'PHONE SYSTEM CHANGES BEING MADE IN CH’CH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17905, 22 July 1926, Page 11

'PHONE SYSTEM CHANGES BEING MADE IN CH’CH.

POSTMASTER-GENERAL REPORTS IMPROVEMENTS NEARLY COMPLETED. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON. July 21 “The section of the manual switchboard transferred to Christchurch from Auckland in order to tide over the transition period pending the completion of the underground distribution yvork has resulted in an increased capacity of 400 lines,” says the PostmasterGeneral in his annual report. “At the present rate of progress the time when this increased capacity yvill be fully j available is close at hand. “The system in Christchurch at present is a mixed one, partly automatic, partly manual, but almost the yvhole of the apparatus for the Western Electric full automatic exchanges at Christchurch is noyv in hand. Satisfactoryprogress is. being made with the installation and a good deal of equipment is already in position. This is a yvork of considerable magnitude, and every effort is being made to hasten its completion, so that it will be ready yvhen the final stages of reconstruction of outside cable and aerial cable plant are reached. “With a view to increasing efficiency a rearrangement of toll circuits on the West Coast is being carried out, and already an improvement has been effected between Greymouth and Westport. A Morse circuit has been provided betyveen Greymouth, Westport and Reefton. Three direct telephone circuits have been provided betyveen Ashburton and Timaru. In addition the improved utilisation of the existing circuits betyveen these places has enabled neyv, or additional, circuits betyveen Ashburton and Hinds, Geraldine and Ashburton, Geraldine and Temuka, Temuka and Timaru, and Geraldine and Timaru, thus ensuring an improved toll service.”