Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 40, 17 April 1930, Page 9

Our Mail Bag

~ Both at Fault. HAVE read with interest the tw» letters of "Coal-shovellers" and "Dante," respectively... Re ‘"Coalshoveller’s complaint about the Hltham relay. It certainly was not a wise move on his part to arrange or attempt # demonstration on a relay programme. while there were three other YA stations on the air. Further, if the "good radio set" (his own description of his set) is a good radio set what is wrong with demonstrating on 2FC, 2BL, etc., ete.? Why pick on 2¥A? Personally, I heard the Hltham relay, and the only tyouble I had was about ten minutes’ noise at the start; in fact, I heard conversation that was ‘never intended for the "Mike," namely: "Well, I suppose we’d better present these shields," and ‘Where are the Shields?" "Has anyone seen -the Shields?" "Don’t tread on that wire," ete, ete. What was wrong with the relay? a Concerning "Dante’s" reply to "Coualshoveller," I think he has hit "(oalshoveller" bélow the belt in his attack on his. status as radio dealer. Evidently "Dante" loses sight of the fact that every set these "itinerant dealers" se-l is providing revenue for the concerts and relays he enjoys. No, Sit, the radio dealer is the back--bone of radio recéption, ete, and T ask you when "Dante" wants advice. valyes, batteries, or service, where does he go? I'am not a radio dealer myself, but I think "Dante’s" attack on "Coal-shoveller" is over the mark. while he ("C.8.") did not use much? tact jin demonstrating on a_ relay. Further, his remarks re the "star effort of the great 2YA" are ridiculous as far as I find the quality of the

2YA programmes:_

Static

Wanga-

nul).

The Eltham Band Relay. (CRITICISM has been levelled at the Radio Broadcasting Company concerning the Hltham relay recently, and complaint has been made at the poor quality of programme from Eltham. In addition, the Broadcasting Company was blamed for the entertainment. I have been a hard critic during past years; but I must say that to blame the company: for poor quality of a relay is going beyond reasonable bounds and is to my mind hardly fait play. The company saw an opportunity of providing what they ‘éxpécted would be a unique rélay, and incidentally give a boost to radio in Taranaki, The relay was duly "put over’ the air, with the hope that listéners would be satisfied; and if the artists, music, inging, etc., displeased listeners, it ‘jwas not the company’s fault. No doubt the Hltham. péople and _ the company felt sure the programme would be acceptable.. Personally, I say unhesitatingly, that a poorer pro» gramme could not have been imagined. It was amateurish practically right throught; but’ that: is no fault of the Broadcasting Company. -More often than not we have to suffer some "dud" amateurs, even from 2YA, and for that I blamé the company ‘through not offer. _ing stiitable remuncration. Even in the case of 2YA artists, it frequently happens that an artist during . an "audition" uppears to be fairly OK., and when performing before the "mike"? goes to pieces." It would be ridiculous to say that all programmes from 2YA were good, or that all artists at 2YA were satisfactory. Not by. any means. The cure is, of course, bigger fees, Mr. Harris states that he is ‘paying out

as much as the company can afford: and we have no means of forcing the position except through the Postmas-ter-General’s Department. Apart from the Broadcasting Company’s expense in providing relay lines (which’ work is done by the Post and Telegraph Department) the programmes on relay are, for the major part, given gratis; and it appears to the outsider that there should be ample funds available for payment in more generous form to first-class artists. As I have previously mentioned, Mr. Harris is no doubt securing the best he can for the poor fees offered. However, by increasing

the fees, he will have a much larger field of artists to work upon.-R,: Leslie Jones (Wellington). ° [Substantiai fees are necessarily paid for relay lines; relays are usually more costly than studio evenitigS; our cortespondent’s argument there is weak.-Hd.] ‘ eyo An Appreciation. HE time of license renewal is fitting to record my appreciation of the R.B.C, in their efforts to entertain listeners during the past year. ‘The dinner time session as a whole is of a high standard, and after the discomforts of

a cold, wet day it is pleasant to eat one’s dinner listening to the music. The concerts of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra were splendid, the third one being in my opinion a magnificent one, a star item being the Tannhauser Overture. It took my mind back to the evenings I used to spend in the Cologne Opera House. The 2YA orchestras have made a special appeal for the splendid renderings of excerpts from the works of the great masters. The brass band concerts have been pleasing, the performance of the Miramar Silver Bank some Sundays back making a special appeal. Its clarity of tone, tune blend, and balance, together with the clear distinction of the soloists above the accompaniment, and colourful playing, ..made the performance very pleasing. The writer looks forward to hearing this band again. The gramophone recordings of operatic music and song appeal, but not the fox trots and the jazz. The other forms of entertainment are

appreciated..

A. E.

Elliston

(Reefton. )

Outward Bound. I ‘WOULD like to congratulate the Radio Broadcasting Company on the play they put over from iYA the other night. "Outward Bound" is about the best play, I've heard over the

air.-

Satisfied

(Auckland).

Football Broadeasts. ANY letters have reached us in which opinions for and against the broadeast of Rugby football are expressed. As the question has now been settled no useful purpose ean be served by publishing them.-Ed. That "Thirty Bob." HEN an item does not appeal to us we flick over the switch or turn the dial, and are content. Atmospherie conditions are a nuisance, as they play a large part in the quality of radio reception. But, in spite of these, and all the other defects and maladministrations spoken of by your correspondents from time to time, I —

‘paid nf 30/- on Saturday, March 29. The. broadcast that afternoon proved that this was a good gamble, as I, and each of my friends, had a good 30/worth that afternoon. Although that day. was really in the last radio year, I eonsider that the R.B.C. do not morally owe me one more item this year. . Last evening we had the pleasure of being taken back some 50 odd years by -thée® "joker with the whiskers and things," and very much appreciated the whole evening’s broadcast-at least that is till the jazz started, when 2 movement of the dial transported us to the ringside of the Sydney Stadium. Hoping this may assist in livening up

the stragglers.

K.O.

P.

(Wellington).

‘Talking Picture Broadeasts. T READ with great interest and enjoyment the letter by K. Swinéey (Northland), in criticising the American sound film and the broadcasts of their theme songs. I do not agree with him, and I think they are very enjoyable, Just give a thought to us country listeners living in the "bush" who only get a chance to see and hear a good sound film when time permits. Also, I suppose, if the: truth is known, Mr. Swiney, despite his disparaging remarks concerning American goods, uses an American-manufactured radio set. If this form of broadcasting does not appeal to him, I would advise him to twiddle the dial a little, or else turn the switch to the. "off" position-and pick up a book-not pick his pen up and criticise the Americans and the Broadeasting Company on the good programmes they are putting over. Carry on with the talking-picture broadeasts-we are not. getting enough

of them.-

Plenty More

(Okato).