RADIO DIRECTIONFINDING

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 183, 29 April 1924, Page 5

RADIO DIRECTIONFINDING

EXPERIMENTAL BEACON TO BE ERECTED ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER OF MARINE At the conclusion of the annual meeting of the New Zealand Merchant Service Guild yesterday morning, a luncheon was held in the hall of the Dominion Farmers’ Institute under the presidency of Captain P. S. Peterson. Besides the members of the guild in port, there were present; The Minister of Marine (Hon. J. G. Anderson), the Secretary for Marine (Mr. Godfrey), Commander Vivian, navigating officer of H.M.S. Hood; Mr. A. Besire, president of the Institute, of Marine Engineers; Mr Sommerville, secretary of the same institute; Cantain G. Hull, and Mr. D. C. Bates, Government meteorologist. Commander Vivian was welcomed as the representative of the British Navy, and an officer of the greatest warship which had ever floated on any sea. In the course of hi? response lie stated that he was honoured at being the chosen representative of the Naw at such a gathering. He spoke enthusiastically of the value of the radio beacon as a direction-finder for the shipmaster approaching a coast, and gave examples of its efficacy in his personal experience. Referring to this subject in , the course of his remarks, the Minister of Marine said that from the advice given him it seemed as though the radio direction-finder was, going to bo a great asset to the navigator of the future. He intended to ask the Government for a small grant to coyer the cost of setting up an experimental radio beacon. Incidentally, it is understood that a temporary beacon is to be erected at Tiri Tiri' shortly, and that members of the guild are to be invited to proceed to sea in the Tutanekei to witness the experiments and judge for themselves of the value of the new method of making an accurate landfall in any kind of weather. In proposing the health of the guild, Captain Hull emphasised the importance of members keeping up to date in all modern improvements in the art of navigation. The harbourmaster (Captain Dawson) proposed the health of the Institute of Marine Engineers. Tn response Mr. Besire said it was necessary for the guild and institute to work m harmony, one with the other. Hie president (Captain Peterson) proposed the health of the Meteorological Department, which was suitably replied to by Mr. D. C, Bates, the Government meteorologist. . Commander Vivian, R.N., invited all present to visit the Hood whilst she was in port, at a time to be arranged outside the ordinary public visiting hours This invitation was cordially received, and all concerned will bo notified bv the secretary (Captain Mclndoe) when the visit is to take place.