EDITORIAL NOTES.

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 17, 8 November 1929, Page 6

EDITORIAL NOTES.

(CONGRATULATIONS may be extended to Auckland upon the success of the Radio Exhibition held there last week. As was the case with the opening of 4YA in Dunedin, the Postmaster-General utilised the land-line facilities of the Post and Telegraph Department and opened the exhibition by speaking from his office in Wellington: The speech was transmitted satisfactorily by this means, and the Ministerial blessing bestowed upon the Exhibition. The announcement of most interest to radio enthusiasts in the Minister’s speech was the statement that the license fee for amateur radio transmitters had been reduced to the level of the ordinary receiving license fee. The transmitters, who are a notable band of enthusiasts, will be grateful for this concession, as it meets the representations they have made from time to time. The opportunity was also taken by the PostmasterGeneral to emphasise the need of the radio service being enthusiastically supported by listeners, and every effort made to secure increased numbers. He rightly pointed out that the success of the service was dependent upon revenue, and revenue was securable only from the fees -of listeners. Exhibitions such as those staged originally in Wellington and Dunedin, now held in Auckland, and to be held in Christchurch next week, will certainly play their part and spread enthusiasm for radio in the public mind. . ‘A KINDLY service to radio was performed by "The Dominion" newspaper in drawing attention to the outstanding service afforded sheep-farmers in the present sheep-shearing season by the daily broadcast at 3.30 each afternoon of a special weather forécast. .The purpose of this innovation is to supply sheep-owners with an indication of the likely course of the weather. It has sometimes happened in the past that immediately following upon sheep being turned out after being shorn, cold southerly or drenching northerly rains have come up, with detrimental effects upon the stock. Not only have the sheep suffered, with a percentage of deaths resulting therefrom, but the whole héalth of the flock has been affected with subsequent ill-effects on the following season’s yield. Now with the aid of the Meteorological Department and the broadcast service of 2YA, it is possible for every sheepowner equipped with a radio service to know at afternoon-tea time the trend of the weather, and arrange his actions accordingly. This service in itself certainly stands to save the country many thousands

-_ "2 of pounds, It is a service that is likely to be supplemented from . time to time by similar consideration for other branches of primary’ production. The tomato-growers of Canterbury, for irstance, have requested a similar service, in order that they may safeguard their crops from sudden storms. THE Radio Olympia to be held in Christchurch, commencing on November 11, is not staged on such an ambitious scale as those of Wellington or Auckland. This is due to inability to secure a building of sufficient size. The Choral Hall has ‘been taken for the occasion, and this gives scope for but nine stalls; compared with the larger numbers possible in both Wellington and Auckland. In spite of this slight drawback, however, it is certain, in ‘our view, that the radio enthusiasts of Christchurch, and the interested’ public as well, will receive a very valuable object-lesson by a visit to, the Radio Olympia. ‘The time has been well chosen, falling in Carnival Week, and that in itself will present additional opportunity for demonstrating radio to the public. . A comprehensive programine has been arranged,-by Station 3YA in commemoration of Olympia, and altogether listeners are assured of an interesting time, both over the air from the Radio Olympia and~at the show.