MORE PIRATE RADIOS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31121, 26 July 1966, Page 15

MORE PIRATE RADIOS

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 25.

Three pirate radio stations could be broadcasting from Auckland’s Hanrail Gulf before the end of the year. Week-end announcements said that two more seaborne stations are now being planned.

However, station organisers have rejected suggestions that the establishment of three stations could lead to a pirate radio war similar to that recently experienced in Britain. The newcomers are

Radio Southern Cross, which intends broadcasting “live” with a four kilowatt transmitter 24 hours a day and Radio Ventura, which may broadcast a non-commer-cial programme at first from a five kilowatt transmitter. The third station, first In the field bat not yet broadcasting. Is Rsdio Haurakl, which is expected to go on the air with a three kilowatt transmitter from the chartered coaster Hoklanga on October 1. The station manager of

. Radio Southern Cross, Mr ‘ K. R. Ashton, who originally came to New Zealand from Australia to work as a disc jockey for Radio Haurakl, said Radio Southern Cross would be a responsible concern and would operate 24 hours a day, with advertising rates 30 per cent cheaper than those of Radio Hauraki. Mr Ashton said there was room for competition tn the area for pirate radio stations. “Why set up a monopoly when a monopoly is what you are trying to break?” he asked.