F.—l.

In addition, a higher-powered transportable transmitter with engine-driven power generator has been provided at Wellington ; and, by the inclusion of suitable existing apparatus at Auckland. Christchurch, and Dunedin, the arrangements made will it is confidently anticipated, enable emergency contact to be maintained on the main arterial communication routes should telegraph and telephone communication be interrupted. The regular tests which are being carried out between the various stations concerned indicate that the apparatus is operating efficiently, and ensure that it can be brought into use with a minimum of delay should occasion arise. TEMPORARY RADIO-TELEGRAPH SERVICE TO STEWART ISLAND. On the occasion of the interruption to the Foveaux Strait (Bluff - Stewart Island) cable, a public radio-telegraph channel between Awarua-Radio and Half-moon Bay Post-office was inaugurated in July, and was maintained in operation until the cable was repaired in December. The radio channel was also used for a few days as an auxiliary to the cable in the despatch of Christmas telegraph traffic : and it is being retained for use in the event of further interruption to the cable. The apparatus used at each end of the radio channel is of the low-power type manufactured by the Department for use in the emergency service referred to in the preceding paragraph. DEPARTMENTAL RADIO-STATIONS: OPERATION. The working of the Department's radio-stations has proceeded smoothly during the year. In view of the necessity for restricting expenditure as much as possible, little work of a developmental nature has been undertaken. Additional aerials for short-wave working to the Pacific Islands have been erected at WellingtonRadio with a view to making greater use of directive transmission. At the Mount Crawford (Wellington) radio-telephone receiving-station, the temporary receivingapparatus previously in use has been replaced by new apparatus designed to give the highest possible grade of service. This equipment is specially designed to eliminate interfering noises of all descriptions, with a consequent improvement in the clarity of the received speech. At other stations only routine maintenance work has been undertaken. CO-OPERATION OF NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF AMATEUR RADIO TRANSMITTERS. Under the Department's regulations governing the operation of amateur radio-stations it is provided that certain frequencies (wave-lengths) may be used by all amateur stations, but that other frequencies generally employed for international communication may be used only by permission of the Postmaster-General. Such permission is given only when the amateur operator possesses the qualifications necessary for efficient operation on these congested wave-bands. During the year the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters, a body composed entirely of amateur radio operators, offered its assistance in the matter of supplying information relating to the qualifications of applicants for permission to work on the international wave-lengths mentioned. The offer was accepted, and the arrangement has worked smoothly since its inception in June. BROADCASTING SERVICE. Last year's report mentioned that the whole question of broadcasting control in New Zealand was to be reviewed prior to the expiry at the end of 1931 of the agreement with the Radio Broadcasting Co. After fully considering all phases of the question. Government decided to set up a Board for the future control of broadcasting ; and this decision was given effect to in the Broadcasting Act of The Act provided for the establishment of a Board, to be known as the New Zealand Broadcasting Board, to consist of three persons to be appointed from time to time by the Governor-General in Council. It also made provision for the appointment, to advise the Board in respect of its functions under the Act, of an Advisory Council of eight members ; five ordinarily resident in the North Island and three ordinarily resident in the South Island, appointments to be made by the Governor-General in Council on the recommendation of the Minister for a term not exceeding three years at any one appointment; and recognized organizations of listeners to be given an opportunity of nominating persons suitable for membership of the Council. In addition, the Board is authorized to appoint standing or special committees to advise the Board in matters connected with the broadcasting service. & The functions of the Board as defined by the Act are to carry on a broadcasting service within New Zealand and to develop and improve the service from time to time. The Board is authorized to obtain licenses under the Post and Telegraph Act, 1928, for the operation of broadcasting stations, and empowered to enter into agreements with the Minister of Telegraphs for the payment to the Board of portion of the fees received from the licensing of radio-receiving apparatus. The Board has authority under the Act to undertake in connection with the broadcasting service any subsidiary business that, in the opinion of the Minister of Telegraphs, is ancillary to the carrying-on of the service. The Act required the Board, if and when required by the Minister so to do, to acquire from the Minister at such price and upon such terms and conditions as the Minister thought fit, any broadcasting stations, plant, and other assets that the Minister might acquire from the Radio Broadcasting Co., pursuant to agreements made between the Minister and the company in connection with the broadcasting service provided by the company to the end of 1931.

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