulate their own miniature "switchboards."