Isolated "Out-Back"

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 44, 17 May 1929, Page 11

Isolated "Out-Back"

Striking Testimony to Radic HE yalue of radio to those who live lonely lives "out back" is expressed in this correspondence :- "I take the privilege to thank your company for the splendid programmes that we receive over the air from the four stations. The townspeople cannot conceive what a blessing radio is to we who are isolated in the back-block country; it has "hanged our lives altogether. For two years a night has hardly elapsed without radio, but, of course, ‘when static is bad we have to felose down. From both Auckland and Wellington we get good daylight reception. The Sunday evening children’s service at Auckland we have never missed since they commenced, and they come in always very well. "Our farm where we have lived for about 23 years is in a very isolated district on the sea coast, about half-way between Farewell Spit and Kahurangi

lighthouses. Before living here we had good opportunities of church, music and entertainment. After being isolated from these privileges for about 21 years, you may be sure we welcomed the radio. , "It was a mystery and still is a mystery how we can hear such a variety of splendid music and entertainment brought right to our fireside. We could relate of splendid evenings spent with the radio going, of splendid songs we have heard, and of the very fine music by the orchestras and the various bands. "We are also very fond of the organ, especially the music played by Mr. A. Wilson, at Auckland, and the Taranaki Street Methodist Church at Wellington. We have our own favourite singers and performers and we have yery pleasant thoughts of some of the songs we have heard and of the singers, ‘put perhaps it would not be wise to mention names here. "Then we are interested in the news. Now we get news direct, whereas at one time it used to take over & week to reach us. At present we are anxiously awaiting any news that may be proadecast relative to the Southern Cross. . ss ..... gfg.93,.

"No doubt radio covers @ idisy ** of amusement and useful information. I think that we enjoy best the simple old-fashioned songs and music. No doubt the high-brow that is often referred to by writers to the ‘Radio Record’ is very good when sung, but I think that often they are attempted py singers that would be received much better if they sang something that they could reach more easily instead of strainng to get D or F flat. Often they just manage to reach B flat. The records put over the air are very pleasing; no doubt we get some of the pest singing from the records-they are just splendid. ‘And the foxtrots give pleasure to many people, and I have noticed that a station given to fading, when giving a series of foxtrot records does not fade. But sacred musie is our special favourite, and I

think that most people must agree that sacred music is by far the best both for the broadcast singing and also by the records. -IT remember now some very beautiful items of sacred music broadcast from the various church services, also at the Sunday night sessions at the studios, and I sincerely hope that you will still continue the Sunday church services and the sacred music from the studios on Sundays. ‘These services are so very much enjoyed by us as it brings back memories of our younger days when we took part in the church and school services. They must be a great blessing to many isolated in the outlying districts. I see sometimes a writer to the "Record" complaining about too much of this kind, but I hope that your company will still continue Sunday church services. a I have often thought it would be such a pleasure to look through she studio and see how the different artists are arranged for performance, and have a look at our friend and benefactor, "Mike." I would like to meet some of the performers, although we have not seen them they seem like oold friends, especially the announcers. We are indebted to them for the correct way to pronounce words that have been difficult to pronounce. I am very fond of Maori songs and misic, and I hope that very soon another Maori concert can be arranged from 2YA.