AWANUI RADIO

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 62, 10 September 1921, Page 5

AWANUI RADIO

VULNERABILITY IN WAR,

"The radio station at Awanui, by Teason of its semi-isolation, is comparatively more costly to Tun than would be the case if it were 'situated nearer to the main lines of communication and the main centres of civilisation," states a clause in the report of the Chief Telegraph Engineer to the Postmaster-General ■upon his Tecent European trip. "Its situation is such that_ it is easily vulnerable from the sea, which is an undesirable feature 'when it is considered that this is our most important long-distance transmitting station, and is responsible foi maintaining communication with Samoa, and the Cook Islands. This is a subiect which, while abroad, I discussed' with a number of interested authorities, and it was generally recognised that if placed, say, in the centre of the North Island, nea- to the Main Trunk railway, its reliability ot operation,*- particularly in,, time of war, would bo greatly enhanoed. and at the same time the station would be brought closer to the main centres. This would be s a distinct asset both from the point of view of annual charges and of linking up the station with the principal land lines of the North Island. If Now Zealand is ultimately to form an efficient link in the Imperial wireloss chain this station will have to be modernised, and such' an occasion might well bo. regarded as a favourable one for its removal to a less vulnerable locality."