AUTOMATIC TELEPHONES

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14256, 6 January 1920, Page 3

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONES

A •U6OESB AT HIA3TERTOH.

BVBKTBODY SATISFIED. *

In view of the many complaints regarding the tslepfione service in Hamilton, and the probable early installation of automatic telephones, our readers may be interested in the results of enquiries made by a Waikato Times representative in Masterton, where this modern system was recently installed. Our representative first enquired from business people and residents generally as to whether the automatic service was giving satisfaction, and on all sides heard the highest praise given the new system. All the old delay in securing a connection had disappeared. A visit to the Masterton Telephone Exchange was full of interest. Here the intricate machinery was found to be working smoothly, and Mr Justice (chief mechanician) reported that there were very few faults. The few which were experienced were mainly due to the subscribers being unaccustomed to the new method, and ringing up wrongly. It was very easy to place a fault, as a red light showed on the switch, and they were located promptly, and with a minimum of trouble. As showing the difference made in the staff it may be mentioned that under the old system about a dozen men and 29 “hello girls” were engaged, while now there are only three men in the main room to attend to the machinery, and seven or eight girls in the “toll room,” in shifts of three or four, to attend to the long distance calls, and the party lines. The main room is left all night unattended, the men going off at II p.m., and not returning until 7 a.m. the following day. Despite this, the machinery has run quite smoothly, and there have been no complaints. The method of ringing up is very simple. One lifts the receiver, and if the line is clear a humming noise ’ is heard. Then one “dials” the number one wants, and if the connection is made there is a click, click; if not, the line being engaged, there is a noise like a syren in the distance. The “toll room” is in charge of Miss Brett, formerly of Hamilton, and here, too, one was impressed with the advantages of the new system. On opening the door one found a nice, airy room, with practically silence reigning—very different from the clatter and noise of an exchange under the old system—and three or four girls leisurely attending to long distance calls and party lines. The .latter are very much more satisfactory than under the old system. Pour subscribers are put on each party line, and each is given a separate number, so that he alone receives the call when it comes. The former drawback of all the subscribers on a party line receiving a call when one Is “rung up” is done away with. A great advantage of the automatic system is its almost inviolate secrecy. There is little chance of anything said over the lines being repeated by a disloyal operator. Taken altogether, the automatic system is entirely satisfactory, and Hamilton people will be fortunate when the lack of material, which is at present delaying the completion of the local installation, is overcome.