Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 22, 14 December 1928, Page 25

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

YA again rendered service to the big army of country listeners who cannot afford regular trips to the city, and to the many in hospitals and other institutions, when it relayed particulars of the Takapuna race meeting last Friday and Saturday. Soon the biggési racing week of the year, the Christmas earnival, will be upon us, and again thousands will be in the position of not being ‘able to attend at Mller slie and at Alexandra Park. For them there will be no certainty of participating "over the air" in the big meeiings of the week, though it is certain the Broadcasting Company will do its bext under harrassing conditions for them. Surely the time has now come when there should be some reconsideration of a ban which all sane people regard either as idiotic or as petty. _ New Zealand is a land which has a large number of peculiarities, and a remarkable series of restrictions, but the one upon the broadcasting of racing de-

scriptions is that which, of all, must create most amusement to outside observers. . A NEW concert party under Madame A "4 , : * sys appearance before the 1XYA microphone on Wednesday night, and provided a delightful programme. There was something in it for all, and not the least enjoyable portions were the grand organ relays, most suitable for broadcasting. and the vocal items with organ acconipaniment. The amount of static observable when distant stations were tuned in indicated that there would be difficulty in southern listeners enjoying the programme, but to those who did get it well it was a real treat. [STERFERENCE from howling valves is again becoming a menace

in Auckland, and on every side one hears growing complaints regarding a nuisance which we had hoped was a thing of the past. On Monday nights, when many wish to tune-in our two small stations, they find these provgrammes marred by the persistence in vain endeavour of the inconsiderate ones who wish to hear Sydney in sun:mer time upon receivers which were never intended for such duty. There is keen interest here in the Australian erickets tests. but it is hard to make

out the 2FC announcer’s voice threugh the oscillation, and several have given up the attempt in disgust. 1YA, however, has come to the rescue, and, on time, it has beaten the Sydney stations with its information as to the state of play. The early information regard: ing the scores which Mr. Culford Bell has been able to supply has been much appreciated. HRISTMAS is approaching, the radio trade is looking. forward to a busy time, and the Broadcasting Company is assisting by putting on midday broadcasts which will be weicomed by many who are not dealers. "Tuncb to musie" will be the order of the day in many hoxtes and restaurants during the coming weeks. ‘There is every indication that this season's radio husiness will far surpass that of pre-

vious Christmases. Good programmes have contributed towards this eutlook, but the chief contributing factor is the wonderfully quick and reliable: service which New Zealand radio is now giving in the dissemination of important news, and the broadcasting of great events, {OR some time now we have had no band items, and listeners regret the absence. It is time that they coinbined and made such representations to the City Council as would make thot body reconsider its exorbitant demands which have resulted in shutting the municipal band off the air. No one blames the Broadcasting Company, which is prepared to pay a fair thing, but, unless some further consideration is given, there is bound to be much heard regarding the broadcasting of municipal music ere the civie elections eventuate next year.