Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 53, 19 July 1929, Page 14

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 1032, Wellington.

Justice to the South, I READ with interest the article in last week’s. "Radio Record" regarding the part played by radio in the recent West Coast earthquake dis--aster. There is one omission, however, I would like to see remedied and that is a reference to the splendid way in which the local radio station (VLB) rose to the occasion. The operators there had a very trying time, as theirs was the task of keeping up communication between the s.s. Kaituna at Westport and the rest of New Zealand, for the first two days after the disaster. Consequently they had to bear the brunt of the heavy traffic long before arrangements were completed to send two radio operators to the West Coast to take over the equipment on one of the ships there. I think it only fair under the circumstances that some appreciation should be shown the efforts of these men to whom we are all indebted for the bulk of the news during the first few days. Why is it, may I inquire, that Southland is always passed over, no matter what the subject may be? Is it the little "green god" of jealousy or is it that Northerners are merely unwilling to share a little of. the "cake" with their brothers in the

South Island?-

-NOT A RADIO OP,

| Why does the South imagine jealousy when’none exists? If your merits are not known whose fault is it? Blow

your own trumpet more.-

~Bd:]

Relaying avd. "VARIETY" is evidently one of those selfish persons who does not care a hang for other people as long as his likes and dislikes are pandered to. When he complains about 4YA_ rebroadcasting 2YA on Saturday nights, he forgets that this is the only chance that hundreds of crystal set users have of hearing anything outside Dunedin. If "Variety" does not like listening to 2YA, he must have a queer taste for music, as this station, especially on* Saturday nights, "puts over" the best programme of any of the New Zealand or Australian stations. Is the set "Variety" has incapable of bringing in Auckland or the Australian stations on, Saturday nights? Hoping that. the Broadcasting Company will continue to carry out these splendid re-broadcasts régardless of those who ave born growl-

ers.

FIVE VALVES

(Dunedin).

Spirited Reply to Listeners’ Suggestions, AVING perused the "Views and Suggestions of. a Listener," I feel impelled to comment on same. Surely this person must imagine that radio was made for him and him alone. I for one hope that he does not renew his license, as if he does, he may possibly.

keep up his "howl" until someone takes notice of him, but as he has no license, well, "why worry"? Long may he live without one. With reference to "sameness," does his landlady expect him to eat all that is on the menu? Bven if he did he would undoubtedly suffer from acute indigestion for his temerity in doing so. Surely he can find some items that please him for his very high sum of £8 per year, what an expenditure to be sure for 365 nights’ entertainment, exactly 54d, and a "bit" per night. Then as to gramophone records, we are not all "Carnegies" and cannot all afford both gramophone and radio, so we poor people 'manage to.enjoy all the great recordings per medium of the radio. Personally I have given many records as presents, solely beeause of the enjoyment that they gave me per medium of the radio. I would never think of going and trying, hundreds out at the music emporiums, but can easily ring up for a certain record to be posted or delivered when I require one. Re the children’s hour, this is now ideal. My’ little fellow, three years old, is in dreamland, soon after 6 o’clock, so that now he can squat by the loudspeaker after tea until bedtime, whilst Daddy, who gets home late from business, can enjoy a little quiet music with the newspaper. With reference to "jazz," candidly, I also "hate it, especially the "canned" variety, but I do not have to listen to it, and when I am tired of the ‘rattle and bang, I go to bed or curl up and have a quiet snooze on the Chesterfield. Now, we come. to the really choice part of the argument. Because his set is a dud, all of us country folk have to pay the penalty and Wellington must go on the air with reduced power! Ye gods! Let us all subscribe and present him with his own station, pay ‘his artists and generally run the show for him,

for pure unadulterated cheek, this takes the bakehouse. We in the dis tanee from Wellington would have to Close down our sets unless Christchurch and Auckland were coming in exceptionally well, as Wellington is the stand-by of the small set owner. I suppose we ought to be satisfied with a faint whisper for our 30s. Let the stations carry on, they are doing famously, and by all means improve when possible, but do not forget the huge majority of: listeners are more than satisfied, and it is only because they are satisfied that persons like your correspondent has the luck to monopolise a whole page of your valuable journal, thereby depriving us of some interesting matter instead of hav. ing to read his sickening piffle. Trusting that vou will give equal prominence

to the satisfied listener’s report.

RA

TIONAL

(Hastings).

Another Straight Reply. On reading thé views of a, listener, "Hos," I feel disgusted at the» pettiness of some people. What does he expect for his 30s. a year? I have a six-valve set, resistance coupled. I have listened in. since December, 1926: that is over 24 years have I been a licensee. It costs me nearly £20 a year to run my set, I live about 20 miles inland from Taumarunui in the backblocks,"° am a working man since the war. But I am most enthustastic about the broadcasting programmes as presented by the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand Ltd. I admit at first I frequently switched over to our Australian neighbours, but for over twelve months now I have rarely tuned in other than New Zealand stations, being so well, in fact completely satisfied, with the fare presented ‘by the YA stations. I have not missed more than about seven days in the whole 24 years, tuning-in every night, and to me this daily~ experience is beyond my highést expectations. I may here state that in the world of music and Bohemian life and among the so-called aristocracy in my younger days I had had probably more experience than "Kos," since I have been ‘almost all over the world and seen better times before the beastly Great War, and I get and tune-in nightly with the greatest joy and: knowledge of the splendid entertainment awaiting me. I do not desire to take up more of your time, but if I felt like "Kos" I would be ashamed to make 2 song, about it, and go on buying gramophone records! Another thing

strikes me, his attitude in refusing to pay his-license tee and yet listeningin is, to say the least, not in order.. I wonder the Radio Broadéasting Company went to the trouble to respond ; I should have issued instructions. for a summons. to be taken out, and wntil "Hos" has done so. ignored his letter.

Keep on. with your sood work-

~RB_

0.

and R

Re

~B_

@.

(Taumarunui).

Views on Broadeasting. I REFUSE to believe that any man after having a receiving set for two years would remain off for three months. If I could not afford. my present outlay of about 3s. per week for my five-valve set, well I, would cut down my smokes by 30 per cent. and retain the set. Familiarity breeds | contempt, and if some listeners remember this fact. and would listen enly once or twice a week to the concert programmes they would appreciate them much more. We would all get tired of Melba, Clara Butt, or Santley if we heard them every night, " As . for. 2YA announcer, he is’ not first-: class, I admit, but. his prOnouncing has improved in the past year, and we cannot expect him, or any other announcer, to avoid stumbling occasionally over forelgn words. ’Tis true his voice is pleasant, but what I object to is that he spoils the effect by a drawing-rac. 1 trick, as "datyee," "ye-ess" for: "yes," and "no-oh" for ‘no,’ and with a drop in yoice on the last syllable, Which should be missing, as well as the drop. As for jazz, it is fine, lively music, and I enjoy it about once a week; other times I wish it in Honolulu. Dancing I detest, and when a lecturette on that comes on I go to Auckland. The news session when Mr, Ball was announting was a treat, and it is still from Auckland and Christchurch, but why we require to get the prices of meat, butter, etc., from three and.sometimes four different firms, in one night, and from one station, I know not. The children’s hour is really good, and instructive to adults as well as to the young. I think a great mistake has been, made in making room for the dinner music, at the expense ofthe kiddies’ hour. Many records are stuff to me, and then I switch off, but many records put. over the air are Al, and you. could not do better, if as good, .with studio items. ; Now, about 2YA being too strong. City listeners can buy sets which’ will

/ Cut out any station, and as rural listen- | ers require 2YA at a high power, is it not up to them to do so? Some things over the air I detest, but I have some respect for the opinions of others, and one man’s meat is another man’s poison, so let us all play the game and give and take, not all take, and radio will rub along all right, and we will soon have thousands more listenersin, and consequently more money for an improved service, The Broadcasting Company must cater for al. tastes, but I think the singing and the music is either too. high class :r too common. A much greater number of well-known songs (standard) and of music which would be understood by listeners, not necessarily with A.T.O.L. after their nome. would he much apvreciated.-

LUX CUM AMORE

(Rangataua) _

sr XN . The Abbey Service. I WONDER if-any listeners had the pleasure of hearing the Westminster Abbey service from the American stations. I was looking for a stray Jap. after 2YA closed down on’ Sunday night, and heard a man describing the -Poet’s Corner at the Abbey. Then came the announcement that KGO, Oakland, along with the other stations controlled by ‘the National Broadcasting system,’ had been rebroadcasting through 5SW the thanksgiving ser- _ vice from Westminster Abbey. The announcer added that as it was 3.10 a,m. he was going to bed, after which the stations closed -down.. The description * of the Poet’s Corner may have been given from KGO, but I think it more likely that it was 58SW talking, as it was immediately’ prior to -the annountement ‘concerhing the rebroadeast. The headquarters of the national brondeasting system would probably enjoy good reception of 5SW, and as KGO was coming over really well it ‘seems we missed an interesting and unique broadcast. It is interesting to note that the N.B.S. saw fit to keep their sixty stations on the air till 3-a.m. Pacific time ‘and 6 a.m. Hastern time, for the purpose of ‘giving this rebroadcast. I think it is. very gratifying to find the American nation taking such an interest in English affairs. I would like to thank the R.B.C., for their ambitious effort on~this oceasion, and to congratulate them on the sticcess of their recent rebroadcasts of 2MH,’ Sydney. The descriptions of the All Blacks’ contests are much appreciated, and our thanks are due to the R.B.C, for affording us these opportunities of

hearing our team at work-

H.R.

P.

Kereru, Hastings.

‘™, : [A good. many New Zealand listeners heard the Abbey. service from New Zealand stations.-Hd.] ° Wireless Appreciated. WOULD like to say a word of appreciation for the many fine entertainments from over the air, Having to cater for "all kinds and conditions" it ig impossible to please everybody but we fedl that the company does its best. We are always disappointed if Thursday evenings fall to be a "band" night, most particularly do we love to hear sacred music played by the band. TI think most people greatly appreciate it, toor for it has a charm all its own when so played. ‘We always look forward to the Sunday evening services and all honour to the "uncles" who give such splendid children’s services, too. What we would do without our wireless I do not know. There is

very rarely an evening that we have

without it-

F.

(Nelson).

Gramophone Records. IN reply to your article written by "Bos" in last week’s "Record," I would like to pass a few remarks. To begin with, in my opinion, the quality of the programmes have increased ten fold during the Jast twelve months, Certainly they are not perfect yet, but most assuredly the trend is in the right direction. With reference. to gramophone music "Hos" complains that we receive too much, but; as pointed out by the R.B.C. manager: it is less than 25 per cent. I will say, | however, that there are a good number of old and worn-out records at 2Y¥A. I have a small growl ‘to vent about the dinner music. Why does the company inflict some screeching soprano, or sour bass on to peaceful citizens when they are endeavouring .to digest their dinner. I do not concur with the tacet idea either. The dinner session, however, was a wonderful. addition. I live in hope that the orchestra will "tune up" in the near future. "Hos" condemns the dinner hour most sevérely by referring to it as "about a dozen doubtful records." I imagine that his set must be a dud, if this is his reception. I venture to say that he had better dispose of it, and buy some first-class liver tonie with the proceeds. In finishing off, a word .about the license fee: I do not consider this to be excessive-the relays are worth

them alone.-

PUKEKAWA

(Wanga-

nui)_

Salvation Army Broadcast. "THE sentiments expressed by "Fed Up and Then Some" ate beyond comprehension that we who appreciate the Salvation Army's efforts to broadeast.on the Sunday in question are left entirely out of the discussion. I do not think "Fed Up and Then Some" and those who approve of his views understand and appreciate the Salvation Army broadeast on the day mentioned. It is a difficult matter to please everybody especially those whose outlook in life is hindered by prejudice and selfishness. May I say to "Fed Up and Then Some" and his friends: Give us fair play. This old .world is sad enough without all the thousands-

and-one grumblers in existence

N.Z.

SCHOOLBOY

( Wellington ).

"Nothing Short of Insulting." Soman of the letters published are ' . amusing, while others again are short of insulting to the Broadcasting Company. 2YA especially gives such good service that if they do not please the people there is surely something very much the matter with them. The only thing we find is that 2YA fades a good deal, but apart from that is Ai. -To-day’s football relay from Sydney was not as clear as ustial, but that was due to the atmosphere. It has been particularly clear the last two relays, and we are indebted to the R.B. Company for the trouble they have gone t» Radio for us up here is

a boon in many ways-

A.F.

B.

(Russell. )