Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 11, 9 November 1928, Page 10

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

(Quick service to its supporters is a motto to which local broadcasting lives up. On Wednesday a poll was taken in the city and suburbs upon the question of establishing « transport board. Within a few minutes of the totalling of the votes thousands of Auckianders, comfortably settled in their own ho::es, knew of the civic decision. 1YA did the trick promptly. ISTBNING-OUT has supplanted listening-in during the last few days, and will continue to do so for a week or two to come. Thousands are swarming nightly to political meetings, which cannot be broadcast, and as a result sets are being less used than is usual. When the declaration of the polling comes, however, the most satisfactory place to be will be in ront of: the loud-speaker. Radio will considerably diminish the crowds that crane their necks around the newspaper screens which announce results. QYA gave us two excellent nights of boxing this week. The military tournament was well described, while the followers of Charlie Purdy sought out many a receiver to hear how he fared against Fairhall on ‘Tuesday night. Whoever described the fight deserves congratulation upon a vivid aceount that was «plendidly transmitted. ONE of the best programmes yet pro- \ vided by Madame Ainsley’s party was given this week. "Il Trovatore" is the most popular of grand operas with the general public, and can well stand more than one repetition. The other items on th. programme _were both varied and attractive, but special mention must be made of the effort of the orchestra and the vocal party in rendering a selection from the "Waltz Dream," with its attractive music of pre-war days. | s°Way didn’t they broadcast the Prime Minister’s speech?’ was a general query this week. At the time Mr. Coates was speaking in Auckland listeners could tune in 2FC and hear the leader of the Australian Labour Party expounding his platform. There are still a large number of listeners who are unaware that politics are taboo on the air in New Zealand. Though this is so, it might easily be considered that a speech by the leader of the Government should override this restriction. oe sn ae ‘of the Australian stations are very considerate in catering for New Yealanders, to whom they are under no obligation. The special cricket announcements given out by 2FC at 9.55 each evening that the Englishmen are playing are much appreciated locally, and 2FC received much attention during the Adelaide match. One wonders whether such descriptions might not be either re-broadcast or re-announced

in New Zealand. (2YA is giving prominence to Australian sporting notes.) owas a new arrival in the Dominion, a holiday-maker from far and little known South America, where broadcasting has‘as yet but little local. hold. "I got to know your country," he said, "when fully a week away from it in the Pacific Ocean, It was a treat to hear the typically English programmes, but a still greater treat to listen to the news of a strange land, and to become familiar with happenings and conditions long before one set foot on shore. Your broadcasting service meant much to me. It gave me the New Zealand atmosphere in such a way that I landed without the feeling of being an absolute stranger in entirely new surroundings. Though I was the only stranger aboard, I was not alone in following keenly everything that could be picked up from 2YA and 1YA." o