Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 5, 15 August 1930, Page 23

Our Mail Bag

While we: welcome the expressed views of listeners on topics pertaining to radio, we ask that these communications be kept to minimum. length, as heavy demands are made upon space. . Mere reiteration of arguments cannot be accepted for publication, and we cannot take responsibility for views expressed. | Address conymunications te the Editor, and sign all correspondence, though 2 nom-de-plume might be used for publication.

A Boxing Enthusiast’s Views. — A BOXING enthusiast at Waitara, under the nom-de-plume of "I'ed Up," complains bitterly that the Radio Broadcasting Company did not relay the Sarron-Leckie fight from Palmerston North on a recent evening. He considers that such: an event would have been more interesting than the concert that was broadcast. He considers the Radio. Broadcasting Company should pay sufficiently to the boxing associations to secure relays of this character. Instead of that, he complains that listeners do not receive enough variety and they get rather bored with the same old concerts for 360 of the 865 days each year! ; Whose Fault? Ay OVELLINGTON correspondent, who "~ uses a trade name, which is: not allowable; writes complaining that on a recent Saturday evening he invited friends to his home in the hope of hearing a vaudeville entertainment, in accordance with the general schedule of Saturday night broadcasts. Instead of that, they heard the relay of the Harmonic Society’s concert in the. Town Hall. This did not interest his friends, so that his radio evening was a "washout." While sympathising with our correspondent, we would point out that the relay of the Harmonic Society’s concert was duly incorporated in the programmes which are published in the "Radio Record" a week in advance, in order that radio enthusiasts may ar range their evenings to best advantage. If this correspondent had watched the programmes his friends would not have been disappointed. / ! Maori Concerts. HB Whanganuj Maori Troupe broadcast by 2YA was a veritable feast. The perfection and beautiful phrasing of the picturesque chants, hakas, poi dances, and old-time Maori songs, were faultessly interpreted, and no doubt will live in the memories of those who appreciate the Maori and his world of learning. "Piko nei te matenga" (lament for the dead), and "Tama nga kau marie," two of the most famous of our Maori church hymns, were sung as they should be sung. We listened-in from a six-valve set sgrrounded by high mountains, and in basin nearly two thousand feet above sea level, about one hundred miles in a direct line with 2YA. Reception was clear, and it was a pleasure to listenin to one of the best Maori concerts ever put on the air. .

Our appreciations and thanks go out to the wonderful combination and organising ability of all those who helped» to make the Whanganui Maori concerts a success, and a pleasure to students and others who study the contrasts of the ancient and modern worlds of the Maori race, The concerts were a joy to listen to. Kia ora tonu koutou ~ Whanganui, Greetings to you all, Whanganui. The lament to the wemory of the kind-hearted and generous Sir Maui Pomare will be highly-appreciated by all those who knew his works and finer nature. In conclusion, I close with the motto of his old school (St. Stephen’s), "Constanter in Caelum"’.-Rore John Josephs, Maniapoto Tribe (Te Kuiti). [We have received many other letters of appreciation, but space forbids their publication.-Hd. ] News Sessions and Lectures. [ 4M sorry I have a reasonable and justifiable complaint to make re 1YA news announcements. For some time past at 7 o’clock the announcer will state Mr. So-and-So will now give @ book review, or Mr. So-and-So will talk on something else. On Thursday last week I had an appointment for 7 o’clock, but I remained at home to hear the news (as we do not get any papers between Tuesday and Saturday). Seven o’clock chimed, and Mr. So-and-So was announced to give a book review. Why can not the programme be adhered to, and the news given at 7 o’clock; after that allow Messrs. So-and-So talk away to their hearts’ con-

tent till 8 o’clock-

T.

W.

Hawaiki Calling. would be glad if you will permit us through the columns of the "Record" to thank the many friends whose messages of apbreciation reavhed the Wanganui Maori party during its stay in Wellington on the occasic of the broadeast of "Hawaiki Calling," and the public performances in the Town Hall. Messages still continue to arrive, and, much as we would like to do so, it is impossible to send forward individual acknowledgements. Will these kind people take the will for the deed? It is a source of much satisfaction that our party has given so much scope for affording pleasure and instruction per medium of 2YA these three years past. We feel it has been well worth while, as in the entertainment there has been provided some basis for studying New Zealand history and par-

ticularly as it concerns the welfare of the Maori race. ’ Meanwhile we express our deep thanks to the Broadcasting Company for the opportunity it has given the party of visiting Wellington on three occasions, and for the very kind treatment received at all times from the general manager, head office staff, and particularly the resident staff of 2YA, These visits have provided chapters in the history of the Wanganui area of the west coast Maori district which time will not obliterate. In every ‘respect it has been a wonderful experience, Everybody, no matter what side of the "mike," has been a "real good friend." So we close chapter iii: it may be another will open some day.