WIRELESS APPARATUS ON VESSELS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15289, 27 May 1915, Page 8

WIRELESS APPARATUS ON VESSELS.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST IMPROPER USE.

(SPECIAL TO "T—b press"') AUCKLAND, May 26. _[ .; Some interesting facts were given by the wireless operator on th© steam-ir Rangatira in regard to tho precautions taken by the various port authorities with which they have come in contact during the voyage out to New Zealand. Tho Australian authorities are evidently not taking any risks in regard to the wireless plants on ships entering their ports. Irrespective of nationalit'* all vessels . are subjected to tho same rigid and careful inspection, aud the wireless plant is temporarily put out of gear. "On entering an Australian port," the operator says, "wo are boarded by tho Customs oflicial» and the mechanism is examined, the aerials are dropped and disconnected, the Customs seal is affixed, and the aerial transmission inside i.s disconnected." After these precautions the operator is required to leave his cabin and the doors are sealed until the ship leaves port. The care taken in Australia is most rigid, even morose than at the English docks. In England the ship is not allowed to use the plant, but the only action of the authorities is to lower the aerials. Thie is always done to allow overhauling, ho that there is no extra inconvenience caused. At Cape Town the door of the chamber is simply sealed." - Durimr the time tho ship has heen in Auckland, tho operator states, he has not been approached by anybody nnd 'nothing has been done to prevent the use of tho plant.