SITES FOR RADIO BEACONS

Evening Star, Issue 22796, 3 November 1937, Page 9

SITES FOR RADIO BEACONS

MARINE DEPARTMENT INSPECTION [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 2. To investigate possible sites for the installation of radio beacons at Cape Maria Van Diemen, Moko Hinau, and Cuvier Islands, two prominent officials of the Marine Department—Mr L. B. Campbell, secretary, and Captain W. Whiteford, nautical adviser—left Auckland for the northern coast in the Government lighthouse steamer Matai today. _ Tlie inspection is being carried out in connection with the plans of the department to install radio beacons at various points of the New Zealand coast. A beacon has already been established on Baring Head, near Wellington, temporary equipment has been placed on Stephens Island, in Cook Strait, and a beacon is being constructed at Cape Campbell, another Cook Strait station. When the Cook Strait beacons have been equipped they will be followed by installations on Cuvier Island and Moko Hinau Island. These points were recently described by Captain Sergeant, the harbour master at Auckland, as the “eyes ” of the Hauraki Gulf when the necessity of equipping them with radio direction finding beacons_ at the earliest possible moment was being urged. It was held that such a step should be taken for the safety of all overseas and naval vessels approaching Auckland during thick weather. <'he third beacon with which the officials will be concerned on the Matai’s visit will be that at Cape Maria Van Diemen.