Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 32, 22 February 1929, Page 11

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

OTH for listeners and for the trade the present month is the slackest of the year. Hot February nights in Auckland are not conducive to listen-ing-in, especially if the listener has to depend upon ear-phones,’ Consequently there is less interest in programmes, and less business in radio shops just now than at any other period, But this period of lassitude is only temporary. Nights are lengthening and beproving, and furthermore, there is the approach of the new radio year-an jnevitable period of activity and renewed enthusiasm. Within a few wéeks ‘we shall be well out of our « ebruary radio dumps." For over a fortnight we have missed that meticulously clear voice of 1YA’s regular announcer-the voice that carries so well, far up into the tropics. Mr. Culford Bell is back at the microphone once more, after an enjoyable holiday at. the Great Barrier. even. there, however, he could not alt.gether escape the all-pervading atmosphere of broadcasting, and listeners who made holiday with him in Port Fitzroy know. that he has’ some good fishing experiences concerning which it might be well worth while to tell the ‘microphone.

NV R. JOHN BALL, of the headquarters staff of the Radio Broadcasting Company, is also in Auckland once again-and the impression is abroad that there is "something doing" in the yoatter of further advances at 1YA. his previous visit Mr. Ball explored thoroughly many avenues for programme extension, and there is the feeling among listeners that he ‘is now finalising certain. developments which will increase the popularity of 1YA. ’ BROADCASTING station thrives ~™ nly on enthusiasm in all departm.. .s, It is only by the enthusiasm of the many devotees at the transmitting end of radio that it has made itself the present wonder of the world. Of one thing listeners may rest assured. There is no more enthusiastic body devoting time and thought to programme advancement than the Advisory Musical and Dramatic Committee of 1YA. It tackles its job thoroughly, views all suggestions from.a very practical standpoint, and sends forward to

headquarters in Christchurch some very valuable recommendations. The committee is at this juncture most earnest in its endeavour to present a2 Maori night that will outdo even 2YA’s fine effort of last year. And it is almost eertain to succeed in its objective. There is more scope for recruiting of excellent Maori talent in this province than there is anywhere else, and if the committee is given the chance there will be no doubt about the securing of such talent. In many other ways, too, the Advisory Committee is working silently but effectively in listeners’ interests. THE writer must confess-that the holiday spirit has also been upon him during the past two weeks, and that his set has had what might be termed a well-earned rest likewise. Though one does not listen in himself for a space, however, he cannot get away from the opinions of others, and it is remarkable how enthusiastic in tone the generality of opinions be.comes. From the average set at this time of year only local transmissions are thoroughly enjoyable, for they

alone are free from prevalent static and other handicaps. When a person listetis to only one station for a period of weeks he is sure to have some kind of grouch about monotony, Yet the writer has heard very few grouches and much commendation. The appearance of new vocalists and quartet parties, the return of old favourites long absent from the microphone, the fine programmes of the Artillery Bandall these are lifting up our standard. There is naturally the demand, "Give us more laughs," to which comes the reply, inevitably, "Where can we find the people who night in and night out will make you laugh?’ Real radio humour is a hard thing to procure, but though our quantity of it is small, the quality is good, and none can ¢avil at the smile-raising contributions of such artists as Messrs, Alan McHlwain and Dan Flood, to mention only two of many who do so much to raise the unseen smile and extract the unheard chuckle,