Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 7, 29 August 1930, Page 8

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 communications to the Editor, and sign all correspondence, though a nom-de-plume might be used for publication.

Musical Taste, ° HAT sort of musical taste has 4YA? On the night of August 6 the advertised programme was replaced by an orgy of rotten American jazz and nigger whines. If 4¥A cannot put on some music, I would suggest that they have a few more silent days, s0 that we can get other stations without its interference-Dunedin Subscriber. ' [We understand that the advertised programme had to be altered owing to the party of artists engaged for the evening being unable to perform. Substitutes were therefore secured, and a light programme of a type similar to that advertised was broadcast.-Hd.] Why Net a Jazz Week? ITHOUT any intention of casting any reflection on anybody, I, along with quite a number of others, would like to ask the Radio Broadcasting Company if it is possible to put on a full week-later on, from 8 p.m.-of vaudeville numbers, humorous records, revues, popular songs, etc. The 40 per cent. highbrows have had their week. The Radio Broadcasting Company, being a fair-minded body, should lei the other 60 per cent. listeners switch on for a full week. In these days of taxation, let’s "Russellise" and "Bishopise" the programmes. Please let it be soon, before we all grow whiskers and sit in bath-chairs.-

Fifty Fifty

(Eltham) _

Howling Valves. I QUITE endorse all the eulogy th telegrams from all over New Zealand conveyed to the Broadcasting Company and the announcer re the fourth Test football match. Here in Otaki we had the common occurrence of squealing and howling keeping uy for nearly the whole of the first spell Otaki must be the very worst place in New Zealand for howling and squealing valves, and the commencement of many good programmes are spoiled for listeners. Another mat ter of annoyance is that frequently an item will suddenly go as if the singer or speaker had a towel tied over his (or her) mouth-sometimes for nearl;

five minutes at a time.-

T.

C.

(Otaki)

A Suggestion for Children’s Hour. HAVE noticed of late that the greater part of the children’s session is taken up by the uncles in rushing through a multitude of birthdays. The consequence is that there is very little time devoted to the entertainment of the children, whom I am sure thoroughly enjoy some of the "stunts" put over, but which are unfortunately limited to a very short period of their hour. Would it not be a better plan to limit the birthday calls to those children residing in re

the district to which the station belongs. This procedure would divide the country into four separate districts and would avoid duplicating calls, which is at present sometimes the case, In addition I would suggest that a fee of 1/- should be levied for each birthday call, the proceeds to be donated to the various children’s hospitals. I am sure this is a most deserving cause, and no parent could begrudge the nominal fee asked, which a

would not average more than 2/- per family per year. If such a_ policy were adopted the fund would amount to from £500 to £1000 per year, which amount could, I am sure, be expended in a most worthy and just cause.-

Nine Valve

(Wellington).

[There is no clause in the contract of the company to allow of a levy such as this.-Ed.] The Happy Medium. With regard to the YA programmes I have only one complaint-the sillent day. We have band music on Sunday from 1YA (our local station), Monday is classical at 2YA. Tuesday is operatic at 1YA, which makes three consecutive days of classical music. I cannot appreciate "high-brow" music, though I have often tried. At the same time I detest the sickly sentimental American music. I like tuneful, melodious pieces-the happy medium. However, a great many people enjoy (or pretend to enjoy) classical music, and a great many like jazz. I had better point out that I do not mind some American pieces, such as those given by Erie and Jack, a new 1YA _combination. I like Hawaiian music. These views are not altogether my own, _ for friends with whom I have discussed the matter express the same opinion.

would like to congratulate the R.B.C. on the excellent Test match relays, and My. Hutter on his splendid announcing. Good

luck to the R.B.C. !-

J.W.

W.

(Auckland).

"Off-Side." LASt week we pointed out to a Wellington correspondent, who complained of a certain Saturday night’s programme, that had he consulted the programmes as published beforehand he would not have disappointed his friends who were invited to his house. A correspondent signing himself "Fair Go," Karori, now writes to point out that, on the evening of August 13, Station 1YA, Auckland, varied its prearranged programme between 9 o’clock and 10 o’clock by relaying a boxing eontest from the Auckland Town Hail. This correspondent contends. that this incident makes our remarks on the previous case "off-side." The two cases are not, in our opinion, parallel; as listeners in the majority of cases are prepared to accept variation of programmes for the sake of good relays that offer themselves after the programmes have been arranged. The Fourth Test. WISH to tender my appreciation to the sporting announcer for the firstclass description of the fourth Test. Thanks are also due to the "Record" for publishing a plan of Athletic Park. We Gisborne listeners followed and enjoyed the game, almost as much as the people who actually saw it. It was a wonderful description, and I don’t think that even the biggest grouch

could find any fault with it-

L.

Illing

worth

(Gisborne).

A Fiji Listener’s Opinions. S a Fiji subscriber to the "Record" and a listener to all Australian and New Zealand stations, I would like to make a couple of observations as they come from one who is neither a New Zealander nor an Australian. I am of the opinion that 2YA’s announcer is easily the best announcer on the air in the Pacific; his voice is outstandingly the best and his English the purest. I am of the opinion that his Go-o-o-o-od Night has a weird fascination and is symbolical of the two last words being wafted over the space as the station shuts down. I have had unimaginative visitors who have snapped out, "What does he speak like that for?’ I have invariably snapped back, "Fun!" and left it at that. Another opinion I would like to express is that before the Commonwealth took over the Australian stations and made the present contract for programmes, I think New Zealand had the better programmes. Now I think that Australia has them, as she should have them, from the musical point of view. I am not denying, however, that I think most New Zealand "A" station programmes are excellent, and — wonder how the managers keep them up night after night. One of your correspondents says 1YA might as well be off the air after sunset if you live 50 miles away, etc. Well, sir, I live 1200 miles or more away and get much enjoyment from it, and often take down the news by shorthand (as I live right in the bush) and supply neighbours with news

that way.-

Englishman

(Fiji).