Earthquake and Floods

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 37, 28 March 1929, Page 5

Earthquake and Floods

New Zealand Stations give Commendable News Service

HERE have been two striking instances recently where the Broadcasting Company, as a disseminator of news, has played a very important part. The first occasion was in connection with the earthquake at Arthur’s Pass, and the other was on the occasion of the recent floods in Dunedin. When the earthquake occurred, late oye Saturday night, Christchurch felt t shoek severely, and everybody in tiie city and district was anxious to know if any damage had been done. There were, of course, no newspapers on Sunday, so the wireless was relied upon by thousands of people. On Sunday afternoon and evening 3YA was able to tell listeners all about the extent of the damage at Arthur’s Pass, and telegrams were sent to the other stations which broadcast the news also. The newspapers sold like the proverbial "hot cakes" next morning. The Dunedin Flood. ON the occasion of the floods in Dunedin last week, 4YA rose to the occasion splendidly, and the station remained on the air until after midnight, giving a nine hours’ continuous service. _ 4YA’s achievement was the subject of a congratulatory telegram from the eneral Manager of the Broadcasting Company, Mr. A. R. Harris, to the staff of the southern station, highly commending the initiative displayed. BAVY rain commenced falling in Dunedin at midnight on Monday, and increased to a torrential downpour on Tuesday afternoon. At 4.30 p.m. the station received the first report that water had accumulated at Kensington to the depth of about 2ft., and many residents were compelled to leave their homes. ‘Towards evening the rain if anything increased in force, and suburban areas all over Dunedin were badly affected by flood waters. By 6 o’clock 4YA were able to advise motorists of the dangerous conditions of portions of the roads about the city. Throughout the news session re-

ports regarding affected areas and state of roads were made from time to time as they came to hand. and by 8 p.m. an organised system of detailed reports from all parts of the city and as far as Waitati, 17 miles north, ana Waipori, 42 miles south, were on the air. Arrangements were made with the Fire Brigade Department, the Otago Motor Club, the Railway Department, Tramway Department. Police Department, and City Lighting Department, to communicate reports of conditions to the stations, and with the assistance of listeners at various points of the affected areas in the city. 4YA goon became the centre of inquiry. and from the announcements made listeners were in a position to judge how the affected areas were faring. The Service Extended. At 9 o’clock the announcement was made that, if necessary, the station would remain on the air after the orainary hours of transmission, and reports were made frequently until 10 o’clock indicating that the flood waters showed no signs of receding. It therefore became evident that though the station’s normal hours of transmission had concluded, it would be in the interests of listeners for the station to re- main on the air in adherence to the company’s policy of service to the listener. Reports in regard to the train setvices were received, and broadcast up till the time of closing down. By midnight it became evident that the waters in the flooded areas showed signs of receding, and as the weather generally had a ‘clearing tendency the station intimated that transmission would be discontinued as soon as final reports in connection with the train services were received. These were to hand by 12.30, and the station closed down at 12.40 with the definite assurance that there was no need for further alarm. Continuous reports as to the position had therefore been made over a period of some nine hours, covering the initial report regarding flooded areas at Kensington until the weather showed definite signs of improvement.