New Broadcasting

Station Opened

4PM Port Moresby Now In Operation

From Our Own Correspondent.

PORT MORESBY, November 5.

October 25, before a large gathering of residents. Sir Hubert Murray, K.C.M.G. (Lieutenant Governor of Papua), officially opened the new broadcasting station, 4PM, at Port Moresby. It is the first commercial broadcasting station to be erected in the Pacific.

In broadcasting his address, Sir Hubert Murray, stated that Papua had seen many changes since he first came to the Terri tory, more than 30 years ago, but of all those changes, he considered the estab lishment of this wireless broadcast trans mitter to be in many ways the most re markable. In declaring the station open, he expressed on behalf of all the resi dents, their high appreciation of the skill and enterprise of Amalgamated Wireless (A’sia) Ltd. in rendering a great service to the Territories of Papua and New Guinea.

“We shall all benefit by this service,” declared Sir Hubert, “but, in particular, it will be a priceless blessing to those who hold the lonely outposts of these terri tories, the planters, miners and others, who are far removed from the centres of settlement. It is a lonely and often a monotonous life that these pioneers lead, and I am glad to think that, through the establishment of this service they will

feel less cut off from civilisation, and that they are still part of the great world be yond the limits of Papua and New Guinea.”

Following His Excellency’s address, His Honour Mr. Justice Gore, Mr. R. D. Bertie and Mr. E. Frame spoke over the air.

In their addresses they emphasised the satisfaction of all residents in the in stallation of the new station, and the benefits that would be received by lonely settlers in the far-flung outposts of the Territory.

The new broadcasting transmitter has a “B” class license, and will be on the air for two sessions daily—excepting Sundays —between the hours of 7 and 8 a.m. and 1 and 2 p.m,, transmitting on a wave length of 221 metres, and 1,360 Kc. These times will be extended if the occasion arises.

Preliminary experiments have been en tirely satisfactory. During daylight tests listeners at Wau, Salamaua, Thursday Is land and Darwin have reported excellent reception. Reports from various parts of Australia and New Zealand have remarked upon the splendid quality and strength of the night transmission.

Mr. C. F. Dale, manager of Port Mores by Radio Station, who was responsible for the installation of the new plant, advises that for the present the programmes will consist of recorded music, sponsored ses sions, and news items —local, Australian and European.

Rev. Maurice Prater, Presbyterian mis sionary at Paama, New Hebrides, who has been on furlough in Great Britain, will arrive in Melbourne with his wife and daughter by the Maloja on November 25.

After a short stay in Victoria they will return to the Condominium.