£72 10/- FOR A PARTY TELEPHONE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18769, 27 May 1929, Page 11

£72 10/- FOR A PARTY TELEPHONE.

PORT SUBSCRIBERS PROTEST AT INCREASE IN RENTAL CHARGES. ZjytMton MtpboM mAmAw who haw received their notifications to pay half-yearly telephone rental charges express Indlcneticti at the increase imposed by the P. and T. Deportment. It Is contended that the rental was already exorbitant, without the additional £4. One office in Lyttelton pays £35 lOe per annum for one wire. A business man who has his office in Oxford Street, a few paces from the Post Office, is charged £29 6s 8d for an office ’phone and an extension to his house. Three subscribers who share a party line will each have to pay £ls 18s. A party of six are each required to pay £l2 2s 4d, a total of over £72 for one line. It is reported that the increase has been made on account, of the fact that the mileage is now larger than previously. About eighteen months ago the whole of the Lyttelton circuit was rewired. Instead of the lines being carried over the Bridle Path to Heathcote, they were diverted and run through the tunnel. From Heathcote, the line now runs to the Heathcote bridge, and thence to the Post Office, via Ferry Road, instead of along the railway line. It is stated that the mileage is one mile longer than previously. It is likely that a deputation will wait on the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) to make a strong protest, not only on behalf of subscribers, but on behalf of residents generally, as it is considered that it affects communication with the port.