25

F.—l

Total of all Classes of Message and Value thereof.

Schedule of Paid Telegrams, Cable Messages, and Toll Communications. Number. Va £ ! ue - Ordinary .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,541,205 467,344 Urgent .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 240,540 24,682 Press .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 589,896 81,398 Letter .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 418,213 18,661 Toll communications .. .. •.. .. .. .. 9,733,150 397,234 16,523,004 989,319 Less net amount paid to other Administrations on cable and radio messages .. 187,373 Net total for paid messages of all codes, 1927-28 .. .. .. 16,523,004 £801,946 Net total for paid messages of all codes, 1926-27 .. .. .. 16,316,436 £788,489 TYPEWRITTEN TOLL ACCOUNTS. Typewriters have been brought into use at the Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington telephone exchanges for the preparation of toll accounts. The accounts are prepared more accurately, and present a neater appearance than when prepared by hand. Moreover, a considerable reduction has been effected in the cost of preparation. An extension of the system is contemplated. TOLL CALLS: DIRECT DIALLING OF AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIBERS. An interesting example of the progress that is being made in speeding up the toll service, and incidentally of the facility with which the automatic system can be used in that direction, is the installation at certain exchanges of apparatus which enables toll operators at distant exchanges to call subscribers at automatic exchanges without the assistance of a toll operator at the automatic exchange. The system was first introduced between Lower Hutt and Wellington, automatic dials being placed on the toll switchboard at Lower Hutt. Shortly afterwards provision was made for the installation of the necessary apparatus in the Napier automatic exchange, thus enabling toll operators at Gisborne and all exchanges in Hawke's Bay having direct access to Napier to call Napier subscribers direct. At the same time provision was made for the Napier toll operators to call Dannevirke subscribers direct. The principle of operating long-distance toll lines automatically has been known for some years, and has been extensively used in the United States of America, where the conditions differ materially from those of the Dominion. Until recently it was believed that the system could not readily be applied in New Zealand. Modifications were devised, however, and the system as adopted in this country presents some novel features. At exchanges at which the system has been employed the toll service has been considerably expedited and improved, and appreciable economies have been effected. The question of extending the system to other automatic exchange areas is receiving close consideration. Apparatus for operation both ways between Palmerston North and Dannevirke is now being installed. INTER-ISLAND TELEPHONE SERVICE. The inter-Island telephone service inaugurated in March, 1926, between Wellington, on the one hand, and Nelson, Blenheim, Picton, and Seddon on the other, was extended on the 6th July last as far north as Hawera, Ohakune, and Napier, and as far south as Rakaia and Murchison. In addition, owing to there being a specially heavy copper metallic circuit between Wellington and Auckland, communication was made available between certain exchanges in the Auckland City area and the principal exchanges in the Nelson and Marlborough Districts ; also between Auckland and Christchurch.

4—F. 1.

1927-28. 1926-27. Increase. Increase per Cent. lumber .. alue 16,567,514 £805,560* 16,372,226 £793,096 195,288 £.1.2,464 1-192 1-572 * Includes £3,614 representing the val le of franked Governmei it telegrams.