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TELEGRAPH SERVICES (INLAND) The volume of work handled by the inland telegraph service, although slightlyshort of its wartime peak, remains at a high level, approximately 40 per cent, above pre-war. During the year the number of telegrams lodged for transmission was 7,928,999 an increase of 253,150 or 3-3 per cent, on the number handled in the previous year. The grade of telegraph service continues to show a steady improvement. Extended use has been made of machine-printing equipment, and eighteen smaller offices have been provided with Morse equipment. There has been greater stability in the telegraph staffing position, but recruitment of telegram delivery staff continues to present serious difficulty. In some centres, it has been necessary to use adults for this duty, and light cars are also in use for the purpose. Trials are in progress to test the suitability of power-bicycles and motorscooters for telegram delivery work. The delivery difficulty is partly overcome by extending the practice of telephoning telegrams to addressees, but it is still a real problem in many places. Despite these difficulties, and in view of the housing development which is taking place in urban areas throughout New Zealand a review was made recently of the telegram free-delivery areas at all of the larger offices, and wherever practicable, new residential areas have been included in the free-delivery areas. As a consequence of these extensions, a much improved telegram delivery service is being given to a large number of householders. IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMISSION FACILITIES Multi-channel Voice-frequency Systems The development of the multi-channel voice-frequency system has effected a very marked advance in telegraphy. This system of using carrier-speech channels for telegraphic communication makes it possible to operate up to eighteen two-way teleprinter or Morse telegraph channels over one carrier-speech channel. The use of this equipment also ensures a much greater stability of operation and a greater degree of flexibility than is possible with physical circuits. During recent years multi-channel voice-frequency circuits have been brought into operation between Christchurch-Dunedin, Christchurch-Greymouth, WellingtonChristchurch, Wellington-Blenheim, Wellington-Nelson, Wellington - New Plymouth, Wellington-Wanganui, Wellington-Palmerston North, Wellington-Auckland, Welling-ton-Napier, Auckland-Hamilton, and Auckland-Whangarei, while it is planned to establish several additional voice-frequency circuits in the near future. Machine-printing Telegraphs There are now thirty-six offices in New Zealand where machine-printing telegraph apparatus is installed. The last office to be so equipped was Dargaville, where the equipment was brought into operation in November, 1949. Conversion to Morse Working at Smaller Offices During the year, Morse equipment was installed in eighteen offices which previously disposed of their telegraph traffic by telephone. This has reduced the delay in exchanging telegrams with these offices. It is planned to convert additional offices to Morse operation as conditions permit. TELEGRAPH ATTENDANCES ON HOLIDAYS AT TOURIST RESORTS There are many places in New Zealand which experience an influx of visitors at holiday periods. At such places the Post Office augments the normal telegraph facilities as may be necessary, and such arrangements were made in a number of cases during the year. At three places, Picton, Queenstown, and Tauranga, a telegraph attendance on holidays has been introduced as a standing arrangement.

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