Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 13, 12 October 1928, Page 7

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

LASst week-end listeners were all agog, for the general impression was abroad that the return flight would commence in the small hours of Sunday morning. 1YA dispelled the impression with its Saturday evening announcement, but many who patronise other entertainments of a Saturday did not hear the statement, and in consequence, arose unduly early on the Sabbath to tune in, and to find that the ether gave back nothing. Such was their reliance upon the broadcasting service that they knew no flight was then in progress. UITE delightful was the relay of the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society’s production of the "Belle of New York" on Saturday night. It was a foretaste, and quite a pleasing foretaste, of what must yet come as 2a regular portion of a broadcasting service. The "amateurs" will reap the reward of their courtesy by increased patronage at future presentations. OUR last Rugby broadcast for the season has been put over in a way that did full justice to a wonderful exhibition of the code. For some time listeners will miss the exciting Saturday afternoon descriptions with which they have been regaled during the winter months, but their temporary cessation will make their return the more welcome when the summer call of out-of-doors has once more waned. Of course there will still be accounts of racing on some Saturdays, for it is

pleasing to learn that the Broadcasting Company has determined to give descriptions of the next racing at Elerslie, the description to coincide with the running of the race. It seems a great pity that to secure such an account the officials of 1YA should be compelled to work outside the ground. VERY keen interest has been aroused in a forthcoming presentation from 1YA. This, the "staging" of winkwater’s "Oliver Cromwell’ be- . ha the microphone, is the most ambitious attempt in the histrionic lire yet attempted in New Zealand. If Mr. Montague presents it in the same manner as he did his initial venture into the realm of the long radio play. there will be a great reception awaiting the presentation.

As the result of a City Council discussion, 2 newspaper controversy has arisen over the provision of city music per organ and band. It is pointed out that since regular broadcastings of the band programmes have been tndertaken, the audiences of a Sunday night have dwindled. It has not been emphasised, however, that the

Broadcasting Company pays a goodly sum for the privilege of relaying the band, and that the council is thus much better off financially through broadeasting than without it, for admission to the Sunday evening coneerts is free. All listeners would be very sorry to see the band programmes in any way curtailed. They are the finest things that 1YA puts on the air. They cater for every taste, which is more than can be said for our organ recitals, and the public is so proud of its municipal band that any lessening of its educative work is very unlikely. UR Salon Orchestra continues to gratify the tastes of listeners. On Tuesday last, when there was a programme of general excellence, the orchestra’s contribution of the "Indian Love Lyrics" was an outstanding feature. At the time of writing we have had few details of the Amendment of the Copyright Act which will safeguard the entertainment of listeners from extortionate demands that may be made by holders of copyright. Listeners as a body are of the opinion that the coming of broadcasting has provided external corporations with a regular gold-mine.