THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2406, 22 January 1909, Page 6

THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

[To the Editor.] Sir, —Having frequently had trouble with the telephone exchange, I now seek the aid of the press in drawing attention to matters which, in my opinion, arc very unsatisfactory. It is extremely rare that the Exchange can he got under two or three rings, •and if one desires to “ring off” to ring someone else it becomes a most tiresome and vexatious matter to a

busv man, Sometimes- necessitating from -a dozen to twenty rings. As an instance, on the Bth lust., my clerk was telephoning to the Farmers’ Club. He “rang off” and after about seven minutes went up to the Club. Some minutes afterwards I went to ring tip Exchange and was answered by my clerk from the Club. The following further distances occurring in a single day may be of service to you:—On December 31st, at 9.30 a.m., I rang fo'ur times before getting Exchange. On asking for the Supervisor, a lady replied that the cadettes answered as speedily as

possible. On the same day I rang six times at 10.20 a.m. before getting a reply from the Exchange. Oil the same day at about 5.20 p.m. ray office rang three or four times for a certain number, on each occasion they were informed that they were “en-

gaged.” ‘Ultimately, when I. did get

the firm mentioned, T made strict enquiries and found that they had not been using the telephone for at least half an hour. L-a'st evening from about 5 p.m. to 6.20 p.m., when I left my office again the rule seemed to be about three rings for Exchange. I am aware that-the Department claims that one should immediately; complain when there is occasion.,.hut to a busy man this is not ; always practical, besides being annoying. In fact, frequently so bad is the service that one would he incessantly lodging complaints. I. would respectfully.suggest that if the staff is under-manned additional hands be employed, thus removing the continuous trouble, to sub-: scribers. Haw subscribers seem to

care to complain —m polite explanations or neologies are not very satis-: ■ fyine. while freely expressing their complaints to friends. —I ain. etc.. “SUBSCRIBER.”