“£20 A CONCERT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 537, 14 December 1928, Page 16

“£2O A CONCERT”

WHY BROADCASTING CEASED CITY COUNCIL’S DEMANDS Cessation of the broadcasting of municipal band concerts is due, ac cording to the Radio Broadcasting Company, to the increased charges asked by the City Council, amounting to £7t>o for 37 concerts, or more than £2U a concert. Tho Auckland Radio Dealers’ Association recently inquired of the Radio Broadcasting Company the reason why tho band concerts had ceased to be “on tho air.” Mr. A. K. Harris replied that 12 months ago an arrangement was entered into with the City Council whereby all municipal concerts, with tho exception of the ones at tlic Zoo, could be broadcast for £3OO per annum. Between March and August, 42 concerts were broadcast, including 24 band recitals and IS organ recitals, 11 concerts having been cancelled by the council, some at less than 24 hours’ | notice, with serious disorganisation to ; the company’s programme arrange- | ment's. FEE OF £750 The original arrangement terminated in September. The council had | advised that, for similar lights, a fee iof £750 would be required Lor a schedule which indicated that only 37 were to be band performances, 2 6 oj these to be presented from various parks. Organ recitals were also on ilie schedule, but these had not proved satisfactory for broadcasting. The company had stated that it was uiiable to see its way clear to pay the £ 750. but, as an alternative, had suggested that the band concerts might ho relayed at a fee for each performance, similar to the arrangement in other cities. Tlie council had not agreed to this. The company had also to consider that the 2 0 concerts from parks would increase tlie expense, all band concerts for the six months ended August having been held in the Town Mall, to which one permanent line was fitted. The Dealers’ Association has sent a copy of the reply to the City Council, and urged it to consider tlie question of renewing tlie arrangement on the same terms as ast year. “It is very desirable that these concerts should be broadcast so as to reach the large section of the community who. owing to old age. sickness or other reasons, are unable to attend the concerts.” states tlie letter, to which no reply has yet beer, received.