WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 3

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

SCHOOLBOY PROSECUTED. HASTINGS, -August 13.

A case of considerable interest was heard in the court this morning, when Eric Jl. Battershill was charged that on June 1 lie did establish a plant for the purpose of receiving a communication by wireless telegraphy without having obtained the consent of the Postmastergeneral. The defendant, represented by Mr D. Scanned, pleaded guilty. Mr H. A. Cornford, who prosecuted on behalf of tlie Crown, said that some time in June a fault was detected on the telegraph wires at Hastings, and on a linesman investigating the matter he found that a wireless apparatus had been installed by the defendant, who was a. High School boy, for the prosecution of his study of electricity. The apparatus for receiving wireless messages from places within a 30-miles radius (not so arranged as to he able to reply) was perfect. Defendant was liable to a penalty of £SOO. It was a matter of great importance in so much as what the boy was doing for his own instruction might be done by a person of great intelligence for reasons serious to the country and the Empire, as the interception of wireless messages from overseas. The danger of such plots was that they might produce results of the utmost gravity, and it would be advisable for the State to make public the penalty. Mr Scanned said the defendant was a Napier High School boy, and part of his ordinary education had to do with electricity. It had been said that it was possible for the apparatus to do harm to the State, but he did not see what harm if- permission were given to use the apparatus within a radius of 30 miles. A mountain was being made out of a molehill. in Australia .such permission was given, and it was difficult to understand why it was not given in New Zealand. The Statute only served to stultify hoys who took an interest in this important development. In this respect New Zealand was hidebound as no other count)y was. Counsel desired attention to be drawn to the matter, so that what was wrong from a moral point of view might lie remedied, 'f lic lad would bow to the decision of the authorities nnd have the apparatus dismantled. The Magistrate said the law was there, and would have to he obeyed. 1 here was something to be snid hi favour of the Statute. For instance, in the case where a message of a vital character was being transmitted not only between one department of State and another but containing private information, if this was intercepted harm could he done. '1 hat was the reason for the passing of the Act. Defendant had promised not to use the_ apparatus again, and would be convicted and ordered to come up for (sentence when called upon. The lad had been encouraged by his teachers. No order for costs was made.