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Story: Rural services

Talking on the party line

A 1953 film illustrates how farmers maintained their own telephone system before the Post and Telegraph Department extended its service to outlying areas. After the Second World War many country districts were served by party lines, with up to 10 customers each. Users could listen in on other people’s conversations.

About this item

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kawanatanga
Reference: Telephone Talk. National Film Unit, 1953

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kawanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick. 'Rural services', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 27-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/rural-services/5/5