First Messages Put "Over The Air"

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 25, 6 January 1928, Page 16

First Messages Put "Over The Air"

Noah’s Part In Modern Development

Noah was the first person to "receive" a message "over the air," and as such should perhaps" receive mention as one of the pioneers of radio. In a most interesting address from 3YA, Mr. L. Vernazoni, of the Christchurch Philatelic Society, gave listeners some details of the development of aerial communication, of which radio is the latest-and greatest feature. "Aerial communication," he said, "dates back many years. Bulloons were utilised to send 1 etters out of Paris in 1870, while pigeons carried letters from the Great Barrier Island to Auckland in 1898. Messages attached to arrows were shot into the besieged city of Potidoca in the fifth century before Christ, but probably the earliest recorded successful news-carrying flight was that made by Noah’s dove.

"As regards contemporary history, the very first aerial postal service was organised in I’rance during the siege of Paris (1670-71), After the investment of the capital, hemmed in by a solid eordon of fire and steel, measures had toy be considered whereby the Government defending Paris could communicate with the Delegation at Tours, and, if possible, extend this power to the Parisians, to whom Jack of all news from the outside world would become intolerable. "Since Septemler 22, 1870 (at this date postal communication from Paris was disrupted), it had been exceedingly difficult, well nigh impossible, for anyone to get throuyh the Prussian lines, besides, the Scine was closely watched by the enemy. ‘There was nothing left but a way by air, and it was in this direction that the ¢fforis of the Goyernment moved to connect Paris with the outside world. So it was decided to create a balloon post. On the other hand, it was vital that the provinces shonld be in touch with the capital, Though it was comparatively easy to Ihave Paris by ballocn, to enter by the saine means was quite another proposition, After attempts of all kinds, all

fruitless, carrier pigeons taken by halloon from Paris were utilised, their wonderful instinct leading then home to the Parisian loft where they were bred. ‘rherefore the aerial postal history of the sicge of Paris embraces two distinct chapters. "1. Balloon post, from Paris to the provinces. ‘2, Pigeon post, from the provinces to Paris. MANNED BALLOONS, "On September 26, 1670, the postal service of Paris decreed dispatch of mail to the provinces by balloon. ‘The weight of a single letter must not exceed 4 granunes, the rate 20 ¢c., and prepayment necessary. Letters dropped in Government boxes by private individ: uals were put into bags, secured and sealed, and sent off by balloon; on departure the acronaut received the necessary instructions as to the direction and yelocity of the wind, and time he would have to keep in the air so as to land Ieyond the enemies’ lines. | "he balloon, falling anywhere on land, was immediately deflated, rolled up, packed in the car, mixed up with the cordage, rope, and various acces: sories, and then forwarded to Tours.

The aeronaut, after delivering his mail to the post office nearest his landing place, also made for Tours, where he reported to the Delegation. "Out of the 55 postal balloons which left Paris during the siege (the first was released September 28, 1670, and the last January 28, 1871), two were lost in the sea, six landed in Belgium, four in Holland, two in Germany, one in. Norway, three were captured by the Prussian8; all’ the rest fell in France after yoyages more or less eyentful. They carried 238 passengers and aeronauts, 10,000 kilos of letters and newspapers, 384 carrier pigeons, and 6 dogs, PIGEON POSTS-GREAT BARRIER ISLAND. "We will now pass on io the pigeon posits between the Great Barrier Islands and Auckland. The Great Barrier Islands lie about fifty-six miles N.E, of Auckland, and during normal times the weekly mail service to the Islands fulfilled the requirements of the small populace of the group, some 400 people in all. About 1897, however, during the mining rush on the Islands, the usual Government service became quite inadequate, aud pigeons

were brought into requisitin, With the usual mails it was always mnocessary to wait over a week to obtain a reply to the letters on account of the boat only waiting long enough at each wharf to unload passengers, cargo, etc. But with the pigeon post the birds were taken to the islands on the boat, and within one or two hours a_ reply could be obtained in Auckland. "For the first twelve montlis of this service the letters were paid for in cash; but as the service was proving such a success, stamps were issued and the cost, which has been two shillings, was reduced to one shilling. At first it was not found such a success, stamps were issued and the cost, which lad been two shillings, was reduced to one shilling At first it was not found practicable to send messages from Auckland to the Islands on account of difficulties in training the birds, but this was overcome later on. On arrival at the lofts, the messages, of which each bird usually carried five, were placed in envelopes and addressed to the owners. In addition to the usual. service, messages were carried for the New Zealand Government by the Postal Departinent and the Navy when ships

were stationed at the Great Barrier group for torpedo practice. ‘The 'service lasted, as far as is known, for about seyell years. "During 1899 an opposition service was started which ran things in a far more business-like manner. There were two mails pert day, one leaving Auckland at 12 noon and the other leaving the Islands at 3 pam. ‘The rate was sixpence per message from the Islands and 1s. from Auckland. The stamps were triangular in shape and were of two values, 6d. and is. The colours were blue and red respectively and bore the words ‘Great Barrier Island’ (left side), *Pigeongram’ (on right), and ‘Auckland’ (below), with the letters ‘'N.Z? in the two bottom corners and value in top corner. The centre of the stamp depicts a pigeon flying over a‘ town carrying a letter in its beak. Great rivalry existed between the two services, and as far as is known both continued to carry letters till the end of the service. "As regards the printing of all issues, great cate seems to have . heett exercised, as of all the stamps I have handled, used. and unused, no promine cut varieties have been found,