Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 27, 18 January 1929, Page 24

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

N° listener can accuse 1YA of any lack of desire to experiment. Nearly all of the novelty features that have brightened New Zealand radio programmes have originated in the no-thern city, and on Wednesday evening last, we were privileged to enjoy another of them. For an interesting and instructive hour four Auckland University dehaters dwelt upon the topic of modern education, and it must be admitted that those who followed the arguments of the speakers were more likely to be convinced by the pair who undertook to prove that modern education was not suited to the requirements of modern life. Hach of the four graduates who spoke had 2 good command of language, a fluency in argument, and a vein of humour that made the discussion thoroughly attractive, and the hour which was given to it seem like a quarter of that time. There is a big future for the radio debate in New Zealand, both as a means of. entertainment and as a channel of instruction. The first studio experiment from 1YA amply demonstrated this, and, with localised topies treated in light vein, it is safe to say that regular discussions will achieve a great measure of popularity. STEADILY and surely the so-called "electric set" is forcing its way into popularity locally. It has so much to commend it to the man who wishes to enjoy broadcasting with a minimum of worry and fuss, and with an assurance of steady current supply, that

the growing demand for "electrics" is not to be marvelled at. Local dealers are realising the possibilities of the newest models, and they will be wellprepi.red for the rush which is bound to set in as the radio year draws to a close two months hence. During the few ensuing weks of the closing year, it would be good policy for all those who have the development of broadcast listening at heart to inaugurate an "electrie drive’-some system of pubilicity and development which will bring under notice of the thousands who are yet rather afraid to invést in receiving sets how simple, how inexpensive, and how foolproof the latest receivers are. AN Aucklander who indulged in a holiday ramble along the lonely west coast near Raglan relates an interesting experience. Darkness had just fallen, and the holiday-maker went for a quiet stroll along a forest-fringed beach to enjoy the peaceful solitude ‘of evening. A dim light shone from a solitary settler’s shack on the adjacent hillside; 1 mopoke gave its distinctive call of the night; then, above the murmur of the surf came the clear eall of civilisation, "1YA, Auckland!" The seeker after solitude regarded the mechanically, or rather electrically, reproduced voice as a sacrilege. It was a gross intrusion upon his peace of mind. -He wandered up to the house whence came the sound of the loudspeaker, and then changed his opinion. Here was a family to whom radio service meant the annihilation of isolation. The set was their chief connecting link with the outside world. No mail service, no supply of newspapers, according to the owner, could give him all that broadcasting supplied. The holiday-maker returned from that house in a different mood. "I did not realise till then," he said, "one fraction of what radio means to the lonely settler." "THERE is general satisfaction locally that band music is once more to come on the air from 1YA. No thing has been so much missed from our programmes as the items’ with which our famous municipal instrumentalists delighted. Their reappearance is not yet scheduled, but in their place will be welcomed the very fine Salvation Army Band. [t is whispered that, as a result of the recent visit of Mr. J. Ball, of the headquarters staff of the R.B.C., further attractive features and _ sfill another new body of performers will make their appearance before the 1YA microphone. The company seems to be sparing no effort to make the local | programmes all that they possibly can be within the limitations imposed by a small community. NE of the outstanding features in the repeat performance of "Campbell of Kilmohr," given at this station on January 4 by the Auckland Comedy Players, was the appearance of Mrs. Culford Bell as "Mary Stewart." Her characterisation of the loyal and high-spirited old Scottish woman was striking and remarkable in every respect, and the character was made to live again. It is to be hoped that Mr. Montague will induce this talented lady to make some further appearances before the microphone. The Comedy Players are booked shortly to present Harold Chapin’s "A Seotch Philosopher," and I understand there is every possibility of Mrs. Bell appearing in this diverting comedy,