Telephone Regulations (Cth)

STATUTORY RULES.

1927. No. 145.

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REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1923.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act1901-1923, to come into operation on and from the thirty-first day of December, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven.

Dated this fourteenth day of December, 1927.

STONEHAVEN

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

W.G. GIBSON

Postmaster-General.

–––––

TELEPHONE REGULATIONS.

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PART I.— PRELIMINARY.

Short title.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Telephone Regulations.

Repeal.

2. The Telephone Regulations, being Statutory Rules 1913, No. 349, as amended from time to time, are, as from the commencement of these Regulations, repealed.

Parts.

3. These Regulations are divided into Parts, as follows:—

Part	I.—	Preliminary.
Part	II.—	Telephone Exchanges.
Part	III.—	Telephone Exchange Services.
Division 1.—Services wholly provided by the Department.
Division 2.—Services not wholly provided by the Department.
Part	IV.—	Private Branch Exchanges.
Part	V.—	Public Telephones.
Part	VI.—	Telephone Trunk Lines.
Part	VII.—	Telephone Trunk Line Service.
Part	VIII.—	Private lines.
Division 1.—Lines wholly provided by the Department.
Division 2.—Lines not wholly provided by the Department.
Part	IX.—	Miscellaneous Services.

1554.

Definitions.

4. In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

“Applicant” means any person who applies to the Department for permission to rent, provide or use a telephone or other like service;
“Authorized officer” means any officer authorized by the Department;
“Exchange” means a telephone exchange established or proposed to be established by the Department, and to which one or more subscribers are connected or are intended to be connected;
“Exchange service” means any service connected or authorized by the Department to be connected to an exchange;
“Exclusive service” means an exchange service connecting one subscriber;
“Junction line” means any line (as distinct from a trunk line) connecting two or more exchanges or offices in the same unit fee area;
“Licensee” means any person to whom authority to provide or use a telephone or other like service has been granted under these Regulations;
“Office” means any office established or proposed to be established by the Department for the purpose of enabling telephone conversations to be originated or received;
“Party service” means an exchange service connecting two or more subscribers;
“Private branch exchange” means a switchboard or other apparatus installed or authorized by the Department to be installed at the premises of a subscriber for the purpose of connecting the telephone services rented by the subscriber to the telephone system;
“Private line” means any line not connecting to an exchange and provided or authorized by the Department to be provided for the purpose of affording telephone or other approved means of communication;
“Public telephone” means a telephone, other than a subscriber’s telephone, provided or authorized by the Department to be provided for public use;
“Subscriber” means any person who is authorized by the Department to rent, provide or use a telephone or other like service;
“Telegraph office” means a house, building, room, or other place or structure used or occupied by or under the authority of the Department and under its control, for the purpose of working a telegraph or for the receipt and delivery of telegrams;
“Telephone” means and includes any apparatus used or intended to be used for the purpose of transmitting or receiving telegraphic or telephonic messages by means of electricity;

“Telephone service” means any telephone service provided or authorized by the Department to be provided or used;
“Telephone system” means the telephone system controlled by the Department;
“Trunk line” means any line (as distinct from a junction line) connecting two or more exchanges or offices which are not in the same unit fee area.

All services subject to Regulations.

5. All telephone and other like services provided, or authorized by the Department to be provided or used at any time prior or subsequent to the commencement of these Regulations, shall be subject to the conditions set forth in these Regulations or any amendments or extensions thereof.

Subscribers bound by Regulations.

6. On being provided with a telephone or other like service or authorized to provide or use any such service, subscribers shall in all cases be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the several provisions of these Regulations in force from time to time.

Department decision absolute.

7. The decision of the Department shall be absolute in respect of the charges and conditions which are to apply to any telephone or other like service provided or authorized to be provided or used under these Regulations.

Power of Department.

8.—(1)The Department may at its discretion refuse to comply with any application for a telephone or other like service or for the transfer of any such existing service or for the construction or use of any telephone line or service, and it also reserves the right to withdraw either totally or partially any telephone or other like service at any time.

(2) Neither the Department nor any of its officers shall be liable to any action, claim, or demand for compensation arising from the refusal to provide or authorize any telephone or other like service or from interruption of service through any cause whatever.

Security for charges.

9.—(1.)The Department may, either before or after the acceptance of an application, and before or after the installation of a telephone or other like service, demand security in such form and amount as it thinks necessary for the payment of any charges, and, failing compliance with such demand, may cancel the agreement and withdraw the service and remove any telephones and other apparatus belonging to the Department.

(2) If an applicant is under any liability to the Department in connection with any service rendered by the Department, the application may be declined until the liability has been discharged and the applicant has furnished security to the satisfaction of the Department for the payment of the charges in respect of the service applied for.

Agreements.

10.—(1)The period certain for which a telephone or other like service may be rented shall be fixed by the Department, and thereafter the renting shall continue unless and until determined by notice in accordance with this Regulation.

(2) On or at any time after the expiration of the period fixed by the Department, the renting of the service may be determined by the subscriber or the Department giving one month’s previous notice, in writing, of the intention to discontinue the service.

(3) Rental will be charged only to the expiration of the notice of discontinuance.

(4) The notice to the Department may be waived in the case of the death of the subscriber if—

(a) an agreement for the renting of the service for a fixed term is not in force; and
(b)the notice would involve payment of rental for any period beyond the date to which rental has already been paid.

(5) Nothing in this Regulation shall affect the power of the Department to determine the agreement under any other Regulation.

Infectious disease.

11. Where the installation of a telephone or other like service in premises occupied by a person suffering from an infectious disease is authorized to be provided by the Department, the subscriber shall pay, in advance, a fee of 10s., in addition to the other charges payable, to cover the cost of protective clothing for the officer installing the service:

Provided that this Regulation shall not apply to public hospitals unless the Department considers that protective measures are necessary.

Unsuitable locations.

12. Where a telephone or other apparatus provided by the Department is, in the opinion of the Department, likely to be subjected to abnormal conditions of use, the subscriber shall supply, install, and maintain at his own expense, and to the satisfaction of the Department, a suitable cabinet for the protection of the telephone or apparatus;

Provided that the subscriber shall defray the costs of any repairs or renewals to the telephone or apparatus which the Department considers are due to causes beyond fair wear and tear.

Lines on Private Property.

13. The length of line to be created by the Department on private property, and the conditions as well as the proportion, if any, of the costs to be borne by the subscriber, shall be determined in each case by the Department.

Vacation of premises.

14.—(1)A subscriber who is leaving or has left premises having a telephone service shall, before leaving the premises, give notice, in writing, to the Department of the date on which he expects to leave, or shall, within one week after leaving the premises, give notice, in writing, to the Department of the date on which he left.

(2) A subscriber who fails to comply with the provisions of the last preceding sub-regulation shall be guilty of an offence. Penalty: Ten pounds.

15. In the event of a subscriber removing from or giving up possession of the premises within which the telephone is situated without paying in advance the cost of removing the instruments, or making other arrangements approved by the Department for the removal or discontinuance of the service, the Department may disconnect the telephone and remove any instruments and fittings belonging to the Department, and, notwithstanding such disconnection and removal, may recover from the subscriber the rental and any charges payable to the end of the term agreed upon, or which are due under these Regulations.

Unauthorized use of telephone.

16.—(1)A person who has entered into the occupation of any premises having a telephone or other like service, or who remains in occupation of such premises after the subscriber has removed, shall not be entitled to make use of the service, or to suffer any other person to do so, until he has obtained a transfer in the proper form.

(2) If such person makes use of such service, or suffers any other person to do so, before obtaining a transfer of the service, he shall be deemed to have assumed the service, and (without prejudice to any liability of the subscriber or any right or power of the Department) shall be liable for all amounts owing in respect of the service, as well as amounts which become payable in respect of any subsequent use of the service.

Sale of service prohibited.

17.—(1)Any subscriber who sells or offers for sale his telephone or other like service to any person, or advertises such service as being for sale, shall be guilty of an offence. Penalty: Ten pounds.

(2) If any person is convicted of an offence against this Regulation, the Department may withdraw the service in respect of which the offence was committed, and remove any telephones and other apparatus belonging to the Department.

(3) Nothing in this Regulation shall prevent the transfer of a service to anew subscriber, with the consent of the Department, upon or in connexion with a bona fide change in the occupancy of the premises in which the service is installed.

(4) In this Regulation “service” includes any rights of a subscriber in or to a telephone or other like service.

PART II. —TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

Establishment of new exchanges.

18. The Department may at its discretion establish telephone exchanges where such facilities are considered necessary and make arrangements for the transaction of business thereat according to the circumstances of each case.

Hours of service to be determined by Department.

19. The hours during which telephone service will be ordinarily provided at any exchange shall be determined by the Department.

Hours of service at non-official exchange.

20. Where the person in charge of a non-official exchange declines to provide service during the prescribed hours for the remuneration authorized, the period of attendance shall be reduced unless the persons served by the exchange contribute annually in advance the additional amount required.

Extension of hours.

21. If any extension of the hours of service at an exchange beyond those fixed by the Department is desired by the persons concerned and it is practicable to comply with the application, the terms and conditions under which the period of attendance will be increased shall be fixed by the Department.

Transaction of business after hours.

22. Arrangements may be made to keep any official office open for the transmission of telephone messages after the normal hours of service, upon notice being given to the officer in charge at least one hour before the ordinary time of closing, and upon payment of a fee of 1s. 6d. for each 30 minutes, or portion thereof, during which it is desired the office shall be kept open. If more than one office is so kept open, these fees shall be payable in respect of each office. All telephone messages transmitted shall be paid for at the prescribed rates.

Urgent cases.

23.—(1)In cases of a specially urgent nature where it is not possible to give the notice stipulated in the last preceding regulation, telephone messages may be transmitted after the ordinary business hours, provided the attention of the officer in charge of the office with which it is desired to transact business can be obtained.

(2) The charges for such service shall be the same as those prescribed by regulation 22.

Limitation on use of office after business hours.

24. Only the person who pays for keeping an office open after the ordinary business hours shall be entitled to transact business during such special attendance. Should any other person desire to transact business at such times, he may do so on payment of the prescribed charges.

Allocation of costs of removals.

25. Where an exchange is removed to anotherlocation at the request of the subscribers or for reasons beyond the Department’s control, the subscribers connected to the exchange may be required to defray such portion of the costs of removing the telephone line, switchboard and other apparatus as the Department determines.

PART III.— TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SERVICES.

Division I. —Services Wholly Provided by the Department.

Connexion of subscribers to relevant exchange.

26. Except where Departmental convenience requires otherwise, a subscriber shall be connected to the exchange designed to serve the district in which his premises are situated: Provided however that, at the discretion of the Department, a subscriber may be permitted to connect to a distant exchange offering continuous hours of service.

Department’s right to transfer to another exchange.

27. The Department reserves the right to disconnect a telephone service from one exchange and connect it to another exchange should it consider such action desirable.

Telephone number.

28. Discretion as to the allotment or variation at any time of a subscriber's telephone number shall rest with the Department.

Rental within 2 mile radius.

29.—(1)The charges payable for each of the different classes of service specified shall be as follow:—

Subscribers connected to Exchanges having access to the following Number of Subscribers’ Lines at the Unit Fee.	Annual Rental within 2-mile Radius of the Exchange—
	For an Exclusive Service.			For each Subscriber or Instrument on a Two- Party Service.			For each Subscriber or Instrument on a Three or more Party Service.
£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
From 1 to 300..............	3	0	0	2	10	0	2	0	0
„ 301 to 600.................	3	5	0	2	10	0	2	0	0
„ 601 to 1,500..............	4	7	6	3	7	6	2	15	0
„ 1,501 to 4,000...........	4	12	6	3	15	0	3	2	6
„ 4,001 and upwards.....	5	0	0	3	15	0	3	2	6

(2) When the number of subscribers’ lines connected to exchanges within the unit fee area increases or diminishes to such an extent as to give rise to a higher or a lower rental, as the case may be, such higher or lower rental shall not be charged until the expiration of one year from the end of the month in which the increase or diminution in the number of subscribers’ lines takes place.

(3) For the purpose of the preceding sub-regulation, subscribers’ lines shall include exclusive services, even when more than one line is rented by the same subscriber, and party lines, but shall not include extensions.

Facilities Provided

30. For the charges specified in regulation 29, the Department will provide and maintain all necessary exchange equipment, subscriber’s line not exceeding two miles in length radially, and one wall pattern telephone per subscriber: Provided that, in cases where the erection of the line by the Department is not justified, the applicant may be required to erect the whole or part of the line.

Extra charge for service beyond 2 mile radius

31.—(1) When the radial length of any line erected by the Department exceeds two miles, the following extra mileage charges shall be made for each quarter mile or portion thereof:—

(a) Exclusive service—
Lines connecting to exchanges having access to more than 600 subscribers’ lines at the unit fee—10s. per annum.
Lines connecting to exchanges having access to not more than 600 subscribers’ lines at the unit fee—7s. 6d. per annum; and
(b) Party service—
Two party—5s. per annum per subscriber or instrument.
Three or more party—2s. 6d. per annum per subscriber or instrument.

(2) Where a single wire line is erected by the Department beyond the 2-mile radius, a charge of 6s. 3d. per annum for each quarter mile or portion thereof shall be made, irrespective of the nature of the service or the number of subscribers’ lines available at the unit fee.

Services to distant exchanges.

32.—(1). Where a subscriber is connected to an exchange which is not the one nearest to the premises in which the service is installed, the following charges may be made at the discretion of the Department in lieu of those prescribed by regulations 29 and 31:—

(a)Exclusive service—

Subscribers connected to Exchanges having access to the following Number of Subscribers lines at the Unit Fee.	Annual Rental.
	For each quarter mile or portion thereof of Route Length of Circuit.
s.	d.
From 1 to 1,500...................	11	3
„ 1,501 and upwards............	15	0

(b) Party service—
The rental for the route length of circuit provided as specified in the preceding paragraph and £1 per annum for each wall pattern telephone supplied in excess of one.

(2) Should the charges prescribed by paragraph (a) or (b)of sub-regulation (1) of this Regulation be lower in any case than the appropriate rates specified, in regulations 29 and 31, the higher charges shall apply.

(3) In cases where the exchange to which the subscriber is connected is not the continuous service exchange nearest to his premises, the charges and conditions shall be fixed by the Department.

Special services.

33. Where submarine cable or other special arrangements are required in the provision of a service, the charges shall, according to the circumstances of each case, be determined by the Department.

Transfer to another exchange.

34. Where a subscriber is authorized to transfer his telephone service from one exchange to another, the charges and conditions shall be fixed by the Department.

Unit calls— Capitalcities and Newcastle.

35. Subscribers connected to exchanges within a 10-mile radius of the General Post Office, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, or Hobart, or within a 5-mile radius of the Newcastle Post Office, shall be allowed service at the unit fee with other subscribers connected to exchanges within the same area.

Unit calls— Other places.

36. Any subscriber connected to an exchange irrespective of whether it is situated in any of the areas specified in the last preceding regulation shall be entitled to make calls at the unit fee to subscribers connected to any exchange within a 5-mile radius of the exchange to which he is connected.

Unit fee.

37. For each effective call originating from a subscriber’s telephone the following unit fee shall be charged.—

(a) In respect of calls made by subscribers having access to not more than 600 subscribers’ lines, at the unit fee—1d. per call; and
(b) In respect of calls made by subscribers having access to more than 600 subscribers’ lines, at the unit fee—l¼d. per call.

Trunk line calls.

38. Calls to which the unit fee does not apply shall be subject to the charges and conditions prescribed by Part VII of these Regulations.

Rentals.

39. The rental payable in respect of any telephone service or apparatus shall be charged from the date on which the service is ready for use. Rental for the first year shall be paid yearly or half-yearly in advance as the Department determines, and thereafter half-yearly in advance:

Provided that, in respect of lines or extensions of lines, the cost of the construction of which will exceed the amount payable as rental for the first year, the subscriber may be required to pay in advance, or to enter into an agreement, in a form approved by the Department, to pay rental or charges for calls to such an amount as will cover the cost of construction.

Account for calls and charges.

40.—(1) Accounts for calls and other charges due by a subscriber will be rendered half-yearly, and they shall be paid within fourteen days.

(2) A statement of account, certified by an authorized officer as being correct shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of the number of effective calls originated by a subscriber.

Failure to pay.

41. If a subscriber fails to pay the rental or other charges due by him within fourteen days of the due date, the Department may— (a) order that the telephone service be disconnected from the exchange; (b)cancel the agreement; (c) cause the name of the subscriber to be removed from the Telephone Directory; and (d)order the removal of

all wires, instruments and fittings belonging to the Department without prejudice to the Department’s right to recover any rental or other charges due under these Regulations.

Interim account.

42. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Regulations, the Department may render an interim account at any time after the connexion of a telephone service for any charges that have accrued, and may demand payment within a period of not less than fourteen days and, failing compliance with such demand for payment, may cancel the agreement and cause the premises to be disconnected from the exchange to which they are connected, and any telephones and other apparatus belonging to the Department to be removed.

Restoration of service.

43. A fee of 5s.in addition to all other amounts due, shall, before a telephone service is again connected to an exchange, be paid by any subscriber whose telephone has been disconnected from the exchange for non-payment of rental or other charges due. If the instruments or wires have been removed, any application for re-connexion to the exchange shall be treated as an application for a new service.

Defaulting subscribers— Disconnexion of service.

44. If a subscriber becomes bankrupt or proposes or makes a composition or scheme of arrangement with his creditors, the Department may order that the telephone service be forthwith disconnected from the exchange, and may cancel the agreement, and cause the name of the subscriber to be removed from the Telephone Directory, and may order the removal of all wires, instruments, and fittings belonging to the Department.

Application for reconnexion.

45. If a subscriber, whose telephone has been disconnected from the exchange on his becoming bankrupt or compounding or arranging with his creditors, requires further service, he may make application for re-connexion, and such application shall be treated as an application for a new service.

Service obtained by defaulter.

46. If the Department is satisfied that any telephone service is being obtained by a person, either in his own or any other name, which person is, in the opinion of the Department, a defaulter in connexion with any other telephone service, the Department may, without notice, cancel the agreement, disconnect the telephone from the exchange, remove the name of the subscriber from the Telephone Directory, remove all wires, instruments, and fittings belonging to the Department, and apply any surplus rental paid in connexion with the service in reduction of the liability of that person to the Department.

Supply of apparatus by Department

47.—(1)Except where otherwise provided by these Regulations, all telephone lines, instruments, and fittings in connexion with the telephone system shall be erected and supplied by the Department, and shall be its exclusive property, and no person except an employee of the Department provided with proper means of identification shall interfere with or make any additions or alterations to any wires, instruments, or fittings under the Department’s control.

(2) In the event of any such interference, the subscriber concerned shall be liable to have his service disconnected, and he may be required to defray the cost of any alterations or replacements rendered necessary.

Substitution or removal of apparatus.

48. The Department may from time to time during the continuance of the agreement remove from the premises of a subscriber any telephones or other apparatus belonging to the Department, and supply other instruments and fittings in lieu thereof, and upon the termination of the agreement the Department may remove from any such promises all telephones and, other apparatus belonging to the Department.

Departmental employees.

49. Employees of the Department provided with proper means of identification shall at all times have free access to the premises of any subscriber for the purposes of inspection, removal, or replacement of the telephones and other apparatus therein belonging to the Department.

Non-liability of Department.

50.—(1)The Department or any of its officers shall not be liable for any damage or injury which may result by reason of the installation of any telephone service or other apparatus, in a subscriber’s premises.

(2) Where the applicant is not the owner of the premises in which such service or other apparatus is provided, he shall be responsible for obtaining the permission of the owner of the premises, and shall indemnify the Department for any damage or injury which may be caused.

Responsibility for damage to apparatus.

51. In the event of any line, instrument, or apparatus on the premises of a subscriber being wholly or partially destroyed or damaged by any cause whatever (other than fair wear and tear) the subscriber shall pay to the Department, on demand, the cost to the Department of replacing or repairing the line, instrument, or apparatus.

Accidental damage.

52. The provisions of the last preceding regulation shall, apply notwithstanding that there has been no negligence on the part of the subscriber or any other person for whom he is responsible, and notwithstanding that the destruction or damage may have arisen from some cause not due to the act or default of the subscriber.

Evidence of damage.

53. A certificate signed by an authorized officer, stating the amount payable by the subscriber to the Department under Regulation 51 shall in all Courts be prima facieevidence of the matters stated.

Period of conversations-Limitation of.

54. The Department reserves the right to limit the period occupied by any conversation over a telephone service, and a call may be disconnected at the expiration of six minutes if another person is waiting to use the line.

Overloaded lines— Additional circuits.

55. Any subscriber to whose service the number of ineffective calls due to overloaded lines is considered by the Department to be excessive may be required to rent an additional circuit or circuits, in default of which telephone service may be refused.

Diversion of calls.

56. A subscriber who temporarily desires callers for his telephone number to be connected to another number, or to be otherwise specially treated during certain hours, may, at the discretion of the Department, be granted this facility upon payment of 5s. for each such temporary facility authorized.

Joint use of telephone.

57.—(1)A subscriber may, with the approval of the Department, allow the use of his telephone service to a person occupying an office in the same building or occupying the same private residence within which the service is installed upon payment, in advance, in addition to the prescribed charges for the service, of a fee of £1 10s. for the first

year, or part thereof, and at the rate of £1 10s. per annum thereafter. The fee specified covers the insertion of the second person’s name in the Telephone Directory.

(2) The subscriber shall be responsible for all charges in connexion with the service, but he may charge the second person any agreed portion of such charges.

(3) Subject to the last preceding sub-regulation, and with the authority of the subscriber, a visitor, who is residing in promises where a telephone service is installed may have his name inserted in the Telephone Directory on payment, in advance, of 15s. for each half-year or part thereof.

Persons occupying separate premises.

58. If persons not occupying the same building or private residence desire to jointly use the same telephone service, or in cases where additional instruments are required, the conditions governing party-line services shall apply.

Party-line services.

59. At the discretion of the Department, party-line services may be provided where the persons desiring to be connected to the same line can conveniently be served from the same point of distribution, or when they are located within a reasonable distance of each other or of the line.

Regrouping of subscribers.

60. The Department reserves the right to re-group the subscribers on any party-lines or to make additional connexions to party-lines without the consent of the existing subscribers, provided that in such cases the rentals payable by the existing subscribers shall not be increased.

Overloaded party-lines.

61. When, in the opinion of the Department, the number of calls originated by any subscriber connected to a party-line is sufficient to warrant it, the subscriber may be required either to rent an exclusive service or to be transferred to a line with which there will be a lesser number of parties, connected.

Illegal or improper use of telephone.

62.—(1)If any subscriber is convicted of carrying on any illegal business, and the place where the illegal business is carried on is connected to an exchange, or if any person is convicted of carrying on any illegal business at or in any such place, the Department may, without waiting for the result of any appeal from such conviction, determine the agreement with the subscriber, remove the subscriber’s name from the Telephone Directory, and remove all wires, instruments and other property of the Department used in connexion with the service.

(2) If such agreement is determined during any period in respect of which rental has been paid in advance, a proportionate part of the rental shall be returned to the subscriber:

(3) A subscriber shall, for the purposes of this regulation, be deemed to have been convicted of carrying on an illegal business if he is convicted of any of the following offences:—

(a) Keeping any common gaming house, common betting house, common bawdy house, or house of disorderly entertainment;
(b) Keeping, occupying, or using any house or premises in contravention of the law of any State relating to gaming, or wagering; or

(c) Keeping or occupying any house or premises for the illicit sale of intoxicating liquors, or the illicit supply of intoxicating liquors in exchange for any valuable consideration.

(4) A person whose telephone service has been discontinued under this regulation shall not be allowed to become a subscriber again within six months of the date of discontinuance, and if at any time after that person again becomes a subscriber the Department has reasonable grounds to suppose that the subscriber is again carrying on an illegal business, the Department may forthwith determine the agreement and take the further action described in sub-regulation (1) of this Regulation.

Objectionable expressions or language.

33.—(1)Telephone messages shall not contain unbecoming expressions or language of an objectionable, obscene, or offensive nature, or of a character calculated to provoke a breach of the peace, nor shall any telephone service be mischievously used for the purpose of irritating any person, or of conveying fictitious orders or instructions or fictitious messages of any kind.

(2) Any violation of this regulation by a subscriber or any member of his household shall render him liable to have his telephone disconnected, and any instruments and fittings belonging to the Department removed, without prejudice to the right of the Department to recover the rental and other charges payable to the end of the term agreed upon.

(3) Any person other than a subscriber or any member of his household who commits a breach of this Regulation shall be guilty of an offence. —Penalty: Five pounds.

Extension telephones and miscellaneous apparatus.

64. Extension lines, either within or beyond the building or premises to which the exchange line from which they are extended connects, may, at the discretion of the Department, be provided by the Department, subject to payment by the subscriber of the following charges:—

(a)Extension lines within the building or upon the premises to which the exchange line connects—
The actual cost of labour and material used in installing the wires, including administration charges, provided that in cases where the block distribution system is in use, and the building has been wired at the expense of the Department, a charge of 10s. shall be made for the labour and material used in installing the wires.
(b)Extension lines beyond the building, or premises to which the exchange line connects—

—	Rental for each quarter Mile or Portion thereof of actual length of Double Wire Circuit.
s.	d.
If within a radius of 10 miles from the Post Office in the case of cities or towns where more than 1,500 subscribers’ lines are available at the unit fee	15	0 per annum
In other places..............	11	3 per annum

In addition, the actual, cost of installing the wires within the building or upon the premises to which the extension line connects, as hereinbefore prescribed, shall be charged.

If a single-wire circuit is provided, the annual rent specified shall be reduced by one-third.

Nature of circuit.

65. Where the exchange line is adouble-wire circuit, any extension line connecting thereto shall also be double wire, except in cases where single-wire extensions can be used without detriment to the service, in which latter case the subscriber shall pay the fee fixed by the Department for such translators and other apparatus as is necessary to enable the connexion to be made.

Privately-erected extensions.

66. With the approval of the Department, extension services constructed, and maintained by a subscriber entirely on his own premises or land, may be connected to the exchange system, subject to the services being constructed and maintained in every way to the satisfaction of the Department, and on payment of the appropriate charges prescribed by Division 2 of Part III of these Regulations: Provided that the Department shall not accept any responsibility for any defect arising on any part of such extension services, or caused through their connexion to the exchange system.

Party-lines excluded.

67. Extension lines shall not be provided in connexion with party-line services.

Apparatus for extension telephones.

68. Extension telephones and other apparatus will be provided by the Department, which shall determine the charges and conditions in each case.

Charges for removals or alterations.

69. At the discretion of the Department, a subscriber may have his telephone service and other apparatus removed to other premises, or the positions of the telephone and apparatus altered, or his telephone number changed, subject to the payment by the subscriber of the charges fixed by the Department.

Payment in advance.

70. If required by the Department, the subscriber shall pay, in advance, the estimated costs of effecting any such removal or alteration.

Period of notice.

71. Subscribers who desire to have their telephone services or apparatus removed or altered shall give notice as follows :—

(a) For removals to other premises—Fourteen clear days.
(b) For removals or alterations within the same premises-Three clear days.

Transfers.

72.—(1)With the approval of the Department, a telephone service may be transferred from the subscriber to another person entering into occupancy of the premises in which the service is installed.

(2) A fee of 5s. shall be charged for such transfer.

Approved form.

73. In all cases the proper form of transfer, containing the transferor’s consent to the transfer, shall be executed, and any outstanding charges shall be paid by the transferor before the transfer is authorized.

Free copies of Telephone Directories.

74.—(1) One Telephone Directory shall be provided, at the cost of the Department, to each subscriber in respect of each telephone supplied to him in accordance with this Part of these Regulations.

(2) Any Telephone Directory so provided shall remain the exclusive property of the Department, and shall be delivered up to it on demand.

(3) Telephone Directories supplied free of cost by the Department shall not without the written consent of the Department be enclosed in covers in or upon which, advertisements are displayed.

(4) Copies of the Telephone Directory may also be purchased at the price fixed in the State in which such copies are issued.

Free entries.

75.—(1)One entry for each telephone connecting, directly or indirectly to the exchange will be published once, free of charge, in each, issue of the Telephone Directory covering the exchange to which the service connects.

(2) Such entry shall be limited to such statement of name, occupation and address as is, in the opinion of the Department, necessary to enable the subscriber to be identified and called, and advertising matter shall not be included in any entry.

Irregular entries.

76.—(1)An irregular combination or arrangement of the legal name of any person, firm or company shall not be permitted, nor will any phraseology be allowed for the purpose of securing a particular position for an entry out of its proper alphabetical sequence.

(2) If required by the Department, evidence of the proper registration under law of a person, firm or company shall be furnished by the subscriber.

Block type entries.

77. Subject to the provisions of regulation 75, a subscriber may have his name, profession, oraddress in any entry inserted in block type, instead of the type ordinarily used, on payment, in advance, annually, of £1 1s. for the first word, 10s. for each additional word, and 2s. 6d. for each initial, or the sign “&”.

Agents of persons or firms.

78.—(1)A subscriber who produces evidence to the satisfaction of the Department that he is a bona fide agent of any person, firm or company may be permitted to insert an additional entry in the Telephone Directory under the name of the person, firm or company, upon payment of the prescribed fee.

(2) More than six paid entries shall not be inserted at the request of a subscriber.

Charges for extra words and entries.

79. In addition to the particulars specified in regulation 75, extra words may be included in any entry, or additional entries or notices as specified in these Regulations may be inserted, upon payment, in advance, of the following charges:—

(a)Sydney and Melbourne Telephone Directories—
(i)extra words not involving a second line of printing, 5s. per annum;
(ii) extra words involving a second line of printing, 12s. 6d. per annum for each additional line or portion thereof; and
(iii) any additional entry, 12s. 6d. per annum for each line or portion thereof.
(b) Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Tasmanian Telephone Directories—

(i) extra words not involving a second line of printing, 5s. per annum;

(ii) extra words involving a second line of printing, 10s. per annum for each additional line or portion thereof; and
(iii) any additional entry, 10s. per annum for each line or portion thereof.
(c)Country Telephone Directories—
(i) extra words or additional entry, 6s. per annum for each line or portion thereof.

Nature and extent of extra words in entry.

80. Discretion as to the nature and extent of any extra words in an entry or any additional entry shall rest with the Department,

Non-attendance of subscriber.

81. A subscriber may, on payment, in advance, of an annual fee, have a brief notice inserted after his name in the Telephone Directory indicating that, in the event of non-attendance at his telephone, some other subscriber will take the message intended for him.

Department may amend.

82. The Department reserves the right to amend or delete any entry in the Telephone Directory at any time, and no responsibility shall be undertaken, nor shall any claim for compensation arise or be entertained, on account of any entry or of any error in or omission from the Telephone Directory.

Alteration fee.

83. A fee of 2s. 6d. shall be charged for each alteration of any entry in the Telephone Directory, except in cases where the alteration is rendered necessary by—

(a)change of address (including re-numbering of street or road);
(b)change of telephone number;
(c) transfer of service; or
(d)additional paid matter.

Charitable Institutions.

84.—(1)Charitable institutions having for their object the relief of poor or afflicted persons in Australia, which are supported wholly or partly by public subscription, may, with the approval of the Department, be charged for lines and any extra apparatus half the rates prescribed by these Regulations.

(2) Unit calls made over such lines connecting to exchanges shall be charged half the ordinary fees.

Telephoning of telegrams.

85. Subscribers may telephone messages for onward transmission as telegrams, or arrange for telegrams addressed to them to be forwarded by telephone, subject to the appropriate terms and conditions prescribed by the Telegraph Regulations.

Time signals.

86.—(1)A subscriber to an exchange equipped with the necessary apparatus may, on payment, in advance, of a fee of £1 per annum, have the exact time signalled on his telephone at 1 p.m. daily, Sundays and holidays excepted.

(2) Where a line is provided exclusively for time signalling purposes, the rental prescribed by Part VIII. of these Regulations shall also be charged.

Weather forecasts.

87.—(1)A subscriber who is connected, to an exchange situated beyond the networks of State capitals or other large centres may, on payment, in advance, of a fee of 30s. per annum, be supplied by telephone

with the daily weather forecast and occasional notes concerning flood waters and impending storms issued by the Commonwealth Meteorologist.

(2) A subscriber who is connected to a country exchange to which the daily weather forecast is supplied may obtain by telephone particulars of any forecast by telephoning the exchange. For each forecast furnished the subscriber shall be charged a fee equal to three unit fees.

Temporary exchange services.

88. A person who does not desire to rent a permanent exchange service under the conditions prescribed by these Regulations may, at the discretion of the Department, be provided with a temporary service, in which case the applicant shall pay—

(a) the actual cost of the labour and perishable material required to provide and dismantle the circuit, including administration charges—the minimum charge to be £1;
(b) a rental charge pro ratafor each month or part thereof equal to 50 per centum greater than the prescribed charge for a permanent exchange service with a minimum charge of 30s. for each month or part thereof;
(c) The prescribed charges for calls.

Lower charges to apply in certain cases.

89. If the total charges specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the last preceding regulation exceed the annual rental for a permanent service, the lower charge shall apply if the circuit is of such a character as would normally be provided on a yearly basis.

Deposit.

90. If required by the Department, the applicant shall deposit an amount equal to the estimated total charges and the value of the calls likely to be made during the period for which the service is applied for.

Division 2—Services not Wholly Provided by the Department.

Provision of services not wholly provided by Department.

91. Where the provision by the Department of a telephone service for the whole of the distance between the premises referred to in the application and the exchange is not justified, the Department may authorize the service to be provided under the following conditions:—

(a) If poles the property of the Department are available, the portion of the line within the boundaries, of any township or beyond those boundaries to a point specified by the Department shall be erected and maintained thereon by the Department;
(b)Where poles the property of the Department are not available, or where the erection of the line on departmental poles is not considered by the Department to be warranted, permission may be given for any portion of the line to be constructed by the applicant at his own cost;
(c) Where the portion of the line erected by the Department joins the portion constructed by the applicant, the Department will provide a means of separating the two portions at will, so that defects may be localized;
(d)For any portion of the line erected by the Department the charges shall be those prescribed by Division 1 of Part III. of these Regulations;

(e)The charges specified in the last preceding paragraph shall include the provision of all apparatus at the exchange and the supply of one wall-pattern telephone, complete with batteries, for installation by the applicant at his own cost;
(f) Where the privately constructed portion of the line is extended so that more than one point can communicate with the exchange, an annual fee of £1 per annum shall be charged for each additional point. This fee will cover the supply by the Department of a wall-pattern telephone, complete with batteries, for each point for installation by the applicant at his own cost; and
(g)All calls passing through the exchange shall be charged for at the rates prescribed by these Regulations. Calls between any two points on the same line will be free.

Lines in public places.

92. TheDepartment reserves to itself the right to erect telephone lines within the boundaries of any railway line, municipality, township, or village, or along any public road.

Construction of lines to Department’s satisfaction.

93. An applicant who is authorized to erect the whole or any portion of any line shall construct it to the satisfaction of the Department. The Department shall not be responsible for any portion of a line not provided by the Department.

Lines on private property.

94. Where the line is erected upon private land, the method of construction shall be at the option of the applicant subject to the approval, in writing, of the owners of the land, the onus of obtaining which approval shall lie upon the applicant.

Lines on public property.

95. Where any line is erected upon public land of the Commonwealth or of a State, or on or across a road, railway or other place used for traffic or accessible to the public, the method of construction and the poles and other material to be used shall be subject to the approval of the Department.

Authority may be withheld.

96. Authority will not be given for any line to be erected along any public road, railway, or other place used for traffic or accessible to the public, unless the Department is satisfied that it is in every respect unobjectionable, and that the consent of the controlling authorities, where necessary, has been obtained, in writing, by the applicant.

Height of line.

97. When the line passes along any road, track, or across water, the wire shall, except at a crossing, be at least 12 feet from the surface, except where the line is erected close to a road fence, in which case the height, of the wire above the surface may be reduced to not less than 8 feet:

Provided that if the line crosses a road or other public place, the height of the wire above the highest portion of the road or public place shall be not less than 18 feet, and the poles carrying the wire at any such crossings shall be of substantial character, and be strutted or stayed, if necessary, to stand the strain of the wire.

Inspection of line.

98.—(1)The applicant shall, upon the completion of the line, notify the Department thereof, and an officer may then be sent to inspect the line.

(2) The cost of such inspection shall be borne by the applicant.

(3) If the line has not been constructed in accordance with these Regulations, the inspecting officer shall issue, instructions as to what as required, and the defect shall be made good, by the subscriber.

Faulty construction.

99. Should the applicant fail to construct the line in accordance with, or to comply with, the requirements of these Regulations, the Department may take such steps as it deems necessary to obtain compliance with these Regulations, and authority to use the line shall not be given until the requirements of the Department have been satisfactorily complied with and until any expense incurred by the Department in connexion therewith shall have been paid by the applicant.

Licence fees.

100.—(1)Upon the completion of the line to the satisfaction of the Department, authority to use it shall be given.

(2) A licence-fee, in respect of such use, of 1s. per annum, payable in advance, shall be charged, irrespective of the length of the line.

(3) Such licence-fee covers only the use of one line connecting two points.

(4) If additional points are connected, whether by means of a switchboard at a central, switching point or by direct connexions to the line, a fee of 1s. per annum shall also be charged for each additional point so connected.

Installation of apparatus.

101. The telephones and other apparatus connected to the line shall be installed by the subscriber at his own cost and to the satisfaction of the Department:

Provided that, if the subscriber so desires, the Department will install the apparatus at his expense.

Interference.

102. In the event of a privately constructed line being found to interfere in any way with the erection or use of another line, the Department may direct that the line be altered, removed, re-erected in another position, or otherwise dealt with, as it deems necessary, and such direction shall be complied with by the subscriber to the satisfaction of the Department.

Liability for Injuries.

103. The subscriber shall be responsible for any injury to life, limb, or property caused by the poles, wire, or other parts of the privately constructed portion of the line (except, however, such portion of the line as is erected on poles the property of the Department or which is maintained by the Department).

Subscriber responsible for repairs and maintenance.

104. The subscriber shall be wholly responsible for the repair and maintenance of the privately constructed portion of the line to the satisfaction of the Department, and he shall undertake to maintain the same in a thoroughly efficient manner at his own cost, and any alterations, repairs, or other works which the Department may, in the interests of the public safety or convenience, order to be done, shall be performed by the subscriber, or, if undertaken by the Department, shall be charged to the subscriber, in which latter case the amount due may be recovered by the ordinary process of law.

Maintenance of apparatus.

105. The telephones and other apparatus connected to the- line shall be maintained by the subscriber at his own cost and to the satisfaction of the Department:

Provided that if the telephones supplied by the Department are taken to an exchange, any defects which are considered by the Department to be due tofair wear and tear shall be repaired free of charge.

Periodical Inspection.

106.—(1)The Department may direct an official inspection to be made periodically of such portions of the line as are not upon private lands, and the officer making the inspection may direct the subscriber to make such alterations or repairs as to him appear necessary, and the subscriber shall immediately carry out his directions.

(2) The costs of such inspection shall be borne by the Department.

Unsatisfactory maintenance.

107. Should the subscriber not maintain the portion of the line constructed by him, or the telephones and other apparatus connected thereto, to the satisfaction of the Department, the service at the exchange may, after reasonable notice has been given him to do so, be discontinued, and the instruments removed without prejudice to the Department’s right to recover any charges payable by the subscriber.

Location of faults.

108. When a line becomes faulty, the Department may require the subscriber to examine the privately constructed portion of the line, and to give an assurance that no fault exists thereon, before the Department’s portion of the circuit is examined. If, after receiving such assurance, the fault is found to be on the privately constructed portion of the line, the cost of examining the departmental portion may be charged to the subscriber.

Lines to terminal poles.

109. In cases where a subscriber is authorized to erect the whole of the line from his premises to the Department’s terminal pole outside an exchange, the rental charges prescribed by Division 1 of Part III of these Regulations shall be reduced by £2 per annum.

Lines erected upon the Department’s poles at subscriber’s cost.

110. At the discretion of the Department an applicant for a telephone service may arrange for the whole or portion of the line to be erected upon poles the property of the Department at the cost of the applicant, subject to the following conditions:—

(a) The cost of all material and supervision necessary to erect the wire shall be borne by the subscriber;
(b) The material used, and the nature of the circuit to be provided, shall be subject to the approval of the Department;
(c) The subscriber shall deposit with the Department a sum of money equal to the estimated cost of the material to be supplied and the work to be performed on his behalf, and shall enter into an undertaking in a form approved by the Department, guaranteeing that on completion of the work he will pay such, other sums as are necessary to repay the Department the actual cost of the whole of the work;
(d) The subscriber may, instead of paying for labour provided by the Department, provide the labour himself, to the satisfaction of the Department; but in such case the

direction and control of the work performed shall rest with the Department, and shall be charged to the subscriber;
(e) The subscriber shall have no right to enter upon any works of the Department, climb any pole, or do any work on any line of the Department without the approval, in writing, of the Department;
(f) The Department accepts no responsibility in respect of any wires erected under these Regulations;
(g)The subscriber shall pay, in advance, the sum of 5s. per annum for each pole mile, or portion thereof, of double wire, and 2s. 6d. per annum for each pole mile, or portion thereof, of single wire, as rental for the use of the poles on which the wire is erected;
(h)The subscriber shall be wholly responsible for the maintenance of the wire or insulators upon, and for the removal of any defects whatsoever from, the portion of the line which is erected subject to these conditions, but the Department will, at the request of the subscriber; and on the subscriber agreeing to pay the costs incurred, use all reasonable means towards removing any such defects, and take any necessary action for the maintenance of the line;
(i)Any works undertaken by the subscriber for the maintenance of any wire upon the poles of the Department shall be performed at his own risk and cost;
(j) The subscriber shall not be responsible for any portion of the cost of maintaining or renewing the poles upon which the wire is erected;
(k)Should any pole, the property of the Department, require renewal by reason of ordinary decay, the Department shall, without cost to the subscriber, place the subscriber’s wire on the new pole;
(l)Should any pole, the property of the Department, require renewal by reason of bush firesor similar unusual causes, the cost of transferring the subscriber’s wire to the new pole shall be borne by the subscriber;
(m)The actual cost of any works performed by or on behalf of the Department for the removal of defects or maintenance of the subscriber’s wire or insulators upon the poles the property of the Department shall be paid to the Department, by the subscriber within one month from the date of demand;
(n) The subscriber shall enter into an agreement in a form approved by the Department to remove the material from the poles the property of the Department to its satisfaction at any time when required to do so, but not earlier than six years from the date of construction: Provided that in the event of the material being no longer required on the poles for the subscriber’s purposes, the Department shall be given the first option of purchasing such material, or any portion thereof, as it stands on the poles, at a valuation to be mutually agreed upon;

(o) The subscriber shall not, without the consent of the Department, transfer his right to the wire or to the use thereof, and
(p)Should the subscriber’s wire or insulators interfere with the use by the Department of the poles on which they are erected, the Department may remove the wire or insulators or alter their positions as is found necessary.

PART IV. —PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGES.

Provision of private branch exchanges.

111. Private branch exchanges may be provided and installed by the Department at a subscriber’s premises for the purpose of affording inter-communication between the extension services rented by the subscriber from the Department, and also between such extension services and the exchange.

Equipment supplied.

112.—(1)The equipment of a private branch exchange includes a switchboard or switching apparatus of sufficient capacity to accommodate the exchange and extension services rented by the subscriber, together with the necessary batteries, ringing devices, fittings, and one telephone or operator’s set for each switchboard position.

(2) All connexions and apparatus shall be subject to the approval of the Department.

Attendance and power.

113. The subscriber shall provide, at his own cost, all necessary operating attendance at the private branch exchange, and he shall also bear the cost of current for charging and recharging the battery to operate the private branch exchange and for performing any necessary ringing services.

Wiring.

114. The actual cost of labour and material, including administration charges, used in installing the wires for connecting the extension services and other apparatus to the private branch exchange shall be paid by the subscriber.

Charges for services connected.

115. The exchange lines, extension services, and other apparatus connected to the private branch exchange shall, so far as they are applicable, be subject to the charges prescribed by Part III. of these Regulations :

Provided that where an automatic private branch exchange or other special apparatus is provided, the charges and conditions shall, according to the circumstances, be determined by the Department.

PART V.— PUBLIC TELEPHONES.

Installation of public telephones.

116. Public telephones may, at the discretion of the Department, be installed in streets and other approved places.

Guarantee necessary.

117. Where the estimated revenue is not sufficient to justify the establishment of any public telephone, the persons desiring the facility shall furnish a guarantee, in a form approved by the Department, to pay annually to the Department the difference between the actual revenue and the required revenue should the actual revenue be insufficient.

Limitation of period of conversations.

118. The period of conversation from a public telephone shall be three minutes, commencing from the time the required number is connected :

Provided that, if no other person is waiting to use the telephone, the period may be extended upon the payment of an additional unit fee for each additional three minutes or portion thereof. The total period of any conversation shall not exceed six minutes if the line is required for another call.

Unit fee.

119. The unit fee for the use of a public telephone shall be uniformly 2d. for a conversation of three minutes or part thereof.

Public telephones specified.

120. The public telephones to which the preceding Regulation applies are:—

(a) those situated within a 10-mile radius of the General Post Office in any of the capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, or Hobart;
(b)those situated beyond the 10-mile radius of a General Post Office and connected to an exchange within a metropolitan network at a capital city; and
(c) those situated within a 5-mile radius of the Newcastle Post Office, or connected to an exchange within that 5-mile radius.

Other public telephones.

121. Public telephones, other than those referred to in regulation 120, shall be allowed service at the unit fee to exchanges within the five mile radius of the exchange to which the public telephone is connected.

Trunk line charges.

122. For the use of public telephones where the unit fee is not applicable, the rates prescribed by Part VII. of these Regulations shall be paid.

Illegal use of public telephones.

123.—(1)A person (other than an officer of the Department acting in the course of his duty) shall not use any public telephone without having first paid the prescribed fee for the use of the telephone.

(2) Any person who uses, or attempts to obtain the use of, any public telephone contrary to this Regulation shall be guilty of an offence. Penalty: Five pounds.

Use of subscribers’ telephones by the public.

124. Any subscriber who pays the rates prescribed by Part III. of these Regulations may place his telephone at the service of the public: Provided that a subscriber who is connected to an exchange which is not the one nearest to his premises shall not grant the use of the service to any other person, except in cases of emergency, unless with the consent of, and upon terms approved by, the Department.

Public notices.

125. The subscriber may provide and exhibit a plain and legible notice in a prominent position on his premises, indicating that the telephone is available for public use: Provided that, except as permitted by regulation 126, no notice or sign intimating that a telephone is available for public use shall be exhibited on or about the premises of any hotel, public house, or place licensed for the sale of intoxicating beverages.

Coin receptacle.

126.—(1) The subscriber may place a coin receptacle near to the telephone and may exhibit a notice requesting the public using the instrument toplace the fee in the receptacle.

(2) Such receptacle shall be installed, maintained, and cleared by the subscriber at his own cost.

Unit call.

127.—(1)A charge not exceeding 2d. for each conversation may be made by the subscriber for each call to which the unit fee applies, and the money may be retained by him.

(2) The charge for each such call shall be made by the Department against the subscriber at the rates prescribed by regulation 37.

Trunk line calls.

128.—(1)For each trunk line conversation from a subscriber’s telephone the subscriber may charge the caller the rate fixed by the Department for the call, in addition to the unit fee of 2d., for the use of the telephone.

(2) The charges for each such trunk line call shall be made by the Department against the subscriber at the rates prescribed by Part VII. of these Regulations.

Liability of subscriber.

129. The subscriber shall be liable to the Department for all charges, including trunk line calls, payable in respect of all calls made over the telephone whether he has collected those charges or not.

PART VI. —TELEPHONE TRUNK LINES.

Erection by the Department of telephone trunk lines.

130. At the discretion of the Department, a telephone trunk line connecting any two exchanges or offices may be provided if such line is required in the public interests.

Deficiency in revenue.

131. Where the estimated revenue does not represent a reasonable contribution towards the costs of construction, maintenance, and operating, the applicants shall be required to contribute towards the costs, or to assist in the erection and maintenance of the line, in such a manner and to such an extent as the Department requires.

Ownership.

132. The line and apparatus shall remain the property of the Department.

Erection by the applicants.

133. Where the estimated revenue is not sufficient to justify the erection and maintenance by the Department of a line for public use without a contribution from the applicants; and where the persons concerned elect to construct and maintain the line at their own expense, the conditions under which they may be authorized to do so shall be determined by the Department according to the circumstances of each case.

PART VII. —TELEPHONE TRUNK LINE SERVICE.

Calls from subscribers’ telephones.

134.—(1)Subscribers may originate trunk line calls from their telephones;

(2) All such calls made by any subscriber shall be recorded and included in his half-yearly account for telephone charges, unless an interim account has been rendered and payment previously made therefor.

Calls from public telephones.

135. Trunk line calls may be made from any public telephone which is authorized by the Department for that purpose, provided that the caller pays, in advance, the charges prescribed for the conversation required.

Applications for calls.

136. Applications for conversations over any trunk line shall be received at any time during the day on which the conversations are desired:

Provided that calls shall take their turn as though made at the time at which they are required.

Fixed calls

137. Subscribers who desire to make calls at fixed periods may, at the discretion of the Department, be permitted to book the calls in advance. The charges and conditions under which applications for advance booking may be accepted shall be determined by the Department, but a guarantee shall not be given in respect of the time of connexion of any call.

Charges for calls.

138. Trunk line calls shall be charged for as provided in the following tables, the specified charges being in addition to the unit fee:—

Table I.— Calls, Excepting Those Between State Capital Cities.

Radial Distance between Exchanges or Office	Between 8a.m. and 7 p.m.				Between 7p.m. and 8 a.m.
Radial Distance between Exchanges or Office	First Three Minutes or Part thereof.		Every additional Three Minutes or Part thereof.		First Three Minutes or Part thereof.		Every additional Three Minutes or Part thereof.
s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Exceeding 5 but not exceeding 10 miles	0	2	0	2	0	2	0	2
„ 10 „ „ 20 „	0	4	0	4	0	4	0	3
„ 20 „ „ 30 „	0	6	0	6	0	4	0	4
„ 30 „ „ 50 „	0	8	0	6	0	4	0	4
„ 50 „ „ 75 „	1	0	0	9	0	6	0	5
„ 75 „ „ 100 „	1	4	1	0	0	8	0	6
„ 100 „ „ 150 „	1	10	1	4	0	11	0	8
„ 150 „ „ 200 „	2	4	1	9	1	2	0	11
„ 200 „ „ 250 „	2	10	2	1	1	5	1	1
„ 250 „ „ 300 „	3	4	2	6	1	8	1	3
„ 300 „ „ 350 „	3	10	2	10	1	11	l	5
„ 350 „ „ 400 „	4	4	3	3	2	2	1	8
„ 400 „ „ 600 „	5	0	3	9	2	6	1	11
„ 600 „ „ 800 „	5	8	4	3	2	10	2	2
„ 800 miles...................................	6	4	4	9	3	2	2	5

Table 11.—Calls Between State Capital Cities.

Calls Between—	Between 8a.m. and 7 p.m..					Between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.
	First Three Minutes or Part thereof.		Every additional Three Minutes or Part thereof.			First Three Minutes or Part thereof.			Every additional Three Minutes or Part thereof.
s.	d.		s	d.		s.	d.		s.	d.
Melbourne and Adelaide........	4	8		3	6		2	4		1	0
Sydney and Melbourne..........	5	0		5	0		2	6		2	6
Sydney and Brisbane.............	5	8		5	8		2	10		2	10
Melbourne and Brisbane........	10	0		10	0		5	0		5	0
Sydney and Adelaide.............	9	8		8	6		4	10		4	3

Press conversations.

139.—(1)When telephone trunk lines are used for conversations in the nature of press telegrams, as defined in the Telegraph Regulations, the rates shall be as follow, in addition to the unit fee:—

Table III. —Press Calls, Excepting Those Between State Capital Cities.

Radial Distance between Exchanges or Offices.	Each five Minutes or Part thereof.
s.	d.
Exceeding 5 but not exceeding 30 miles........................	0	4
„ 30 „ „ „ 50 miles.........................	0	6
„ 50 „ „ „ 100 miles.........................	0	9
„ 100 „ „ „ 150 miles.........................	1	1
Each additional 50 miles or portion thereof....................	0	4

Table IV. —Press Calls Between State Capital Cities.

Calls Between—	First three Minutes or Part thereof.		Every additional three Minutes or Part thereof.
s.	d.	s.	d.
Melbourne and Adelaide..........	2	4	1	9
Sydney and Melbourne............	2	6	2	6
Sydney and Brisbane...............	2	10	2	10
Melbourne and Brisbane..........	5	0	5	0
Sydney and Adelaide...............	4	10	4	3

(2) A conversation paid for or to be paid for at press rates shall not be allowed to commence, or, having commenced, shall not be permitted to extend beyond the period then current, if any person is waiting to use the lines on payment of full rates.

Calls on Sundays and holidays.

140.—(1)For trunk line calls (other than press conversations) on Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday, the ordinary rates shall be increased by 50 per centum. Where the fee so calculated includes an odd ½ d., an additional ½d. shall be charged.

(2) An increase of like amount shall also be made in respect of the services specified in regulations 141 and 142.

Calls to particular person.

141.—(1)Efforts will be made by the Department to obtain the attendance of a particular person at the number asked for if the caller makes the request at the time the trunk line call is ordered.

(2) A uniform fee of 3d. shall be charged for such service, in addition to any ordinary trunk or messenger fees incurred, irrespective of the success or failure of the attempt to obtain the required person.

Messenger fee.

142. If the caller desires that a messenger be sent to call any person to the telephone, the service will be performed at offices where messengers are provided by the Department, on payment of the following charges, in, addition to any other charges for the use of the trunk line:—

(a) For a messenger sent to call to the telephone any person who resides within the usual radius of free delivery of telegrams, 3d.

(b) For a messenger sent to call to the telephone any person who resides beyond the radius of free delivery of telegrams, in addition to thefee of 3d., the usual porterage fees charged for the delivery of telegrams shall be made.

Period of conversation.

143.—(1) Atrunk line conversation shall be considered effective, and the time calculated; from the time the caller is informed that the required number is connected.

(2) The total period of any conversation so calculated shall not exceed six minutes if another person is waiting to use the trunk line.

Cancellation of calls.

144. If a caller cancels a trunk line call after the required number has been obtained by the Department, a charge of one-half of the usual rates shall be made.

PART VIII.— PRIVATE LINES.

Division I.— Links Wholly Provided by the Department.

Private lines.

145. Private lines may be provided and maintained by the Department subject to the same general regulations as those which apply to services connecting to exchanges.

146. The Department reserves, to itself the right to refuse to provide any private line.

Charges for line.

147. The following charges shall be made for any private line provided by the Department:—

(a) Lines provided by means of underground cable—

For each quarter mile or part thereof of actual length of circuit—15s. per annum.

(b) Lines provided by means of aerial wire or cable—
The charges shall be as determined by the Department in each case according to the length of the line and the nature and extent of the plant used;
Provided that where submarine cable or other special arrangements are required in the provision of a service, or the private line applied for will not connect premises under the same ownership or control, the charges and conditions shall be determined by the Department according to the circumstances of each case.

Supply of apparatus.

148. At the option of the Department, the telephones and other apparatus connected to a private line shall be supplied, installed, and maintained either by the applicant at his own cost or by the Department at rates which shall be fixed by the Department.

Privately installed apparatus.

149. Where the telephones and other apparatus are supplied by the applicant, they shall be subject to the approval of the Department, and any modifications or alteration of the apparatus in any essential particular shall not be made at any time without the permission of the Department.

Burglar alarms.

150. Lines for use in connexion with burglar alarms may be provided and maintained by the Department in accordance with this Part of these Regulations, but in all cases the apparatus shall be supplied, installed and maintained by the applicant at his own cost, and it shall be subject to the provisions of the last preceding regulation.

Fire alarms.

151.—(1)Conductors in special lead-covered cables may be provided by the Department for fire alarm purposes from the wall of the building to be connected to the nearest point in connexion with existing underground or aerial cables.

(2) The charges for such service shall be paid annually in advance for a term of at least six years and shall be as follow:—

Number of Pairs of Conductor in one Cable.	Charge for each quarter mile or Portion thereof for each Pair of Conductors up to one mile in Length of Circuit.			Charge for each 220yards or Portion thereof beyond one mile for each Pair of Conductors.
£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
1..........................	3	10	0	1	15	0
2..........................	2	0	0	1	0	0
3 or 4....................	1	5	0	0	12	6
5 or 6....................	1	2	6	0	11	6
7 or 8....................	1	0	0	0	10	0

(3) Each cable shall be charged for separately, the length not being aggregated.

Temporary private services.

152.—(1)A person who does not desire to rent a permanent private line may, atthe discretion of the Department, be provided by the Department with a temporary service under the conditions prescribed by these Regulations;

Provided that where the Department is satisfied that the circumstances of any case are exceptional the charges and conditions shall be fixed by the Department.

(2) In respect of such service, the applicant shall pay—

(a) the actual cost of the labour and perishable material required to provide and dismantle the circuit, including administration charges— the minimum charge to be £1; and
(b) a rental charge pro ratafor each month or part thereof, equal to 50 per centum greater than the prescribed charge for a permanent private service, with a minimum charge of 10s. for each month or part thereof.

Payment of charges in advance.

153. If required by the Department, the applicant shall deposit, in advance, an amount equal to the estimated total charges during the period, for which the service is required.

Conversion to permanent service.

154.—(1)A temporary line may be converted to a permanent service at any time upon the lessee guaranteeing to lease the circuit for such period as the Department prescribes, the minimum period in any case to be three years from the date the circuit was provided.

(2) Where such conversion is authorized by the Department, credit will be allowed, for the payments which have already been made by the lessee, provided the circuit is of such a character as would normally be installed on a permanent basis.

Division 2.— Lines Not Wholly Provided by the Department.

Particulars required in applications.

155.—(1)Any person wishing to erect a private line passing beyond the boundary of his own land shall make application to the Department for permission so to do.

(2) With the application shall be forwarded—

(a) a plan showing the route to be followed, especially marking where roads are to be crossed or entered upon, and the places to be connected; and
(b) a description of the proposed method of constructing that portion of the line which is not upon private land.

Lines in public places.

156. The Department reserves to itself the right to erect all private lines within the boundaries of any railway line, municipality, township, or village, or along any public road.

Inspection of route.

157. If the Department considers that an inspection of the route by a departmental officer is necessary, the cost of such inspection shall be borne by the applicant.

Authorization of line.

158. Should the Departmental investigations show that the line will not in any way interfere with or endanger any other line, and that the material and method of erection to be adopted for the construction of that portion of the line which is not upon private property are satisfactory, the Department may, upon paymentof the prescribed fees, grant permission to erect such line:

Provided that such permission may be withheld if the points to be served can be connected by means of exchange services.

Construction and maintenance.

159. The provisions of Division 2of Part III of these Regulations regarding the construction and maintenance of lines and other like matters shall also apply to private lines wherever they are applicable.

Licence-fees.

160. The licence-fees prescribed by regulation 100 shall also be charged inrespect of private lines erected by applicants in accordance with these Regulations.

Lines erected partly by Department.

161. Where portion of a private line is provided and maintained by the Department, the charges prescribed by Division 1 of this Part of these Regulations shall be payable for the portion so provided.

Supply of apparatus.

162. At the option of the Department, the telephones and other apparatus for use on private lines created byapplicants in accordance with these Regulations may be supplied by the Department at rates which shall be fixed by the Department, and they shall be installed and maintained by the applicant at his own cost; alternatively, the apparatus may be supplied, installed, and maintained by and at the expense of the applicant.

Use on public business.

163.—(1)The Department may authorize the use, by any Government official on public business, of any private line erected under the provisions of these Regulations.

(2)If the licensee of a private line refuses to allow any official, so authorized, to use such line, the licence issued in respect thereof may be cancelled.

Lines not connecting with a telegraph office.

164. Where a private line does not connect to a telegraph office, the licensee shall undertake that it will be used for his own private purposes only, or by those persons authorized by him, with the approval of the Department, to connect by telephone en route.

Lines connecting with a telegraph office.

165.—(1)In places where an exchange is not established, the Department may permit a telephone line to be connected to a telegraph office and authorize the licensee to transact telegraph and telephone business over the line.

(2) The charges and conditions shall, according to the circumstances of each case, be determined by the Department.

Two lines connecting to the same telegraph office.

166. Where two or more telephone lines in country districts connect to any telegraph office, the provisions of Part III. of these Regulations shall apply.

PART IX. —MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.

Fire brigade lines— Exchange services.

167.—(1)The rentals prescribed by Part III. of these Regulations, less 25 per centum, shall be charged for lines and any additional apparatus used thereon, which connect fire brigades to exchanges for telephone purposes.

(2) The fire brigades may supply and install the telephones and other apparatus at their own cost, provided that the equipment is of a type approved by the Department and it is maintained by and at the expense of the fire brigades.

(3) The services specified in the preceding sub-regulations shall be subject to the general provisions of Part III. of these Regulations where they do not conflict with this Part.

(4) The ordinary rates for calls shall be charged.

Fire brigade lines— Non-exchange services.

168.—(1) In the case of fire brigade lines which do not connect to exchanges for telephone purposes, an annual rental shall be charged at the rate of 25s. per mile, or part thereof, on the aggregate total length of the lines rented.

(2) In this Regulation, fire brigade lines include only the following lines:—

(a) lines which connect the fire brigade station to an exchange, and which are used for fire alarm purposes only;
(b) lines which connect any one fire brigade station toany other fire brigade station under the same management or to the residence of any officer of the fire brigade, and which are used for fire brigade purposes only; and
(c) lines which connect a fire brigade station to any fire alarm point where an instrument is available to the public to transmit fire alarms to the fire brigade station.

(3) The telephones and other apparatus connected to the lines specified in this Regulation may be supplied, installed, and maintained, either by the fire brigades at their own cost or by the Department at rates which shall be determined by the Department.

Military lines.

169. When telephone lines required for military purposes only, and which do not connect to any telephone system, are erected upon military reserves or premises, and partly upon poles of the Department,

thecharges payable for the portion of such lines erected on the Department poles shall be at the rate of 25s. per annum per mile, or part thereof calculated upon the aggregate length of the circuits.

Telephones to vessels or wharfs.

170.—(1)Telephones to vessels or wharfs may be provided by the Department upon the terms prescribed by Part III. of these Regulations, and subject to the following conditions:—

(a) If the subscriber desires to place the telephone at the disposal of passengers and others, the provisions of regulations 124 and 129 inclusive shall apply;
(b)If the subscriber desires the instruments to be movable, the Department will provide the necessary plugs and jacks at the rates fixed by the Department, together with flexible connecting wires of not more than ten yards in length, and will either connect the instrument on the ship at the expense of the subscriber in each case, or will give such directions as are necessary to enable him to make the connexions, in which case the subscriber shall be responsible for the proper connexion, dis-connexion, and safe keeping of the instruments;
(c) Flexible connecting wire of greater length than ten yards will, if required, be provided on payment of the cost of the extra wire; and
(d)The subscriber shall provide, free of cost and to the satisfaction of the Department, proper accommodation for telephones and other apparatus placed on wharfs, and shall be responsible for the proper care of the apparatus.

(2) Public telephones will be provided on wharfs on the terms shown in Part V.of these Regulations.

Lines connecting to trunk line switchboards or telegraph offices only

171. A telephone line connecting a subscriber to a trunk line switchboard, and available for conversations over trunk lines at the rates prescribed by these Regulations, or to a telegraph office for use only in connexion with the transmission of telegrams at the prescribed rates, may be provided by the Department on payment of such rates, and subject to such conditions as are determined by the Department.

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By Authority: H. J. Green.