Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 27, 20 January 1928, Page 14

Our Mail Bag

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J M.S and I'.S.--You have not signed your uname’ to your letter. You are each entitled to your opinions as to the merits ot the respective orchestras, trios, efc., but other people are equally entitled to theirs.

Children on the Air. Still Learning: In the ‘Radio Record," just to hand, I find several correspondents are complaining about the children’s session,. that it is mainly sloppy, sickly staff. Now, sir, let me tell these people the children must be atered for, and what is sloppy and sickly to one is sugar to another, and when the jam is put on too thick for me I switch on to some other station. I snight say I am old enough to remember the seventies, and I now spend two or three hours every week listening to the children’s sessions, and though I agree with one correspondent, that Unele Sam is ont on his own, T maintain that several other Tneles and Aunties are exeellent in their work

Let me advise your critics to listen in on Sunday evening’s children’s sessions, to Wellington, Christehureh, or Pnnedin, and I guess they will he rewarded. As for children not wishing to hear other | children singitg and reciting, I do not agree with that claim, and, again, if vou do not put on children, where are vou to cet sufficient adult talent to keen the station open? In conclusion, let me say IT have learned a lot throneh listening to Uneles Sam, Trnest and Sandy, and to Aunt Dot, and others. But do not curtail the children’s sessions. P.S.: The remarks about the anNonucers are wnwortliv of notice. nolice at times that the anvounecr’s voice gets a bit tired, and no doubt at times they are glad when 10 o’clock comes, but wha would blame then? Taken all round, the announcers are ’ fine lot.

An Old Hand's Views. Sir,-We read some complaints from listeners about the programmes, but I state that there is not one broadcast company in the Southern ITemisphere Which dias made more progress than has the N.Z.R.B.C., and is there any other station which can put on a hetter programme during the children’s session than does 8Y.\7 We haye more rariety and better programmes during this session than I have ever heard any station in Australia put on. I can remember 280, when they used to be callkd 2S from the "Daily Guardian" newspaper olfies, and T heard 2KkC when they first started on 1100 metres, and I have seldom heard a session which ‘an equal that of SYA. No, Mr. Tiditor, listeners cannot growl, Ask any old hand who has been at the game for J fonr or five vears, and IT think you will fiucd he is very cuthusiastic about the progress made by the company. The evening sessions are a eredit when one considers the limited talent available in New Zealand. One thing I would Jike to suggest is what about ai afternoon programme during Sunday. In the winter months IT am sure country listeners would appreciate it. Radio Sunday Sessions. , Satisfied (Ohakune): I wish to exEress my appreciation of the programmes put on lately on Sunday evenings, alter chureh, particularly at 2YA and at 4YA, I like band music, but the semi-sacred concerts now being given are a great treat, and though I am not a wowser I hope these will be continued, and the secular music kept for during the week. In my opinion the Broadcasting Co. are giving us great value for our money, and in the music, vocal, instrumental, band, and choral items, together with talks, market reports, and news, and a host of other incidentals, there is enough on the air to satisfy the public, uo matter what their taste may De. P.S. We listened on Tuesday till midnight, and were very disappointed that 8VA did not get on the air on Wedvesday to tell us about the missing airmen, but instead we had to wait till 7.15 Thursday night for the news over the air.

Christimas Programmes Appreciated. yy. C. Horton (New Plymouth): Just «a line to express appreciation of the Nmas broadcast from IYA, Auckland. The items on the air during the week were of a high standard "sud good variety, and must have pleased the majority of listeners, ‘The main feature was the duration of the broadcast, and it was very gratifying to be able to use the receiver during most of the day and evening. ‘This 1s what makes_ radio worth while, and should have greatly impressed intending purchasers, and I hope the time is not far distant when we can look forward to the stations starting at midday. In my opinion it would be ketter to be on the air from 12 till 2 each day than as at present from 8 till 6. The former time would enable more listeners to use their sets and also for dealers while the streets are busy. ‘The "Radio Record" is also appreciated, and is a very 1nteresting publication