TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18348, 12 September 1921, Page 5

TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION

WIRELESS INTER-ISLAND SERVICE SUGGESTED. REPORT BY MR A. K SHRIMPTON. (Pbr United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, 'September 10. In reporting to tho Postmaster-general (the Hon. J. G. Coates) on his recent visit to Europo and America., the Chief Telegraph Engineer (Mr A. E. Shrimpton) dis cusses the subject of telephonic communication between the North and South Islands. Ho expresses the opinion that wireless telephony will provide a practical proposition for- the opening up of an inter-island telephone service. ■ "Thoro are two mediums by which a toll service can be established between the North and. South Islands," said Mr Shrimpton. These aro—(1) By a submarine cable. (2) by wireless. If Mich a service is opened to the public at least three channels must be available—i.e., provision must be made for three pairs of persons to Tiold simultaneous conversations." After referring to experiments which are being made by experts in many parts of tho world, and especially in America, Mr Shrimpton proceeded: "The American Telephone and Telegraph Company is laying what I shall call 'jnystery cables' from Key West to Cuba. These cables are to provido telephone and telegraph, facilities, and are not metallic for the whole of the distance—about 100 miles, —but they have an insulated return for tho greater portion of their length. The insulated portion is continuously loaded. The cables are being manufactured in England, and tho first one was'expected to bo laid in February. What the American Telephone and Telograph Company expects to get cut of thcea cables has not been disclosed by its engineers. Indeed, from what I hear in America I believe that exactly what facilities these extraordinary cables will provide is really unknown, and will only be determined after they are laid and tried out. I certainly would recommend deferring consideration of laying a submarino telephone cable across Cook Strait until the result of these Cuban cables is known. The cost of such cables will be considerably loss than tho class of cables usually considered essential for telephone purposes under such waters as in Cook Strait." Specifications are being prepared for threo or four channel wireless telephono installations for working from Wellington to Blenheim and Christehurch, and when these aro ready they will _be submitted to one or two companies specialising in such equipment. The results will bo communicated to the Minister with a recommendation. Mr Shrimpton abo recommends charging for the telephone service by an area rate in place ot a rate based on the conductor length of the circuit, or, as it is termed, the nearest practicable route existence in New Zealand.