APRIL 19.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1055

SYSTEM OF WORKING TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

19. A subscriber requiring an exchange should ring, then take the receiver off the hook to listen, and the exchange should answer without ringing back.

20. An exchange requiring a subscriber should ring, take up the receiver to listen, and the subscriber on hearing the ring should take up the receiver and speak without ringing back.

21. A subscriber originating a connection or being joined through to another subscriber should ring up, then take up the receiver and listen, and the subscriber receiving the ring should take up the receiver and speak without ringing back.

TELEPHONE BUREAUX.

1. A “telephone bureau” means any ordinary telegraph or telephone office which is mentioned as a bureau in the list of telegraph-offices published in the Post and Telegraph Guide for the time being, as well as any such bureau specifically constituted.

2. The following are the charges to be paid by the public for the use of Government telephones at a telephone bureau in New Zealand :—

For every period of three minutes—

For a distance not exceeding 25 miles :

For subscribers to telephone exchanges .. .. .. 0 3

" non-subscribers .. .. .. 0 6

Over 25 miles and not exceeding 50 miles :

For all persons .. .. .. 0 6

" 50 miles and not exceeding 75 miles :

For all persons .. .. .. 0 9

" 75 miles and not exceeding 100 miles :

For all persons .. .. .. 1 0

" 100 miles and not exceeding 140 miles :

For all persons .. .. .. 1 6

" 140 miles and not exceeding 180 miles :

For all persons .. .. .. 2 0

And for every succeeding distance of 40 miles or less .. 0 6

3. When a message to the effect that any person is required at a telephone is sent to a bureau for delivery beyond the premises in which such bureau is situated, 3d. will be charged for delivery. These charges must be paid by the sender. Messages for addresses outside the ordinary delivery limits are subject to special charges for delivery, according to the extra expense thereby incurred.

4. Any one person may only use the wire for six minutes at a time—that is to say, if another person requires the wire, at the end of six minutes it must be given up. Should the wire not be asked for, then the person using it may continue to do so at tariff rate. On Sundays ordinary rates only are charged.

LONG-DISTANCE COMMUNICATIONS.

5. The following are the charges for the use of Government telephones for the purpose of conversing over long-distance wires on Sundays or at other times approved by the Commissioner, usually between midnight and 8 a.m. :—

(a.) When the conversation takes place through exchanges which are open continuously, or through other exchanges or bureaux during the ordinary hours of attendance of switchboard or bureau attendants : For a period not exceeding six minutes, 2s. 6d. ; and a further charge of 2s. 6d. for every additional period of six minutes or portion of six minutes.

(b.) When special attendance of switchboard or bureau attendants out of ordinary hours of attendance is required, then for each switchboard or bureau attendant called upon to make the necessary wire-connections : For every hour or less, 2s. 6d., in addition to the charges set forth in paragraph (a).

6. No free conversations on public service are permitted over long-distance circuits.

PRIVATE WIRES.

CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH LINE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED WITH INSTRUMENTS, AND MAINTAINED.

Cost of Construction.

1. Application should be made direct to the Superintendent of Electric Lines, Wellington, for any information regarding cost of construction and conditions under which private lines will be constructed or supplied with instruments.

Maintenance and Wayleave.

2. The charge for maintenance of each private line will be as under, payable yearly in advance, viz. :—

For the first mile or fraction thereof, £2 per annum, and 10s. for every additional quarter of a mile or fraction thereof.

3. If the wire cannot be erected on any existing poles, and therefore entails the erection of new poles, then for such new line the maintenance will be at the rate of £4 per annum for the first mile or fraction thereof, and £1 for every additional quarter of a mile or fraction thereof.

Use of Line.

4. The applicants must only use the line for their own bonâ fide business, and on no account, directly or indirectly, allow the wire to be used for any purpose which might be construed into an attempt to defraud the department of its revenue.

J. F. ANDREWS,
Acting Clerk of the Executive Council.

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