TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

Waikato Times, Issue 12411, 21 October 1912, Page 5

TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

REGULATIONS FOR THEIR WORK

PROMPTNESS, SECRECY AND

CIVILITY

(By Telegraph.—Special to Times.)

WELLINGTON, Friday. Regulations for the guidance of officers in telephone exchanges are gazetted. The regulations regarding supervisors provides that, they must pay close attention to the switchboard attendants, positions which, at the larger exchanges, it should be the nile to change every hour, and keep a record to see that calls are answered promptly, and that the business generally is conducted in a proper and efficient manner. Supervisors are not to take it upon themselves to punish their subordinates for breaches of duty otherwise than by calling attention to them. On no account must attendants be rebuked within the hearing of subscribers through the supervisor's telltale table. Supervisors are expected to take a kindly interest in cadets under their charge, to exercise patience in training beginners, and at all times to remember that to obtain effective and loyal service it is better wisely to lead girls than to attempt to drive them. The whole of the supervisors' time must be given during office hcurs to their official duties, and a good example thus be set to their subordinates. Amongst other regulations are the following : —Listening except for wholly official purposes, to conversations passing along the wires, is positively forbidden under pain of dismissal. The telephone exchange may not be made the medium for the dissemination of information that has no connection with the official business of the office, nor for the communication of the icsult of public events, or of items of private or general intelligence, the case of fire alone excepted. Strict secrecy must be observed with regard to information acquired in the performance of duty. Divulging such information will render the offender liable to dismissal. Attendants should report to the controlling officer any improper language used to them by subscribers or other persons. Attendants will be protected in this matter to the fullest extent, but they must not take the law Into their own hands by retaliating on offender. Attendants should speak quietly and directly into the transmitter in an even voice. Every effort should be; made to prevent noise in the exchange. Promptness and civility on the part of attendants are insisted upon.