Old Telegraphists' Function

A century of telegraphy in New Zealand was celebrated in Nelson with a reunion of many old telegraphists who operated in Nelson and district. Electronics and many other new telegraphic aids have, to a great extent, made the morse key obsolete, but for these old timers, the only music played this night was the chatter of the morse key and senders in the telegraph room. Quite a museum of old telegraphic equipment was set out this night and the old telegraphists had a wonderful time. Many, if not all, tried their hands at the morse key again and it was obvious to us, at least, that they've lost none of their old skills.

Mr R. M. Hayman takes a message while the Postmaster (Mr G. F. Bell) and the Mayor (Mr S. I. Russell) join the critics

Mr Hayman engrossed in his work

Mr R. Bolitho, present superintendent of the Nelson telegraph branch, shows Claude Burley and Mr J. R. Bolitho, the workings of a morse embosser.

Mr E. A. Bradley also had a go

Mr H. J. Finlayson couldn't keep his hand off the key

Interested in old pix was Mr H. A. Burn

Mr Bell addressed the gathering. The district engineer Mr A. M. Minton, is at right.

Ian Hope shows Mr W. H. Thom just how the messages are sent these days

The post office male choir amused with their version of the pop song, "It's just Your Funny Way of Sending"

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The Nelson Photo News

No 23 : September 15, 1962

Old Telegraphists' Function