RADIO BEACONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22767, 29 June 1937, Page 8

RADIO BEACONS

Radio beacons for two important points marking the approach to the Hauraki Gulf are brought a stage nearer by the announcement that equipment will be ordered immediately. In making this fact public the Hon. P. Fraser, speaking as Minister of Marine, explained that there had been difficulty in obtaining essential apparatus from England. This accounts for the considerable delay that has followed the definite promise that these important aids to navigation would he provided. Mr. Fraser says the beacon at Baring Head, Cook Strait, should be in operation in August. Thus it will be a year since the installation of five such beacons was announced in the Budget as being immediately in prospect before the first of them will be an accomplished fact. It was then stated that two sets of equipment, for Baring Head and Cape Campbell, would be ordered at once. They are not yet in New Zealand, but are expected to be here soon. Attention had been turned to radio direction finding a few months before by the mishap to the LytteltonWellington steamer Rangatira, and the finding at the Court of inquiry. It was not much use emphasising the importance of the method while beacons were lacking. The prompt decision to supply them was commendable, and the delay in carrying it out is to be regretted, thouch in the lierht of Mr. Eraser's explanation nobody can be blamed. It is to be hoped there will not be a similarly lomr wait before Cuvier and Moko Hinau Islands are equipped. The approach to the Hauraki Gulf cannot be called dangerous water, but had visibility, especially fog, can reduce the margin of safety even there. The more aids to navigation the better : consequently the establishment of these beacons will be a valuable improvement to shipping facilities for Auckland.