TELEPHONE APPLICANTS LIKELY TO HAVE LONG WAIT FOR SERVICE

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 September 1950, Page 4

TELEPHONE APPLICANTS LIKELY TO HAVE LONG WAIT FOR SERVICE

The 650 applicants for telephones in Wanganui are likely to wait for them for some time. At least that is the position unless the Post and Telegraph Department receives a bombshell from its suppliers of cables and exchange equipment to the effect that large quantities of these materials are on their way here—and that is not likely to happen, apparently. The problem facing the department is that of maintaining a balance between the deliveries. Just recently two miles of cable was laid at Aramoho and the effect of laying those cables is at present just nil. There is no exchange equipment available. Previously there was exchange equipment available, but there was no cable. If it is not one thing it is another. Telephone service has been provided on the party-line system, but the story is the same there —there is no cable available. Both the Wanganui and Dublin Street exchanges have reached their capacity for new connections, now listing 4700 numbers. Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of telephones in supply. These, however, form but a small part in the materials used to instal the communication system into a home or business. The installation of Id slot telephone boxes at the corner of St. George's Gate and Somme Parade and in Heads Road opposite Beach Road—they were used for the first time yesterday—is expected to ease the position to some extent. These boxes bring the total in Wanganui to 41. In accordance with the Government announcement of increased telephone charges all calls from boxes will shortly be Increased to 2d. It is thought, also, that boxes outside the minimum rate boundary—those in parts of Aramoho and Castlecliff—will be converted into 3d call boxes. Settlers in the Hunterville area, particularly in the Rcwa district, will soon be connected to the Hunterville exchange. Line parties are working there with automatic post-hole diggers, a gadget which speeds up the erection o£ lines considerably, capable of digging holes up to 7ft. the machine eliminates all manual labour. Increased toll charges have caused no material decrease in calls made and figures compare favourably with those of last year. But naturally, the figures relating to the revenue have increased. No disconnections have been made because of the higher telephone rentals. , Though the overall picture of telephone service is a gloomy one, department officers express appreciation of the tolerance shown by Wanganui citizens. The Postmaster (Mr. W. O’Connell) says that, everything is being done Io effect an improvement in the situation.