110 The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 



to Glencaple, and in the following year a line was opened between 

 Dumfries and Annan. Call offices were established at Car- 

 rutherstown and in Annan, and from these the general public 

 could speak for three minutes on payment of a fee of 6d. Sub- 

 scribers were entitled to communicate with parties within a radius 

 of six miles without any extra charge being made, but a fee of 4d 

 for three minutes was charged when they desired to converse with 

 individuals outside this area.^^ 



In the annual schedule of the National Telephone Company 

 for the year 1889 it is stated that in the Dumfries centre there are 

 three exchange offices, one each at Dumfries, Annan, and 

 Carrutherstown ; 7 call offices, 72 exchange, and 5 private lines, 

 making a total cf 77. 



In April, 1890, a trunk line was opened between Dumfries 

 and Carlisle, and from that time the service has been steadily 

 increasing. 



It was not, however, until the year 1896 that the Telephone 

 was introduced as part of the equipment of the Dumfries Post 

 Office. 



IX. — The Dumfries Post Office of To-Day. 



The Dumfries Post Office, as w^e know it to-day, was opened 

 in 1889. Situated in Buccleuch (Street, it shows a two-storey ele- 

 vation with deep basement. Admission to the building is gained 

 by two entrances. One of these is a private entrance for the staff 

 and for the despatch and receipt of mails, while the other, 

 approached by means of a flight of steps, admits to the public 

 office, which measures nearly 30 feet in length. 



The counter accommodates six clerks, and runs the entire 

 length of the office. The telegraph desks for the convenience of 

 those who desire to send telegrams are placed under two spacious 

 windows facing Buccleuch Street, and there is a call box on the 

 public side of the counter for those who desire the use of tele- 

 phonic communication. A pneumatic apparatus conveys the tele- 

 grams from the counter to the instrument room on the second 

 floor. To the right of the public office and communicating with 

 it is the private office of the Postmaster. A commodious sorting 

 office measuring 40 feet by 49 feet 6 inches adjoins. It is ade- 



52. " Dumfries Standard," May 11th, 1889. 



