Notes from Auckland

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 44, 18 May 1928, Page 14

Notes from Auckland

. {By Listener.) , "THE coming of winter nights, with. their accompaniment of house-, hold fires, or the switching on of the radiator, have given quite a fillip to lisening-in ‘fhroughout the city and. | suburbs.. As a consequence there has been a steady increase in the number’ of licenses issued at the G.P.O., and with the 11,000 mark now well passed, the province should soon exceed its: last year’s total. ; AST year a resident of lonely Aitutaki visited Auckland and took back with him a five-valve set. During the five long months when no steamer calls at the island he found the set a boon without price, for through it he was in constant nightly touch with New Zealand, Australia and America, and the handful of whites on’ the island gathered regularly at his house te "hear the world." Now other sets are to go down with the first boat of the season, and soon a receiver will be as much in demand in the islands as is a mosquito net. ME. CULLFORD BELL, whose voice rings distinctly each night from 1¥YA, is at present on leave, and his place before the microphone is being taken for fhe time by Mr. M. S. Cox, who was some time ago assistant announcer at the station. HOSE with valve sets are thoroughly enjoying 2YA’s excellent orchestra, which is "delivering the goods" that listeners want, and in a manner that challenges comparison with anything we hear from overseas. Aucklanders are hoping that on some suitable evening when weather conditions are all that they should be, the 2YA orchestra will be relayed from the local station. It is recognised that such relaying could not be detinitely pre-arranged, as statie might decide to be unkind, but if a favourable opportunity were scized, impromptu, the crystal folk in their thousands would rejoice at only a brief listening to what is the strongest feature of New Zealand's broadcasting. DN Tuesday last 1YA experimented successfully with a relay of part of a rehearsal from the rooms of the Auckland Choral Socicty. In the small erowded space of the rehearsal chamber it must have been difficult to place the microphone so as to get the best

balance for voice and orchestra. It is understood that the "mike" was suspended above the singers, and for full choral: effects this arrahgement proyed’ excellent, though it was not quite so- satisfactory fdr solo work. The innovation, however, was much appreciated, and its repetition should further improve the attractiveness of the local programmes, (THERre is a thoroughly "live" programme committee co-operating with the officials at 1YA,. ‘This committee has settled down with enthusiasm to its work, and, mainly through the instrumentality of Dr. Kenneth Phillips, has brought forward some very useful suggestions that have been forwarded to.the Broadcasting Company for consideration. Shortly there should be no lack of novelties from the Auckland station, this lack being the chief ground of complaint on the part of the very few disgruntled ones here. (THE radio play has been introduced to Auckland as a permanent portion of the weekly programme, and, if the comments one hears are taken as a criterion, it is going to be an outstanding «attraction, "Bobbie," the first presentation, made a very general appeal, and listeners are awaiting keenly for "Bobbie's" weekly successor. . THE much-talked-of "electric set" (though what set isn’t) is making its appearance locally, several types already being in use iu the city. Users are quite enthusiastic over the novelty of simply plugging in to the wall-socket, and not haying to worry with hydrometers and voltmeters, and they aver that the strength and quality of reception exceed their most sanguine anticipations,