The distance to the Perth station was, approximately, 7000 miles, while to Sydney via America, across which it was presumed the sound waves travelled, the distance was about 12,000 miles.
The receipt of messages at this range, it was stated by Commander Creswell, constituted a world's record. He explained that owing to the effect which light had upon wireless waves, German messages only reached Sydney when they were transmitted at night. The distance to Perth being, however, some thousands of miles shorter, the West Australian station caught and recorded messages sent out from Germany either by night or day.
Commander Creswell added that while these remarkable achievements had become possible solely as the result of the great developments which had taken place in the science of wireless telegraphy, an important part was played by the operators, and it was largely due to their skill that German messages were being intercepted and interpreted by Australian stations.
Passengers' forgetfulness
The forgetfulness of people travelling on cars regarding their luggage is a most extraordinary thing, according to the remarks of Mr Frank Thompson, manager of the Christchurch Tramways, during an address to the Workers' Education Association on Saturday night. Last year, he said no fewer than 3138 articles were left in Christchurch cars, and they comprised a fearful and wonderful collection. The number of push-carts left being by mothers was, for instance, remarkable, and the way in which such articles got mixed was also extraordinary. Mr Thompson laughingly added that on at least one occasion, even the babies got mixed. A mother got out, and the conductor having handed her her push-cart, further assisted by handing out the child. He handed out the one nearest the door, and the car was well under way before it was discovered that he had selected the wrong baby, to the distraction of both mothers concerned.
Grocery revolution
The latest sphere to be invaded by young ladies is behind the grocery counter. An advertiser who had been for some time vainly inserting an advertisement, ``Wanted, a man for grocery trade,'' had, when seen a day or two ago, a smile on his face. He said: ``Look, there is the solution of my problem,'' and behind one of the counters was a businesslike young lady quickly and efficiently attending to the needs of the customers. ``I have,'' said the proprietor, ``in prospect the loss of three more of my hands when called in the ballot, and I intend replacing them with girls. So long as I have one man left for the heavy work, I consider that girls will be just as efficient as men for the ordinary work behind the counter.'' - ODT, 3.10.1917.
