2450
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 69

DEFINITIONS.

1. In these regulations, if not inconsistent with the context,—
   “Minister” means the Minister of Telegraphs.
   “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department.
   “Subscriber” means the person who is recognized by the Minister as the holder of a telephone-exchange connection.
   “Exchange” means a departmental telephone exchange consisting of one or more offices containing switching apparatus by means of which inter-communication between the various subscribers’ stations connected therewith may be given.
   “Main station,” as distinct from an extension station, means the subscriber’s main telephone set, or, in the case of a private branch exchange, the switchboard jack with which the subscriber’s circuit from the telephone exchange is normally connected.
   “Rental” means the annual amount which the Minister is authorized to charge for the use of the telephone equipment which forms part of a telephone-exchange connection.
   An “individual line” is a subscriber’s line connecting one subscriber’s station with a telephone exchange.
   A “party line” is a line connecting two or more subscribers’ stations with a telephone exchange.
   A “rural line” is a line connecting five to ten subscribers’ stations, all of which are situated beyond the base-rate area, with a telephone exchange.
   “Toll line” means any departmental line (as distinct from a subscriber’s line) connecting two toll stations for the use of which line a toll charge is made.
   “Toll communication” means a communication over a toll line or any communication from a toll station for which a charge is payable.
   “Toll station” means any office at which a toll line is provided for public use on payment of toll rates.
   “Private-line circuit” is a circuit erected and maintained by the Department, usually within town limits, for and on behalf of a person, company, or corporation, and used for some purpose other than that of a private telephone-line.
   “Private telephone-line” is a line used for telephonic or other approved means of communication, and as a general rule adapted for being linked up with the Department’s telephone system as provided by these regulations, but not erected or maintained by the Department.

PART I.—TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SERVICE.

Applications and Conditions of Service.

2. All telephone services furnished by the Department at any time prior or subsequent to the 1st day of October, 1923, shall be subject to the conditions of the regulations set forth hereunder, or any amendments or extensions thereof.

3. All applications for telephone-exchange service shall be made on the forms supplied for that purpose.

4. A service connection fee of £1 shall be payable in respect of all new or additional connections (main stations), except that a service connection fee shall not be payable in the case of the temporary connections provided for in Regulation 47. The service connection fee shall be an initial charge only, and shall be payable at the time of application for service.

5. Except where temporary service is required as provided for in Regulation 47, all telephone connections must be rented for a period certain of one year; provided that in cases where an unusual amount of capital expenditure is required to provide a telephone connection, the usual term of contract shall be extended to ensure the Department receiving, by way of revenue, a reasonable return on the capital outlay.

6. The Secretary may, either before or after the acceptance of a telephone contract, and before or after the installation of a telephone connection, demand security, in such form and amount as he thinks necessary, for the payment of any telephone charges, and failing compliance with his demand may cancel the contract and cause the premises to be disconnected from the telephone exchange with which they are connected, and any telephone instruments and apparatus to be removed.

7. The Minister may, at his discretion,—
   (a.) Refuse to comply with an application for connection with any telephone-exchange system, or for the transfer of any existing telephone service, or for the construction of any telephone-line.
   (b.) Refuse to comply with an application for a telephone connection with an exchange other than the one situated nearest to the premises referred to in the form of application.
   (c.) Disconnect a subscriber’s telephone from one exchange and connect it with another exchange should he consider such action desirable.
   (d.) Discontinue giving service at any exchange having less than twenty-five paying subscribers’ main stations.

8. Except where otherwise provided in these regulations, telephone-exchange lines shall be used only by the subscriber, his family, guests, or employees, and exclusively on his affairs. Any breach of this regulation shall render the subscriber liable to have his telephone disconnected without prejudice to the right of the Minister to recover the rental and [or] other charges due under these regulations.

Rating System.

9. The system of rating for individual, two- and four-party line service shall consist of classifying the exchanges according to the number of subscribers’ stations connected therewith, and the hours of attendance allotted; defining for each exchange or network an area—known as the base-rate area—within which telephone service will be furnished on a flat-rate basis; and fixing for each class of exchange a schedule of rates covering an unlimited number of local calls.