Radio Exhibition in Auckland

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 15, 25 October 1929, Page 3

Radio Exhibition in Auckland

Huge Success Imminent

HB future of radio exhibitions seems assured. As a means of bringing the public and the radio trader together there can be no_ better medium than this. Radio has changed and is changing very rapidly, and ven though the prospective listener may search radio establishments for the receiver he wishes to instal, he will have great difficulty. No doubt he will be geerrved by the very large number outfits‘confronting him. But’ with a radio exhibition the case is different. He sees all in a very short space; he can’ hear and compare by taking’ a few steps. _ For this reason radio exhibitions almost invariably prove a success. The first. movements towards extensive exhibitions were taken in England and America: Less than twelve months ago we were able to report in detail the very ,successful exhibition held. at Olympia, London. ‘This has been followed by the Great Radio Show in Chicago and elsewhere in America New Zealand and Australia. were not long in coming into line. An exhibition was held in Sydney in the middle of this year, and it became apparent that a radio exhibition, or radio exhi. bitions, were what was required by th« "Ne wv Zealand public. 3 Almost simultaneously Wellingto:. and Dunedin came forth with this new to Nevyy Zealand venture. Both werc outstanding successes, and it was quite apparent that to fully popularise radio these would have to’ be held regularly in each of the four main centres Auckland is the next to come into line. for detailed arrangements are now be ing made for an exhibition which, iv is claimed, will surpass in its succes: those held in both Wellington an" Dunedin. This is not the first exhibition of this nature held in Auckland. Some years ago, when radio was a novelty, a radio show was held in a small ‘building in Auckland. ‘It was: the first of its kind, and although the idea of these more elaborate exhibitions did not spring from this source, it must eh take its place as the first. »/ Organisation of the Exhibition. THE exhibition in Wellington was organised by the "Radio Record" and a committee representing the radio traders. That in Dunedin was under the guidance of the Amateur Radio Association.. In Auckland a committee

has Been selected from the iadio trade, and each member has’ been given a definite part to perform.. In this: manner the organisation ean be well-nigh perfeetly carried, out. . There will be no overlapping, and. the fullest’ co-opera-tion is. pessible. Hach member of the executive. has his department well in hand, "and the exhibition, they assure us, ‘will open’ on October 30, at 7.30 p.m.,, and ‘from ‘its inception’ will be an outstanding. success. For this o¢easion the main, Town Hall has been engaged, and twenty-one stands have been provided. . Fifteen of these are arranged around the walls, while ‘the remaining six are in ‘the centre, two deep. All these’ stands have

beén allocated to the various firms in Auckland; ‘The only stand not coming from the Auckland district is: that to _be occupied by the "Radio Record." ' The stands will be approximately 14ft. x 10ft., and in this space each trader will display radiqg apparatus that will be of the greatest interest to all sections of tle radio community. There will be complete expensive combination radio gramophones, smaller Console models, elaborate and simple table models, and small sets, all operated by A.C. In addition the battery set will be represented, and, ‘those who have not A.C. power’ available will ‘be able to see the very latest conceptions in battery models. -The constructor has been well provided for, as several firms are specialising in this direction. There will be, in addition to these trade exhibits, interesting displays by the

Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Association, the "N.Z. Radio," and the "Radio Record." , ; In connection with this event, competitions have been arranged for the amateur constructor, the essayist, and the general public. The constructors’ competitions include both crystal and valve receivers, while that arranged for the non-constructing public‘\is both novel and interesting. The competition consists of the arranging of a typical programme to be broadcast. The entrant has for his guidance the programmes of the R.B.C., and _ those specimens of overseas. programmes which have appeared in this and in other journals.

It was anticipated that prominent radio authorities would be able to speak to the Auckland children on radio, but as we go to press we learn that this project cannot be carried on. In very many ways it is a pity, for the young of to-day are truly interested in radio, and addresses from prominent technicians would be of uttermost value. Besides ‘catering for the public interested in radio as a science and as an entertainment for the home, arrangements have been made for the musically inclined. The best talent in Auckland has been engaged for the period. A temporary studio will be fitted up in the Town Hall, and during the evening the broadcasts will take place intermittently from here. In order to allow demonstrations dur-

ing the evening, broadcasts from the regular studio in France Street will alterate with those from the temporary studio. The bands engaged for the exhibition will appeal to the yisitors considerably, The idea of broadcasting from the exhibition has been taken up in both Wellington and Dunedin with great interest by both organisers and Broadcasting Company. The thousands that visited these exhibitions were highly interested in seeing the aunts, the uncles, the artists and the announcers appearing before them. No doubt this will apply in Auckland. Until such time as exhibitions can be arranged, the broadcasters must be viewed in a very uncertain light. In some ways they are very close friends. The voice of the announcer becomes very well known, and very many listeners have remarked that he is as one of the family, yet very few have seen him. Being able to meet these personalities at the exhibition draws them nearer and completes a_ link which has been long felt wanting. ON the entertainment side of the exhibition the Broadcasting Company is actively co-oper: ating. For each evening the exhibition is open 1YA has arranged special programmes to be broadeast from a model studio in the Town Hall, in full view of.all visitors. Each programme will be divided into sections, or "concertettes," as they may be called, intervals of ten minutes intervening, during which time visitors to the exhibition will be able to move around and inspect the many receiving sets which will be on view. During these intervals items will be broadcast from 1YA Studio. The presentation of the items from the model studio at the exhibition will be carried through precisely in the same manner as are the evening concerts produced at 1YA. The announcer will announce in full view of his audience, and the model studio. will be complete with the full necessary equipment. In addition to the presentation of the concert programme the children’s session will also take place. As will be seen from the programmes the artists who are to contribute t0 the entertainments represent the finest talent in:Auckland. Hvery class of item will be presented. Visitors will see how songs are sung before the microphone, instrumental solos, band, and orchestra numbers played, recitations given, and sketches acted. The con-

~ certs will be the best that can be arranged in Auckland, The Opening Night. At 7.80 on Wednesday evening the exhibition will be opened in the Town Hall, the speakers including Hon. J. B. Donald (Postmaster-General), Mr. W. J. Holdsworth (chairman of the Auckland Dlectric Power Board), Mr. Geo. Baildon (Mayor of Auck--land), and Mr, W. J, Smeeton (chairman of the Auckland Radio Dealers’ Association. ‘The concert session will be given at 8 o’clock. This programme will be provided by‘the Auckland Artillery Band under Mr. Wynne Smith, the 1YA Broadcasting Choir, Madame Mary Towsey, Mr. John Bree, Mr. A. Ripley, Mr. Frank Sutherland, Mr. T, T. Garland, and Mr. Cyril Towsey. This ag-

3 gregation of talent will provide much varied entertainment not only to visi- _ tors to the exhibition, but to listeners in general, The band items will comprise "Simplicity March," "Pique Dame" overture, "Three Blind Mice," and "BB and OF March." Madame Mary Towsey, dramatic soprano, will be the only lady appearing this evening. Her songs will be "A Castilian Lament," "Three Fishers," and "The Golden Song" (from "Lilac Time"). Mr. John Bree, a baritone of the finest class, and Mr. A. Ripley, one of New Zealand’s leading tenors, will be singing. Mr. Frank Sutherland, the well known bass-baritone, will sing "Come to the, Fair’ and "Keep on Keeping On." The popular Auckland humorist, Mr. T. T. Garland, will provide many mirthful moments. The accompanist for the evening wil! be Mr. Cyril Towsey, who will also play pianoforte solos. Also appearing prominently on the programme will be the 1YA Broadcasting Choir under Mr. Len Barnes. Three numbers will be sung, "Awake," "The Dance," and "The Pedlar." :

Thursday Evening. "THURSDAY evening’s programme will be of a type very different from that of the previous evening. The new IYA Orchestral Octet under Mr, Eric Waiters will be introduced to the public. This will be a brilliant instrumental combination. There will also be a vocal octet, the Olympian and Clarion Quartets having combined for the occasion. . Other artists engaged are Mr. Owen Pritchard (the popular entertainer), Miss Margot Toner (a brilliant pianiste), Mr. J. F. Montague (elocutionist), and the Bohemian Duo (novelty vocalists). Three fine concerted numbers will be sung by the Octet: "The Angelus" (from "Maritana"), "When Hvening's Twilight," and "In the Woods." Duets and numerous solos will also be sung. Friday’s Programme. (THERE will be something unique for the children on Friday, for a party is to take place, commencing at 4.30 p.m. Nearly every boy and girl in Auckland will be there. The evening will again be a great change from those which have been presented on the two previous evenings. There will again be some of Auckland’s star vocalists performingMiss Phyllis Hazell, Miss Millicent O’Grady, Mrs. Laetitea Parry, and Mr. Reg. Richards, with Mr. Tom Harris, the elocutionist, the Studio Trio, Mr: Hrie Waters, pianist, the 1YA Orchestral Octet under the conductorship of Mr. Waters, and a troupe of minstrels known as "The Ringers."

: The Final Concert. For the grand finale on Saturday evening another series of exceptional little concerts will be presented. For the first twenty minutes the stage will be occupied by Ingall’s Hawaiian Orchestra, Miss Lola Solomon (soprano), and Mr. A. McBPlwain (humorist). They will give place to the Asquiths, who will present one of their drawing-room entertainments, such as they broadcast from 1YA. In the next session Mr. Bric Bell, a clever pianist, ‘will contribute two solos, which will be followed by a one act play. The east of characters will be Mrs. Culford Bell and Messrs. Jack Gordon and Noel Vear. Then once more Ingall’s Hawaiians will take the stage again, also Mr. A, McHlwain and the BashimBriggs Duo. ~ " Colour Scheme.

HE colour scheme will be one of . exceptional merit. This has been given the careful consideration of a member of the committee. Three or ‘four combinations will be used, so that the stand-holder, while given a limited choice to suit his individuality, will yet be in syharmony with the general scheme of the whole building. The lettering will be uniform, likewise the shape and aspect of the stands. From all sides the Auckland Exhibition is promising to be a very great success. Some optimistic Aucklanders state that they are expecting 12,000 to pass through during this time. While this is a very big number, we must remark that, if this large concourse avails itself of the excellent opportunities placed before it, the organisers of this venture will have good cause to congratulate themselves. Certainly the visitors will have every oceasion to remember with pleasure their visit to the Auckland Radio Dxhibition.