On tine Air from Auckland.

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 212, 26 November 1927, Page 19 (Supplement)

On tine Air from Auckland.

(Written for THE SUN by iTTmrfnrr.TrrmTViTrrn mum mi mm i it _ -r s’ ■ -g

F. J. RYAN.

J une IS, ISIS, the Battle of Waternfyv<p»'\&Scv,fi I 100 was fought if with it, Napoleon SjF«fcjAg-y Bonaparte’s dream of world conquest faded for " ever. Three days later, travel-stained and weai-y, Major, the Hon. H. Percy reached London with the news of a momentous victory. The following day a new record for speed was established by "The Times” with a published account of the gi-eat battle. in a more recent, and to some minds, a more famous contest, in which Gene Tunney thwarted Jack Dempsey’s attempt to regain the world heavy-weight title, the news was flashed round the globe in a matter of seconds. In fact the roar of the light fans was even heard in Gisborne, which is rather more than a day’s march from Philadelphia.

Had the Battle of Waterloo been fought in 1927, and providing the broadcasting rights could have been adjusted to the mutual satisfaction of the contestants, a detailed account of the affair would no doubt have been broadcast round for round. In the wireless age apparently nothing is impossible. Recently at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Armistice Day commemoration service at Canterbury Cathedral, relayed from SSW, Chelmsford, England, was picked up with ease at 3YA, Canterbury, New Zealand. It was then 11.30 p.m., New Zealand time. Coming nearer home, racing enthusiasts will remember the relayed description of the Melbourne Cup received through IYA, Auckland. Time and space have indeed been annihilated. To the host of juvenile listeners-in at Auckland It would* not be a difficult feat of imagination to invest IYA with a fairyland atmosphere, particularly during that witching hour between sit aril seven when all manner of entrancing stories come through the sir from “Uncle Leo,” “Uncle Tom,” "Uncle Joe,” “Nod,” “Cinderella,” and other delightful persons. Feeding the Multitude But in the flesh, or rather, in bricks a &d mortar, IYA is a very matter-of-fact place. No land of visionary spirits this, but a very alive and up-to-date place of stern reality, inhabited

real live people, striving to accomplish the seemingly impossible task of feeding the multitude. in Matters of diet it is indeed a very Pernickety multitude, and the truth of the aphorism, “What is one man’s is another man’s poison, ’ is n ever more acutely realised than at the broadcasting station. ith the number of sets in exist-

ence (licensed ones in the province totalled 13,118 last month), and allow|Ang for friends who “drop in” for a I radio averting, it is estimated that at I times an audience of 50,000 listen-in ckland. Not an audience at- | tractewl to a hail or theatre for specific | form of entertainment, but one which J switches on and off at varying interi vals to pick up what is going, j The demand is large and covers a j wide range. For the epicurean tastes I something light and dainty to tickle a jja<ied palate; for others, as Goldsmith deecribes it, "plain beef and solid maitton.” In the musical field alone tastes vary to a wide degree. To those whose inclinations run to the latest song and dance hits such as “The Boneyard Shuffle,” or “If You Want to do Something Big go Wash the Elephant,” a dainty fragment of Brahms or a Beethoven symphony does not always appeal. Some also there are

of more catholic taste, respecting whom, in the terms of Madame D’Arblay, it would he very difficult to determine whether they were most distinguished as gluttons or epicures; for they are at once dainty and voracious, understanding the right and wrong of every dish, and alike emptying the one and the other. But these—the

easiest to cater for—are obviously few and far between. Upon the shoulders of Mr. Trevor Stringer, station director, and Mr. D. 11. Wrathall. programme director, lies the task at IYA for catering for this diversity of tastes. The maintenance of a supply of programmes to please as many as possible entails a never-ending search. A weekly change is the most that the avr _,„„ ~1-oiessional entertainer has to contend with, but a complete change nightly is a vastly different matter. On the four nights a week when musical and elocutionary items are given, eight artists are used nightly, or a total of 32 a week. If possible artists are not called upon at intervals of less than three weeks which means a total of approximately a hundred different performers that have to be called upon during that period. At present there are 300 on the IYA list, and 300 talented performers, even in Auckland, are not easy to obtain. Improving Music The demand for performers, however, although constituting a big problem for broadcasting officials is

j not without certain pleasing features, [ | bringing as it does a new and vital j j factor into local musical and elocu- j j tionary affairs. There is now a de- | mand for performers hitherto un- ! known, and following the natural inI crease in the supply an improvement in the standard of local music can be I expected to follow from the influence of broadcasting, as it has done in Engj land. The desire to obtain the best talent offering at IYA is evident from the recent appointment of a studio pianist and instrumental trio. The advent of broadcasting into the English musical field was not welcomed by leading musicians, who blamed it for the poor support extended to London concerts. With the taking over of Queen’s Hall by the

; British Broadcasting Company, who saved the day for the home of English music when its conversion into a pic- , ture theatre was threatened following j the failure of the famous, but poorly j attended “prom.” concerts, the critics j were rather confounded by the results that were immediately achieved. Instead of keeping audiences at home it was found that the installation of the microphone at Queen’s Hal. had the reverse effect. The services of Sir Henry Wood, one of England’s foremost conductors, together with an orchestra of 100, has been retained, and performances of the works of the best masters have attracted unprecedented attendances. According to the latest reports, the “house full” sign .

has been resurrected from the base- ! ment, and is now in regular use. In Fields of Spoilt ! But music is by no means the sole activity of the IYA studio. Over the air comes all manner of interesting information, not only in the form of addresses by authorities on various subjects, but also market reports for the benefit of the farming community. To the man on the land who is expecting a visit from a buyer on the following morning the latest information from the city is particularly valuable. For that reason alone many settlers have been known to invest in receiving sets. Other information from the city which is eagerly awaited at cer-

tain times is that supplied by “Abaydos” from IYA, and other well-informed gentlemen from other centres, who spend their waking hours studying that interesting subject known as “performances.” To many, the latest information from track and stable is considered valuable. From the racing tracks of Auckland clear and concise reports of events as they are run attract a big invisible audience. To those who, from old age or infirmity, are unable to attend, this service is particularly appreciated. At Eden Park the man at the“mike” has become a familiar figure. Football fans of either sex are to be found in j almost every home, and consequently j this department of broadcasting en- i joys huge popularity, particularly j when representative games, Ranfurly Shield matches, or inter-island contests are on the air. The latest innovation at the Auck- i land station concerns the further development of the juvenile field of en- ■ tertainment. These items which are put on in the children’s hours are being sought out and encouraged and |

j some really excellent performances, 1 some quite good enough for the reguS lar programmes, are heard. With the idea of extending this work, Miss Ruby j Palmer has recently been appointed

to the staff as juvenile organiser, from which good work should result. Although the time-honoured custom of celebrating the yuletide season has in recent years lost much of its oldtime enthusiasm, this year it should receive well-needed encouragement. Arrangements are now' being made for a special Christmas programme to be broadcast at a seasonable date. At this season of the year, at least, even the utmost extremists in matters musical are expected to unbend a little and unite for once in common appreciation of “Good King Wencelas,” and “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen.’ On the score of appropriateness surely no complaint can be made. Special provision is also being made for the New Yeas celebrations, and from 3YA, Christchurch, appropriate programmes will be sent out almost continuously from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. from December 26 to January 1. It is also possible that a three hours’ programme will be broadcast daily during January for the benefit of holiday makers at the various seaside resorts. If this can be * satisfactorily arranged it should prove a very popular innovation.

Behind the Scenes To the uninitiated a peep behind the scenes at IYA is rather interesting. A popular fallacy accepted by nearly all non-performers is that a broadcast performance should not induce nervousness. or if so, not to the same extent as on the stage or concert platform. The studio, which is the radio stage, is like any drawing room in any well-to-do home, except, perhaps, for the presence of a very serviceable piano and a capable accompanist. But even here there is a “fourth wall. In this instance not a sea of living faces, awe inspiring perhaps, but which nevertheless is compensated for by the encouragement of even a mild reception, but a cold, matter-of-fact microphone, which one is all too painfully aware will faithfully distribute your effort, good, bad or indiffer- [ ent, to a mute, invisible host Like one crying aloud in the wilderness there comes no answering sign; except perchance the congratulations of one’s friends which is never an indication.

\ A welcome addition to the Auckland i station is the provision of a second studio. By using both it is now possible to have one performer arranged ready to be switched on immediately the performer "on the air” has concluded. Both studios are well equipped, and with the latest sound-damp-ening devices in operation to prevent undue echo, excellent results are being obtained. j With stations in the four principal

centres of New Zealand the Radio Broadcasting Company of Xew Zealand. Ltd., has now grow-n to be a big factor in the social life of the community. From IYA, Auckland, 2YA, Wellington, 3YA, Christchurch, and 4YA, Dunedin, a diversity of enter-

taining and instructive items are always available, and as the development of the Dominion proceeds likewise will the activities of the service expand. The executive officials at bead office

l principally concerned with the development of broadcasting are Mr. A. R. Harris, general manager, and Mr. W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M., director of music. At IYA, Auckland, Mr. Trevor i Stringer is station director and Mr. D. H. Wrathall programme organiser. Last but certainly not least, is the man behind the gun—the radio engineer— Mr. R. J. Orbell, 8.E., X.Z. University, in whose capable charge the working [of the plant is entrusted.