EXHIBITION OPENED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 808, 31 October 1929, Page 6

EXHIBITION OPENED

RADIO LISTENERS CROWD TOWN HALL LOWER FEES FOR TRANSMITTERS An appreciative crowd filled the Town Hall last evening for the opening of the Auckland Radio Exhibition. Great interest was evinced in exhibits and in the broadcast from the model studio set on the platform of the hall. A comparison between the receivers shown at Auckland’s first radio show, which was held five years ago In the University College Buildings, and those on display at the various stalls, was made by Mr. W. J. Smeeton, chairman of the exhibition committee, who presided. Truly; he said, broadcasting had made wonderful progress of recent The Postmaster-General, the lion. J. B. Donald, then spoke by land-line from Wellington. Unfortunately, although his remarks were broadcast by station IYA, those in the hall heard little until his speech had almost concluded. “Those who are listening to me are, of course, already interested in wireless, and do not need to be converted.” said Mr. Donald, “but I hope that every one of you will try to secure fresh converts, because the more listeners there are the better the programmes that we can expect. Better programmes bring still more listeners, and I am looking forward to the effective nation-wide extension of the service. In the meantime, we can with confidence expect a higher and higher standard of entertainment, information and education.” He hoped Auckland’s quota of the 50,000 listeners of the Dominion would be increased as a result of the exhibition. Mr. Donald mentioned the co-opera-tion between the company and the Post and Telegraph Department, which made possible transmissions such as the present one. He complimented the dealers on their initiative in opening such a big exhibition, and on their help in keeping the air clear from interference. Following requests made by an Auckland deputation, the department has decided to reduce the annual licence fee for amateur transmitters from £2 £2s to 30s, said the Minister, in declaring the exhibition open. He hinted at further concessions in the future. The Mayor, Mr. George Baildon, and the chairman of the Auckland ElectricPower Board, Mr. W. J. Holds worth, also spoke, and later in the evening Mr. John Ball, chief announcer of the Broadcasting Company, was also on the air. He stressed the value of radio tb the farmer as well as to the townsman. Winning sets in competitions organised by the “New Zealand Radio Magazine” were on display. The winners were: Short Wave Set.—F. Busby (Herne Bay), 1; S. Bowker (Oneliunga), 2. Broadcast Wave Valve Set. —S. Bowker, 1; Arthur Bayle (Auckland), Crystal Set.—A. Jeffries, 1. Essay Contest.—R. J. Harris (Wanganui), 1; S. R. Hutchinson (Edendale), 2. The judges stated that these were tho best exhibits seen at any of the radio shows in the Dominion so far, and were well up to professional standard, although the entries were restricted to amateurs only. The essays were bright and not too technical. Both essay prize-winners were only 17 years old.

A fine programme presented at the Town Hall by the IYA choir and Artillery Band was broadcast by station IYA.