ZLW RADIO STATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1936, Page 13

ZLW RADIO STATION

A NATIONAL SAFETY SERVICE

The commanding skyline feature of the Capital City is the steel mast, of the commercial radio station ZLW' on Mount Etako, its top 1150 feet. above Sea level. The solid and compact stone building visible on the ridge was completed, in. 1912, but radio; development since then has demanded considerably more space, with the result that the original stone building is used solely to house the transmission apparatus,' while'lower down the hillsides has appeared another'building larger in size, which has just been extended, and now provides spacious and comfortable accommodation for the growing staff of the receiving and . traffic-clearing section of the station.

ZLW is one of the three radio stations maintained by the New, Zealand Post Oflice as a national safety service rather than a profit-making' branch, because a balance-sheet prepaVed on commercial lines "showed a loss in the last annual accounts of over£l2,ooo'. But against the monetary consideration is set. the national; service provided by the station.- It is one of the busiest telegraphic centres of the Dominion, although little is known of its work .by the jgeneral public. It is staffed throughout'the. 24 hours of the day, and the arrangement of shifts closely resembles the watches on shipboard. Regular contact is maintained with the southern Pacific islands; and Chatham Islands, the day's' schedule providing for 22 fixed times for calls, although no commercial traffic .may be offering at the-moment. - ■ ",- ..-.'

Apia,-for instance, at seven fixed times from 8.15 a.m.'till 11.45 pirn.,' ex-, changes signals with .Wellington, and New- Zealand's other Pacific interest, Rarotonga, is similarly linked at four regular .times, while our nearest island possession, the Chathams, makes daily calls, except on Sundays,, at- 9.20 a.m., 11.20 a.m., 1.20, p.m.; 3.50- p.m., and 6.55 p.m.

Nukualofa, the capital of T6nga, has three regular schedule calls. Niue Island signals are received and acknowledged at least- twice a day, and there is also a schedule exchange of signals with .Papeete. While this comprehensive •' schedule of regular contracts; ranging far into the Pacific, is being maintained the 600-metre listening service for ships goes on without intermission every minute of the 24.hours,