WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 134, 17 June 1901, Page 2

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE - OPHIR. THE TEST IN DOUBT. The alteration in the time of the departure of tho Ophir was inconvenient for the making of the tests in wireless telegraphy, but Mr G. Kemp, who had taken the experiments, determined that no opportunity would bo missed. At 7.30 o’clock last evening Mr McGavin rang up from Tokomaru to the effect that he thought he could see the lights of the vessels passing. There seemed, he said, to be two vessels, and he believed he had seen a rocket go up, but as the sea was rough off the coast he could not state with any degree of positiveness as to whether they were ship lights, but he himself was convinced that they were. The hour seemed an early one for the vessels to have reached that stage. Mr J. R. Shaw rang up to say that he would be on the look-out and send word if from Pakarae he saw any sign of the vessels passing, but any message from him might have been missed. There was a busy scene at the flagstaff station, the telegraph staff taking a keen interest in the experiments. Among those present were Messrs Martin, A. Steele, W, Coster, J. Stewart, and Times’ representatives. There was no response to the signals from the Gisborne side for some time, but at twenty-two minutes to 12 the ha) id of the galvanometer began to sway to and fro. “ It’s coming,” was the remark, and then all was rapt attention. The little room was soon crowded, and the instrument was keenly watched. Mr Kemp gave another touch to tho batteries, while Messrs Steele and Coster stood by to receive. However, nothing intelligible could be made out of the sounds on the recorder, which beat loudly. The movements on the galvanometer continued, and that was considered a sure indication that the instrument was in touch with the one on the steamer. Tho operators persevered for over an hour, but still nothing intelligible could be made out of the sounds. On the chance that the steamer’s instrument might be of a more delicate and effective kind the message from the Mayor of Gisborne and the latest cables received by the Gisborne Times during tho night were transmitted. Mr Kemp is of opinion that if it was the Ophir with which the connection was established, the instruments were not in tune. The arrival of tho Ophir in Wellington will now be awaited with considerable, interest so that it may be ascertained whether or not the instruments were in unison. If they were, their Royal Highnesses would have had the cables in this morning’s Times in advance of the public throughout Australasia. On behalf of the public of Gisborne, we have pleasure in expressing appreciation of the efforts ma.de by Mr Kemp and those associated with him to keep Gisborne in the foreground. Tho message left by the Mayor conveyed to their Royal Highnesses the good wishes of the people of Gisborne, and also expressed regret that the party were unable to view the historic spot upon which Captain Cook first landed on the shores of New Zealand.

The Harbormaster (Captain Thomson) took great interest in the test, and gave facility for the fixing of the battery and instruments.

LATER. THE SEARCHLIGHTS PLAYING UPON GISBORNE. GISBORNE’S ILLUMINATIONS. Shortly before 2 this morning, the town and surroundings were illuminated by intermittent flashlights. They were at first thought to be lightning flashes, but as it became more brilliant and took in a wide sweep, there could be no doubt that searchlights were flashing across hill and dale, and it was at once concluded that the Royal party was in the vicinity. A Times representative went down to the breakwater, and from that point the light was at times almost dazzling. It seemed as if it was the intention for the vessels to steam into the bay 7, and give Deople a surprise when daylight arrived, rat the flashes, which continued until 4 this morning, gradually became fainter until they were no longer perceptible. The proximity of the vessels would not make any difference to the wireless telegraphy tests, as Mr Kemp estimates that, if the instruments were in tune, messages could be transmitted within a radius of fifty miles.