Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 51, 6 July 1928, Page 14

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

ay KE have been splendidly catered for during the last few evenings by the local station. There was a reali treat for lovers of Gilbert anc Sulliyan on Wednesday, when 1YA relayed a special programme by the Municipal Band and assisting vocalists. The best of the many gems in the immortal light operas were presented in a manner that roused enthusiasm in an audience for larger than that which assembled in the Town Hall. The evening was one that would well stand repetition at an early date. Even the most chronic grumblers could not but appreciate it. ON the previous evening Madame Ainsley's party supplied the "errand opera touch" with selections from "Rigoletto." In the tenor part Mr. Robert Peter’s work was deserving of special mention. He gave very fine renderings in his solos; in fact, one of his best performances before the microphone. His distinctness of enunciation was a point that other artists might well copy. HE telepathy tests in which "Argus" appeared provided another novelty, and have been proyoeative of controversy, challenge and counter-challenge over their genuineness. Should further tests be forth‘coming as a result of these challenges, it is to be hoped that 1YA will be allowed to take part in the demonstration. "THERE is yery general appreciation of the action of the Northern Boxing Association for that body allowing broadcast descriptions of boxing contests under its jurisdiction. The latest of the Town Hall fights was most capably handled by Mr. Hutter, in whom the Broadcasting Company have unearthed a find. His descriptions are quite unforced, yet vivid, and their naturalness is refreshing. At the microphone at Alexandra Park on Saturday and Wednesday, when he described the winter trotting meeting, Mr. xfuitex was equally at home. NEWS has just come to hand of the delay in assembling a_ studio orchestra for 1XYA. It will naturally ereate much disappointment among local listeners, for those wvho are able to pick up Wellington thoroughly enjoy the orchestral selections from 2YA, However, there is consolation in the that what is now a trio at the station will be augmented, and that a full orchestra will be heard as soon as arrangements can be finalised. Orphans Clubs and similar organisations find the greatest difficulty in securing a stable orchestra for only one night in two weeks, so that the difficulties of the

Broadcasting Company in assuring themselves of a permanent band of performers for four nights a week ‘can well be understood. So keen is the competition among theatres and picture shows here that the services of every capable instrumentalist are eagerly sought, and good financial bids are made for them, | THE annual meeting of the Auckland | Listeners’ League last Monday drew only a small attendance of the .1540 members on the books of the league. ‘The report detailed the activities of the executive during the past year, and showed a healthy ‘financial condition, a credit balance of £25 17s. Gd. The election of officers resulted as follows :-President, Mr. A. G. Jacob; vice-president, Mr. A. A, Hintz; secretary, Mr. G. McB. Salt; -treasurer, Mr. E. T. Drayton; executive; Messrs. Jones, Tiarks, Brandon, ‘Mahoney, Arthur. ost discussion centred round a letter from the secretary to the Post and ‘Telegraph Department, which suggested the consideration of the causes in the drop of licenses. It was decided to invite Mr. McNamara to attend a meeting of listeners in Auckland, when the league would endeavour to place its views on this matter before him. Auckland programmes came in for the usual criticism, and were compared unfavourably with those heard from Wellington. None of the critics mentioned the fact that distance lends enchantment. It was also resolved to press for the publication of the Broadcasting Company's balance-sheet, permission for this to be done having been declined by the Postmaster-General last year, and to ask for the re-estab-lishment of a Dominion Advisory Broadcasting Board. Ni of our local private transmitting stations, 1ZB, has been doing good work of 2 Monday evening, the silent night at 1YA., Several of its gramophone recitals have earned high praise from crystal users and others.