RADIO CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 21088, 21 May 1930, Page 6

RADIO CLUB

OPENING OF STUDIO EVENT OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE NEW ERA IN BROADCASTING An event of outstanding importance to Southland was the official opening last evening by his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. D. Campbell) of the Southland Radio Club’s studio in the Arcade buildings. It will be recalled that on February 11 his Worship declared Station 4ZP, the powerful broadcasting station erected by Mr R. T. Parsons, officially on the air. This'marked the first step in radio development in Southland. Since Station 4ZP was opened the Southland Radio Club has come intb being and has, with Mr Parsons’ whole-hearted cooperation and assistance, already shown listeners-in throughout the province and in other parts of the Dominion that it can give service of the highest order. The club realized that it was necessary as soon as possible to secure a suitable studio and no time was lost in achieving this. The rapid increase in membership following the highly successful broadcasting of concerts and sporting events gave the club confidence to make the studio worthy of the station. Those who were privileged to be present last evening at the opening will realize how successfully this has been carried out. The committee has every reason to be proud of the club rooms, consisting of the band and operating rooms, the studio and the artists’ lounge, the decorations of which are carried out in a colour scheme of blue and gold. Materials in these shades form effective hangings, which, in addition to making the rooms sound-proof, have considerably improved their appearance. The floors are covered with thick felt, the studio having, in addition a carpet of blue to match the hangings, and the artists’ lounge and operating room carpets in beige tones. Comfortable chairs and settees, with cushions of blue and gold brocade furnish the rooms, which were last evening, made particularly inviting by large glowing fires. Tall palms and pot plants add touches of contrasting colour to the studio, where light is diffused from lamps with fringed shades of pale gold silk. Mr Parsons, who has been a radio enthusiast from his earliest years, has good reason to be proud of his ownership of Station 4ZP, which is perhaps the most modern of all B class stations in the Dominion. The station and its equipment have cost Mr Parsons a large sum of money, running into some hundreds of pounds. For this expenditure he receives no return whatever and his action in erecting the station was made entirely in the interests of the public. The broadcasts from Station 4ZP have proved entirely successful and have been received in different parts of the Dominion with great clarity. Although the reception has not been all that could have been desired in certain areas, this fault does not lie with the station or its owner. In addition to expending large sums of money in the interests of developing radio in Southland Mr Parsons has given by far the greater proportion of his spare time to the cause. Shortly after Station 4ZP was put on the air a public meeting, with the formation of a Radio Club as its object, was called. Out of this meeting emerged the Southland Radio Club, having in its executive —eminent business and public men. Owners of sets were not slow to recognize the advantages to be obtained from the work of the club and their response has been very gratifying. Under the presidency of Mr A. W. Jones, the following comprise the office-bearers of the club: Vice-president, Messrs L. S. Alsweiler and J. W. Smith; committee, Messrs L. Lockhart, F. Booth, D. W. McKay, R. O. Boyens, S. M. Macalister, J. S. Dick, E. McK. Lyon and T. Meredith. As secretary and treasurer, Mr W. R. Mabson has borne a large share of the labour required to put the chib on a footing and to furnish such an up-to-date studio as that situated in the Arcade Buildings. The Chairman Speaks. Mr A. W. Jones, the president, of the Radio Club, was the first speaker last evening. "A very good evening and greetings to you all,” said Mr Jones “and first of all I must extend a very warm welcome to the many guests who have accepted our invitation to be present this evening, including the members of the band and the various artists who are taking part in this programme. To-night the executive of the Southland Radio Club rejoices for this is the initial broadcast from its own studio situated in the Arcade. A few months ago the club was founded as the outcome of the enterprise, enthusiasm and generosity of Mr R. T. Parsons who kindly placed at our disposal the facilities of his very fine trans'mitting station 4ZP. The club is indeed indebted to him and I hasten to take this opportunity of publicly tending to him our very sincere thanks and in doing so I feel sure I am echoing the sentiments of the Southland listeners. Time prevents me making suitable acknowledgment to all who have assisted the club since its formation, but I must pay tribute to the valuable aid that has been so freely given by Mr Scott, chief telegraph engineer and his most courteous and obliging staff, including Mr Boyens and Mr Weallens. The club is only in its infancy yet. Our membership numbers 180. We are sanguine enough, however, to expect at least 800 to join up with us within the next month or two. The success of the club depends upon you listeners. We have been able within the last two weeks to provide you with successful broadcasts of church services, concerts, wool sales, Winter Show, football matches and an account of the recent boxing match, in addition to ’ studio concerts. We are planning many enjoyable and interesting evenings for the future. ' “It is essential, however, that the local listeners-in as well as those living throughout the length and breadth of this highly favoured Southland of ours should speedily link up with the club for the cause lacks assistance, and you can render valuable help,” continued Mr Jones. “The membership fee is only 10/-. We have been favoured with many excellent items by leading local talent for which we have been very grateful. We will be pleased to hear from other artists who feel disposed to assist with items at our concerts. The club also desires that reference should be made to the courtesy received from the other local station owned by Mr Batcheler and operated by Mr Jordan. Both these gentlemen have gone out of their way to help and we wish to let them know it has been very much appreciated. We desire to bring the charms of music and brightness to all those confined to their homes either by sickness or the infirmities of age and especially to those in hospitals. Reference must be made to the management of the Southland Times. I am sure the listeners-in have appreciated the interesting news sessions that they have been regularly sending out through the station each week. They intend to continue this. “I deem it fitting at this stage to make a brief reference to our esteemed patron, the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, who has found it necessary to resign the very high position of Prime Minister of this Dominion,” Mr Jones went on. “A personal message from him will be read to you during this evening’s programme. Sir Joseph Ward received his training in Southland and what a splendid super-structure he has reared on that foundation. To-day he stands an intellectual giant among the statesmen of the Empire. He has been honoured by the King and has sat in Council with all the great statesmen of the Empire and the world, and as such his name is known and honoured in every chancellery of the world. Surely his career is an' inspiration to young Southlanders. To mould a mighty State’s decrees, And moving up from high to higher

Become in Fortune’s crowning slope The pillar ot a people’s hope,

“May he soon improve in health, and in the eventide of his life may there be peace. I am convinced that the members of the Radio Club executive who are all unselfish workers will, like the statesmen Tennyson writes, of ‘know the season when to take occasion by the hand and make the boundaries of our local Radio Club wider yet.’ The consciousness of our infinite possibilities with radio broadcasting is only a recently awakened sense. We feel we .are only beginning to glimpse the wonderful opportunities that we possess, which have hitherto been practically undreamt of. And now in the words of the poet Miles: “The Muses linger waiting our command; the wit, the sage are ready hand in hand, while their interpreters together throng, to feast your ears with eloquence and song. Then let me ask as each in order stands, a kindly welcome at your honoured hands, and as each task accomplished, comes a pause—your kindly cheer, your generous applause.’ ” Mayor’s Address. His Worship the Mayor officially declared the studio open. His remarks were as follows: — “I have before this,” frequently referred to the advantages resulting from the establishment of a local broadcasting station in Invercargill. By this means, the city is enabled to obtain that publicity so desirable in these modern days. This city has made steady and consistent progress; its citizens desire earnestly that that progress should be maintained and, if possible, increased. What better means can there be of achieving this most desirable end than by broadcasting throughout the country the many attractions which we have to offer? More, however, is necessary than the mere equipment over which messages may be broadcast. That essential work has been undertaken by Mr Parsons and Mr Batchelor who have done their part well and to whom, as citizens of Invercargill, we owe a debt of gratitude. Gratitude is not sufficient; they require assistance —assistance in preparing programmes, in providing items of interest, and in the carrying out the many arrangements which must be made for even the operations of one night. That assistance, you, as a club, will provide, and I am happy to think that there are those among us who are willing to offer time and service in the interests of the city. ‘This studio, gentrally situated and equipped as it is with all the latest devices, is a credit to those who have worked to bring it into being and I am sure that the people of both the city and the country will derive much enjoyment from the programmes broadcast from both local stations. The matter has another and perhaps a higher aspect. With the laying down of land lines it is possible for services to be broadcast from all the churches, a fact which adds greatly to the usefulness and value of the local station. “On behalf then of the people of Southland and Invercargill, I offer congratulations to Mr Parsons, to Mr Batchelor and to the Southland Radio Club.” Sir Joseph Ward's Message. The following telegram was received from Sir Joseph Ward at Rotorua:— “I am very pleased to have an opportunity of sending a personal message on the occasion of the official opening of the Southland Radio Club this evening. It seems only a short time ago that I sent a message for broadcasting on the opening of 4ZP Station. I understand that the original accommodation has proved too small and that a new studio has now been required in the Arcade Buildings. I congratulate very heartily the Southland Radio Club on this' marked evidence of the increased use of and interest in wireless development in the district. May the new studio long continue as a radiating centre for much enjoyment, instruction and utility.

“In my previous message I referred to some of the beneficial uses of such a station and there is therefore no need to cover similar ground again. I content myself with a brief mention of the establishment of wireless telephony between England and the Commonwealth of Australia which was recently successfully inaugurated by a conversation between the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in his office in Downing Street, London, and the Prime Minister of Australia at Canberra. I may say that we are looking forward before half the present year has expired to being able to talk by telephone with Australia, and later on with Great Britain. We are indeed living in a marvellous age of scientific discovery and the advancement in the field of wireless constitutes a truly wonderful achievement.

“May I say just a few words about New Zealand. It is quite true that owing to the depressed state of our external markets due to causes quite beyond our own control our producers have had to contend with a difficult year. Not that there has been any decrease in production, but low prices have reigned for our wool and dairy produce and our meat. These factors will be reflected in our annual export trade figures and the drop in value of our primary products cannot but fail to react generally on the country as a whole—but signs are not wanting that the depression is temparary. The Dominion has a wonderful recuperating capacity towards which the industry and virility of our people have alway proved such real contributing factors and I hope that it will not be long before the Dominion is well on the high road to prosperity. I close by wishing the Radio Club every prosperity and by expressing to its members and all listeners-in my kindest regards.” Greetings From Mr Perrelle. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle sent the following message:— "While I regret that business in Wellington prevents my being present in person on the occasion of the official opening of the new studio of the Southland Radio Club, I am very pleased to have the opportunity of sending a message to listeners-in. I had the pleasure three months ago of congratulating Mr. Parsons and other radio enthusiasts upon the establishment of the station and of addressing those who were in possession of receiving sets. To-day the unseen audience is no doubt very much larger as the station has grown in popularity by reason of its excellent programmes. I want to congratulate the Southland Radio Club upon its initiative and achievement. Invercargill, as a city, and Southland, as a province, have shown steady progress in almost every desirable direction and it is only fitting that in keeping with this progress there should be a progressive broadcasting station such as 4ZP is proving it self to be. The musical talent of Invercargill is brought inexpensively to the doors of many living considerable distances from the city, while the facilities for the dissemination of news items is a further boon to the community. “It may not be out of place for me as a member of the Government to refer to the activities of one of my departments—-the Tourist and Publicity Department—in regard to Southland. Active steps have been and are being taken, more particularly in Australia, to bring prominently before outside people the charms of Southland from a scenic point of view. Regarding the Tourist traffic, as I do, as something in the nature of an industry, I consider it essential that we should advertise widely by various means the attractions which Nature has provided for us with such a lavish hand. I have hopes, and these are encouraged by reports and returns already received, that in the near future visitors from Australia will come to Southland in greatly increased numbers. The money spent by our tourist visitors all contributes to the general prosperity of the community, while the knowledge gained of the province, its re sources and its potentialities must serve as a stimulus to business and to trade. I was particularly asked by Sir Joseph Ward when I saw him a few days ago, to convey to his many friends in Southland, when I met them, his kindliest wishes to them alh I .take this opportunity of giving the message. It is pleasing to know that our old friend is promised some years of life, but to be assured of this he is required to follow the advice of his doctors that he should relieve himself of the heavy responsibilities of his office which have militated against

his restoration to good health. No one will begrudge him this enforced rest from a lifetime of devoted service to the country, nor will anyone doubt that he has all along placed the welfare of the country before the consideration of his own health. All, whatever their political opinions, will, I am sure, wish him well in the years that remain to him. In conclusion, I desire once more to congratulate all those who have contributed to the success of 4ZP and to express the hope, which I do with every confidence, that it will progress still further in popularity and usefulness. Good luck to you all.” Many Congratulations Extended. The programme organized by the executive to be broadcasted was of a very high standard and the artists who performed are acknowledged to be among the foremost in Southland. At frequent intervals during the evening listeners-in rang up to say how excellent the reception was and remarked that it was improving as the concert progressed. Mr. G. T. Palmer, lately headmaster of the Caversham School, Dunedin, and a member of the inspectorate of the South land Education Board, also spoke during the evening. Mr Palmer is well-known to owners of radio sets and all listeners-in as Uncle George, of 4YA, Dunedin, and he has signified his willingness to conduct the Children’s Session at 4ZP.

The following was the programme:— March, “Invercargill” (Lithgow)—lst Battalion Band. Conductor, Sergt.-Major R. L. Pettitt.—Contralto solo, “Over the dark still silence” (Alba Rizzi) —Miss T. Pryde.— Violin solo, “Caprice Vienoise” (Kriesler) — Mr. R. L. Pettitt. —Male Quartette, “Trumpeter” (Airlie Dix) —"Us Four” (with full trumpet effect by Mr. V. Aldridge).—Steel guitar solo, “Love time in Hawaii,” Miss Jessie Teviotdale. Bass solo, “The Mighty Deep” (Jude) —Mr. W. Drummond. Pianoforte solo, "Liebestrum” (Franz Listz) — Mr. L. James. Soprano solo, “Waiata Poi” (Alfred Hill) —Miss J. Sampson. Selection, “American Beauties” —Ist Battalion Band. Vocal duet, “Arise O Sun” (Dey)—Misses Enid and Norma King. Baritone solo, “The King’s Minstrel” (Pinsuti) —MrT. R. Pryde. Instrumental Trio Serenade (Liebe) and Spanish Dance (Mokowski) —Mrs. A. E. H. Bath and Messrs A. E. H. Bath and R. L. Pettitt. Contralto solo, “Daffoilsa Blowing” (Edward German)- —Mrs. W. R. Langmuir. Band, “Australis” (Lithgow). Tenor solo, “’Tis the Day” (Mattinata) (Tescheinaker’s) —Mr. W. H. Farley. Pianoforte solo, “Polonaise” (Chopin)—Mr. L. James. Contralto solo, “Killarney” (Balfe) —Miss. F. McKay. Violin solo, “Czardas” (Mich elis) —Mr. R. L. Pettitt. Barintone solo, “Nirvana” —Mr. S. Richards. Steel Guitar solo, “Honolulu Rose” —Miss J. Teviotdale. Male Quartette, “His Sweet Guitar,” arranged Parks (unaccompanied)—Us Four. Trombone solo, “Joy Wheel” —Mr. S. Graves. Tenor solo, “Your tiny hand is frozen” (La Boheme), Puccini —Mr. L. E. Dailey. Instrumental trio, “Valse” (Coleridge Taylor) —Mrs. A. E. H. Bath and Messrs Bath and Pettitt. March, “Heroes of Gallipoli” (Bulch) —Ist Battalion Band. Mr. J. 11. Watson was the official accompanist.

SOCIAL HOUR REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING. It was a happy thought on the part of the executive of the Southland Radio Club that, following the official opening of the studio, a social hour should be spent at the Rosewood Tea Lounge. There was a very large and representative gathering, over whom Mr A. W. Jones, president of the Radio Club, presided. In welcoming the guests, the chairman expressed appreciation at the very large number of people who had accepted the club’s invitation. The first toast of the evening was that of “The Southland Radio Club,” which was proposed by his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. D. Campbell). The Mayor said that when he presided at the first meeting called to form a club he was far from sanguine at its successful formation, but the band of enthusiasts had surmounted all obstacles and the club was now firmly established. He knew from the calibre of the men on the executive of the club that its success was assured, but loyal support from artists and listeners-in was necessary if the fullest results were to be obtained. He was sure, however, that all in Southland would co-operate to the utmost of their- ability with the club.

.The president, Mr Jones, responded to the toast. He said that it was through Mr Parsons’ generosity that the Radio Club came into being. (Applause.) He and Mr McEwan, the assistant operator, were deserving of the warmest thanks. The Radio Club was out to give service and fill a long felt want in Southland. Mr Jones'mentioned the names of the following who had done yeomen service in connection with the club and the official opening: Messrs F. Booth, junr., R. O. Boyens, W. R. Mabson, D. W. Stalker and L. Alsweiler. Mr S, M. Macalister proposed the toast of “Kindred Societies and Our Guests,” to which the following replied: The Revs. S. Bailey and J. A. Lush, representing the churches; Mr D. J. Wesney, Chamber of Commerce; Mr W. Robison, Southland Rugby Union; Mr J. D. Gilmore, Orphans’ Club; Mr S. Lindsay, Boxing Association; Mr Carlton Max, representing the theatres; Mr W. Macalister, League of Nations Union; and Mr C. S. Longuet, Southland League. “Station 4ZP” was the next toast. In proposing it, Mr W. R. Mabson paid a glowing tribute to Mr R. T. Parsons, owner and operator of the station whose enterprise had brought the club into being and given Southland listeners-in so much pleasure.

In response, Mr Parsons said that his ambition had always been to establish a station in Invercargill and he was very gratified that this ambition had been realized’.

In proposing the toast of ‘The Post and Telegraph Department,” Mr D. W. McKay said that the club was under a debt to the Department for its valuable assistance. Mr A. Scott, district telegraph engineer, responded. The concluding toast was that of “The Performers,” which was proposed by Mr L. S. Alsweiler and replied to by Messrs R. L. Pettitt and C. Trim.