F.—l.

Auckland and was believed to be nearer to the " Tahiti " than was the " Ventura." At 4.35 p.m. the " Tahiti " also called the " Penybryn " and asked for assistance, but the message was apparently not received. From then on New Zealand and Pacific Island stations endeavoured to raise the " Penybryn," and at 6.33 p.m. Chatham Islands Radio heard the vessel asking, " Who is calling me % " At 6.42 p.m. the Chatham Islands station succeeded in passing to the " Penybryn " the Tahiti's request for the smaller vessel to stand by to take off the passengers if necessary. Rarotonga Eadio then established communication with fhe " Penybryn," which was worked successfully until she reached the " Tahiti." Ultimately the " Ventura " arrived and took on board the passengers and crew of the " Tahiti." All the New Zealand and Pacific Islands radio stations remained open continuously throughout the period of anxiety and closely co-operated in rendering every assistance possible. EMERGENCY RADIO INSTALLATIONS. To ensure the maximum reliability of the New Zealand communications system and to provide a means of meeting any unforeseen interruptions that may arise, a number of self-contained short-wave radio-transmitting sets are being installed at strategic centres throughout the Dominion. DIRECT SHORT-WAVE RADIO SERVICE WITH RAROTONGA RADIO: REDUCTION IN RATES. Consequent upon the inauguration of a direct short-wave radio service between New Zealand and Rarotonga, commencing on the 12th May, 1930, the following reductions have been made in the rates on messages to the Cook Islands : — Ordinary messages to Rarotonga : reduced from Is. 6d. to Is. per word. Press messages : reduced from 4|d. to 3d. per word, with a minimum of ss. for each press message. Messages for Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, and Mauke : reduced from Is. 9d. to Is. 3d. per word. The reductions do not apply to messages to Niue. NEW ZEALAND RADIO STATIONS. At Wellington Radio a 165 ft. steel-lattice mast has been erected. The higher mast and aerials have considerably improved the range of the medium-wave transmitters. A directional transmitting array of the horizontal doublet type, with reflector of similar design, has been erected for the New Zealand - Aiistralian radio-telephone service which was obtained by the addition of a 5-kW. modulating unit to the existing 3-kW. short-wave continuous-wave transmitter. A second array ha,s been provided for the Pacific Islands radio-telegraph service with a considerable improvement in reliability. The change of voltage, in the Wellington City power-supply system necessitated the complete replacement of the electrical wiring and the substitution of all direct-current motors by alternatingcurrent type. To minimize the risk of an entire interruption to the power-supply, provision has been made for the supply to be obtained over alternative routes and for emergency service to be given from a storage-battery source. A fire at the Auckland Radio Station in May caused slight damage, necessitating the renewal of most of the inside wiring. Owing to interference from electric-power reticulation, the remotelycontrolled receiver previously located at the Avondale Post-office was moved in July last to Takapuna. An improved service has resulted. RADIO-TELEGRAPHIC CHARGES TO OR FROM SHIPS IN NEW ZEALAND WATERS. From the Ist April, 1931, the charge for the transmission of an ordinary radio-telegram to or from ships (other than His Majesty's ships when in New Zealand waters, ships registered in New Zealand or Australia, and ships trading exclusively between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand, or between ports on the coast of New Zealand) from or to any telegraphoffice in the Dominion of New Zealand has been increased to lid. per word. The charge for the transmission of an ordinary radio-telegram to or from ships registered in New Zealand or Australia and ships trading exclusively between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand, or (except in special cases) between ports on the coast of the Dominion of New Zealand, from or to any telegraph-office in the Dominion of New Zealand, has been increased to 6d. per word. RADIO-TELEGRAPHIC CHARGES ON MESSAGES TO AND FROM VESSELS BELONGING TO NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT. From the Ist September, 1930, radio-telegraphic charges on messages to and from vessels belonging to the New Zealand Government, which are engaged in Government service in New Zealand waters, were reduced from sd. to 2fd. per word, with a minimum charge of Is. 3d. per message.

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