RADIO DRAMA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 693, 19 June 1929, Page 14

RADIO DRAMA

STORY OF BIG BRIBE BARON AND £20,000 A radio episode which, is almost melodramatic is recorded by Colonel ! Lionel James in his interesting book. I “High Pressure/’ which has just been i published by John Murray, 12s net. During the Russo-Japanese war, j Colonel James was then temporarily*j in charge of a wireless set on a ship I lying off Port Arthur. He was | ashore one evening, at the local club, j when a tall, distinguished-looking i stranger, who described himself as i Baron Lubavin, made himself known 1 to Colonel James and, in the course I of a conversation, stated that he was | ft Russian agent in the Tsar’s Secret j Service. He then proceeded to sound Colonel James as to the possibility of a wireless cypher message being sent from the ship to Port Arthur. “If you will send it for me,” said the Baron to Colonel James, “I am authorised to give you these.” He then put on the table a wad of banknotes to the value of £20,000! Colonel James was naturally “hypnotised” by the sight of so much money, not to say flabbergasted at the proposal. But when he found words to answer the Baron’s offer, he promptly told him to go “elsewhere.” But the Russian was persistent. “All I require is a few minutes’ access to your wireless set,” he said, and again he pointed to the notes. BEATING THE BARON Our author bade him a very abrupt “Good evening.” But the Baron was not to be beaten, and he forthwith increased the amount of the bribe. But he was shown the door, and Colonel James thought that was the end of the matter. Colonel James also had a wireless station on a hill ashore, and that evening he visited the operator. The latter was asleep, so James did not wake him, but, anticipating another visit from the Baron, he posted himself on the only road up to the hill with a revolver in his hand. To quote Colonel James: “In about half an hour I heard footsteps approaching, and then I saw two figures separating from the shadows. “‘Halt!’ I said. ‘Y r ou cannot come any nearer to the station, Baron. I am armed.’ “ ‘Have you considered my proposal?’ said the Baron. ‘Such a tiny message!’ “ ‘There is nothing to consider, Baron/ was the answer. ‘And I must ask you not to trespass on my station.’ ” NOTHING DOING The Baron was then convinced there was “nothing doing,” and he had to beat a retreat; but it is interesting to wonder what was the message he was prepared to pay £20,000 to have transmitted to Port Arthur. It certainly strikes one that it must have been of paramount importance; and one wonders what would have happened if the message had been transmitted. Perhaps it might have had a distinct effect on the Russo-Japan-ese War, and perhaps, if it hadn’t been sent, Port Arthur wouldn’t have fallen as it did, later on, before the Japanese assault. IYA CHILDREN’S COMMITTEE A meeting of the IYA Children’s Advisory Committee was held at the Auckland studios of the Radio Broadcasting Company, France Street. Present: The Rev. George Coats, in the chair; “Uncle George” at IYA, Mr. E. Hudson, Headmasters’ Association; Mr. V. Drew, Y.M.C.A.; Miss C. J. Flatt, National Council of Women; the Rev. L. B. Busfield, Sunday School Union; Mr. T. T. Garland, “Uncle Tom.” at IYA; Miss R. Palmer, children’s organiser at IYA; Mr. L. C. Barnes, station director at IYA. The Rev. George Coats was elected chairman for the ensuing year. It was reported that the vocational talks were being proceeded with and that arrangements had been made to continue the series, which will include talks on “Teaching,” “Public Service” and various trades. Two suggestions were referred to the committee from the IYA Musical and Dramatic Committee, the first in connection with an elocutionary competition for the children, and the second with reference to short interesting and entertaining talks on music. The first proposal was approved, and Mr. E. Hudson was asked to go into the question of musical talks. Telephones which have been dropped, and which consequently have lost their sensitivity, need not be thrown away, as in many cases they can be reconditioned successfully by the makers, or by firms specialising in telephone repair work.