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Prapagational Research. —In co-operation with the British Broadcasting 'Corporation, measurements have been taken at Quartz Hill of the field strengths of the vllbious 8.8.C. Empire transmissions with a view to an improvement in reception and also as a contribution to propagational research. Considerable assistance has been rendered by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the supplying of measurements of the azimuthal angle of arrival in New Zealand of the 8.8.C. transmissions, It is the intention of the Broadcasting Service to provide additional •equipment at Quartz Hill to enable these various observations to be continued. The Service is represented on the Radio Research Committee of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Mobile* Recording Equipment.—High-class programme-recording equipment of a mobile nature is in the process of manufacture, and when completed will be mounted in suitable mot or-vehicles. This equipment is being provided in duplicate so that it will be available in both North and South Islands. Processing and Duplicating Plaint for Recordings.—A need arises from time to time for a number of copies of certain recordings. While in the •case of small numbers this can be done by " dubbing " each disk from the •original, this is not a satisfactory method for larger numbers. In this case it is preferable to have a special die made from the original and then to press out the number of copies required. At the present time there is no such plant in New Zealand, and it is the intention of the Department to install a small plant. Besides being of use to the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, this will be of assistance also to other Departments which may require quantities of special recordings. Hours of Transmission.—The aggregate transmission time of all the : stations, both National and Commercial, amounted during the year to 77,329 hours. Of the scheduled transmission time, only 60 hours were lost. This figure includes 21 hours due to mains power failures beyond the control of this Department and 36 hours due to failures of technical •equipment. Receiving Licenses.—During the year a total of 393,899 receiving licenses were issued, an increase of 14,657 for the twelve months. Replacement of Existing Equipment.—A very large proportion of the technical equipment of the various stations is rapidly becoming obsolete and in many cases is overdue for replacement. This has resulted in higher maintenance costs and a decrease in the reliability of the stations. Future Expansion.—Plans are prepared for the erection of further stations with .a view to the improvement of reception in areas which are not at present enjoying a high grade service. The areas first needing attention are the Bay of Plenty, North Auckland, and the West Coast of the South Island districts. In view of the difficulty in the provision of the buildings necessary to house both the studio and transmitting equipment, and also the difficulty •of obtaining that equipment, there is likely to be some considerable delay before these improvements can be effected. James Shelley, Director of Broadcasting.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (648 copies), £22 10s

By Authority: E. V, Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —l 946.

JPrice 6d.]

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