Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 13, 11 October 1929, Page 11

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.

. Hawera Concert. JUST a line of thanks for the wonderful reception of the Hawera concert through 2YA last evening. It was indeed a triumph for all concerned -the artists, Broadcasting Co., and last, but not least, the Postal Department, for the long land line. It was a truly wonderful performance. all

through.-

F.J.

S.

(Wanganui) _

Football Announcing. LLOW me to give credit where eredit is due, namely, to 2YA’s football announcer. His announcing is of the highest order, especially the North and South match on Saturday. The description throughout was clear and, unhesitating. Undoubtedly he ky his job, as he knew every man who handled the ball during the match, and the rulings of infringements which occurred, this making it more "interesting to listen to, especially for listeners outside of Wellington who have representatives playing in such games. Numerous friends have asked permission to come and listen-in to next Wednesdav’s match. as they term 2YA’s an-

nouncer a "ton-notcher.’-

Majestic

Nelson.

Objection to Tacet. WOULD like to support "Country Listener" in his remarks on "Objection to tacet." If we are to have dinner-time music, let. us have a continuous programme. With reference to announcing the station call, I cannot see any objection to the call "2YA, New Zealand," being given quite slearly, between every other item, instead of having a ghostly voice superimposing the music. I know that there are hundreds who would be opposed to this, but I would remind them that there are experimenters on other shores who might just happen to tune in faint signals from our stations, waiting patiently for the station call. It _is bad enough to spend hours, as I have done, tuning in various distant stations and then have the eall sign totally drowned by a "statie crash," but worse still to tune in s6me time when there is hardly any "static" and hear items come through ‘one after the

other, but no call sign !-

D. Neill

Keith

(Christchurch).

In Defence of Tacet. ALLOW me to say something in defence of "tacet" in the dinner music. These people who are advocat_ing its omission seem to forget that without "tacet" this particular session would no longer be dinner music, but another session similar to afternoon, of shorter duration. How on earth is one to enjoy one’s dinner, or tea, as the case may be, with item after item going through, and no lull to chat comfortably to other members of the family. or perhaps guests. I suppose our protesting friends think nothing of shouting to one another above the music. The sweetest items of the session as far as I am concerned are those immediately following tacet. Good music is like fine wine-exquisite "\ when taken a little at a time. Of ‘course I realise you try to please everybody, but don’t omit tacet entirely from the session; you will disappoint myself and many others who appreciate correct dinner music,-Mrs. a-_" =_ Zz ae ee

J.

Mason

(Feilding).

' "Where is the Tacet?" ELL might one ask this question, for not more than the proverbial hereditary vestige remains. Congratulations to the Broadcasting Company, they certainly have heeded the protests of the listeners expressed in the "Radio Record," and reduced this objectional silence to a bare minimum. This is indeed gratifying; why one can now take a fresh interest in life. I had intended to complain bitterly this week about your footnote, Mr, Editor, for you certainly missed my point, but the reduction of the tacet to an almost imperceptible minimum leaves me nothing to complain about; but, all the same, I think the announcement could come at the end of the selection instead of the middle. What about a trial, Mr. Manager? The progress made by the company in catering for a diversity of tastes not yet educated to this new development, wireless, has been rather astounding, and J, honestly believe that the com‘pany study most carefully the expressed opinions of the listening public and do all within their power to. cater for their licensees. Personally, I am quite contented with the present service, provided, of course, rational- progress is made when circumsiances warrant it. The statements mad: by the Postmaste -General to tl » Auckland Listeners’ League have my hearty approval. Listeners who persuade themseives and others that everything is at fault shonld not be granted the privilege of

listening-in.-

The Dreamer

(Otahu).

Likes and Dislikes. WE eagerly look for the "R.R." to see what the programme is for next week, and what the grousers have to say. I wonder if they were made a present or their license and "Record" annually if they would be satisfied; I doubt it. I can assure you my family and friends are well pleased with programmes from all New Zealand stations. If we do not like an item at any particular station we simply switch on to one of the other stations and get what we do fancy. I am disappointed with the programmes from the A.B.C. stations. Nearly every time I switch over we get jazz about half the programme, Dunedin is the only station we do not often tune in to, as reception during the evening is very poor and badly distorted. During the daytime it is usually the loudest just now. We are hoping when they move into the new station it will be much better and equal to the other stations, especially as it is our nearest.

As to Mr. Drummond and his "Good night,’ I must say we are always pleased to hear his cheery voice in whatever subject he is announcing"The right man in the right place at the right station." Mr. Ball’s voice is always welcome, especially his closingdown item. By the way. ‘There is just one suggestion I would like to make: Would it be possible to make a regular weekly practice of rebroadcasting, whatever short-wave transmissions on the air. To receive on shortwave from other parts of the world. I am sure it would be greatly enjoyed by the majority of listeners in spite of any interferences which might come

with it.-

Satisfied

Invercargill)_

A Sufferer’s Point -of View. AVING had a spell of four months’ illness in Wellington Hospital, I now desire te record my appreciation of

wireless, via 2YA. One has to undergo the experience of lying sick, the mind occupied, more or less, with nothing put trouble to realise what a boon and conic the ’phones at each bed are. One cannot but bless those who were responsible for the charitable thought. Aunt Gwen’s sympathy for "the little ones and the big ones in hospital," makes many sufferers happy, knowing that they aren’t forgotten. As I am now one of the radio band (with an humble crystal), I am _ alternately amused, astonished, and frequently disgusted with some listeners who seem to imagine that the R.B.C. ought to study all their little petty likes and dislikes. "R.P.S., Orewa," voiced every commonsense listener's opinion of the type of critic as represented by one "Disgusted." "Canned music" is, I am sure," yery acceptable to those of us who cannot afford recordings of artists such as J. MacCormack, Melba, Galli-Curci, L: Bori, ete., and are delighted to hear them reproduced on a perfect gramo-phone-another little item which most workers can’t afford. I would like to hear more instrumental items, particularly piano accordions (which record exquisitely), but I’m sane enough to appreciate the old adage, "One man’s meat is another’s poison," and surely only a fool would expect the R.B.C. to put over programmes which: will suit simultaneouslv the divergent tastes of

thousands.-

Danny Boy

(Welling-

ton.)

Wrong Roles. AMONG the many compliments which I should like to pass on regarding recent programmes (and not least the excellent relay from Hawera just coneluded). I have one complaint to

make. That’ concerns the choice of items sometimes made by performers. I refer particularly to ladies’ items "nut over" by men and vice versa, Last week, for instance, we heard a 1YA artist reciting a bracket of the beautiful "Cuddle Doon" series of poems, The items came through well, but one could not avoid regret that the rendition was by a man, since these poems are so obviously and: exclusively for a woman’s voice. This artist filled the role ,completely in his fine characterisation of the Scandinavian in "Galapagos," and doubtless has a man’s repertoire to suit his manly voice. I would respectfully suggest that he, and such as he, leave to the ladies those things which are

written for the gentler ‘sex.

Scots

man

(Gore).

The "Edueating" Policy. AM very impressed with a letter icned "Lux Cum Amore"’-such a nom le plume and such modesty (?) claiming credit for ‘educating the announcer of 2YA. Personally, I have noticed no difference and no criticism or fault-finding alters my opinion of the announc rs of any of the stations, although I certainly enjoy the natural pleasing voice of the announcer of 2YA. "EL "Cum Amore's" idea of "healthy eriticism’’ reads more to me like faultfinding, which gets neither the Broadeasting Company nor the critic any further, It is greatly to the credit of your paper that persons of this descrip. tion get a hearing and = proves the broadmindedness of your editorial staff and policy. I am wondering if a sug-

gestion will be out of place. Why not appoint "Lux Cum Amore" as an announcer for’ a period and so educate your announcers anc. the listening ‘public to, his high s-ancard. A few more of his ilk put-in the same place would not conduct your broadcasting as well, as the men you have at present. We can all learn something from everyone -from malcontents what to avoidfrom healthy criticism and example what to’ follow, so good luck to the Broadcasti + ~ Carry on. Your percentage of satisfied listeners greatly outnumbers the fault-finders, who really give the rest of us a jolt and make us count our blessings. How about it; "Lux Cum Amore"? Can you not carry on and educate the listeners? I for one am open for improvement.-

Kia Ora

(Waitomo Caves).

i] Children’s Hour. PERMIT me to voice the alarm of many enthusiastic radio listeners of my province. As a listener who has occasion from time to time to interview the radio people not only in the city but country as well, I have heard the most complimentary remarks passed regarding station 4YA,’s children’s hour, This session, which ,has such an influence on the kiddies, and is so ably conducted by Big Brother Bill and his associates, is, I believe, to ae changed to the same period as the other YA stations, namely, from 5 to 6 p.m. It is against this change that I am protesting, and know of many other parents in our province who have the same feelings. We are deeply grateful to the uncles and aunts-and their supervisor-for the moral code they are developing in our youngsters. The influence that these sessions have is perhaps the greatest factor in favour -of radio; but it is not alone that these adopted relations work. For the child to receive the full benefit of the session, he must have his dad to explain a few facts he do s not quite grasp, and, most of all, dad has to help d.ive home some of the splendid morals derived from the evening’s fun.

If this session is advanced. an hour, it is evident that the vast majority of parents will not have finished the day’s labour. Whether in field or office, few of us are able to ]e home before 6 p.m., and perhaps more important stil. is the fact that with daylight saving ap- _ proaching quite a number of the childven would prefer out-door playing to coming inside .t 5 p.m. It is not that the hour is not appreciated, that is evident by the interest taken in our radio parties, scrap-book collections, etce., bu who could blame the child who preferred a game of ball in bright sunShine to going ins’de at 5 p.m, to hear ‘Big Brother Bill! At 6. o’clock, this is quite in order, and the child is quite ready for his or her homework while the younger ones are more or less ready for bed after an enjoyable children’s hour. Trusting the Radio Broadcasting Company executive will not overlook the fact that they have a thoroughly competent and ‘extremely popular radio family at 4YA. Also that they will consider our wish in this direction, and leave the dinner music vut of our plvgrammes, retaining the children’s ‘hour at its

nresent time _"Dnthusiastic"

(Dun-

edin

Wrestling Bout. WAS very pleased with 2YA’s an- | nouncer’s description of the wrestling match, According to several of my

listener friends he is the pest. Good wishes to 2YA and especially Mr. Ane

-nouncer.-

Well-Satisfied

(Whaka )