F._ 1

14

Week-end Cable Messageis. The Pacific, Cable Board announced on the 7th July that, owing to the large increase in the number of week-end cable messages to the United. Kingdom, such messages were being considerably delayed in transmission, and. delivery could not be expected until the Wednesday of the following week, and possibly later. With a view to reducing the congestion at week-ends as much as possible, senders were requested to lodge such messages as early in the week as possible. Since then the congestion has increased, and at the present time the delivery of week-end messages for the United Kingdom cannot be assured in less than, a week from the time of lodgment. Christmas Greetings Cable Messages. The number of Christmas greetings cable messages for the United Kingdom, and Canada, and similar messages received for transmission by radio-telegraphy to Samoa and Rarotonga, was slightly in excess of the number handled during the previous season. Interruption of Service. Communication was maintained by the Pacific and the Eastern cable routes throughout the year without serious interruption. Owing to the seizure by rebels on tin; Kith August of the cable stations in the south of Ireland, and the consequent overloading of the Imperial cable, deferred messages from New Zealand were subject to heavy delay, and the acceptance of week-end messages for the United Kingdom was suspended. During the period of suspension week-end messages were accepted for transmission by telegraph as far as Montreal, thence by post to the United Kingdom. The transmission of full-rate messages from New Zealand was not seriously interfered with. Normal conditions were restored on the 14-th September. Owing to the destruction by rebels of the Clifden Radio-station, the route " via Pacific and Marconi " was closed for a short time from the 27th July. The route was again interrupted from the 23rd November to the 4th December, Radio Communication. Government Stations. The number of forwarded and received radio messages shows a decrease of 1-74 per cent, and 1-84 per cent, respectively. The amounts earned by New Zealand show a decrease under both headings of 8-44 and 12-38 per cent, respectively. The number of words of forwarded radio Press telegrams increased from 90,718 to 107,293. The erection of a self-supporting galvanized-steel. tower, .1.65 ft. in height, at Radio-Wellington, to replace, the two wooden masts erected in 1912, is now in hand and will be completed shortly. Investigations are proceeding in connection with the modernization of the radio-stations at Awanui and Apia, with a view to the promotion of a more efficient service between Samoa and the mainland. Due to the bursting of the 8 ft. fly-wheel of one of the duplicate semi-Diesel engines, which are the primary source of power at Radio-Apia, one engine and generator, and portion of the secondary battery, were damaged to such an extent as to necessitate their replacement. Fortunately, no member of the staff was injured by the accident. In addition to carrying on their routine, traffic operations, the New Zealand wireless telegraph coast stations have contributed to the safety of life at sea by keeping a vigilant watch for distress signals, and'have been instrumental on a, number of occasions in intercepting such calls and organizing relief. Time-signals and weather reports have also been broadcasted regularly from the Awanui and Wellington radio-stations, and are of great value, to shipping. Communication by radio-telegraphy with Rarotonga, Western Samoa, and Chatham Islands has been satisfactorily maintained, thus keeping these islands in regular touch with New Zealand. Consistent with the general policy of staff economy which is at present adopted wherever practicable, Radio-Awarua is still restricted to a daylight service. A close watch is being kept upon the development of high-power long-distance radio-telegraphy, and the possible adaptability of this means of communication to the requirements of the Dominion is being carefully studied. Wireless Telegraph Regulations for Ship Stations. On the 25th January amended regulations were gazetted prescribing the conditions under which wireless-telegraph apparatus on board a ship) may be used while the vessel is in any New Zealand harbour or in New Zealand territorial waters. To extend the existing facilities for extended-range radio traffic, an arrangement has been arrived. at with neighbouring Administrations whereby ships desiring to communicate with a station other I han the nearest coast station —as required by the International Radio-Telegraphic Regulations may do so on a special wave-length and under certain conditions which reduce interference with nearer coast stations to a minimum. By this means a considerable improvement has been effected in the disposal of radio traffic.