Hawke's Bay Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 26, 11 January 1929, Page 30

Hawke's Bay Notes

(THE outstanding feature of the Hawke’s Bay Radio world this week has been the official handing over to the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board of the radio equipment which the Hawke’s Bay Radio Society has h installed in the Hastings Memoria Hospital. The handing over was done at a very pleasing little function in the nurses’ home. His Lordship, the Bishop of Aoteroa, who is president of the society, presenting the outfit to the Hospital Board, through the Mayor of Hastings, G. A. Maddison, Bsq. Usually on such occasions one has to make all sorts of excuses for static or distorted reception, but this time everything went off wonderfully well. Hardly a blast of static was heard, and the items came through in good style. Specially appreciated by those present were the congratulatory remarks put over from 2YA, and for these the Radio Society says "Thank you" to the announcer. Not one word of this was lost, and the speaker’s fine voice created a very favourable impression. WitH the hospital set now off its hands, the Radio Society will once more be confronted with the problem of a local broadcasting station, and the question to be answered is whether the Radio Society should take the thing up or leave it to a private firm which is contemplating such a move, In view of the experience of the past when the proposal was mooted, there are many members who will not support the Society in any move unless the money and the. necessary staff to run the station are clearly in sight, and their idea is to leave it to the firm. On the other hand, others are keen for the Society to go on with the proposal and have promised good support, so a big argument is likely before a decision is reached. There is no doubt that something in the way of a local station is wanted in Hastings, for this part of the district’ is badly served-just as badly in fact as is New Plymouth-the screening effect of the Havelock Hills being no doubt the cause. The move made in New Plymouth has set local heads thinking, and it is suggested. that the Radio Broadcasting Company might be approached to assist a station in Hastings on similar lines-to New Plymouth. This is worth thinking about, too. In this connection it is worth noting that a certain Hastings firm actually offered to the Radio Society. free of cost for three years. a room suitable for a studio and also a cheque for £20. to furnish the place. and it is possible that this offer is still] open. At any rate, all are agreed that something should be done, whether it be by private enterprise or by the Radio Society. and the sooner a definite decision is reached the more satisfied local listeners will be. ONGRATULATIONE to the Broadcasting Company for its Christmas broadcasts. Its timetable was greatly

appreciated. Personally, the writer was rather disappointed to find no carols from 2YA in the early morning of Christmas Day, for last year this early morning Christmas music was very impressive. HE unsettled weather seems to have interfered with receptio. in general, and this can be taken as one of the worst summers on record for all-round reception. Even the New Zealand stat‘ s have been patchy, but 4 strangely enough, 2YA is always found with wonderful volume and clarity in the afternoons. At night vhere is a diffe ent story to tell. The "Anssie~’ also have had "fit: ind starts," but on Friday night last were heard with great gusto.