Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 7, 30 August 1929, Page 26

Our Mail Bag

Will correspondents please practice brevity, as -heavy demands are now * made on space, All letters niust be sighed and address given as proof of genuineness; noms de plume for publication are permitted, Address "correspondence Wditor, "Radio Record," P.O. Box 10382. Wellington.

Times Change. . a HAVE from time to time forwarded comments re programmes, mostly of a critical nature, but I'am glad to bé able to say that there has been a very great improvement in programmes from 2¥A and 3¥A. I have been a travelling demonstrator for nedrly five years, and have unique opportunities for gauging the popular vote, and I regret to say there is almost complete unanimity in the opinion that the programmes from 1YA could be much improved. ‘his opinion does not refer to the afternoon sessions or the children’s hdur. which are

véery well spoken of.

C.J.

F.

(Auck-

land).

"House of Disappearance." EVEN speaking as a Scot, I must admit that the broadcasting service is well worth the money ; I can gay nothing higher in its praise. One thing I cannot understand, however, is the almost total lack of dny definite appreciation of the various items broadcast by the New Zealand stations in the letters published in your corresponilenee columns. They mostly state, what is quite correct, that the programmes are excellent, but very few pick out the items which pléhse them mést and let the Broadcasting Company and the various artists "blysh to find it known" how much their efforts have been delighted in. Personally my ideas seem to coincide. with "An Old Sea Dog" (July 26) in every way, and I’d like to shake hands with him. However, if you are giving any prizes for picking out the most popular artist on your programines (leaving out Mr. Announcer) I will give my vote for Mr. Victor S. Lloyd as often as you like, His Saturday night's series of little sketches kept my feet on. the mantelpiece the whole evening-quite an un-heard-of proceeding for me-and his gloriously jmpertinent adaptation of

"The House of Disappearance," which in its finale includéd at least two other perfectly splendid shockers, filled me with profound admiration for his genius. I had to take the book from the.shelf and reread it once more to find out exactly what he had done. Doubtless those who haven’t read the book will still be wondering who killed the policeman and what happened to the butler! However, may I say that the Broad‘casting Company, and Australia as well, missed thé opportunity of its life last night when they failed to relay the landing and reception of the voyagers in the Graf Zeppelin at Tokio. It was the most gorgeous and weird performance which I ever had.the pleasure of listening to, Conditions were such, from JOHK in particular, that every cough and movement of the feet on the boards of the reception platform were distinetly audible; and the singing of the old familiar hymn tune which in my ignorance I'‘always thought was the Austrian National Anthem was perfect, whilst every word of the speeches

and their translation into Japanese were particularly clear. The "Oh, Oh, Oh’s" of appreciation, corresponding with the British "Hear! Hear!", would have brought joyous reminiseences to the heart of any "Digger" who had sojourned in Cairo, and the thundering "Bangzajs" (incidentally, the only Japanese word J know the meaning of, even "‘sho" is beyond iny comprehension), with which the performance ended at about 10.15 p.m. was worth the price of the license fee and the whole outfit. thrown in, But what a win for 2YA if they had relayed it!

J.

Fraser

(Ohura),

ll "Purest: Ray Serene." I have much pleasure in saying "Amen" to the letter of "Champion of One Who Can’t Hit Back." We get bettér results from 2YA than any othér station in New Zealand, and the announcer is "a gem of purest ray seréne." Carry on, Mr. Announcer, and please do not leave out your second good night, or we shali be sadly disdppointed. ‘That cheery good-ood night brings forth an appreciative smile to

every face here.

Neutrodyne

(Otago).

V.U.C. Debate. We enjoyed listening to the debate at Victoria University very much indeed, and hope more of this style of

‘item will soon broddcast.-

I.

R.

(Kai-

taia).

Maori Pageant. I CANNOT let the occasion pass without a word of congratulation on the Maori Pageant performance. In fact, all programmes are excellent, and it beats me how it is there are so many growlers. Once again, congratulations for a programme which has never been excelled in Australia or New Zealand.

Nidray

(Karetu).

I TAKE this opportunity to express our appreciation of ‘tlie service rendered to the listener-in by the R.B.C. Have greatly enjoyed ‘the Maorj Pagealit programme this evening, and wish the company every success. for

the coming year.-

-Mr.

Smith

(Master-

ton).

PLEASE convey to the party voicing the Maori Pageant on Thursday: and Friday last our best thanks and adniiration of their éntertainment. It was certainly the best programme yet put forth from any of the New Zealand stations; in.fact, it was the first broadeast we have ever listened: to in its entirety, not having. to turn off the button once. Instead, it wds so good that we sat up the following evening

‘ to listen to it again. ~he theme was excellently thought out, keeping interest at high pitch all the’time. It was wonderful to live a. day 900. years ago, to"hear ‘the Maori canges artiving in New Zealand waters, and almost, in imagination, to see them, The speaking was always good, and wonderfully articnlated, the music was‘elevating (one thought what a treat to have one evening clear of that horrid, raucous, jarring jazz). The singing was as opr Maori brethren always sing, soothing dnd satisfying, their ‘rendering of ’ "Ffome, Sweet. Home" the finest we have ever heard. And. the thrill of the whole -evening when Parakaia spoke. We could almost see the old chief tottering up to the microphone, leaning heavily on two sticks,. almost overcome with emotion lidving his little say. His rendering was superb. The whole, truly a great entertainment, not capable of being , surpassed‘ the world over, J am sure. At this same time, may we add a ‘word of -appreciation and thanks to the Maori children from the Kaik who provided sucli an excellent native entertainment at. the Dunedin Radio Hxhibition. Theré we had the added pleasure of actually seeing them as well as hearing them, and the young lady whose mat, or skirt (which ever you call it) would keep slipping,. provided uyrebéarsed, real merriment to the large audience. Maori friends, we thank you; ‘please think out another as #reat entertainment, and

& n hear you a vain next year.-

G.

Steel

(Dursiedin).

; Old-time Music... I NOTE a good suggestion by J.T., Kaitangata (‘Radio Record,, 9/8/29), re old-time dance music ‘aya songs. I believe we don’t get of them. I would suggest that eac of the YA stations put on an old-time night on the lines suggested by J.T. onee a month. This. would mean an old-timé night each week, and each station would have a -whole nionth to arrange each programme. Ii would help to dr..w more of the old people into the fold of listeners. It is a delight to watch the old .péople. when the good old songs. they understand come over. Trusting to. see more on

this subject in your... columns.

P.

B.

(Wyndham).

Old-time Dancing. py the last copy .of this paper just to hand, I read where J.T. (Kaitangata) protests against the dance programme, 4nd wants old-time dance music. I don’t altogether protest’ against the dance programme, but I will back J.T. un in regard to old-time music by offering you a snagegtion. Would it not be possible for 2DA to sét .aside, say, ohne .Saturday night before the winter is over, to an O1dtime dance programme? No. doubt the dance music put.aver is only caterihg for the towh.people, who are next door to a dance hall. The country people can get to dance only once: in every two or three months. They know nothing about the latest dances, yet if they want to arrange a party and dance to ‘radio, music they have to put up with jazz, with perhaps two waltzes during the evening. Is it fair to the country people? If they knew that one ‘Saturday night was going to be old-time dance mitsic ‘look what fun they would have. One night not long ago I. tuned in ta 3L0, Mc dourne, and apparently they hail advertised this night for old-time dance music, and the.-announcer said

‘that they had received letters from "Stwenty different country clubs saying that ‘they were going to hold a radio "dance on that night. Between -the dances he was calling up the different ‘ elubs, and.using some of his wit. Surely 2YA' could set aside-one night like that, ‘I am sure the town people wouldn’t mind giving .way to _ the country people for one night. In conclusion, I wish to congratulate the . B.C. on the splendid services they are

rendering:-

C.G.

R.

Tasman )

Weather Reports of Value. I AM very pleased that you give out , the weather report at 7 p.m. and also at 9 p.m. I think it would be well to give full details from all the stations at 9.o’clock the same as at 7 o’Clock, as often we are not finished wot, to hear the report at 7 pm. It is the weather that concerns most country people, as they all have to work out in it and have stock to look after. Dspecially in winter time the weather report. is very valuable to runholders and farmers. Getting the weather report early means often the saving of

thousands of sheep:

D.

McN.

(Gars-

ton

Bad Rebroadcasts. [ THINK the YA stations should use a little more: discretion before putting on some of their rebroadcasts when conditions: are bad. 3YA’s rebroadcast of 4QG on Wednesday evening was an absolute farce. All we got was ‘fifteen minutes of cat calls, squeaks, static, and other noises with an occasional word::. As to following what was said, .. that was an impossibility. The condi‘ions ‘were very bad as I tried 4QG ‘direct and could make very little sense of: it; and that was clearer than 3YA’s ‘attempt. Another thing, 3YA ought to boast of a better receiving set than’ the one’ they have got, that has to be kept on the verge of oscillation to pick up a distant station, -I ‘am not against good rebroadcasts, only those that give us noise and'no sense. The programmes ‘are. splendid and the dinner session is what we wanted and is perfect. Could not the company see its way to put a dinner session on at 3YA or 1YA ‘on Wednesday nights (2YA’s silent night), as we miss it badly that night.

A.R.

G.

(Purua).

‘Race News. N last week’s "Record" I: find an article:suggesting the possibility of the R.B.C. discontinuing the broadcast of racing results from near the courses. I take it that this is more or less an offichil, tip that this will come to pass. In ‘opinion it would be a very great ‘mistake to take this stqp. There is no doubt whatever that ‘a great many people are interested in these broadcasts and, as a seller of radio, I can say. of my own knowledge that to. ceasé this service would cost the R.B.C. many fees. I would suggest that, instead of lessening this service, the company should improve it by resuming their late running descriptions, in view of the fact that it is no longer necessary for the R.B.C. to consider ‘the very touchy feelings of the Rac- . ing Conference. I could personally take your representative to quite a number of people who would buy sets (and pay their 30s.) if running de-. seriptions were resumed, but who will not buy at all if racing is not included:in the programmes. ven if the present limited service is continued it would .be betier than nothing, but JI

-eannot for. the life of me see why the R.B.C. and the. listening public should be dictated to by that august

body, the Racing Conference.-

Gordon

C.

Moses

(Whangarei).

Radio in a Bush Home. I WISH to express my appreciation, and the appreciation: of our. family, of the service rendered by the Broadcasting Company. We. have no faults to find whatever, and. have followed with interest and approval its progress and improvements: for two and a half years. Iam unable to express just what radio means to us in our little bush home. It*provides.our news, our instructor on many interesting topics, and it is our sporting and musical entertainer. We regard the announcers as our friends and appreciate their different personalities. "We do not mind how many o-0’s Mr. Clive Drummond uses in his’G-o-o-0-d night! and would like to hear Mr. Ball say "Good night all Radio Land, good night," a little more often, and why did he stop his weekly chats on international affairs? Wishing you continued success. -"‘Outback."