SIGNALS FROM AFAR

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1935, Page 9

SIGNALS FROM AFAR

RADIO AT TASMAN LIGHTHOUSE. LETTER TO. OKAIAWA ENTHUSIAST. Mr. A. Guy, Okaiawa, a radio enthusiast, has.received an interesting letter from Mr. T. McCarthy, second keeper at the Tasman Island lighthouse. Mr. Guy has received from the lighthouse on his set. . “We are pleased you are picking up our signals in New Zealand,” states the letter. “We have no station card here as it is not a regular broadcasting station—just a lighthouse about 10’ miles from' 1 Port Arthur in southern Tasmania, and more than 900 feet above sea level. It is an island of sheer cliffs with a tableland on top. The vegetation comprises scrub and honeysuckle and a variety of oak called manuka. “We run. sheep, and cattle for our .meat supply arid we have good gardens. There are three keepers, their wives and three children. It is. a difficult , place to land at as there are no sandy beaches or inlets to shelter a boat. There are three engines;; One is used to haul the residents ashpre by means of a “flying fox” that works on the same principle as a breeches buoy. The second engine hauls the men up the side of the cliff arid the .third drives the generator or dynamo for the broadcasting plant.” The letter ends with the following significant passage: “I will have to pack up now as I wish to see what this vessel is that, is passing... l So cheerio to all.”