CO129-495 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [11-12] — Page 283

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premises in "Exchange Building". Owing to the great demand

for Automatic plant at the present time it is unlikely that

this equipment can be made, installed and tested out, and

about ready for opening before the middle of 1926. By this date

is estimated that all the lines on the existing Central

Exchange, say 6,000, will have been taken up and that they will

be available for transfer.Allowing an annual increase of 400

lines the 7,000 lines equipment should be adequate for require

-ments up to the end of 1931. On the same basis of expansion

the ultimate capacity of 10,000 lines will be reached by about

the middle of 1939. When this time approaches, or if the

development has increased at a higher rate than is here

estimated, it may be desirable to either install a second

exchange in the same premises in "Exchange Building" or to

establish a brench Exchange in either the Eastern or the

Western area, or, eventually, in both. Provision should be made for such Exchanges (two) in the numbering scheme in

connection with the complete Automatic lay-out.

(26). Kowloon. An Exchange of the same ultimate capacity as that proposed for Victoria, but equipped for 2,5000 lines should be provided and installed in premises on a site yet to be selected somewhat to the south of the present telephone centre. This equipment should be supplied in time for the Contractors' installing staff on the Victoria Exchange to proceed with its erection on the Opening of the latter Exchang During the period of installation the local staff employed on the Victoria Exchange will have had time in which to gain experience of the system and they will thus be the better prepared for any difficulties that may arise at the outset in the interworking of the two Exchanges. Assuming that the Victoria Exchange is opened by the middle of 1926 this plant should be completed early in 1929. It is estimated that on the date of opening there will be approximately1,700 lines on the existing magneto exchange ready for transfer, plus sey 200 lines on temporary exchanges which, I understand are now under