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Radio-Apia and Radio-Rahotonga. In January last a direct-coupled semi-Diesel engine and charging generator were installed at Radio-Apia to replace the plant disabled by an accident in February, 1923. A system of broadcasting meteorological forecasts and hurricane! warnings throughout the Southern Pacific has been developed during the year by the Naval Department, and is now in operation. Radio-Apia receives meteorological reports daily from Tonga, Tahiti, Rarotonga, Fiji, Norfolk Island, New Hebrides, and New Zealand. These reports are correlated with the observations made at the Apia Observatory, and a forecast is broadcasted twice daily during the hurricane season, and once daily during the non-hurricane season. An independent rotary discharger was installed eluring the year at Rarotonga with a view to increasing the transmitting efficiency of that station. Cook Islands. Investigations have been continued during the year on behalf of the Cook Islands Department with a view to providing suitable wireless apparatus for installation at outlying islands in. the Cook Croup. In this connection two |- kilowatt raeiio-stations will shortly bo erected at Aitutaki and Mangaia to act as feeder stations into Radio-Rarotonga. A radio-telephone station is proposed for Niue Island as a feeder into Radio-Apia. PRIVATE STATIONS. The Radio-telegraph Regulations for Amateur, Experimental, and Broadcasting Stations, gazetted in January, 1923, have proved an effective means of regulating the operation of private radio-stations. Already 2,900 amateur receiving-station licenses have beem issued. Assistant Radio Inspectors were appointed during the year in tho Auckland and Wellington districts. The roeluction of mutual interference between " listeners-in," due to reaction effects causing radiation from tho receiving antennae, presents considerable difficulties, of which, judging by the reports received, this country possesses no monopoly. A very considerable relief has been obtaineel by the prohibition by regulation of certain well-known typos of receiving circuits which strongly energize the antenna system. It is recognized that practically any valve circuit may be caused to oscillate, and to communicate', a portion of its energy to the radiating member of the system, and for this reason complete immunity from interference of this kind is impossible. It is considered, howeiver, that tho nearest approach to immunity will be achieved by forbidding the use of those types in which radiation is inherent and in which reaction is not under convenient control. The roeluction of mutual interference then becomes, in a large measure, the responsibility of " listeners-in " and of the amateur associations which represent them. The Department will, if necessary, take strong legal measures against persons found to bo disregarding regulations designed to reduce the evil effects of interference. During the year several broadcasting stations of comparatively small power have been erected and operated by private, enterprise with a considerable measure of success, but through lack, of funds and other causes the development of this class of station has been retarded. TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SERVICE. RATING SYSTEM. A comprehensive revision of the telephone rating system was undertaken e'.arly in the year, anel on the 17th September last regulations wore gazetted prescribing new rates and conditions under which telephone service should be furnished. The new rates became operative on the Ist October. The Department's action in submitting its original proposals to the various Chambers of Commerce and other organizations throughout tho country was approved of on all sides, and tho discussions that ensued — affording as they did opportunity for difficulties to be explaineel and differences of opinion adjusted — contributed largely to the generous manner in which the new rates were received by those who were eventually called upon to pay higher charges. The chief object of the new rating system was to provide a more equitable scale of charges ; and this was accomplished by increasing the rates for business stations anel reducing, as far as possible, the rates for residential stations in suburban anel rural areas. At the same; time an attempt was made to obtain by way of revenue an amount suffie-ient to provide for annual charges in the shape of maintenance, depreciation, and interest, t and thus relieve to seime! extent, the! general taxpayer. The chief features of the now rating system are : — (1.) The granting eif an unlimited number of calls lor a fixed rental: a prominent feature of the old system, and a factor which has contributeel largely to the popularity and development of the telephone system in New Zealand. (2.) The dividing of tho exchanges into four classes according to their size, and providing for each class of exchange a separate schedule of charges. Formerly the exchanges were classified under the headings of (a) continuous attendance, and (b) non-continuous attendance!. (3.) Defining for each exchange a zone or base-rate area within which the respective classes of service arc furnished on a flat-rate basis. (4.) An increase in the previous ratio of charges between business and residential stations. (5.) Extended hours of attendance at country exchanges. (fi.) Extension of the party-lino system at all (except Class I) exchanges to provide for as many as ten stations being connected with the same circuit, the annual rentals varying from £3 upwards,