Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 4, 10 August 1928, Page 8

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

| [from their own station Aucklanders did not hear a description of the big fight, but when they were acquainted with the reception conditions prevailing there was no complaint, for the public recognised that the feat was impossible of achievement. At the time of the contest, -however, there was much disappointment, for.people were keyed up to fever heat of excitement over the event. (THERE eontinues to be. nothing but praise for the rad play recently Dbroadeast. It is quite .refreshing to note the favourable comments which have appeared in the correspondence columns of the daily press, and the "Comedy Players" have every reason to feel gratified at the success of their. initial big venture. The general query among listeners is "When will they do it again?" RADIO popularity is a condition not . easily gained, but one which clings once it is attained. In Auckland there is perhaps no better example of it than in the case of the Rev. Lionel Fletcher. As a preacher he commands our largest radio "congregation," and his mail on succeeding days is invariably a large one. As "Uncle Leo," too, he is doing splendid service in the children’s hour. HE utilisation of "B’’ eliminators is growing apace. So much so, in fact, that local demands for some of the best known types exceed present supplies. The writer is one who is the fortunate possessor of a good eliminator, and like nearly all others he would find it hard to go back again to the old dry batteries. Auckland power in most areas maintains a fairly constant pressure, and little trouble is experienced with fluctuations. Last night there was an opportunity to hear one of the latest power-socket sets, with the inevitable result-everybody wants one. It is quite easy to understand after hearing one why they have caught on so rapidly in America. | A DESCRIPTION of the finals of the *™ Auckland amateur boxing championships provided an excellent relay. ‘The announcer, Mr. Hutter, I presume, handled his task in a most realistic manner, and in one roomful of listeners a number of the fair sex, both young and old, took the keenest interest in his accounts of the fights. There is no doubt that the description did much to popularise the fistic pastime, and to give those who had never witnessed a hoxing contest the desire to see what they had heard described so well. HE function of the gramophone in radio entertainment was well demonstrated from 1YA on Wednesday evening. The latter part of the programme was devoted to a lecture-re-cital by Mr. Karl Atkinson, whose enthusiasm for the recorded dise has now extended to the reproduction of it through the air. Mr. Atkinson made: a wise selection. in the items which he submitted, and in each case he introduced them with illuminating remarks. In fact, he lifted the programme quite above its usual level by a most appreciated half-hour, and all

lovers of good music will await a repetition of Wednesday’s new departure. HE relay from the Embassy waa another attractive feature on. Wednesday. This relay is eagerly 1@@&; cd forward to, and hopes are expresse® that it is but the forerunner of more extensive developments in broadcast ing of theatrical items. ... (THE most disappointed -people ‘over ° the Heeney-Tunney fight. were the short-wave enthusiasts who had been encouraged by prior tests to anticipate fine reception. The ether treated them shockingly, and though many claimed a fair measure of success, there is no authenticated case of hearing the whole ringside account. Local howling was veiy much in evidence. The howler is usually regarded as an inconsiderate mortal with no thought for his neighbour, yet when 1YA put over a special plea for him to consider the reception: of others it was noticeable that local interference was minimised to a great extent. L_STENERS will congratulate Mr. W. J. Meredith upon his fine running account of a great game of football on Saturday last. The struggle was an epic one, packed full of tense moments, and of these the announcer made full use. The rours of the crowd, the graphic description-these brought splendid realism to those at their receivers. HE new "UX222" received a thorough testing during the fight relay, and came triumphantly through the ordeal. Mr. H. Jacques, who was using one in his short-wave set, stated that there was no difficulty ) in obtaining more volume than wag necessary. Unfortunately, the ex-~ traneous noises alone prevented clarity of speech being noted. UITE a number of new performers are now making first appearances before the 1YA- microphone. What excuse over monotony of performers will the disgruntled ones now make? The new talent is well up to the high standard demanded at 1YA. HE souvenir issue of the "Radio Record" is just to hand among local subscribers, who find in it much to interest and instruct. Through the medium vf numerous illustrations they are familiarised in another manner with many who have been’ merely names to them in the past. The -resume of New Zealand broadcasting, and the indications of future policy are both welcome and encouraging, while the advice to gathe1 in additional licenses is something that every listener could well follow in his own interests. "ss