CO129-392 - Governor Sir May - 1912 [9-10] — Page 54

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We could get a 3 Kilowatt or even 5 Kilowatt installation. In the case of the 5 Kilowatt Station in Fiji we had a guarantee by Marconi that it would be effective up to 300 miles at all times and under all conditions, but we found that at night it was effective for a much greater distance, up to 600 or 900 miles and even further sometimes.

Mr. Ross.

If we only had a low power station there would

be no revenue except from ships.

His Excellenc... If you want to communicate with shore stations

in surrounding countries a Ledium Power Station would of course be necessary, but I do not see why you should as there are cables, unless the idea is to compete with the cable companies and reduce their rates by competition.

r. Edking.

I have not followed the discussion on this subject as I was absent from the Colony when it was introduced. It is quite possible that compulsory Wireless Telegraphy may be imposed on all ships, and it would be very desirable for a ship in distress to be able to communicate from half way between here and Singapore, say 600 miles. Lanila would be nearer it is true, but they would prefer to communicate with British Ports in the event of repairs being required. If wireless installations on Lerchant ships are made compulsory, they will probably have a longer range than 300 miles and the ships will try to recoup themselves for some of the cost by charging for messages to snore. The Admiralty will not receive such messetes at their high power station. These are in my opinion points for consider- -ation.

Dr. Shallard.

The installations on ships are still in the trial stage. Tho se on our ships have e nominal range of 250 miles, but it is in practice as uch as 750 miles, and as time goes on these installations will be increased in power as siøre stations to receive their messages are increased in number. For example, our ships communicate with Bombay on Wednesday evening when they are due to arrive on Friday morning and a number of messages