Telephone Regulations (Cth)

STATUTORY RULES.

1906. No. 114.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL, in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the undermentioned Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, namely:—

Telephone Regulations,

to come into operation on the first day of February, 1907.

Dated this fourth day of December, One thousand nine hundred and six.

NORTHCOTE,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

AUSTIN CHAPMAN.

 

TELEPHONE REGULATIONS.

General.

1. These Regulations may be cited as, the Telephone Regulations, and are divided into Parts, as follows:—

Part I.—Telephone Exchanges.

Part II.—Public Telephone Trunk Lines.

Part III.—Transmission of Telegrams by Telephone.

Part IV.—Public Telephones.

Part V.—Telephones to Steamships or Wharves.

Part VI.—Telephone Junction and Trunk Lines.

Part VII.—Use of Subscribers’ Telephones by the Public on the Ticket System or on payment.

Part VIII.—Fire Brigade Lines.

Part IX.—Military Lines.

Part X.—Burglar Alarms.

Part XI.—Time Signals.

Part XII.—Telephone Lines not connected with Exchanges.

Part XIII.—Telephone Lines connecting with Trunk Line Switchboards or Telegraph Offices only.

Part XIV.—Telephone Lines in Country Districts not erected, or only partly erected, by the Postmaster-General.

Part XV.—Telephone Lines in Country Districts partly erected by the Postmaster-General, and which connect with Telephone Exchanges.

 

Part XVI.—Telephone Lines in Country Districts erected at the cost of the users upon poles of the Postmaster-General.

Part XVII.—Erection of Public Telegraph or Telephone Lines under guarantee.

Part XVIII.—Public Telegraph lines erected by persons desiring such lines, instead of by the Department, under guarantee.

Part XIX.—Miscellaneous.

PART I.—TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

2. All applications for telephone services must be made to the Deputy Postmaster-General.

3. The Postmaster-General reserves the right to refuse to comply with any application for connexion with any telephone system, or for the construction of any telephone line or service.

4. Telephone services which are in existence, or have been applied for, on or before the 31st January, 1907, may, until otherwise prescribed, continue to be used in their then existing form and at the then existing rates by the same subscriber; but such Telephone services shall be subject to the general provisions of these Regulations on all matters except those of rates.

5. The Rates specified in these Regulations may, on application from a subscriber to the Deputy Postmaster-General, be substituted for those in force on the 31st January, 1907, as regards the said subscriber’s service.

6. If any service which was in existence or applied for on or before the 31st January, 1907, is transferred from one subscriber to another, or if the nature of the service is altered by the addition of extra instruments on the same line, or by adding extension lines, or by other similar means, then the rates specified in these Regulations shall apply to the service from the date of the transfer, alteration, or extension.

7. All telephone lines, instruments, and fittings in connexion with the telephone system, except where otherwise provided by these Regulations, shall be erected and supplied by the Postmaster-General, the cost being borne by the Government, and no persons, except employés of the Department, provided with proper means of identification, are to be allowed to interfere with or make any additions or alterations to any wires, instruments, or fittings under the Department’s control. In the event of any such interference, the subscriber concerned will be liable to have his line disconnected.

The following shall be the charges payable for each of the different classes of service specified:—

In Telephone Networks having a Population of—	Radius of Network with Main Exchange as Centre.	Minimum Annual Charge—
		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.
Miles.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
From 1 to 10,000................	5	4	0	0	3	0	0	2	10	0
,, 10,001 to 100,000	10	4	10	0	3	7	6	2	15	0
,, 100,001 upwards	10	5	0	0	3	15	0	3	0	0

 

In all cases where submarine cables, or other special arrangements are required in the construction of a line, the charges shall be fixed according to circumstances.

For the foregoing charges the Postmaster-General will provide and maintain all necessary exchange equipment, subscribers’ lines not exceeding one mile in length radially, one telephone wall-set per subscriber, and will allow 1,000 effective calls to be originated by each subscriber in each half-year.

For all effective calls beyond 1,000 half-yearly, the subscriber will be charged at the following rates:—

For calls above 1,000 and not exceeding 2,000 half-yearly, two calls for one penny.

For calls above 2,000 and not exceeding 3,000 half-yearly, three calls for one penny.

For calls above 3,000 calls half-yearly, four calls for one penny.

Fractions of a penny will be charged as one penny.

Accounts for calls beyond those allowed free will be rendered half-yearly, and must be paid within fourteen days. (See also Regulation 14.)

Balances, if any, of calls which are allowed without extra charge may not be carried forward from one half-year to the next.

Calls made on the business of the Postmaster-General by any duly authorized officer will not be charged.

8. Extra Mileage Charges.—When the radial length of any line exceeds one mile, the following extra mileage charges shall be made:—

For each half-mile or portion thereof—

Exclusive services, £1 per annum.

Two-party services, 10s. per annum per subscriber or instrument.

Three or more party services, 5s. per annum per subscriber or instrument.

9. Calculation of Mileage of Party Lines.—The rental for party-line circuits shall be calculated upon the radial distance from the second or additional subscriber’s premises to the point of connexion with the main circuit of the first subscriber, plus the radial distance from the Exchange to the first subscriber.

10. Party Lines.—Party-line services will be furnished only when Exchanges have been equipped with suitable apparatus.

When a subscriber to a two-party service is found to originate an average of more than fifteen calls daily for a consecutive period of three months, he may be required to subscribe to an exclusive service.

When a subscriber to a three or more party service is found to originate an average of ten or more calls daily, for a consecutive period of three months, he may be required to subscribe to a two-party or an exclusive service.

No conversation over any party line shall exceed six minutes in duration.

Selective and lock-out party line services will be provided only where the complete service of line and instruments is installed and maintained by the Postmaster-General, and where suitable switchboards have been installed.

Code-ringing party line services will be provided on other Exchanges and on lines in country districts erected under Regulations, Part XV.

Party line services will be provided only when the subscribers desiring to be connected to the same line are located within a reasonable distance of each other or of the line. The reasonableness will be determined by the officers of the Postmaster-General in each case.

a 2

 

11. Telephone lines must be rented for not less than one year, or such longer period as the Deputy Postmaster-General may determine, and the use of any line or any extension thereof may be discontinued on or at any time after the expiration of the period for which the line was first rented by the subscriber giving not less than one calendar month’s previous notice in writing of his intention to discontinue the use of the line, or extension or by the Postmaster-General giving one calendar month’s previous notice of his intention to discontinue the service. Rent will be charged only to the expiration of the notice of discontinuance.

12. Rent payable in respect of any telephone service shall be charged from the date on which the service is ready for use. Except in cases where spare or idle complete lines already exist from the premises of an intending subscriber to the exchange, in which case rental for six months in advance may be accepted, the first year’s rent for any such service shall be paid in advance; and thereafter rent shall be paid half-yearly in advance. Provided, however, that in respect of lines or extension of lines, the cost of the construction of which will exceed the amount payable as rent for the first year, the subscriber may be called upon to pay in advance rent for such period as will cover the cost of construction.

13. If any subscriber is convicted of carrying on any illegal business, and the place where the illegal business is carried on is connected with a telephone exchange, or if any person is convicted of carrying on any illegal business at or in any such place, the Deputy Postmaster-General may, without waiting for the result of any appeal from such conviction, determine the agreement with the subscriber, and may remove the subscriber’s name from the Telephone Directory, and may remove all wires, instruments, and other property of the Postmaster-General used in connexion with the telephone. If the agreement is determined during any period in respect of which rent has been paid in advance, a proportionate part of the rent shall be returned to the subscriber.

In this Regulation illegal business means—

(a)Keeping any common gaming-house, common betting-house, common bawdy-house, or house of disorderly entertainment; or

(b)Keeping, occupying, or using, any house or premises in contravention of the law of any State relating to gaming or wagering.

14. If any subscriber make default in payment of rent or other charges due by him, and on being requested by notice to pay such rent or charges, fails to pay either of them within fourteen days from the date of the notice, the Deputy Postmaster-General may order that the telephone used by the subscriber shall be disconnected from the exchange, and may cancel the agreement, and cause the name of the subscriber to be removed from the list, and may order the removal of all wires, instruments, and fittings, without prejudice to his right to recover any rent or other charges due under these Regulations.

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

16. Except where natural obstructions exist, when the actual mileage may, with the approval of the Postmaster-General, be charged, mileage shall be calculated radially from the telephone exchange with which the line is connected as the centre.

 

17. Medical practitioners connected with telephone exchanges, at which a day service only is provided, may have their telephone lines connected during the night with subscribers to the same exchange in anticipation of an urgent call being made for medical attendance during the time such exchanges are closed. No additional charge shall be made for such connexions, and no responsibility shall be incurred by the Department in the event of any failure to make the desired connexions.

18. All telephone instruments, batteries, or any apparatus whatever which can be connected with any telephone exchange, shall, except where otherwise provided in these Regulations, be supplied at the cost of the Commonwealth, and be the exclusive property of the Postmaster-General. Upon the termination of the agreement the Postmaster-General may remove the instruments, batteries, and apparatus, for which purpose, as also to permit of their inspection when considered necessary, his officers shall have free access to the premises of the subscriber. The subscriber shall pay to the Postmaster-General the cost of any damage to instruments, batteries, and apparatus beyond fair wear and tear.

19. Before any telephone exchange is established, the following conditions shall be complied with:—

(a)In the case of a Suburban or Branch Exchange in an existing telephone network, not less than fifteen subscribers shall agree to be connected to the new Exchange.

Isolated Country Exchanges will be opened without any restriction as to the number of subscribers.

(b)The new exchange shall not, unless for the Department’s convenience, be established within three miles of an existing exchange.

(c)The subscribers to the new exchange shall pay one year’s rental in advance, and enter into an agreement in approved form to pay rental in advance as prescribed by Regulation 12 for two further years, making three years in all.

20. Hours of Attendance.—When the revenue from subscribers’ lines and services connected to any exchange is less than at the rate of £150per annum, attendance at that exchange shall be given only during the hours for which the office in question is usually open for the transaction of public business. When the revenue is at the rate of £ 150 or over, continuous attendance shall be provided.

In calculating the revenue for the purposes of this Regulation, rentals for all subscribers’ lines and apparatus, connected to the exchange in question, and charges for all local calls, shall be included, but revenue from any trunk line connected with the exchange shall not be included.

21. (1) Except where otherwise provided in these Regulations, telephone exchange lines, for which lines the charges in force on the 31st January, 1907, continue to be paid, must be used only by the subscriber, his family, or employés, and exclusively on his affairs. Any breach of this regulation, or of any of these regulations, shall render the subscriber liable to have his telephone disconnected, without prejudice to the right of the Postmaster-General, to recover the rent and or other charges payable to the end of the term agreed upon; or the Postmaster-General may compel the subscriber to pay the rates prescribed by these Regulations. Provided, however, that in case of emergency, a subscriber may permit the use of his line by the subscriber for another line connected with the same exchange. The

use of any subscriber’s line may, with his consent, be granted to a non-subscriber to summon medical aid in urgent cases, to give notice of fire, or to call the police. In the cases of hotels and lodging-houses, the telephones may be used by any person residing on the premises, but not by casual callers.

(2) Telephone services rented at residential rates in force on the 31st January, 1907, must not be used for other than domestic or social purposes, nor shall residential rates apply to telephone services connecting with any premises in which any profession, trade, or business is regularly carried on.

(3) Any subscriber to a telephone line connected with an exchange for the use of which line charges in accordance with these Regulations are paid may grant the use of the line to a non-subscriber, but the subscriber shall pay the charges made by the Department for such use by the non-subscriber, and may charge the non-subscriber an amount not exceeding one penny, but shall not, without the authority of the Postmaster-General, make any further charge, nor receive any further payment or valuable consideration from any person for the use of the line. (See Section 129 Post and Telegraph Act 1901.)

22. Should a subscriber’s telephone be removed at the subscriber’s request to another address or position within the same telephone network, or should the subscriber require any alterations to be made, he shall pay the actual cost of labour entailed in making alterations to the line (unless the rental is increased), plus the total cost of refitting the telephone; but if the rental is increased, only the cost of refitting the telephone shall be charged.

Subscribers who desire to have their lines removed, or the position of their telephone altered, should give notice as follows:—

For removal of line, fourteen clear days.

For altering the position of the telephone or apparatus in the building, three clear days.

23. No telephone messages shall contain unbecoming expressions, or language of an 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. Any violation of this regulation shall render the subscriber liable to have the telephone disconnected, and any instruments and fittings belonging to the Postmaster-General removed, without prejudice to the right of the Postmaster-General to recover the rent and or other charges payable to the end of the term agreed upon.

24. One entry for every telephone connecting with the Exchange will be inserted once free of charge in each issue of the Telephone List, but, except as provided by Regulation 25, an annual fee of 5s., payable in advance in conjunction with other charges, shall be charged for each additional name inserted at the request of a subscriber. More than six names shall not be inserted at the request of any one person. However, before any such additional name can be inserted in the List evidence must be produced to the satisfaction of the Deputy Postmaster-General that the applicant is acting as agent for the person or firm whose name he desires to be so inserted, and in no case shall any person other than such applicant or his employés, be allowed to use the telephone on behalf of such person or firm.

 

The entry in the alphabetical portion of the Telephone List shall contain no advertising matter, but only such statement of name, occupation, and address, as is in the opinion of the Deputy Postmaster-General necessary to enable the subscriber to be identified and called.

A classified professional and trade list of subscribers to the Government Telephone Exchanges is published in the Telephone List after the alphabetical portion. Subscribers who desire their names to appear in the professional and trade list will be required to pay 5s. per annum for a one-line insertion, and 7s. 6d. per annum for two lines. Subscribers who prefer it may have their names printed in the professional and trade list in “black type,” in order to give them prominence, on payment of 50 per cent. advance on the above rates.

No responsibility shall be undertaken, nor shall any claim for compensation arise or be entertained, on account of any error in or omission from the Telephone List.

25. Persons occupying offices in the same building, or occupying the same private residence, may jointly subscribe under the one exchange number, on payment (in addition to rental as for one person at the respective rates prescribed by these Regulations) of £1per annum for each additional subscriber.

This fee covers the insertion of the additional subscriber’s name in the Telephone List.

Only the same number of calls shall be allowed free as in the case of a single subscriber’s line, and all calls in excess of that number shall be charged to the original subscriber.

If additional instruments are required the subscribers shall pay the rates prescribed for Party Lines. (See Regulation 7.)

26. If persons not occupying the same building desire to jointly subscribe for the use of the same line, they may do so upon payment of rental at the rates specified in Regulation 7 for party lines.

27. The Postmaster-General reserves the right to determine the cases wherein the use of party lines provided for in the last preceding regulation shall be permitted.

28. Lines of the same subscriber connecting any Exchange Line with extra Telephones or Bells by switches or other means (usually known as “Extension Lines”), and which extend beyond the building or premises to which the Exchange Line connects, shall be charged separately, and at the rates for metallic circuits shown in Part XII. of these Regulations.

Extension Lines within the building or upon the premises to which the Exchange Line from which they are extended connects, will be provided by the Postmaster-General upon the subscriber agreeing to pay the actual cost of labour and material used in installing the wires.

Instruments used on Extension Lines shall be provided and maintained by the Postmaster-General at the rates specified in Regulation 30. Such instruments may be used for conversations between other extension instruments without extra charge provided that the connexion is not effected through the Department’s Exchange.

29. When any existing line is extended, and the extension does not increase the total radial mileage of the line beyond that for which rent is being paid at the time, the subscriber requiring the extension to be made shall pay the cost of labour in connexion therewith. He shall also pay the prescribed annual rental for such extra instruments as may be required on the extension.

 

When the extension of an existing telephone line does increase the total radial mileage of the line beyond that for which rent is being paid at the time, the cost of making the extension shall be borne by the Postmaster-General, but the subscriber shall pay in advance, and as required by Regulation 12, the prescribed annual rental for the mileage of the line as extended, and also for such extra instruments (if any) as are required on the extension.

30. The annual rental charge for extra apparatus shall be—

£	s.	d.
Additional telephone instruments, ordinary.........................................	1	0	0
Additional telephone instruments, special, including table sets.............	1	5	0
If the subscriber is supplied with a table telephone, instead of an ordinary wall set, the rental shall be increased by.........................................................	0	5	0
For each jack or jack and plug............................................................	0	2	6
For each shutter, with local bell contact, but without bell or battery......	0	5	0
Intermediate switches, or switches used to divide or join two telephone circuits; with magneto bell, per set..................................................................	0	10	0
Magneto extension bells, including two-way switch............................	0	2	6
Trembling bell, 3-in., with battery, including two-way switch..............	0	10	0
Trembling bell, 5-in., with battery, including two-way switch..............	0	15	0
Head receiver, single, with cord.........................................................	0	5	0
Head receiver, double, with cord........................................................	0	7	6

Special appliances and specified patterns of instruments as per agreement.

31. Subscribers to telephone exchanges worked by magneto instruments, or persons renting magneto telephones from the Department, can, on application to the Deputy Postmaster-General in writing, be supplied with a control key, of a Yale key pattern, which it is necessary to insert into its receptacle before any person can produce a ring by turning the handle of the telephone.

This will prevent unauthorized use of the telephone.

It does not, when withdrawn, prevent the user from being called, nor does it interfere with speaking. An installation fee of 5s. is charged for supplying the first key, and 2s. 6d. each for duplicates.

The number of keys which will be supplied for use in connexion with any telephone will be limited to five.

When a subscriber ceases to rent a telephone instrument for which control keys are provided, he must return the keys to the Deputy Postmaster-General.

Loss of any control key should be promptly notified to the Deputy Postmaster-General.

32. Institutions which are maintained for charitable purposes, and which are supported wholly or partly by public subscriptions, shall be charged for lines and any extra instruments half the ordinary business rates in force on the 31st January, 1907, for services then in existence, or half the rates specified in these Regulations for services applied for from the 1st February, 1907.

33. No subscriber shall be allowed to use any junction line joining two exchanges for more than five minutes at one time. Any person exceeding this limit may be disconnected if there be other applicants waiting to use the line. Subscribers shall be connected, as far as possible, in order of application.

34. In cases where lines have been constructed, prior to the commencement of these Regulations, under what is termed the “purchase system,” the lines, as well as the instruments, &c., connected therewith shall remain the property of the persons who paid for them; they shall be subject to the maintenance fees hitherto charged, so long as the owners of the lines remain in their present premises; but

(a)Should an owner desire any additions or alterations to the line within his premises, he shall be required to pay the actual cost of his additions or alterations, but no addition or alteration shall be made unless he give an undertaking, in writing, to surrender his line when called upon to do so, at a valuation made by an officer of the Department on the basis of its then present value.

(b)Should an owner remove from his premises, service shall only be given at the new address under the terms of these Regulations, and the old line and apparatus may be taken over at a valuation to be made by an officer of the Department.

These lines shall otherwise be subject to these regulations, and in no case will any line constructed under the “purchase system” be transferred from the owner to any other person.

Maintenance fees must be paid yearly, in advance, dating from the 1st January in each year.

PART II.—PUBLIC TELEPHONE TRUNK LINES.

35. A telephone line connecting any two offices of the Department, at neither or only one of which a telephone exchange has been opened, or a telephone line joining any two offices of the Department, but not available for direct connexion with the subscribers’ lines at either or both ends, may be used for conversations by the subscribers or by the general public, subject to the following conditions, and on payment of the fees, set forth hereunder, provided that such use shall not interfere with the ordinary work of the Department:—

(1) When the person to be spoken to can be called by telephone, or in other cases where it is not necessary to send a messenger for the person to be spoken to, the fee payable shall be the same as is specified for conversations on telephone trunk lines.

(2) When it is necessary to send a messenger for the person to be spoken to, the following charges shall be made in addition to the charge specified in the last preceding clause:—

(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 the fee of 3d., the usual porterage fees charged for the delivery of telegrams, shall be made.

At offices where messengers are not provided by the Department the services specified in sub-sections (a) and (b)of clause 2 of this regulation cannot be performed.

PART III.—TRANSMISSION OF TELEGRAMS BY TELEPHONE.

36. Subscribers to telephone exchanges may transmit by telephone to any telegraph office which is connected with a telephone exchange messages intended to be further transmitted, or, where practicable, delivered from the telegraph office to the respective destinations of such messages as telegrams; provided they pay the usual cost of such telegrams in addition to the rates for transmission through the telephone. Where subscribers’ premises are situated beyond two miles radially from the nearest telegraph office, the service provided for in this regulation will be given free, but for subscribers situated within two miles radially from the nearest telegraph office the service will be charged for as provided in Regulation 39.

37. Subscribers may also, at their option, and on giving written notice to that effect, have telegrams addressed to them forwarded by telephone from the telegraph office of destination to their telephonic address, provided that the telegraph office and the subscribers are connected to the same telephone exchange or network, and copies of such telegrams will, at the same time, be posted for delivery to their address, stamped on the face “Transmitted by Telephone.”

38. Where subscribers are resident beyond one mile radially from the Chief District Telegraph Office, the service provided for in Regulation 37 will be given free, but for subscribers situated within one mile radially from the Chief District Telegraph Office, the service will be charged for as provided in Regulation 39.

39. For the transmission of telegrams by telephone as provided by Regulations 36 and 37 where those services are not given free, any subscriber may elect either to pay an annual fee of £3 3s. or to pay for each individual telegram transmitted.

The charges for transmitting telegrams through the telephone when the annual fee of £3 3s. has not been paid shall be—

For each message sent or received.............................................................. 3d.

40. The payment of the fee of £3 3s. required by regulation 39 will cover the transmission of telegrams in both directions, as provided for in regulations 36 and 37. In cases where extraordinary services are required, such as for the telephoning of press telegrams to news agencies, newspapers, &c., a special charge, by arrangement to be approved by the Postmaster-General, shall be made.

41. Where requests are made for telegrams to be transmitted by telephone over trunk lines, for the use of which fees as per Regulations 35 and 52 are chargeable, these fees must be paid in addition to the above charges.

42. In addition to the rates specified herein, the cost of the telegram must be paid at the usual rates for telegrams, but the use of the telephone for sending or receiving telegrams will not be counted or charged as a call.

43. The transcription of telegrams telephoned by subscribers shall, so far as the Department is concerned, become the original telegrams, but the Department shall not assume, nor be subject to, any liability by reason, or on account of any failure, delay, or mistake, in or about the transmission, receipt, or delivery of any telegram under this arrangement from whatever cause the same may arise.

44. Persons wishing to avail themselves of the abovementioned arrangement must deposit with the Department a sum sufficient to cover the cost of the telegrams for one month, such deposit to be renewed monthly, or more frequently, if necessary.

 

45. The precaution of asking the officer who receives a message by telephone to repeat it through the telephone after transcribing it, and before transmitting it by wire to destination, must always be adopted. It must then be accepted by the sender as correct.

46.The free transmission by telephone of telegrams addressed to subscribers will be effected only where a re-direction of such telegram is unnecessary. Telegrams addressed to the place of business of any subscriber, and transmitted by telephone to his residence, will be charged for as provided by Regulation 39.

47. Subscribers who are entitled to the transmission of telegrams by telephone, whether free or by payment of the fee prescribed by Regulation 39, may use their surname, together with the telephone exchange name and number, as an abbreviated telegraphic address. For example—

Smith, Telephone 1234, Sydney; or Brown, Telephone 567, Brisbane, would be accepted as sufficient addresses.

The responsibility for giving the correct telephone exchange address, name, and number rests with the sender of the telegram.

48. Telegrams advising the movements of shipping may be sent from the various coast stations, connected by telegraph in any State, and telephoned to any subscribers on application on payment of the ordinary telegram rates.

PART IV.—PUBLIC TELEPHONES.

49. (1) The fee for the use of a public telephone shall be uniformly one penny for a conversation of three minutes, or part of three minutes, whether the call be made by subscribers or non-subscribers.

(2) This fee covers only the conversation from the public telephone to any subscriber connected with the network of the Exchange to which that public telephone is connected. The network includes the main and branch exchanges, but does not include trunk lines.

(3) If a person speak from one public telephone to a person at a second public telephone the fee for the use of each telephone must be paid.

(4) When a public telephone is used for the purpose of conversing over a trunk line, the fee for the use of the public telephone shall be charged in addition to that for the use of the trunk line.

(5) The fee prescribed in this Regulation shall be paid for the use of any public telephone situated within ten miles radially from the Central Telephone Exchange in the case of telephone networks of cities or towns having a population of more than 10,000 resident within ten miles radially from the Central Telephone Exchange, or situated within five miles in the case of other networks or exchanges.

(6) For the use of public telephones beyond these distances respectively the Trunk Line charges specified in Regulation 52 shall be paid.

(7) Public telephones will not be opened unless the estimated revenue to be derived annually is equal to the ordinary charge for Telephone Exchange service.

PART V.—TELEPHONES TO STEAMSHIPS OR WHARVES.

50. Telephones to Steamships or Wharves will be provided upon the terms shown in Part I. of these Regulations, and subject to the following conditions:—

If the subscriber desires to place the instruments at the disposal of passengers and others, the Regulations in Part VII. hereof shall apply.

If the subscriber wishes the instruments to be movable, the Department will provide the necessary plugs and jacks at the rates specified in Regulation 30, together with flexible connecting wires of not more than 10 yards in length, and will either connect the instrument on the ship at the expense of the user in each case, or will give such directions as may be necessary to enable the users to make such connexions themselves, in which case the users shall be responsible for the proper connexion, disconnexion, and safe keeping of the instruments.

Flexible connecting wires of greater length than 10 yards will, if required, be provided on payment of the cost of the extra wire.

The subscriber shall provide, free of cost and to the Department’s satisfaction, proper accommodation for telephones placed on wharves, and shall be responsible for the proper care of the instruments.

Public Telephones will be provided on wharves on the terms shown in Part IV. of these Regulations.

PART VI.—TELEPHONE JUNCTION AND TRUNK LINES.

51. Telephone Junction Lines.—Junction lines are those lines which join one telephone exchange with another, and which junction lines do not extend beyond ten (10) miles radially from the Central Telephone Exchange in the case of telephone networks of cities, or towns having a population of more than 10,000 resident within ten (10) miles radially from the Central Telephone Exchange, nor five (5) miles in the case of other networks or exchanges.

Those lines may be used by subscribers without extra charge, but no subscriber shall be allowed to use any junction line for more than five minutes at one time. Any person exceeding this limit may be disconnected if there be other applicants waiting to use the line. Subscribers shall be connected, as far as possible, in order of application.

52. Telephone Trunk Lines.—Lines joining two separate towns, or lines joining exchanges other than those specified in the last preceding Regulation, are classed as trunk lines, and their use shall be charged for as provided hereunder, the charges being calculated upon the actual length of trunk line used:—

For each conversation on lines.	Three Minutes.		Every Additional Three Minutes.
s.	d.	s.	d.
15 miles in length or under.....................................................	0	4	...		0	3
Over 15 miles and up to 25 miles in length.............................	0	6	...		0	4
Over 25 miles and up to 50 miles in length.............................	0	10	...		0	6
Over 50 miles and up to 75 miles in length.............................	1	2	...		0	9
Over 75 miles and up to 100 miles in length............................	1	6	...		1	0
Over 100 miles and up to 125 miles in length..........................	1	10	...		1	2
Over 125 miles and up to 150 miles in length..........................	2	2	...		1	5
Over 150 miles and up to 175 miles in length..........................	2	6	...		1	8
Over 175 miles and up to 200 miles in length..........................	2	10	...		1	10
Over 200 miles and up to 225 miles in length..........................	3	2	...		2	1
Over 225 miles and up to 250 miles in length..........................	3	6	...		2	4
Over 250 miles and up to 275 miles in length..........................	3	10	...		2	6
Over 275 miles and up to 300 miles in length..........................	4	2	...		2	9
Over 300 miles and up to 325 miles in length..........................	4	6	…	3		0
Over 325 miles and up to 350 miles in length..........................	4	10	…	3		2

53. (1) Subscribers to telephone exchanges may use the trunk lines when required, by paying the trunk line fees prescribed by Regulation 52 for each connexion of three minutes’ duration or fraction thereof, provided a sum of money equal to their estimated requirements for one month be paid in advance. All accounts to be rendered monthly, reimbursements to be promptly made, and no connexion to be made after notification that the advance has been exhausted until it has been renewed.

(2) No person to be allowed the use of the trunk line for more than six minutes consecutively, if other applicants are waiting to use it; but if the line be disengaged, an extension of time will be granted on payment of the additional fee for every three minutes or portion thereof.

(3) In cases where the line is engaged, applications will be registered, and connexion will be made in the order of priority of application.

54. (1) Calls over trunk lines shall not be included nor charged in the conversations allowed under Regulation 7. The charges prescribed by this Part of these Regulations only shall be made for those calls.

(2) Calls over trunk lines or from public telephones will be considered effective, and the time will be calculated from the moment that the number called has answered.

(3) The Department cannot guarantee the attendance of any particular person desired at the number asked for, but all reasonable efforts will be made to obtain the attendance of a particular person at the number asked for if the calling subscriber makes the request at the time he asks for the use of the trunk line.

Press Rates.

55. Where telephone trunk lines connect two towns, at both of which telephone attendants are employed during the night the charge for conversations in the nature of press telegrams, as defined in the Telegraph Regulations under the head “Press Telegrams,” between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., shall be as follows:—

Distance.	Rate for Five Minutes’ Conversation.
Not exceeding 50 miles..............	Sixpence
Not exceeding 100 miles............	Ninepence
Not exceeding 150 miles............	One shilling and one penny
Not exceeding 200 miles............	One shilling and fivepence
Not exceeding 250 miles............	One shilling and ninepence
Not exceeding 300 miles............	Two shillings and one penny

Ordinary business shall take precedence of that sent at press rates.

PART VII.—USE OF SUBSCRIBERS’ TELEPHONES BY THE PUBLIC ON THE TICKET SYSTEM, OR ON PAYMENT.

56. Any subscriber to a telephone exchange who pays a subscription at a business “flat rate,” entitling him to make an unlimited number of local calls without further charge, subject to the Regulations in force on the 31st January. 1907, or any subscriber to a telephone exchange who pays the rates prescribed by these Regulations, may apply to the Deputy Postmaster-General for permission to place his telephone at the service of the public.

57. The Deputy Postmaster-General may, if he thinks fit, grant the permission applied for and thereupon the telephone shall be available for public use subject to these regulations.

 

58. The subscriber shall, if the permission is granted, provide and exhibit a plain and legible notice in a prominent position on his premises indicating that the telephone is available for public use.

59. A charge of one penny for each conversation of three minutes, or part of three minutes, shall be made, and shall be paid either by ticket, or where coin-in-the-slot machines are provided, by coin, as herein provided.

60. Tickets for the payment of conversation charges shall be issued by the Postmaster-General’s Department, and sold at the price of one penny each. Books containing twelve tickets each may be purchased on application to the General Post Office.

61. Any person who desires to use the telephone shall either insert one penny in the proper receptacle or place a ticket in a locked box, to be provided and kept by the subscriber, but opened and cleared only by an officer of the Postmaster-General’s Department, and may then use the telephone.

62. A payment of one penny additional, or an additional ticket, must be placed in the box for each three minutes, or part of three minutes, by which the conversations exceed the first three minutes.

63. The subscriber shall be entitled to receive one-half the value of the coins or tickets removed from the receptacle by the officer who opens it.

64. When the telephone of any subscriber who pays a subscription at a business “flat rate,” in accordance with the Regulations in force on the 31st January, 1907, is available for public use, nothing in these Regulations shall affect the use of the telephone by the subscriber, his family, or employés in his business.

65. Charges for conversations over trunk lines from any subscriber’s telephone available for use by the public shall not be paid by coins placed in the receptacle, but shall be paid to the Department by the subscriber, without any deduction, and in addition to the fee prescribed by Regulation 59 being placed in the coin receptacle.

PART VIII.—FIRE BRIGADE LINES.

66. Rented fire brigade lines, together with additional instruments thereon, which are connected with exchanges, for ordinary conversations, shall be charged ordinary exchange rates, less 25 per centum, and the fire brigades shall be allowed to use their own instruments if of a type approved by the Deputy Postmaster-General.

67. Fire brigade lines, which are only connected with exchanges in order that subscribers may send an alarm of fire, and those lines which connect a head fire brigade station to a subordinate fire brigade station, as well as, those used by fire brigades for fire alarm purposes, shall be charged for as follows:—

The total actual length of the circuits rented shall be aggregated, and an annual rental charged on the aggregate total at the rate of 25s. per mile, or part thereof.

68. Where the cost of construction of fire brigade lines has been paid for by the fire brigades, existing arrangements may continue as regards those lines, if so desired by the fire brigades; and the maintenance fee shall be 15s. per annum per mile of circuit (exclusive of instruments), or portion thereof. New lines must be rented, in accordance with Part VIII. of these Regulations.

69. The instruments for non-exchange fire brigade lines may be supplied either by the fire brigade, at their own cost, or by the Postmaster-General, at the costof the fire brigades, as may be agreed on.

70. Rented fire brigade lines shall be subject to the general provisions of Part I. of these Regulations, where they do not conflict with Part. VIII.

PART IX.—MILITARY LINES.

71. When telephone lines required for military purposes, only, and which do not connect with any public telephone system, are erected upon military reserves or premises, and partly upon poles of the Postmaster-General, the charges payable for the portion of such lines erected on poles of the Postmaster-General shall be at the rate of 25s. per annum per mile, or part thereof, calculated upon the aggregate length of the circuits.

PART X.—BURGLAR ALARMS.

72. Application for burglar alarm connexions between any two or more points named by those desiring the service must be made in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General, from whom all particulars relating to the system can be obtained. The nature of the service required must be stated by the applicant.

73. All lines in connexion with the burglar alarms will be erected and supplied, as well as maintained, by the Postmaster-General, and will be his property.

74. The apparatus may be supplied and maintained by the user, but must be of a type approved by the Deputy Postmaster-General, or will be supplied and maintained by the Postmaster-General at the rates shown in Regulation 75, and will then remain the property of the Postmaster-General.

75. The rates payable (in advance) for the service shall be as follows:—

For each quarter-mile of actual length of wire, or portion thereof up to one mile..........................................................................................	£1	per annum
For each half-mile of actual length of wire, or portion thereof over one mile..........................................................................................	£1	per annum
For each set of apparatus at the place protected—
Type A.........................................................................	£1	per annum
Type B..........................................................................	£1	per annum
For each set of apparatus, at the protecting point—
Type A.........................................................................	£1	per annum
Type B..........................................................................	£ 3	per annum

The type of apparatus to be used, as set out above, may be selected by the subscriber.

76. The lines and apparatus, if supplied by the Postmaster-General, must be rented for a term of not less than three years.

77. Every application for the connexion of a burglar alarm service to any point beyond the premises occupied by the applicant must be accompanied by the written consent to such connexion of the owner of the premises to be connected, or other proper authority.

78. The Postmaster-General does not guarantee the efficiency of any service supplied or maintained under these regulations, and neither the Postmaster-General nor the Commonwealth shall have any liability in respect of any defect or want of efficiency in the line, apparatus, or service.

PART XI.—TIME SIGNALS.

79. Subscribers to telephone exchanges equipped with the necessary apparatus may, on payment of a fee of £1per annum, have the exact time signalled on their telephone at 1 p.m. daily, Sundays, and holidays excepted.

PART XII.—TELEPHONE LINES NOT CONNECTED WITH EXCHANGES.

80. (1) Private telephone lines (special single wire and instruments not connected directly with any exchange) may be provided and maintained between private houses, offices, warehouses, mines, factories, or other places on payment of the following rates annually in advance for a term of not less than three years, and subject to the same general conditions as those which apply to lines to the telephone exchanges:—

If within a radius of 10 miles from the Post Office, in the case of cities or towns having a population of 10,000 resident within that area—

For each quarter-mile or fraction thereof, of actual length of wire, up to one mile................................................................................................	£ 1
For each additional half-mile or fraction thereof.......................................	£ 1

In other places—

(a) Wire erected on existing poles.

For each half-mile or fraction thereof, of actual length of wire, for such portion of the line................................................ 15s. per annum

(b) Where poles are not available.

For each quarter-mile or fraction thereof, on which poles have to be erected............. £ 1 per annum

(2) If metallic circuits are required for private lines, they will be provided upon payment of 50 per cent. advance upon the rates for wire named herein.

(3) The telephones and other apparatus for use by the subscriber on lines provided for in this regulation may be erected and maintained by the user if he so desires, or by the Postmaster-General, upon payment of the following charges annually in advance:—

£	s.	d.
Telephone wall instruments, ordinary...................................................	2	0	0
Telephone instruments, special, including table sets..............................	2	10	0
For each jack, or jack and plug............................................................	0	2	6
For each shutter with local bell contact, but without bell or battery........	0	5	0
Intermediate switches, or switches, used to divide or join two telephone circuits, with magneto bell, per set....................................................................	0	10	0
Magneto extension bells, including two-way switch..............................	0	2	6
Trembling bell, 3-inch, with battery, including two-way switch.............	0	10	0
Trembling bell, 5-inch, with battery, including two-way switch.............	0	15	0

Special appliances and specified patterns of instruments as per agreement.

 

PART XIII.—TELEPHONE LINES CONNECTING WITH TRUNK LINE SWITCHBOARDS, OR TELEGRAPH OFFICES ONLY.

81. Telephone lines connecting a subscriber with a telephone trunk line switchboard only, and not available for any purpose other than conversations over trunk lines, for which conversations the rates specified in Regulation 52 are to be paid, and telephone lines, connecting a subscriber with a telegraph office for use only in connexion with the transmission of telegrams at the prescribed rates, or telephone lines used for both the purposes named, will be provided on payment of the following rates annually in advance, and subject to the same general conditions as, lines to telephone exchanges, Part I.—

Where the complete service is provided by the Postmaster-General—

For a line not exceeding one mile radially from the trunk line switchboard or telegraph office, together with one wall instrument for use by the subscriber, and the necessary connexion to the trunk line switchboard or telegraph office..................................................	£ 3
For each additional half-mile of line or fraction thereof......................	£ 1

82. Where the service is provided partly by the Postmaster-General and partly by the applicant—

For a line (single wire circuit) not exceeding one mile radially from the switchboard or telegraph office, with the necessary connexion thereto........................................................	£2	5	0
For each additional mile of line (single circuit) or portion thereof...................................................................................	£1	5	0

83. Where the service is provided partly by the Postmaster-General and partly by the applicant, the instrument at the subscriber’s premises, and any line necessary to connect such instrument with the wire of the Postmaster General, shall be provided and maintained by the user, subject to Part XIV. of these Regulations, the general provisions of which Part of these Regulations, shall also apply to such lines.

PART XIV.—TELEPHONE LINES IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS NOT ERECTED, OR ONLY PARTLY ERECTED, BY THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.

84. The Postmaster-General reserves the right to erect all private lines within the boundaries of any railway line, municipality, township, or village, or along any public road.

85. (1) Any person wishing to erect a private telephone line passing beyond the boundary of his own land, must make application for permission to the Deputy Postmaster-General.

(2) With the application must 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.

(3) Where the line is erected upon private land, the method of construction shall be at the option of the persons constructing the line, subject to the approval, in writing, of the owners of the land, the onus of obtaining which approval shall lie upon the persons constructing the line.

C.14289. B

 

(4) Where the line is erected upon public land of the Commonwealth or of a State, or on or across a road, railway, track, 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 Deputy Postmaster-General, but the approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(5) The Deputy Postmaster-General may direct an officer of the Department to examine the application and the accompanying particulars, and, if necessary, make an inspection of the route.

(6) The cost of such inspection shall be borne by the person wishing to erect the line.

(7) Should the report of such officer disclose that the line will not in any way interfere with or endanger any other line of telegraph, whether belonging to the Postmaster-General, the Railway authorities, or any private person, 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 Postmaster-General may, upon payment of the prescribed fees, grant permission to erect such line.

(8) Provided, however, that such permission shall in no case be granted where a line is to run from a point in the vicinity of a telegraph office to another point in a like vicinity unless the line is to connect to or through a telegraph office.

86. Permission shall not be granted for any such line to be erected along any public road, railway, or track, unless the Deputy Postmaster-General is satisfied that it is in every respect unobjectionable, and that the consents of the Railway and local authorities, where necessary, have been obtained.

87. The Postmaster-General reserves the right to refuse permision to erect private telephone lines along a public road, railway, or track, where poles of the Postmaster-General are already available for those lines.

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

89. The person to whom the permission has been granted shall, upon the completion of the line, inform the Deputy Postmaster-General thereof, and an officer of the Department may then be sent to inspect the line and report whether it has been constructed in accordance with these regulations. The cost of such inspection shall be borne by the person to whom permission to erect the line has been given. If the line has not been constructed in accordance with these regulations, the inspecting officer shall issue instructions as to what is required, and, on the defects being made good, a licence to use the line may be issued.

90. Should the person to whom permission has been granted to erect the line fail to construct it in accordance with, or to comply with, the requirements of these regulations, the Deputy Postmaster-General may take such steps as he deems necessary to obtain compliance with the regulations, and a licence to use the line shall not be issued until the requirements of the Deputy Postmaster-General have been satisfactorily complied with, and any expense entailed upon the Department in connexion therewith shall have been paid by the person concerned.

91. On the completion of the line to the satisfaction of the Deputy Postmaster-General, a licence to use it shall be issued. A licence-fee of one shilling per annum, payable in advance, shall be charged, irrespective

of the length of the line. This fee covers only the use of one line connecting two points. If additional points are connected, whether by means of a switchboard at a central switching point, or by direct connexions to the line, a further fee of one shilling per annum for each additional point so connected shall be charged, and, in the case of a line joining two separate holdings, a separate licence-fee shall be charged for each holding occupied by a different lessee, irrespective of the length of the line.

92. Where the line is erected partly on existing poles, the property of the Postmaster-General, a sum of 25s. per annum per mile of wire, or portion thereof, shall be charged for the portion soerected, in addition to the licence-fee mentioned, the wire on these poles shall be erected and maintained by the Postmaster-General, and the licensee must undertake to rent the wire on the Department’s poles for a period of at least six years.

93. (1) If a private telephone line connect with a telegraph office, the following charges shall be payable in respect of such connexion:—

(2) For every telephone which connects or can connect with any telegraph office, whether the connexion is direct or by means of a switchboard at a central switching point upon the privately-constructed line, a fee of £1 per annum to cover the cost of attention to and maintenance of the telephone and other apparatus to be provided by the Postmaster-General for use at the telegraph office.

(3) The telephone for the use of the licensee may be provided by him, but must be of a pattern approved by the Deputy Postmaster-General, and must be maintained by the licensee to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General.

94. Where two or more such telephone lines in country districts not erected, or only partly erected, by the Postmaster-General connect with any telegraph office, inter-communication between them will be given upon payment of the fees prescribed by Regulation 109, Part XV.

95. If a private telephone line connect with a telegraph office, telegrams received or intended for transmission over the wires of the Postmaster-General in the usual way will be received or transmitted over such private telephone line on payment of the ordinary telegraphic charges only.

96. (1) Every message passing in either direction between any point connected with any private telephone line and the telegraph office to which such line connects, shall be charged for at the following rates:—

(a)For every message intended for delivery within a radius of one mile from the telegraph office to which the private telephone line connects........................................................................................	3d.
(b)For every message handed in at the telegraph office to which the private telephone connects for transmission over the private telephone line to the licensee’s office	3d.

(2) Regulations, 95 and 96 apply not only to telegrams and messages upon the business of the licensee, but also to telegrams or messages from or to any other person, which telegrams or messages may be transmitted over the licensee’s wire with his consent, but no charges other than the charges specified in these Regulations may be made for such communications. (See also Regulation 100.)

97. The licensee shall deposit in advance with the officer in charge of the telegraph office with which the private line is connected, a sum calculated to meet the cost of all telegrams, conversations, or messages likely to pass over the line for a period of one month, such deposit to be renewed monthly, or more frequently if necessary, and the licensee must accept as correct the statement of such officer as to the charges payable by such licensee.

98. (1) For conversations over any such private telephone line connected with a telegraph office, the following charges shall be made:—

(a)For a messenger sent to call any person residing within the usual radius of free delivery of telegrams to the office................................................................................................ 3d.

(b)For a messenger sent to call any person from beyond the radius of free delivery of telegrams, the usual porterage charges in addition to the above-mentioned charge of 3d.

(c)For each conversation of three minutes, or portion thereof............................... 1d.

(2) This regulation applies not only to conversations between the licensee and any other person, but also to conversations between any two persons who use the line with the licensee’s consent, but no charges other than the charges specified in these Regulations may be made for those conversations. (See also Regulation 100.)

99. Provided, however, that the facilities mentioned in Regulation 98 shall be given only when the telephone is so placed in the telegraph office as not to require access to the portions of the office premises which, by regulation, are not open to the public; and that the facilities mentioned in Regulations 96 (1a) and 98 (1a) and (b)shall be given only at offices where the delivery of messages is undertaken.

100. The licensee of a private telephone line shall not make any charge beyond those specified in these regulations for the transmission of any communication over such line, nor shall be receive any valuable consideration for such privilege without the authority of the Postmaster-General. (See Post and Telegraph Act 1901, Section 129.)

101. The Deputy Postmaster-General may direct an official inspection to be made periodically of such portions of the telephone lines as are not upon private lands, and the officer making the inspection may direct the licensee to make such alterations or repairs as to him appear necessary, and the licensee shall immediately carry out his directions. In the event of the licensee failing to do so within a reasonable time, the officer shall report to that effect, and the licence to use the line may be cancelled. Periodical inspections under this regulation shall be made free of cost to the licensee of the lines.

102. (1) The licensee shall be wholly responsible for the repair and maintenance of the line (except as regards the portion of it erected on poles the property of the Postmaster-General, and therefore maintained by the Postmaster-General), to the satisfaction of the Deputy Postmaster-General, 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 Deputy Postmaster-General may, in the interest of the public safety or convenience, order to be done, shall be performed by the licensee, or, if undertaken by the Department, shall be charged to the licensee, in which latter case the amount due may be recovered by the ordinary process of the law.

(2) If any portion of the telephone line is erected and maintained by the Postmaster-General, means will be provided by the Department for separating the portion from the privately-constructed portion at will, so that defects may be localized.

103. The licensee of a private telephone line shall be responsible for any injury to life, limb, or property caused by the poles, wire, or other parts of the line (except, however, such portion of the line as is erected on poles the property of the Postmaster-General, or which is maintained by the Postmaster-General).

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

105. In the event of a private telephone line being found to interfere in any way with the erection or use of any line by the Postmaster-General or the Railway authorities, the Deputy Postmaster-General may direct that the private telephone line be altered, removed, re-erected in another position, or otherwise dealt with, as he deems necessary.

106. (1) The Deputy Postmaster-General may authorize the use, by any Government official on public business, of any private telephone line erected under the provisions of these Regulations.

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

107. All fees must, unless otherwise provided by these Regulations, be paid annually in advance.

PART XV.—TELEPHONE LINES IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS PARTLY ERECTED BY THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL, AND WHICH CONNECT WITH TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

108. Where privately-constructed lines exist at the commencement of these Regulations, or are subsequently erected to connect with any town in which a telephone exchange is in operation, they may be connected with the telephone exchange on the following terms:—

(a)If poles of the Postmaster-General are available, the portion of the lines within the boundaries of any township shall be erected and maintained thereon by the Department.

(b)Where poles of the Postmaster-General are not available, and it is not considered desirable that they should be erected by the Department, permission may be given for any portion to be constructed by the user of such privately-constructed line.

(c)Where the portion of the line erected by the Department joins the portion erected by the user, 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 following annual charges shall be made:—

For any distance up to one mile, single wire or metallic circuits, as may be necessary, £ 4.

For each additional half-mile or portion thereof of single wire, 12s. 6d; of metallic circuit, £ 1.

(e)In cases, where the line is extended so that more than one point can communicate with the exchange—

For each additional point.......................................................... £ 2

(f) Mileage of the portion of the line erected by the Department will be calculated radially from the exchange as a centre.

(g) The charges specified in (d) and (e) include—

(1) 1,000 originating calls each half-year from each station through the exchange.

(2) Unlimited calls between any two stations on the same line, such calls not requiring the attention of the exchange.

C.14289. c

 

(3) Provision of all apparatus at the exchange or trunk line switchboard.

(4) The transmission by telephone, without extra charge, of telegrams on which the ordinary charges for transmission over the wires of the Postmaster-General have been paid.

(h) Extra calls shall be charged for as provided in Regulation 7, Part I.

But the provisions of Regulations 96 and 98 shall apply, and the charges specified therein be made when the services provided for therein are required.

A licence-fee of one shilling per annum, as required by Regulation 91, shall also be paid.

109. A person by whom any portion of such a line has been erected shall construct and maintain it, and maintain the instruments connected with it to the satisfaction of the Deputy Postmaster-General. The Postmaster-General will not be responsible for any portion of the line not erected by or for the Department.

The telephones for use on the lines must be of a pattern approved by the Deputy Postmaster-General, and must be maintained to his satisfaction by the licensee.

110.The cost of any necessary inspection of the privately-constructed line or instruments connected therewith shall be paid by the person for whose use the line has been erected.

111. Should the person using the line not maintain the portion constructed by him, or the instruments, connected therewith, to the satisfaction of the Department, after reasonable notice has been given him so to do, the service at the exchange may be discontinued without prejudice to the right of the Postmaster-General to recover any fees payable by the user.

112. In cases where the Postmaster-General permits the user to erect the whole of the line from his premises to the Department’s terminal pole outside any telephone exchange or any public office at which a telephone service is or may be provided by the Department, the charges specified in Part XV., Regulation 108 (d), will be reduced by £2per annum, but the other provisions of Part XV. of the Regulations shall apply.

113. Where they do not conflict with any regulation in this Part, the regulations contained in Part XIV. shall also apply.

PART XVI.—TELEPHONE LINES IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS ERECTED AT THE COST OF THE USERS UPON POLES OF THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.

114. (1) The cost of all material and supervision necessary to erect the wire upon poles, of the Department shall be borne by the subscriber.

(2) The subscriber may, instead of paying for labour provided by the Postmaster-General, provide the labour himself, to the satisfaction of the Deputy Postmaster-General; but in such case the direction and control of the work performed shall rest with the Postmaster-General’s officers.

(3) The subscriber shall pay to the Postmaster-General a sum of 5s. per annum for each mile of wire, or portion thereof, as rental for the use of the poles on which the wire is erected.

(4) The subscriber shall agree to remove the material from the poles of the Postmaster-General to his satisfaction at any time when required to do so, but not earlier than six years from the date of construction.

(5) The subscriber shall not be responsible for any portion of the cost of maintaining or renewing the poles, upon which the wire is erected.

(6) The subscriber shall not, without the consent of the Postmaster-General, transfer his right to the wire or to the use thereof.

(7) Should any pole of the Postmaster-General require renewal by reason of ordinary decay, the Postmaster-General’s officers shall place the subscriber’s wire on the new pole without cost to the subscriber.

(8) Should any pole of the Postmaster-General require renewal by reason of bush fires or similar unusual causes, the cost of removing the subscriber’s wire from the old to the new poles of the Postmaster-General shall be borne by the subscriber.

(9) The Postmaster-General shall not be responsible for the maintenance of the wire or insulators or for the removal of any defects whatsoever from the portion of the subscriber’s line which is erected subject to these conditions upon the poles of the Postmaster-General, but the Postmaster-General 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.

(10) Should the subscriber’s wire or insulators interfere with the use by the Postmaster-General of the poles on which they are erected, he may remove the wire or insulators, or alter their positions, as may be found necessary.

(11) All material used on poles of the Postmaster-General shall be subject to the approval of the Deputy Postmaster-General.

(12) The subscriber shall have no right to enter upon any works of the Postmaster-General, climb any pole, or do any work on any telegraph line of the Postmaster-General without the authority in writing of the Deputy Postmaster-General.

(13) Any works undertaken by the subscriber for the maintenance of any wire upon the poles of the Postmaster-General shall be performed at his own risk and cost.

(14) The actual cost of any works performed by or on behalf of the Postmaster-General for the removal of defects or maintenance of the subscriber’s wire or insulators upon the poles of the Postmaster-General shall be paid to the Postmaster-General by the subscriber within one month from the date of demand.

(15) These Regulations shall not apply within the boundaries of any township nor within a radius of one mile from any telegraph office, post office, or telephone exchange.

(16) The Postmaster-General accepts no responsibility in respect of any wires erected under these Regulations.

PART XVII.—ERECTION OF PUBLIC TELEGRAPH OR TELEPHONE LINES UNDER GUARANTEE.

115. Any person may apply in writing to the Postmaster-General for the construction of a telegraph or telephone line under these Regulations.

116. Each application will be dealt with on its merits, but no applition will be granted unless the Postmaster-General is satisfied that the line applied for is required in the public interest.

117. No application shall be granted for the construction of a line not likely to yield a minimum revenue within a period of eight years after the construction of the line, unless the Postmaster-General is satisfied that there are special circumstances rendering its construction desirable.

118. If the line is not likely to yield, annually, an amount sufficient to provide—

(a) For the cost of operating the line; and

(b)Ten per centum on the cost of constructing the line and supplying the instruments (to cover maintenance, renewals, &c.)

(which amount is referred to in these Regulations as a minimum revenue), the applicants shall, for the purpose of guaranteeing the receipt of that amount, comply with the following conditions, namely:—

(a)The applicants shall deposit with the Postmaster-General a sum of money equal to the difference between the estimated revenue from the line for two years and the minimum revenue for two years.

(b)The applicants shall enter into a joint and several bond, in a sum to be fixed by the Postmaster-General, conditioned to make good, to an extent not exceeding the difference between the estimated revenue and the minimum revenue, any sum by which the receipts from the line in any year, during a period of seven years after the completion of the line, fall short of a minimum revenue.

119. The sum deposited with the Postmaster-General shall be placed to his credit in a Savings Bank, and such sum and any interest thereon shall be available for the purpose of making good in any year any amount by which the yearly receipts from the line fall short of a minimum revenue, and the sums required for that purpose may be withdrawn from the bank and paid to the Consolidated Revenue Fund at such times as the Postmaster-General thinks proper.

120. The bond shall be in a form approved by the Postmaster-General, and payments under it shall be made within one month after demand by the Postmaster-General; but no such demand shall be made so long as the sum deposited, or any balance thereof, is sufficient to make good the amount required.

121. After the expiration of seven years from the completion of the line, the bond may be renewed or a new bond executed for such further period as the Postmaster-General directs, and if the bond is not so renewed, or a new bond executed, the Postmaster-General may, unless he is satisfied that the line will yield a minimum revenue, remove it and the instruments.

122. Any balance of the sum deposited or interest thereon may, after the expiration of seven years from the completion of the line, be returned to the applicants.

123. The line and instruments shall remain the property of the Postmaster-General.

PART XVIII.—PUBLIC TELEGRAPH (OR TELEPHONE) LINES ERECTED AND MAINTAINED BY THE PERSONS DESIRING SUCH LINES, INSTEAD OF BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER GUARANTEE.

124. In cases where the estimated probable telegraph (or telephone) revenue is not sufficient to justify the erection and maintenance by the Department of a telegraph (or telephone) line for public use without guarantee, and where it is considered by the persons applying for the erection

 

and maintenance of a telegraph or telephone line, that it will be to their advantage to construct and maintain the line at their own expense, the Postmaster-General may authorize the construction and maintenance of the line by those persons subject to the following conditions:—

1. The erection of the line shall be subject to the Regulations contained in Part XIV. of these Regulations, so far as they are applicable, but so that—

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, or in any regulations, the persons constructing the line shall not have or exercise any power to enter upon or interfere with any private land without the consent, in writing, of the owner thereof, the onus of obtaining which consent shall lie upon the persons constructing the line.

(b)Where the line is erected upon private land, the method of construction shall be at the option of the persons, constructing the line, subject to the approval, in writing, of the owners of the land, the onus of obtaining which approval shall lie upon the persons constructing the line.

(c) Where the line is erected upon public land of the Commonwealth or of a State, or on or across a road, railway, track, 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 Deputy Postmaster-General, but the approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(d) No licence-fees shall be charged.

2. The persons constructing and maintaining the line shall nominate and submit to the Postmaster-General the names, of one or two persons as the trustees for the line, to represent them, and to receive on their account the amounts payable by the Postmaster-General, as hereinafter provided, for the use of the line for public purposes.

3. Upon the completion of the line the Postmaster-General may make arrangements for its use for public business, and provide for such attendance as, may be necessary for operating the line at the cost of his Department.

4. The charge for the use of the line by all persons, including those by whom it has been erected, and by whom it is to be maintained, shall be those prescribed by the Act or Regulations, for the time being, for telegrams or telephonic conversations.

5. In consideration of the erection and maintenance by the persons concerned of the line for public business, the Postmaster-General shall pay to the trustees for the line such a sum as is from time to time agreed upon, but not more than will equal a payment for every message transmitted from the new offices on the line of two-thirds of the rates prescribed for suburban telegraph messages, or not more than two-thirds of the rate prescribed for telephonic conversations with the office with which the line is directly connected.

6. The Postmaster-General may at any time take possession of the line, paying to the owners thereof such compensation as is agreed upon, or, failing agreement, as is settled by arbitration as provided by section 155 of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901.

 

PART XIX.—MISCELLANEOUS.

Temporary Telephonic Communication.

125. In cases where temporary telephonic communication is required at rifle ranges, cricket matches, races, or other public gatherings, such communication will be provided by the Postmaster-General under the following conditions:—The cost of connecting and dismantling the telephone service to be paid for by the associations or persons requiring the same, which cost shall include only labour, perishable material, and any special line construction, but shall not include the cost of instruments.

In addition to which the following charges shall be payable:—

If the telephones are used without exchange service, 10s. per month or portion thereof up to six months, for each set of telephones used.

If the telephones are connected with any public telephone exchange, the rates prescribed by Part IV. or Part VI. of these Regulations.

Transaction of Business after usual Office Hours.

126. Arrangements may be made to keep any telephone office open for the transmission of telephone messages after the ordinary business hours, upon notice being given to the officer in charge, at least one hour before the ordinary time of closing, and upon payment of a deposit of 2s. 6d. for the first hour or portion thereof, and 1s. 6d. for every subsequent hour 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 must be paid for at the usual rates.

General.

127. Amendments may from time to time be made to the Regulations, and amendments so made may be made applicable to the services established before the commencement of those amendments, as well as to services established after the commencement of those amendments.

128. On being given a telephone service subscribers shall, in all cases, be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the several provisions of the Regulations in force from time to time.

129. (1) In any case where it is desired or proposed to open a telephone exchange, full particulars should be furnished to the Deputy Postmaster-General as to—

(a) The number of persons who propose to join the exchange.

(b) The points to be connected, with radial distance from the post office.

(c)Information respecting any portion of the lines which can be erected by the applicants in conformity with the Regulations.

(d) Any further information required by the Deputy Postmaster-General.

(2) Upon receipt of the required information, the Postmaster-General will determine whether the exchange is to be opened, and, if so, under what conditions and rates.

Repeal.

130. Except so far as the contrary intention appears in these Regulations, all previous Regulations relating to telephonic and other like services made under the Post and. Telegraph Act 1901 are repealed.

 

By Authority: J. Kemp, Acting Government Printer, Melbourne.