SHIPPING AND WIRELESS TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 78, 2 April 1914, Page 3

SHIPPING AND WIRELESS TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— ln Saturday's issue there appeared a small paragraph headed "Himitangi," and the crux of it -was that it denied a rumour that had been circulated about a mishap having overtaken this vessel. It is a great pity that the Police Force are not put on to the track of tho maker of these idle Tumours. If they could be traced to the fountain Jiead it would be a good thing for the person that invented the Tumour if he could serve at least ten years in. gaol where he would probably get time to do a little thinking and 'perhaps gain wisdom. There is no more dastardly thing than creating a rumour which is entirely false. The wives of the marihers on board this little vessel have anxieties enough seeing that she runs on a trade route frequented only by herself, and maybe twice a year by a Union Company vessel. True the islands are pawed by vessels running Homewards via Cape Horn, bub otherwise the Himitangi has the whole Tun to hereelf, and tho wives have enough anxiety if, through bad weather or otherwise, she is delayed from arriving at Lyttelton or Wellington on due date. Personally, I think it is "up" to the Government to see that tho little vessel receives an increase- in her mail subsidy to justify, her being fitted with wireless telegraphy. True there is wirelees on tho island and in New Zealand, but that would be of no use if the vessel met with a mishap either to or from tho Islands. Perhaps I may be called pernickety, but when I point out, sir, that this vessel trades entirely on her lonesome to these Islands- in unfrequented waters, that if she lost her propeller or broke her tail shaft, she would have a hard time in making either NewZealand or the Chathams under sail because of the weather conditions that exist, whereas if she had wireless aboard she- could easily be picked up. It anay bo pointed out, and possibly -will, that the Canterbury Steamship Company ran the Rippl© there for years without accident or wirelees, but it is always beet to be on tho safe- side. I would poinb out in comparison that the Hon. Minister for Marine has made- it compnlsory by Act of Parliament for ves6ela like the Maori .and the Wahine ,being fitted witli wireless; vessels which run on a short run and which is crossed and recrossed by other vessels every day of the week. If it is right thab-theso vessels should carry wireless for the benefit of the public, now much more so should it be for a vessel that carries passengers and crew to tho lonely Chathams and fulfils the only bond that lies t>etween tho Chathams and New Zealand. If the Minister of Marine is right in the Wahino aaxi tho Maori, surely he would be justified in seeing that tho Himitangi, which could not run in the trade without the Postal subsidy, should have it increased to cover both the cost of installing and maintenance of wireless. — 1 am, etc.,' SINBAD WHO HAS BEEN A SAILOR. 31st March, 1914.