Z.L.W. RADIO.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13163, 23 January 1936, Page 3

Z.L.W. RADIO.

A NATIONAL SAFETY SERVICE. DOMINION'S LINK WITH PACIFIC' ISLANDS. Hie commanding sky-line feature of the capital city is the steel mast of the commercial radio station ZLW on Mount Etako, its top 1,150 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 hillside 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 trafficclearing section of the station. ZLW is one of the three radio stations maintained by the New Zealand Post Office as a national safety service rather than a profitmaking branch, because a balancesheet prepared on commercial lines showed a loss in the last annual accounts of over £12,000. But against the monetary consideration is set the national service provided by the station, one of the busiest telegraphic centres of the Dominion, although so little is known of its work by the general public. It is staffed throughout the twenty-four 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 Lslands, the day’s schedule providing for twenty-two 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 p.m. exchange 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 Tonga, 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-met re listening service for ships goes on without intermission every minute of the twentyfour hours.