Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 49, 21 June 1929, Page 2

Auckland Notes

(BY

LISTENER

"Pirty thousand!" says last week’s "Record." "Not enough," reply several Aucklanders, to whom this desired goal was mentioned. They contend that there ought to be at least twenty thousand listeners in. this district alone, and that there soon will be, at the steady though not phenome. nal rate of progress now developing. Auckland is doing its bit towards the support of broadcasting, recognising that conditions are all the time improving; that every day we are getting better and better. What is needed at this time is an intensive country campaign with moderate priced reliable electric sets in all districts where power lines radiate. There are still so many country folk who do not realise all that an electric set can mean to them. Doubtless the annual winter show next month will do much to remedy this. EXT Sunday Whangarei comes to Auckland, per land line, with an after-church concert which, though it cannot be expected to reach the excellence of the Wellington relays, will nevertheless be quite as welcome. It will demonstrate’ that the outlying eentres can play their part in the gigantic scheme of entertainment which broadcasting now undertakes. There is another keen musical centre in the province that should soon contribute to our programmes, and that is Cambridge, which, for its size, possesses some excellent talent. [THE Auckland Radio Society is making good progress with an ambitious programme it has set itself, Membership is growing in a _ very healthy manner, and the committee have under consideration at the present several suitable places for clubrooms. A decision regarding these premises should be reached in a few days. —

HE resolution of the Wellington Radio Society regarding the broadcasting of football matches has. caused both surprise and amusement here, where the Saturday afternoon accounts of matches, most vapably given, are one of the best attractions of the week. If any local body of listeners were to carry such a resolution as was adopted in Wellington, there would be such an immediate howl of protest, and such a flood of newspaper correspondence, as would quickly indicate the local public taste in regard to football broadcasts. One of the most commendable features of New Zealand broadcasting, according to an Australian visitor, is the excellent way in which sporting information, with the exception of racing, is given, while, at the same time, the general tenor of broadcasting is not made subservient by over-catering for sport. HE way of the programme organiser is nevér, 4n easy one, but during the past few weeks it has been rendered increasingly difficult through a persistent -epidemie of influenza colds, which has enforced absence upon several advertised performers. "QUTWARD BOUND" has been acclaimed by so many as the finest broadcast effort by 1YA, that the presentation of "A Bird in Hand," also by the "Little Theatre Society," is the one programme anticipation for next week, HE Friday evening talks on football by Mr. Frank Sutherland are ex-. ceedingly popular, Mr. Sutherland is well known to listeners as a vocalist, and to the publi¢ as one of the Dominion’s most capable referees. He has also proved himself an excellent lecturer, who handles his subject in a manner that makes it attractive to all who have any fondness for the game. There are one or two gentlemen in Auckland who could do. equally well for boxing and tennis, what Mr. Sutherland has done for football.