Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 40, 19 April 1929, Page 10

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

THIS week 1YA supplied us with grand opera in which the vocalists were among the most famous of the world’s artists. Of course, the medium of presentation was the disc, but the story of "Rigoletto" was vividly conveyed by Mr. Karl Atkinson in his interesting remarks interpolated with the items, and the continuation of the presentation will be eagerly awaited next Wednesday. "THERE is no doubt about the attitude _of the Auckland Rugby Union towards broadcasting. At its last meeting the union willingly acceded to the company’s request for permission to describe the Saturday competition matches at Eden Park. It is not likely that the union would have a‘lopted this course were broadcasting seriously affecting its.gate receipts. The. Rugby authorities here recognise that broadcasting provides one of the best advertisements for their games, and in consequence they are keen to encourage it. It is not yet known whether Mr. W. J. Meredith, who was so successful at the Eden Park microphone last season, will again describe matches, or whether that duty will be undertaken by Mr. Gordon Hutter. who now does most of the sports announcing for 1YA. ME. HUTTER has made the best of almost insuperable difficulties in connection with his racing announcements, and as_a result the whole province has been kept in immediate touch with recent meetings at HMllerslie and Avondale. YA has done its very best to provide thousands of anxieue listeners with the latest news regarding the missing airmen. As soon as any particulars

have been available over the air from Sydney the local station has had them, and they have gone out to the New Zealand public, who feel they have almost as much interest in the unfortunate venture as have the Australians. [IN the north the most important event of the week has been the by-election for the Bay of Islands. At the time these notes are being written, and within three hours. of the closing of the poll, the final results are coming over from 1YA, and the whole of the province is aware that Mr. Rushworth is again entitled to write M.P. after his name. ‘Through co-operation between the Auckland station and the Auckland "Star," progress reports as they come to hand in the newspaper office were telephoned to 1YA, and announced forthwith. Thus hundreds of vagars } the far north learned the result through radio. service far more quickly than they could have done without it. I wonder if any will drop .a note of thanks to 1YA for the service rendered. THERE is nothing fresh to report regarding the controversy over the broadcasting of the Municipal Band. The City Council still adheres to its financial demands, and justifies them by a peculiar contention about benefiting private enterprise. It neglects in doing so the great consideration that the band ean exercise a great educational influence, and that it exists mainly for that purpose. If the council can find any means of extending this musical influence that is in any. way comparable with broadcasting, the publie is entitled to know it. Candidates for mayoral and municipal honours are bound to be closely questioned on the "hand question" by the large number of listeners who are now on the rolls.

N° official figures of licensing for 1929 are yet available here, but one gathers from the expressions of opinion of those who ought to know, that all is well, and that the number of the licenses for the New Year will be quite satisfactory. The radio trade is experiencing brisk business, the demand being greatest for electric sets and "all wave" types, This feature in itself indicates a permanency for broadcasting that was not so assured in the days when almost everyone depended upon the humble erystal and the inconveni« ent earphones. Miss Mina Kronfield, one of Auckland’s young singers, who has a cultivated and charming voice of great range, will make her appearance at 1YA on "Shakespeare" night, Wext; Tuesday. Miss Kronfeld’s selections will include "Where the Bee Sucks," "When Daisies’ Pied," and "A Tiny Little Boy."