A JOKE AT THE WHARF.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1444, 20 May 1912, Page 5

A JOKE AT THE WHARF.

Amusement was caused in shipping circlos in Wellington on Satuvdav morning, when it was found that, during the night, tho small coastal steamer Aorerc, trading between Wellington and Pate-, had_ been "fitted with wireless."

Workmen and others on their ivay to work were astonished to see aerials suspended between the masts of tho little vessel, and gemiino surprise <vas expressed wlien first one and then another joined tho rapidly increasing crowd of interested spectators at the ship's side. All eyes were turned aloft, and there sure enough was the "plant" duly installed. Presently tho mate hovo in sight round tho corner of tho tolls ofiice, and he was greeted with all sorts of questions, a sample of which.was "Did you get Sydney last night?" and "What sort of weather is the Corinthic having down south ?" and "Are yon going to enter the Atlantic passenger service?"

He at once enlightened tho group of interested onlookers. It appears that during the night some other seafaring folk lin port took it into their heads to piav this joke on the Aorere. Sotno Wo clothes-line- was obtained and placed a certain distance apart by means of a broom handle cut in half. This gear w.is tied together and attached to tho signal 'halyards on both masts and hoisted to the top. The down wires were connected with the funnel, and the apparatus was complete. It looked exactly like a wireless installation, and no one but the uninitiated would have known the difference had the joke been kept up. When the crowd realised I lie position there was good fun for a few minutes while "ihe plant" was being taken down.