8a["Telephone Progress", The Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA), Saturday 05 August 1911, page 2]

TELEPHONE PROGRESS

Mr. Hearn, of the engineering branch of the telephone department, went North by the Bullarra to establish a telephone exchange at Port Hedland, where thirteen subscribers have been enrolled. He says that in Perth there are charts showing by curves the progress or otherwise of exchanges throughout the State. These are claimed to be sure indications of each district's varying prosperity. In Geraldton's case this is specially noteworthy. During the early years, when the Murchison fields broke out, and while they were in full swing, the number of subscribers reached 74. Then came a slack time for business, and this was indicated by a decline in the number of subscribers, about 43 being the total. The mark-time period lasted from 1900 to about 1907, when there was a bound up to something like 104 at the present time. On the other hand, there is sometimes one steady advance, such as in the agricultural centres Beverley, Wagin, Pingelly. Old-established places like York and Newcastle remained on a level till the last year or so. Carnarvon started some some four years agro with (about) 10 subscribers, and has now (about) 56. At Port Hedland there will be a special construction to withstand the high winds. Iron poles will be erected on each side of the footpath carrying a sixteen-wire arm. This will give an arch-like appearance, and may be mistaken by visitors foi an electric tram overhead system. It has been found very effective in Broome since the last big blow. The only other place in the world where this system is in vogue is a very hilly and breezy town somewhere in Germany. Telephone advance, Mr. Heart went on to inform us, has been in keeping with the recent advance of the State. During the last two years as much has been spent on telephones as during the whole previous history of the State. Four years ago he used to stay in a town till the work of installation was complete, and his district was from Wyndham to Eucla--the whole State. Now his district was the South-West, where he had twenty gangs, ranging from 7 to 20 men each establishing exchanges and running trunk lines, and a month's wages now for the South-West work was greater than that of the installing staff for the whole State four years ago.

8b[Wreck of the "Koombana" - photocopy of material relating to, Harbour and Lights Department, Western Australia, 1912, State Records Office of Western Australia. Series 1618, Cons 5055, Item 001, Telegram from Moore, Chairman West Pilbara Roads Board, to Premier Scaddan, Perth, Monday 25 April 1912]

Pt Hedland

Premier Perth

My Board respectfully suggests that

Koombana Enquiry be not Closed

until evidence is taken at Hedland

Moore Chairman Roads Board

8c[Wreck of the "Koombana" - photocopy of material relating to, Harbour and Lights Department, Western Australia, 1912, State Records Office of Western Australia. Series 1618, Cons 5055, Item 001, Telegram from Coleman, Chairman West Kimberley Roads Board, to Premier Scaddan, Perth, Monday 25 April 1912]

Derby

The Premier Perth

My board and residents Derby

respectfully request that as Port Hedland was last port of

Call of Koombana that all availabl evidence should be taken

from there on enquiry of

Koombana disaster

Coleman

Chairman West Kimberley Rds

8d[Wreck of the "Koombana" - photocopy of material relating to, Harbour and Lights Department, Western Australia, 1912, State Records Office of Western Australia. Series 1618, Cons 5055, Item 001, Telegram from Broome Mayor Hugh D. Norman, on behalf of Council, to Premier Scaddan, Tuesday 26 April 1912]

Broome

The Hon the Premier Perth

Broome Council at Special Meeting

unanimously and respectfully request that

the inquiry re Koombana disaster

be not Closed before Evidence

is taken at Port Hedland

Norman Mayor