Notes from Auckland

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 43, 11 May 1928, Page 15

Notes from Auckland

(By

Listener

Pras Jatest event of importance in} radio circles has been, not an innovation in programmes, not another storm in a radio teapot, but an auction 4 sale of radio apparatus that demon-] strated unmistakably the keenness of | publie enthusiasm for broadcasting, All day long bidding was in excited pro-. gress, and right through the evening. until after 10 pam. the auction mart was thronged with hundreds of eager buyers who went away well satisfied With the undoubted bargains they had secured im the £8000 worth of stock that was put under the hammer. There | were so many novitiates who came nunder the guidance of the knowing one, and purchased their requirements, that there 1s bound to be a big rush for licenses within the next few days. It unght weil be assumed that such a sale would be bad for the retail radio trade, but seemingly that is not the case, for one local retailer declared that bis business in batteries and other accessories had received a very decided impetus from the auction, and further stated that he would welcome an auction sale every week, His experience was by no means an isolated o-+ [? 1s sate to say that every valve set operating tuned in Wellington on Tuesday last, to listen to the premiere of 2YA’s orchestra. And the. general verdict of listeners with whom the writer has swopped opinions was. "Fexeellent." The right combination and the right stuff, too! The choice of selections was one that could not help appealing to all tastes, and even those who can usyally appreciate nothing but the frothy catchiness of medern American compositions were sctisfied that they at last had reevived their merited’ consideration for which thev have been. clamouring, They note annrovinely that future selections as indicated in the "Reeord" published programmes are on the similar lines of semething for alo ‘There will be no peace now for Mr Bellingham uvtil he cemes to Auckland and establishes anather such excellent body of instrumentalists to dispense simiter niusie from: 1% —

A CORRESPONIAN dE Im the Iscal I'ress comes forward with a novel suggestion, with wiieh the Broadeasting Company may be able to fall in line, though there may be obstacles of which the outsider is unaware. Tle suggests that, to assist the umomployment fund, the artists who usually face the microphone for one of the uightly programmes in the studio, appear at the Town Hall, whenee their items could be relayed and put on the air. Listeners, he argues, would be glad of the opportunity of visualising performers whom they now know only as yoices and through the introductions of the announeer. Sueh a concert would considerably assist the 0 nnenntoyment fund. 1¥A will have experim.ntid with another progressive undirtaking in the annals of New Zealand broadeastShad as neh DELS Tas TOS TEI

amg before these notes are rzad. Arrangements have Been made with the Auckland °Chorat Society whereby two of the choruses ‘from -one of their final rehearsais of "Klijah" wilt be relayed |The idea is an-excellent one.* Listeners will "be able to enjoy the fine choix singing, and the society will: undoubtedly benefit in securing a fine advertisement for their production -of ‘Flijah" in the Town Hall. An innovation such as this contains many Pp ssibilities, and if it proves acceptable tere: is no reason why its scope should not be extended. The Bohumian Orchestra, the Amateur Operatic Society, and similar bodies might thus find radio of considerable service, while listeners will welcome the chance of "getting in early." fRoTH Rugby aid Association football codes are eager that the games uuder their official jurisdiction should be broadcast from 1YA Their offcials are fully alive to the advantages accruing. In Mr. W. J. Meredith the company has a capable and experienced Jescriber of foothall, and his accounts | of the games at Eden Park are followed with intense enthusiasm by support-’ ers of the game who are unable to get out fo the gronnd ()UITE a large ficet ef coastal steamers convey passengers fron: the port of Auckland to the Far North, the Bay of Pienty, and other parts. Gradually these vessels have been fitted with wireless in conformity with Government regulations, all the work bemg done by local firms. The latest craft. te he so equipped is the Melanesian Mission steamer Southern Cross, which is now leaving for her periodical cruise to the South Seas, supplied with a nlant thet wil keen her in touch with the wortd and its affairs