Exit The Dial "Nines"

More than 2300 telephone subscribers, who for several years had had dial nine manual numbers, became connected to the new automatic exchange on a recent Friday night.

The change-over, which was part of an eight-year development project, went very smoothly, and was accomplished in three-and-a-half minutes.

A staff of 47 workers, each with a previously allotted task, was involved on the job.

With a large pair of cutters, mechanician Roy Nutley chops through the old cables.

Engineer in charge of the change-over, Mr A. J. Easton, blows his whistle to start the job and takes the time on his stop-watch.

Pulling the rack of old cables free were, from top: Martin Cox, Barney Taare, John Pavarno, Colin Walling, Roy Nutley, and Pat Leydon.

It was a case of congratulations all round for the officers involved in the job following its successful completion. From left: Messrs D. P. Lane (exchange supervisor), C. W. Heyward (P.O. engineer-in-chief), R. W. Nicol (district engineer), A. J. Easton (engineer-in-charge of installation), W. J. Ford (senior desk clerk), and I. J. Agnew (acting chief postmaster).

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 133 : July 14, 1965

Exit The Dial "Nines"