Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 23, 21 December 1928, Page 4

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

"[t was not actual vision, but it was the next thing to it." In this way a listener described the account of the wrestling match broadcast last Monday night. The contest teemed with excitement, humour, and situations that are best described as "peculiar." There was not a large body of spectators at the Town Hall, but there were many thousands who appreciated the fact that 1YA stepped into the breach again on its "off’ night and gave us a rapidfire and vivid piece of excitement which roused to excitement even those who understood nothing of the ancient Greek art of wrestling. Probably the Greeks of old did not disport themgelves as their representative did on Monday, but Kilonis has the satisfaction of knowing that he contributed much to the gaiety of an Auckland home evening. Mr, Gordon Hutter handled the description excellently: it was easy to recognise that he was as much earried away as the othe spectators, and he managed well tuo dispense his enthusiasm through the ether. It is quite safe to predict that on Monday next, when another bout will be staged, the Town Hall will be packed, for no newspaper account could possibly have the uppeal that the spoken one had. Numbers of listeners have assured the writer that they thor oughly enjoyed the relay, and as a result they "intend to be there" at the scene of operations next time. TNHE announcement of the forthcoming presentation of "Macbeth" at 1YA is creating quite an umount of discussion here. Lovers of Shakespenre

ave frankly pleased, for they see in the effort educational as well as entertaining advantages. There are others who declare that it will be a "dry" evening, and that Shakespeare is too highbrow. for the generality of listeners. This is a selfish attitude to adopt. Shakespeare will not appeal to all. No type of entertainment can possibly be expected to do so. But the popularity of stage productions of the Bard is in itself sufficient justification for the experiment, which shonld result in the conversion of jaundiced critics. In the interests of our youth alone, we ean do with regular Shakespearean pre-sentations-not extracts, but the ful) plays. [" wus a real Gilbert and Sullivan night at 1YA on Wednesday. The vocalists were not there in the flesh, for such vocalists as we heard could never be expected in any one company performing in the Dominion, The opera Was presented by means of records, and the outstanding feature of the presentation, even considering the calibre of the artists, was the wonder fully faithful reproduction of perfect enunciation. Every word of a solo eame as distinctly as if direct from the lips of a thoroughly trained singer. The whole evening was a delight. Give us more of the same kind, and the station will be inundated with letters of congratulation. LASTENERS seem highly pleased at the action of the late Government in settling amicably the vexed question of royalty claims regarding broadcasting patents. Many have feared that these would result in an increase of license fees, or such a drain upon the finances of the Broadcasting Company that there would be less money for the maiutenance of the present sood standard of programimnes. The fear has passed, and Aucklanders look to their own Minister of Telegraphs to exercise as niuch care and foresight in the provision of broadcasting services as did his predecessor.