NO COMMUNICATION BY WIRELESS

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 15

NO COMMUNICATION BY WIRELESS

TAMATEA’S SERVICE TO STEWART ISLAND The fact that the Tamatea, which runs regularly between Stewart Island and Bluff, had no wireless communication and the serious position the vessel might be in if it met trouble in Foveaux Strait was 'emphasized at the meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce yesterday by Mr H. L. Mair. Mr Mair acted as president in the absence of Mr W. Grieve. Mr Mair said that if there was a mishap to the Tamatea in a mist in the strait and the vessel was not visible from Bluff hill, the consequences might be serious. “The law does not provide for a wireless on the Tamatea,” stated Mr C. B Tapley. “The vessel runs within the harbour limits.” “Yes, but surely the Tamatea is stretching the harbour limits,” replied Mr Mair. “The stretch of water between Bluff and Stewart Island is one of the roughest in New Zealand. This matter is of considerable importance.” Mr P. Linton Hodge said that people would be waiting for the arrival of the vessel and it would soon be realized if it were overdue. It was decided to approach the captain of the Tamatea, Mr R. J. Hamilton, and ask his views.\ A report of the conference of Associated Chambers in Auckland was given by Mr Tapley. Referring to a speech at the conference about closer relationship between employers and employees, he said that this was most desirable.

“The population question is very serious,” said Mr Tapley when referring to another discussion at the conference. “The Dominion will not make great headway until many of the. empty spaces are filled,” he said. Mr Tapley suggested that when the next conference of the Associated Chambers was to be held in the South Island every effort should be made to have the conference irt Invercargill. There were present: Messrs Mair, Tapley, T. J. Boyce, W. A. Ott, C. Bradfield, F. G. O’Beirne, W. Rea, J. H, Reed, R. A. Douglas, W. Rodgers, P. L. Hodge, H. Millar, A. le H. Hoyles and R. M. Strang.