TELEPHONES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2441, 4 March 1909, Page 7

TELEPHONES.

IX-P WaAi) subscription PROPOSED.

By mail yesterday, the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar) received the following memo, from Mr. W. It. Morris, act-ing-Secretary for the Postal Department, in reference to a continuous telephone service for Gisborne and district : “In reference to the representations madejyV/ the deputation, which yon introduced to the Prime Minister at Gisborne Von the 30th ult., on the subject of fcShMocol telephone exchange hours, I have the honor, by direction to inform you that, an accordance with the Minister’s promise, instructions have been given for keeping the exchange open on Sundays and holidays. Under the -regulations exchanges with over 150 subscribers are open continuously on payment of a subscription of £7 per annum for each business connection for the first 40 chains, and £5 per annum for each private residence connection for the jjfcj eighty chains, or of £0 per annum each for business and private connections for the first 40 and 80 chains respectively. If the Gisborne subscribers are willing to accept the conditions, the continuous service will be arranged; but it is regretted that it canot be authorised for the present subscriptions as the concession, if granted in one case, would have to be granted in others, at a loss to the Department estimated at from £15,000 to £20,000 a year.” .Seen in reference to the matter yos-acting-Cliief Postmaster (Mr. It. B. Morris) informed a “Times” reporter that he had not received any instructions on the matter, excepting those extending ’ the Sunday attendance from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., which was inaugurated on February 21st, and that the memo, received by Mr. Lysnar merely quotes a regulation of the Department. Whether a continuous service is inaugurated in Gisborne or not 'will depend upon the subscribers consenting to pay the increased rate. The subscriptions to the telephone n<yfCa re: '£s per year up to a halfmile for business premises, and £5 per year for residences up to a distance of one mil© from the Post Office. The charge for connections beyond those distances is £4 per mile -in each case. This charge covers the increased Sunday attendance.