TELEPHONES IN THE BACK BLOCKS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11596, 27 June 1905, Page 5

TELEPHONES IN THE BACK BLOCKS.

Striking Instance of Their Need.

(Per United Press Association.)

GRETMOUTH, June 26.

A sad death occurred at Poerua on Sunday, when the daughter of Mr Wheeler, settler, died. The girl was 18 years of age. She got wet while walking from the station to her home, a distance .of two miles, on Friday. She caught a. fever a cold, which brought on. inflammation. Her parents did all that was possible, but owing to. the telephone service being cut off the doctor could not be summoned. Her father walked to Moaha, a distance of 14 miles, and got a railway^ officer to 'ring up Greymouth for a ' doctor. The train had left before word was received, and the doctor could not '^et to the patient, and on Sunday the girl died. There is a good, deal of indignation, at the action of the Government in, cutting off the wire and not .extending the service for the whole line. If the telephone had been available most likely the girl's life would have .been .saved. • - •

One settler at Poerua made application for the telephone. He is willing to pay .£lO a year rent. The request was refused. There is likely to be further agitation for telephone service em far as Otira. '■ - -