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WTRELESS TELEGRAPHY. No. 28. [Translation. | The. Dibectoe, International Bureau (Radiotelegraph. Convention). Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Kerne, 22nd February, 1909. I have the honour to forward you herewith a copy of the annual report of this bureau for the year 1908 in respect of tin radiotelegraph service. I have. iVc. The Secretary, General Poet Office, Wellington. K. Frky, Director. [Tel. 09/344(10).] Enclosure in No. 28. I Translation.] Report. Organisation and Staff. —Daring the first six months the ordinary staff of the International Bureau performed the duties pertaining to the radiotelegraph.it , service. The special officials mentioned in last report took up their duties, however, on Ist July, the date when the Radiotelegraph Convention took effect. The organization of the radiotelegraphic section was fixed by a decision of the Federal Council, dated the 31st December, 1906, in accordance with the recommendation nl this bureau. In conformity with this decision, the duties of Nice-Director and first secretary extend to both the telegraph business, properly so called, and to the radiotelegraphic business. Berlin Convention. The Convention, Service Regulations, Additional Agreement, and Final Protocol took effect from the Ist July. L9OB. These have been ratified by the following countries: Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Holland, .Mexico. Monaco. Norway. Roumania, Spain. Sweden, and Turkey. The Governments of Greal Britain and Japan have ratified only the Convention, Service Regulations, and Final Protocol. Greal Britain ratified the Convention for Canada. Australia. New Zealand, Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal. India, and all its possessions. Sec., except Newfoundland and Orange River Colony. The New Zealand Administration informs me it has decided to adhere to the Convention, but not to the Additional Agreement. Germany has adhered to the Convention and also the Additional agreement for all its protectorates. On the 31st December, 1908, the number of signatory States of the Berlin Convention numbered i wenty-eight. .\ list of these countries, showing class in which each is ranked, is given [not printed]. Radiotelegraphic Stations. At the cud of 1908 the number of stations was 508 —92 shore stations and 410 ship stations. Of these. Greal Britain leads with a total of 259. Germany has 137, Holland 28. ( 'orrespondence. The number of circulars, &■<•.. amounted to 393. consisting of 2 circulars. 8 notifications, the rest being miscellaneous. Accounts. —The debit balance for the years 1907 and 1908 amounted to 14,796 francs, which has to be contributed by the various Administrations. The amount to lie contributed for 1909 is estimated at 28,580 francs. No. 29. [Translation.] The Director, International Bureau (Radiotelegraph Convention), Berne, to the SecrktarYj General Post Office. Wellington. ,Siu,— Berne, Ist April, 1909. I have the honour to communicate to you the following items of interest to the Telegraph Administrations of the signatory States of the Berlin Convention : — notification of Convention. —The following additional countries have ratified the Convention: viz., Austria, Hungary, Russia. Turkey. Persia and Portugal have ratified the Convention, but not the additional agreement. Adhesion In Convention. —The Commonwealth of Australia; India; Cape Colony, Natal, and the Transvaal (one group) wish to be placed in the first class from the Ist January, 1907. T have. &c., The Secretary. General Posi Office, Wellington. E. Krkv. Director. |Tel. 09/344(13).]