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to be opened between Great Britain on the one hand and 'Australia, Canada, and South Africa on the other. Although New Zealand is not yet directly interested in the service, it is desirable that the Dominion should be represented on the Committee from its inception. LISTENING SERVICE. In January, 1922, the continuous listening service previously observed at Radio-Awarua for the reception of distress-signals was restricted practically to correspond with the hours of daylight. On the 23rd May, 1925, the continuous watch was re-established. AURORA AUSTRALIS. A brilliant display of Aurora Australis on the nights of the 27th and 28th January had its effect upon radio operations. On the 27th the signals at Radio-Awarua were much above normal strength, but on the following day fierce crashes were in evidence. The effects on wireless signals were in no way similar to those observed during the magnetic disturbance of 1921, when considerable variation in reception was experienced. No sudden variations in signal-strength were noticed in the case of this year's phenomenon, signals from all directions remaining fairly constant. The disturbance was experienced also at other radio stations, but to a lesser degree. WIRELESS COMMUNICATION WITH ANTARCTICA. Opportunity was taken during the voyage to the Antarctic of the whaling-steamer " Sir James Clark Ross "to conduct experiments in wireless communication with Antarctica. The experimental and commercial transmissions were carried out by Radio-Awarua and the " Sir James Clark Ross,'' and were chiefly by means of short waves. ELIMINATION OF INTERFERENCE TO " LISTENERS-IN." In order to eliminate the interference caused to broadcast listeners-in by the spark transmissions from Radio-Auckland, provision was made for a combined continuous-wave and interrupted-continuous-wave valve transmitting attachment for that station. Until such time as the permanent attachment is installed use is being made during broadcasting-hours of a low-power-valve transmitting set. WIRELESS AT EXHIBITION. A wireless transmitting and receiving set installed in the departmental court at the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition proved of considerable interest to the general public. By means of the set the daily time signals transmitted from the Dominion Observatory at Wellington were received and reproduced through a loud-speaker in the Exhibition building. PRIVATE RADIO-STATIONS AND RADIO-DEALERS' LICENSES. The number of radio receiving licenses issued during the year was 3,588. A percentage of this number was, however, for short terms. A large number of people renewed their licenses during March, 1926 ; and it is hoped that the number of licenses issued during the coming year will be very greatly increased. Licenses were issued also in respect of 98 transmitting and receiving stations, 6 private broadcasting stations, and 1 experimental station. The number of radio-dealers' licenses issued was 191. MOUNT ETAKO PLANTATION. The considerable area planted with native trees and shrubs on Mount Etako (in the vicinity of the Wellington radio station) was increased during the year by the planting of 320 pohutukawa-trees. WIRELESS TRAFFIC. The numbers of forwarded and received radio messages show increases of 0-06 per cent, and 1-29 per cent, respectively. The amounts earned by New Zealand show a decrease under both headings of 5-14 per cent, and 2-26 per cent, respectively. The number of words of paid forwarded radio Press telegrams decreased from 123,018 to 64,502 ; 57,956 words of Press news were broadcasted free of charge to all ships and coast stations within range of Awanui. For statement of radio business transacted by New Zealand coast stations see page 39. RADIO BROADCASTING. After prolonged and unsuccessful negotiations with the New Zealand broadcasting syndicate, Mr. W. Goodfellow, of Hamilton, and Mr. A. R. Harris, of Christchurch, as trustees of a company registered as the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand (Limited), undertook, on the Ist August, 1925, to provide a radio broadcasting service on the conditions laid down in the Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1924, and the Broadcasting Regulations, 1925. Under the agreement the company is required to take reasonable steps to provide and maintain during a term of five years an efficient broadcasting service in pursuance of the Broadcasting Regulations, and to provide any new apparatus that may be necessary to keep the stations up to date. The agreement provides also

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