Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 12, 4 October 1929, Page 4

Auckland Notes

(By

Listener

HE relay from Waitomo. came through splendidly at the end of last week, and the experiment showed that there are possibilities in a much more ambitious stunt which could be arranged in the future. The most amusing part of the whole affair is that some anonymous writer has seen fit to unearth a mare’s nest over the relay. He takes exception to the expenditure of something in the neighbourhood of fifty pounds (?) upon what he hints is a picnic for meinbers of the local station staff. Even if it had been a picnie for these members, and it had cost £50, the staff well deserve the outing. for they have given us full and plenty of their own spare time for many months past, and it ill becomes a critie to begrudge them some return. However, all this correspo-dent’s statements sound so far rem. ed from what must have been the actual conditions, that it is small wonder he was taken to task by one writer who did not hesitate to sign his own name. "QTUNT work is one of the most attractive features of broadcasting, and it must be developed by gradual experiment. The knowledge gained from the Waitomo broadcast will be invaluable when further plans for similar stunts are being laid. That we shall soon have these similar stunts is obvious from the keenness of the station staff to provide bright novelties whenever the chance offers. Yet, it would not be surprising to find some disgruntled soul objecting to any expense incurred in relaying programmes from the Town Hall stage during the progress of the radio exhibition at the end of this month. This procedure is contemplated, and if it materialises. the display of actual broadcasting. maybe with artists and microphone glass-screened. will be one of the best

possible uses which could be made of revenue. OR a full week the writer has had scarcely a2 moment at his set, meetings, most of them in connection with the exhibition, having absorbed every night. It will be a welcome change to be able to "hear New Zealand" once again during the coming week-end. Others more fortunate describe the good things which have been on the air, and are particularly enthusiastic over the most recent wrestling de--seription. To-night there is an item which the writer will not miss. Mr. HB. N. Torry, a well-known English author and lecturer, is to "speak a piece" from 1YA, and from a man of his ability and experience there should come a tale worthy of the big audience awaiting it. The policy of securing noted visitors to face the microphone is one destined to have an important educative effect upon a public so isolated as the New Zealand public is. MATIERS pertaining to the local exhibition are now in complete train. Every available portion of space is pooked, so there is no half-heartedness in the manner that the trade.are handling the project. The Postmaster-Gen-eral has been invited to perform the official opening ceremony at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday,October 80, and the big show will carry on for twelve hours daily till 10.30 p.m. on the Saturday evening. ‘The Education Board has been approached to allow visits during the day of parties of senior pupils from the schools, these parties to be admitted free. Special educational lectures on wireless will be given during the daytime. 1YA will co-operate to the fullest, thanks to the usual foresight of the Broadcasting Company, and it is quite likely that the station will be on the air for the full time during which the exhibition is‘open. Dealers have all the latest in radio sets either on hand or arriving, and will make a brave show. The amateurs, too, will have their opportunity. and that band

of enthusiasts, the A.R.T.A., will be to the fore with a special display of short-wave apparatus. For the homeconstructors special competitions are being arranged, that should bring to light much'of the usually concealed effort which is put into that fascinating hobby, the building of your own set. In \friendly rivalry. Auckland is "all out" to eclipse Wellington’s success.