HON H. G. ELL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10440, 20 April 1912, Page 8

HON H. G. ELL.

DEPUTATIONS TO-DAY. TELEPHONE SYSTEM AT LYTTELTON. The Hon H. G. Ell, Postmaster-Gen-eral, spent another busy time in Christchurch to-day. At 1 o'clock Mr M. J. Miller (Mayor of Lyttelton! and Dr Guthrie waited upon him and asked that the telephone system at Lyttelton should be improved. Mr Miller said that sis years ago Mr Laurenson, Dr Guthrie and he had waited upon Sir Joseph Ward and asked that something should be done. Some kind of promise was given that the improvements would be carried out. There were difficulties in regard to the extra expense and the establishment of a separate bureau, and nothing was done. The Harbour Board wished to extend the telephone system to the wharves in order that the shipping might be connected. It was also desirable that there should be better communication with the bays. He was convinced that, if the Minister went into the position, he would see that great improvements could he made. The bureau at Lyttelton closed at 8 o'clock at present. There was no communication between townspeople after that time. The arrangement was very inconvenient except to those who were directly connected with the Christchurch bureau, and that represented an expense of about £25 to each holder. Dr Guthrie said that Mr Miller and ho represented the Borough Council, and were not present in a private capacity. There were- three different systems in Lyttelton at present., and each was starving all the others. There was the bureau system, the system of private wires, and the svstem of the Harbour Board's wires. People in the hays continually complained that they could not get into touch with Lyttelton at night except through the police station, a means of communication that was very unsatisfactory. Tiro holders of private wires paid heavily for the privilege they enjoyed and contributed a largo sum to the Department. Those who had business in Lyttelton were in a verv had position to communicate with one another. He suggested that the shipping at the port should be connected with the town by penny-in-the-slot, movable instruments, or some other means. The Department should give Lyttelton a better day service and also an all-night service. If the on'y hope was in an increased number of subscribers, steps would certainly be taken in that direction, possibly in the wav of bringing in the shipping. In most up-to-date ports the shipping was connected with the towns. To show that there was no mechanical difficulty in the way, ho stated the Pioneer and other war-shins were connected when thev were brought up to the wharves. The Minister said that he could not give a direct reply, but, as soon as he returned to Wellington, would issue instructions that an exhaustive report should be prepared as soon as possible. The Department wonld have to be guided largely by the cost. People did not realise the 2reat cost of establishing a telephone bureau. He had not realised it himself until it was -pointed out to him by officers of the Department. He was deeply interested in the statements made in regard to connecting the shipping. He that there were possibilities in that direction. If the Pioneer could be connected so easily, there was no reason why other vessels should not be connected. The advantage would be enormous. He was in sympathy with the anxiety of residents in the bays and other country districts to have satisfactory telephonic communication, especially in case of sickness. The Department would do whatever it could in that respect. As <;oon as the deputation withdrew, Mr Ell telephoned for the telegraph enginePr, and, after a consultation with him. instructed him to visit Lyttelton on Monday and obtain information for a report. Mr Ell inspected the new poet effice at Sydenham at mid-day. He will leaye for Wellington thi* evening.