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WIRELESS SERVICES. INTERNATIONAL RADIO-TELEGRAPH CONVENTION, 1927. At the International Radio-telegraph Convention, held at Washington, D.C., U.S.A., during October and November, 1927, the Dominion was represented by the Chief Telegraph Engineer (Mr. A. Gibbs, M.1.E.E.). Owing to the Great War and its aftermath, no such Convention had been held since 1912. During the Convention, which occupied about eight weeks, matters affecting every phase of radio signalling were discussed, and regulations drawn up to govern its international use. A special concession was granted to the New Zealand Government permitting the operation of wireless installations on the smaller coastal ships by specially trained officers of the ships' crews. In view of the fact that ships of this class are engaged almost exclusively on coastal work, and do not engage in general commercial signalling, the Conference finally agreed to permit such stations to be operated by ships' officers possessing operating and technical knowledge inferior to that normally prescribed for ship stations. The only messages permitted to be handled are communications of urgent maritime importance. As the concession is contrary to the general spirit of the Convention, which aims at increased operating efficiency, its effect upon maritime radio operations will be closely watched by other countries. Stops will be taken to ensure that radio signalling in Dominion waters is not unduly prejudiced by any abuse of the concession. The general scope of the Convention, and its incidence upon New Zealand radio-signalling conditions, have been referred to in a special report, which is published separately. The Convention and the regulations made thereunder will come into force on the Ist January, 1929. IMPERIAL WIRELESS SERVICES: STANDING COMMITTEE. The High Commissioner for New Zealand was notified in May, 1927, that, in view of the fact that the Standing Committee appointed to advise on matters arising out of the question of Imperial wireless services was unlikely to function for a considerable time, the appointment of Mr. J. Milward, late of the Pacific Cable Board, as a New Zealand representative on the Committee was to be terminated. Mr. Milward was in receipt of a retaining-allowance of £100 per annum. The High Commissioner continues to represent the Dominion on the Committee. NEW ZEALAND COAST STATIONS: EQUIPMENT, OPERATION, ETC. Radio-Auckland. Traffic. —The principal service performed by Radio-Auckland is the handling of traffic to and from shipping in the waters to the north of New Zealand. The amount of traffic handled has suffered slightly by reason of the diversion of a large percentage of the trans-Pacific mail-steamer traffic to the short-wavo service now being carried out by the Wellington and Awarua Stations. Alteration of Transmitter-coupling. —Owing to the interference caused to broadcast reception by an harmonic from the interrupted-continuous-wave, transmitter, the coupling of the set has been redesigned to remove this objectionable feature. Establishment of Remoie-controlled Receiving-station. —Some experiments have been carried out at Radio-Auckland on the lines of a remote-controlled receiving-station consisting of an unattended receiver located at a suburban post-office, the received signals being transmitted to Radio-Auckland through telephone-cable. Due to its being beyond the city's commercial area, this location is more favourable than Queen Street to reception from ship stations. The new arrangement has considerably improved the operating efficiency of the station. Ramio-Awanui. Attendance. —Prior to the inauguration of the short-wave service between Apia (Samoa) and New Zealand, Radio-Awanui handled all Pacific Island traffic on high power, using a wave-length of 2,000 metres. Since the advent of the now system the traffic has been handled by RadioWellington. In consequence of the diversion, the hours of operation of Radio-Awanui have been curtailed from continuous to 8 a.m. - 11 p.m., and the question of closing the station will receive consideration. In the meantime a listening service for inward traffic only is being observed. Long-wave Reception. —As a result of investigations made regarding the reception of the long-wave signals from Rugby, England —a service which is carried out at Radio-Awarua—a trial was recently made to determine the relative suitability of Radio-Awanui for such reception. The result was such as to render a change unwarranted. Transmitting-apparatus. —To minimize the use of the higher-powered transmitting-apparatus at this station, a low-power engine, comprising part of a 3-kilowatt transmitter, has been adapted for use with either the 600-metre or the long-wave transmitter. Mast and Aerials. —The repainting of the mast and the overhaul of the mast and aerial system were undertaken in May. Severe gales in August caused damage, necessitating the replacement of a number of aerial insulators.