RECORD TRAFFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 229, 27 September 1937, Page 8

RECORD TRAFFIC.

CABLES AND WIRES.

THE SPRINGBOKS' TOUR.

VALUE OF TELEPRINTERS,

Easily a record for cable and telegraphic traffic has been set by the Post and Telegraph Department and the Pacific Cable Board during the Springboks' tour of the Dominion. Although there is still the final game to be played the volume of messages handled alreadv exceeds by a considerable margin that in connection with any previous torn- bv a visiting team.

While the Test matcli was in pro°res-s at Eden Park on Saturday two tele printers underneath the main stand were being worked at their full capacity, onesending a running description and" comment on the play by direct wire to the General Post Office, Wellington, and the other transmitting to the Chief Post Office, Auckland, where the account was relayed by tube to the Pacific Cable Board's room on the top floor and so Hashed overseas. For two and a halt hours the department had a staff of <J at the ground working at full pressure. The traffic was handled without a hitch, each of the teleprinters dispatching over 60 words a minute.

It was explained to-day that the arrangements were similar to thosa made for the first and second Test matches, in Wellington and Christchurch, and that it was the first occasion on which teleprinters had beer operated at the park. On previous tours, it was stated, the department had relied upon Morse, which limited the maximum speed to about 30 words a minute.

Numerous expressions of appreciation of the dispatch with which the telegraphic side of the tour has been handled have been received by the I'. and T. Department over the past two months. The addition to revenue should be considerable, but on this the department is not yet able to supply details.

It was revealed by an official to-day that the record established was due directly to the efficiency of the teleprinter, without which the speed ot transmission would have been reduced by at least half.