F.—l.

During the year complete reorganization of tie transmitting facilities was undertaken. This involved the installation of a large amount of new apparatus and the co-ordination of the station as a whole so that the maximum utilization of all the available facilities is readily obtainable. All the short-wave services undertaken by the station are now equipped with transmitters of high-frequency stability, making a notable improvement in the standard of the service given. One of the chief improvements was made in connection with the short-wave transmitter used for the mobile service. This equipment, which had been in use for several years and lacked the high performance now expected, was replaced by modern equipment of the crystal controlled type. Simultaneously with this conversion automatic apparatus was installed for the transmission of the daily press news to ships at sea. This brings the station into line with modern practice for the conduct of this type of service. The main transmitter used in the coastal service for medium-wave transmissions was also replaced by more modern equipment providing higher frequency-stability and improved power-output. This transmitter is used for the transmission of time signals and weather reports for ships in New Zealand waters ; and the additional efficiency now provided is greatly appreciated by ship stations. A progressive improvement in the general plant from a maintenance point of view is being obtained by the adoption of the alternating current mains as a direct source of power for the station apparatus. All the new transmitters are designed to operate directly from this supply ; consequently the rotating machinery previously used for the great bulk of the work of the station has to a large extent been eliminated. As the station is dependent largely on the public supply, however, it has been necessary, as a precautionary measure, to provide a transmitter of reasonable power to operate from the station battery ; and this can, if called upon, provide for transmitting on any of the normal frequencies of the station independently of the public electricity supply. A new amplifying unit complete with power supply has been installed to provide an alternative transmitting frequency for the overseas radio telephone service, and arrangements are now in hand for a modulating system to be available for either equipment. This will permit the quick change of wavelength that will become necessary for the provision of twenty-four-hour telephone service to Australia, and will also be of advantage in the imminent use of this station for a radio telephone service to trans-Tasman ships. The equipment referred to also constitutes an effective short-wave telegraph transmitter, and includes a high-speed keying unit which permits automatic transmission to be conducted at high speeds. The availability of high-speed equipment is of advantage to the Department not only in respect of overseas communication, but in connection with internal radio channels of an emergency nature. As a result of the rapid advances in the services performed at Wellington-Radio the accommodation in the station buildings became inadequate, and extensive additions and improvements were made during the year. New operating-rooms have been added, and in these an entirely new layout has been arranged. Accommodation has been provided for apparatus associated with frequency measurement and monitoring, and for additional receiving-equipment which has been provided as an adjunct to that already installed at the overseas telephone-receiving station at Mount Crawford. At the same time a comprehensive system of remote control of the apparatus at the transmitting-station has been installed, allowing the maximum flexibility of operation. Any of the transmitting-sets can be controlled and operated from one or more of the receiving positions, and, particularly during busy periods or under conditions of emergency, such facilities are a great advantage. The telephone arrangements connecting the stati on with the central exchange and with other departmental offices have also been extended so that in the stress of emergency and heavy traffic conditions the utmost facility may be available in the operation of the station. Arrangements have recently been made to purchase additional land adjoining the original station property, and the Department is now in a position to improve the effectiveness of transmissions from the existing equipment by the erection of modern arrays in lieu of the existing aerials which could only be viewed as temporary improvisations. Awarua-Radio. The installation at Awarua of the transmitting-apparatus referred to in last year's report was completed during the year, and has brought the station up to modern standards in this respect. The medium-wave transmitter has proved to be a valuable acquisition to the coastal service. Adequate power for all normal purposes is now available without interfering in any way with broadcast reception by listeners in the vicinity. The new short-wave transmitter has proved its great superiority over the earlier equipment, complimentary reports on the quality of the signals having been received from world-wide sources. The advantageous situation of Awarua-Radio continues to be availed of in the reception of longdistance overseas services, notably the British official press news transmitted from Rugby (England) daily. The number of words received from this source during the year reached over 395,000. The Awarua station performed notable service in connection with the Ellsworth Antarctic Expedition by maintaining a listening watch and regularly broadcasting messages during the period covering the polar flight, the forced landing and subsequent rescue of Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth and his companion. The station regularly broadcast messages in the hope that they would be received by the lost explorers, and provided direct contact from New Zealand with the rescue parties. PROVISION OF IMPROVED RADIO EQUIPMENT AT DUNEDIN. The equipment referred to in last year's report as about to be provided for use at Dunedin has since been installed. The equipment is designed to operate on short and medium waves as required. The Department- now has ample radio facilities available at Dunedin to meet emergencies, both for inland working and for .communication with ships at sea should such, at any time, be desirable.

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