Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 43, 10 May 1929, Page 11

Our Mail Bag

Will correspondents please practice brevity, as heavy demands are now made on space. All letters must be signed and address given as proof of genuineness; noms de plume for publication are permitted, Address correspondence Editor, "Radio Record," P.O. Box 1082, Wellington.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "ACH" (Wellington).-No; the Wurlitzer Organ installed in the ‘De Luxe" Theatre has never been broadeast by 2YA. Port Nicholson Band Appreciated. WHILE listening-in last evening to the relay of the recital by the Port Nicholson Silver Band from the Grand Opera House. I was pleased with the rendering of the hymn "Nearer, my God, to Thee," and in particular the second verse. I have not heard prior to this of brass bands using the "intermittent" system .of breathing in this country. It is about seventeen years since the writer was playing in a brass band at a contest -in which this method was employed. In the writer’s opinion it conduces to smoothness and renders the playing of heavy movements and _ crescendoes easier on the players. Associated with the writer in the same band at the contest was the well-known cornetplayer Mr. W. Stevenson, who, I believe, is in Wellington at the present time, as is also the conductor, Mr. > A. Sutherland, who put the system into use with the band and church choirs. I listened-in but a short time to LYA broadeasting on relay from Wellington. What I heard was free from noises and quite clear, with good L.S. yolume. In the writer’s opinion there will be a good number of people up and down New Zealand looking for the item set down as "Tacet," with the possible exception of drummers. Wishing the "Ra?io Record" and the Radio Broadcasting Company every success.

-I am, ete¢.,

A. E.

ELLISTON

(Reef-

ton )

Rebroadeast Appreciated. WOULD like to express my thanks to the Broadcasting Company for the initiative they displayed in relay-

ing from 38LO, Melbourne, the description of the Leckie-Wilson contest. The relay was successful from every point of view, and, I feel sure, was much appreciated by boxing fans throughout New Zealand. I am also looking forward to the dinner session music from 2YA. Before closing, just a word in seaso.. regarding Sunday programmes. Station 1YA, to my mind, are broadcasting music per gramophone which does not meet with the tastes of most music-lovers. What is wanted is music with more life in it-cheerful, bright music — instead of the religious programmes at present broaccast. I like church broa.least in the evening, but when you get it all day Sunday it begins to pall on one. Also, I think the literary selection would be improved by its omission from the programme.--

W. K.

McLEAN

(Glen Massey).

Saturday Broadcasts. V E are in business as radio dealers, and naturally it is through the Broadcasting Company, or by a demonstration of their programmes, that we are able to interest prospective clients in radio receivers. Whilst fully appreciating the efforts you are making towards perfecting wireless broadcasting, we feel we have a cause for complaint. Most receivers are sold upon their reception of a musical programme and we feel it would be to the better interests of both yourselves and radio dealers generally, if you would arrange to give at least one musical programme on Saturday afternoons. At the present time, no matter in which direction one turns, one merely logs football or racing, and we assure you, in giving a cemonstration, with probably a shop full of clients, a description of an average football match is not conducive to sales. We feel sure that it would be to our mutual advantage could you arrange for alternate programmes of sport and musie from 2YA and 1YA on Saturday afternoons. At all events the suggestion may be worthy of your consideration, as the writer has discussed the matter with other radio dealers of this town, and can assure you there is a consensus of opinion, that week-end broadcasts should not consist entirely of sport. Do not for one moment consider that we are not interested in sport in general. We have players on the staff besides enthusiasts. —

but at the moment we are viewing the point from a business possibility-

that is to say, sales.-

H. T.

COOPER

P.S.: In view of the fact that the cost of a dealer’s license has rise 150 per cent., from a business proposition, we can expect at least 75 per cent. better service, or at least should expect it. We will hope that quite a proportion of this extra fee will be used in this, direction. 1812." I was surprised to read the statement that the performance by the Wellington Symphony Orchestra of the 1812 Overture with full orchestral: effects would be the initial performance in that direction in New Zealand. This is hardly correct. The Auckland Orchestral Society gave it over twentyfive years ago, with full orchestra and brass band, and also with artillery effects. They had guns going off in the corridors of the old Choral Hall in Auckland, and the right "atmosphere" was secured very for the place reeked with gunpowder smoke. I understand also that the Christchurch Orchestral Society and Woolston Brass Band gave the same item in combination in Christchurch a number of years ago. I'urther, the Auckland Bohemian Orchestra, of about 80 performers, has given it in the fullest manner several times. I mention these prior performances not in any desire to discredit the ambitious effort of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, to which I extend best wishes for fullest success, but to do justice to the other organisations which have served their public well in the past by undertaking full orchestral performances. I may say that I listened in to the 2YA relay of the opening concert of the season by the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, and heartily congratulate Mr. de Mauny upon the stiecess aechieved.-MUSIC (Auckland). Reception in Westport. IT forwarding his subscription for "Record" and "Guide," "Oritic’’ (Westport) writes :- 1YA comes in well down here with hardly a fade. 2YA, while during daylight comes in with excellent volume on the speaker, fades quite a great’ deal at night time, but this is not the fault of the station-a range, the foot of which completely encircles my set, comes down to within fifty yards of my house. The Australian stations make up for this, as they come in with great volume and tone. 3YA is good, but surges and 4YA on the nights we hear him is weak with rapid fading, bu’ this is only to be expected as my locality is to blame, but I hardly ever tune in these two stations unless it is to get special items. LD