SITE FOR RADIO STATION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 210, 21 September 1937, Page 6

SITE FOR RADIO STATION

Government to Take Over Area Near Opapa PART OF ELLISON ESTATE Notice of the Government 's intention to take over an area of land in the vicinity of Opapa ior the purpose of setting aside a transmitting-site for broadeast purposes, indicates that following the recent tests carried out by officers of the National Broadcasting Service they have definitely recommended. a site for the proposed new station in this portion of the North Island. The area selected is just over 12 acres and is part of the Ellison Estate. It is situated about a quarter of a mile from the Opapa railway station, in the direction of tho Te Aute Hotel. The property is to be taken over by the Government under the Public Works Act.* The decision to take over this property once more centres attention on the future of the broadcasting facilities to be provided listeners in this district. When the purchase of the various Bclass stations in Hastings, Napier, Wairoa and Gisborne were under consideration, it was freely stated that the intention of the department was to erect a powerful station in the Hawke's Bay province to give adequate service . for the major portion of the East Coast districts. Nothing official could be obtained as to the. Government 's intentions, but it was understood that the department liad in view the ereetion of a station as powerful 'as that of auxiliary station 2YC at Wellington— namely, 5000 watts. Such a station would meet all requirementa from Palmerston North to Gisborne, probably over a wider area. Though it is now evident where the transmission station is to be situated^ no information is available as to the location of the studio. As the main broadeast services at present emanate from Napier, it is anticipated that it Will be there that the studio will be situated and that Hastings wiU be catered for by a land-lino. Those intimately concerned in broadeast facilities in this district are of the opinion that sueh arrangements would be quite satisfactory to meet the requirements of this portion of the province.