THE TALUNE'S WIRELESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14940, 13 March 1912, Page 8

THE TALUNE'S WIRELESS.

INSTALLED AT AUCKLAND. The first wireless installation as yet fitted in a New Zealand port on a vessel has just been installed in the Union Company's steamer Talune, which sailed for the Cook and Society Islands yesterday with the gear in working order. The plant was supplied by the Marconi Company from England, and was installed by. the. company's representative, Mr. W. H. Payne. Although the work was only begun at the end of last week, the apparatus was in working order on Monday night, and as soon as it was connected up communication was established with Wellington, and with tho steamers Maheno and Marama. Tho instrument also received clear messages from Suva, a distance of 1600 miles; but as tho power was temporarily cut off no replies could be given at the time. The plant is the standard 1£ kilowatt ship station. The Tajune's apparatus will be placed in charge of a trained operator supplied by the Marconi Company, and the operator will have to exert himself considerably to keep in touch with land throughout the voyage, as the nearest land stations on the Talune's route to Rarotonga and Tahiti are Wellington and Suva; later on, howi ever, when more stations are supplied round the coasts of New Zealand it will be an easier matter for ships to keep in touch I with the shore. Notwithstanding the dearth of land stations, the operator will find plenty to keep him busy in communicating with other ships whoso routes cross or pass within range of the AucklandRarotonga track among these may be mentioned the trans-Pacific Mail steamers and the Union Company's Island steamers; it is also to be expected that he will frequently get in touch with the New Zealand Shipping Company's and Shaw-Savill ships.