LYTTELTON TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10443, 24 April 1912, Page 1

LYTTELTON TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

NEED FOR CONNECTING THE WHARVES.

SUGGESTED REVISION OF RATES

DEMAND FOR IMPROVEMENTS. Those interested in shipping at liyttelton are unanimous in their opinion that the Government, in conjunction with, the Lyttelton Harbour Board should iostal telephones 011 the wharves. When spoken to on the subject several gentlemen Stated that with the exception of a rearrangement of tlie internal functions of the local exchange there were practically no difficulties in the way of installing an up-to-date system, by which vessels remaining in the port for any length of time could, be brought into communication with the town. The present electric light carriers on the wharves could be utilised to carry the telephone wires, and. thus save a big expense in the outlay. Once the wires were permanently fitted the matter of making a connection with a vessel would not occupy more than a few minutes.

It is also suggested that the installation of a slot machine 011 each wharf would prove very beneficial. There is no doubt that with the co-op§ration of the Customs Department the present watch-houses could be utilised for this purpose, thus protecting the machines from being damaged. One gentleman stated that he thought a telephone worked on the slot principle, installed on No. 2 wharf, would pay for itself in the course of a few weeks. Time and again passengers arriving from Wellington and other ports were anxious to communicate with friends in the city, and if a telephone was handy they would soon avail themselves of the opportunity and pay willingly for the privilege. In Wellington there was a public telephone at a bookstall, which proved a fine revenue earner. The present drawback to installing an up-to-date system at Lyttelton is understood to be that the number of through wires to Christchurch is totally insufficient for the work.. The Lyttelton bureau relies on two wires to the city, and by installing a system on the wharves "through" business would get even more congested than at present. The difficulty could only be remedied by the Department installing more wires. There is no doubt that if these defects were removed there would, be no difficulty in providing this great public convenience.

A number _of tradespeople have a grievance against the system in force at the port. There are about twenty subscribers to the local exchange, who pay in. fees close on £IOO per annum, but should they desire to get into communication with Christchurcli they are charged for their conversation at the rate of one penny a minute. In the °f the two wires being engaged, the local subscriber is obliged to wait his turn. From 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., how6T<3r, the subscriber is robbed of all privileges, for the exchange at the port closes down during these hours. One subscriber stated that the position was a most unfair one, for in Christchurcli a continuous service was given within a certain radius for £5 iper annum, but in Lyttelton the same Amount was charged for half that service. They should certainly have the same privilege as others for a like amount. It was further stated that if the Department reduced the charge for direct communication to Christchurcli from £22 10s per annum to about' £l2 there would be no dearth of subscribers. Those -who find it necessary to have direct communication with * the city comment freely on the present charge. They state that £22 10s is an exorbitant figure and should be reduced by one-half. During the past few years alterations effected in the system must •have curtailed the up-keep by 50 per cent. For many years Lyttelton depended on its service to Christchurch by a route over the Bridle Path, and the continuous strong winds proved burdensome on the up-keep of the line. This has, however, been put on a more economical basis by the laying of a metallic svstem through the tunnel, and subscribers maintain that they are entitled to some consideration.

The general opinion is that the time is now opportune for revising the existing charges, and also for placing local subscribers on a much better footing.