TELEGRAPH OFFICES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6936, 27 October 1900, Page 5

TELEGRAPH OFFICES.

_H>~— • MODIFICATION OF THE CONTINUOUS OPENING. [Per Tress Association.] WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. In consequence of the poor support accorded to the continuous opening of the , Telegraph Offices, instituted in September last, the Postmaster-General has decided to modify the scheme. The return for that month shows that only 1444 iriessages were forwarded outside the ordinary horn's On week days. Fifty per cent Of these were transmitted between 8 p.m. and midnight, 2.22 pev.cenb between midnight and 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. Including Sundays, it wai found that over 78 per cent of the total number of messages were lodged before midnight, and as no improvement hag been shown this nionth, the continuous attendance will be abolished, and the offices kept open from 8 a.m. to midnight on week days, and on Sunday* they will be open for 'half-an-hour in the morning. Th© rates will be sixpence' for twelve words, both, an week days and Sundays. Evening newspapers, instead of being restricted to, 300 words on Sundays, will be allowed to receive them ad libitum at Is per hundred, provided that it is found that the privilege is not abused. The openiug of the offices, till midnight will probably be extended to Westport, Blenheim, Nelson, New Plymouth and Thames. On holidays, the stations, instead of being open continuously, will be opened from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The rate for press messages to evening papers on holidays will be Is per hundred words, instead of 2s 6o\ This applies to the ten' towns which now open continuously, but if the midnight opening is extended to the other towns mentioned above,, these offices will be opened on holidays too. The new scheme will come into force on Nov. 1.