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During the periods that the cables were interrupted a radio-telegraph circuit was established between Wellington and London to assist with the prompt handling of the day-to-day telegraph traffic. This circuit was, however, not completely satisfactory in the outward direction because of the lack of a sufficiently high-powered transmittingstation and aerial array. RADIO-TRANSMITTING STATION FOR OVERSEAS SERVICES As indicated in last year's report, it was hoped to commence before the end of 1949 the erection near Himatangi of a high-power overseas transmitting-station. Unfortunately, the project has been delayed by building difficulties, and the necessity to revise the requirements consequent upon additional space demands. It is now estimated that it will be at least three years before the new station can be brought into service to provide the desired high-grade radio-telephone and radio-telegraph services to Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. RADIO-TELEPHONE SERVICE Increased use is being made of this service which was extended during the year to Hungary and Newfoundland, and is now available also to His Majesty's Australian and New Zealand warships when operating in the Tasman Sea or in the area between Wellington, Nelson, Picton, and Lyttelton. RADIO PHOTO-TELEGRAM SERVICE The radio photo-telegram service was extended during the year to South Africa and Southern Rhodesia. TRAFFIC HANDLED DURING EMPIRE GAMES WEEK The heavy volume of telegraph traffic for overseas countries brought about by the Empire Games was handled most expeditiously. Special teleprinter circuits from the sports venues were used for cable traffic, and a high-speed radio-telegraph circuit to supplement the cables was opened between Wellington and Sydney. Nearly 500,000 words of Empire Games press traffic were despatched over the cables, and approximately 1,500 messages were sent on the Wellington-Sydney radio-telegraph circuit. The radio photo-telegram service was extensively used, a total of 124 pictures being transmitted to Australia and 23 to the United Kingdom and South Africa. The overseas radio-telephone service to Australia and the United Kingdom was used for relaying broadcast commentaries on the progress of the Games. REDUCTION IN TELEGRAPH CHARGES On the Ist November the rates for telegrams from New Zealand to countries in Central and South America were reduced by amounts varying from 3|d. to 6d. per full rate word. NATIONALIZATION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND EMPIRE Full control of the activities of Cable and Wireless, Ltd., in New Zealand passes to the Post Office on the Ist April, 1950, on which date the staff of the company in New Zealand transfers to the Post Office.

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