NOTES and NEWS from the NORTH

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 16, 31 October 1930, Page 5

NOTES and NEWS from the NORTH

A COMPLETE evening’s programme by new artists will be heard from 1YA on Wednesday, November 12, The main items will be given by the Devonport United Band, while vocal solos will be given by Miss Sylvia Dobbs, soprano, Mr. Jack Johnston, an Irish tenor, and Mr. Philip Mayhew, a young English bass. The last two-mentioned singers should be particularly welcome to the ranks of local artists, as such voices are comparatively rarely heard over the air in New Zealand. * * 2 "THE rebroadcast by 1YA of 2MB, Sydney’s relay of the welcome to Wing-Commander Kingsford Smith at Mascot aerodrome and later at Mascot Town Hall on Wednesday was one of the most successful rebroadcasts ever carried out by the Auckland

Station. Everything came through very clearly, including the roar of the aeroplane engines and the cheers of the crowd. The rebroadcast lasted from 4.50 p.m. till 5.50 p.m. and the local station received many congratulations on its effort. * * " ‘THE suggestion that a short wave station in Sydney, operated by whatever body controls broadcasting in New Zealand, would be well worth while is made by Mr. H. B. Arthur, of Auckland. Mr. Arthur, who is one of the best-known short wave experts in' the Dominion, gives it as his opinion that an Wmpire short wave station in England would not be of very great benefit to New Zealanders, but that a’ similar station in Sydney run for the special benefit of New Zealand listeners would give us a better and

more vyaluable service. After years of short wave work he is convinced that it will never become really popular with ordinary listeners on account of the great amount of atmospheric’ inteference which is always present during reception. At the present time listening to short wave stations in different parts of the world provides a certain amount of novelty, but there are very few regular short wave programmes to be picked up which will interest the average listener, apart from those broadcast in Australia. * * mm "THE concert by the 1YA Choir ‘on Sunday was up to its usual high standard and most enjoyable. Another community sing by the choir will he given from the studio on November 18, when it will be assisted by Res Morgan’s band. Included in the same programme will be a dramatic sketch, entitled "The Drum," founded on the legend of Drake’s drum and written by Mr. BH. J. Landon, of Auckland, whose other sketch, "The Signal," has been heard from 1YA twice. On December 9 the choir will given the cantata, "St. John’s Eve," by Frederic Cowen, a piece particularly appropriate for the Christmas season. * * a THE judging of the entries for the 1YA Song Writing Competition is taking longer than expected, but ‘it is hoped to be able to announce the winner shortly. A total of 333 entries ‘was received, one competitor sending in no fewer than forty-five, so that the judges are faced with no easy -task. * * * SLIGHT hitch in the transmission occurred at 1YA on Tuesday evening. The programme was interrupted for a few minutes about eight o’clock while a signal light was readjusted. ‘This is the first time a hitch has occurred in the broadcasts from 1YA for «about eighteen months, and the station ‘is to be congratulated on its consistent ‘transmission, z * s : [THE opening ceremony at the new Auckland Railway Station is to be relayed from 1YA on November 26. s 2 s AN Auckland listener writing to a local daily states that when 1YA is off the air he gets 1ZB, generally 2YA, and sometimes after 10.80 p.m. 2FC on his crystal set. He prophesies that if the new proposals in regard to the New Zealand stations being in--ereased in power are carried out, difficulty will be experienced in separating the transmissions on a crystal set. wv 2 s N Auckland radio dealer at the request of a householder recently took a set out to demonstrate in a suburban home. Imagine his surprise when on arrival he found nine other sets, all of different makes, already in the house and being put through their performances by the prospective buyer. This gives some idea of the present competition being experienced among radio agents.