Notes from Auckland

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 42, 4 May 1928, Page 16

Notes from Auckland

(By

Listener

BWROADCASTING played its part well ‘ in the remembrance of Atizac ot Wednesday of last week. LYA rose to the ovcasion in a manner that showed vareful and adequate preparation on the part of the staff who realised that hhrough their efforts the reality and solemnity of the occasion could = be horne to thousands who were unable to toingregate in or near the Town Hall. The procession of returned men who marched up Queen Street was excellent\y described by Mr. Culford Bell. The popular Auckland announcer described vhe scence simply and most fittingly, in the finest effort that has been achieved bv the local station for some time. Mr. Jel] is certain to receive many messages of congratulation for his effective verbal picture of the parade. The relav of the service from the Town Hall vame through splendidly, as did the nemorial service from St, Matthew’s in he evening. NAUCESDAW’S Shakespearean niglit was | an unqualified success. It is. strange that the average person has little appreciation of Shakespear’sworks and pays scant attention to the seading of them, but it is safe to pro- | phesy that, after Tuesday’s broadcast there will be an increased attention to the dramas of the world’s most famous writer. The spoken word, well spoken has an appeal that no cold print could make. The capable interpretation o sharacters by Auckland’s — histrionic alent, and the well chosen instrumental and vocal music provided a real Shakespearean education, a classical treat that suited all tastes ‘Tnesday’s broadcast has done something more than provid‘ie at evening of entertainment: it plaved a big part in developing an anpreciation that shonld be much to the benefit of the next Shakesnearean repor‘ory company that happens along.

AwC KLANDER’S are displaying a . keen interest in the first appearunce of the big studio orchestra at 2YA, and the local programme is very likely to be neglected on Tuesday evening, when the talented band of Wellington musicians makes its first appearance hefore the microphone. There are hones Yhat ere long the Wellington innovation will be duplicated in the Northern Ctiy. WPHAT musical and dramatic organisations are eager to assist in the great work of broadcasting was plainly xiOwn at the recent meeting when delegates representative of almost all im-_ portant societies concerned with public. pntertainment gave unanimous approval jor Mr. Harris’s scheme for co-operation programme efiorts. Memers of the gommittee appointed are most enthusifistic and their deliberations next I'riflay will help radio along considerably. Such committees will create harmonies beyond the power of a_ transmitting paint to convey effectively in a direct form, yet these harmonies will be reflected in future programmes. The dramatic features now promised regularly will supply a longfelt want, and hext week’s initial effort is assured of a keen reception. It would be well for listeners to bear in mind that these, like the operatic presentations, require an unrealised amount of preparation and rehearsal on the part of far more than a single individual. HE; local press has given a prominence greater than it deserves to the report that there is a decrease of over 3000 in the number of licenses isgued this year, upon the number current just prior to March. It is stated Yhat about 1000 have notified that they ¢lo not intend to renew their licenses.

These are probably the total of those who will not listen in during 1928, and their perecentage, out of over 14,000, is a very small one-a remarkably small one, when the figures of other countries are concerned. [Fluctuations in the personnel are bound to occur, particularly when there are always folk who will be drawn for a brief spell to anything they regard as a noyelty. The loss of this thousand is one that the commencement of a year will overcome with ease and rapidity. Of the other 2000 it is safe to assert that they belong to a class who require several reminders before they forward their annual dues. Rusiness reople are well aware how large such a class is. By the time these notes are read we may anticipate that there will be a second tush on the registration counter, with the usn~ Rood of excuses about forgetfulness, pressure of business, etc. ‘There is certainly no need for pessimism ¢ bout the future of broadcasting in the north, It took strong root here, and figures it ‘two months time will undoubtedly prove a rude shock to the ‘I told you so’s’"? of to-day. Auckland district probably cannot expect to regain tte pride of place from which the Wellington district recently ousted it, but it will tun that province a good and consistent second. Radio is not a luxury, it is a public utility and is here to stay. =~