"Pirates" Punished

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 8, 6 September 1929, Page 12

"Pirates" Punished

Caught by Their Own Efforts WO pirates were recently caught as the results of their own efforts. One ‘unfinancial listener in Auckland lauded his short-wave set to the skies and invited certain officials to come and view the set themselves and. to criticise its reception:' After a little investigating had taken place it was discovered that he had no license, and the Court in which he later appeared inflicted a substantial fine. Another enthusiast requested one of the uncles of 2YA to send greetings to one of his children. TFruitlessly was the license roll searched for his name, and he received greetings himself in the form of a summons to court. Henceforth he ‘will doubtless prefer to. give birthday greetings without the aid of the Broadcasting Company. One gentleman of Australia wrote copious letters of criticism to the Press containing unjust and unmerited statements as to the standard of Australia’s radio concerts. He even declared that the license fee was exorbitant,’ and that the concerts were not even worth listening to for nothing. This critic was not even satisfied with writing to ‘the Press, but even went to the length of seeking a personal interview with the manager, In his letter asking for an interview the writer omitted. to give his address, and when a search was made of the license roll for this it was noticed that his name was -not there, and it was proved that he had been an unfinancial listener and critic for nearly three years. The fine inflicted will certainly show whether or no he has a sense of humour. Talking of "pirates," the following from "Popular Wireless" is interest‘ing :- : "The scene was a crowded courtroom, And the defendant’s speech beganLook ’ere, gents, I’m not a wireless pirate, But the inspector called too soon. I owns, I ’ad a good ’igh aerial up, And a wire in the hearth beneath, | But I never listened one itota"Cause someone ’ad sold me a pup. A pup-no less-that’s what, Not even worth a dog’s licence."