NOTES and NEWS from the NORTH

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 19, 21 November 1930, Page 7

NOTES and NEWS from the NORTH

A NEW male quartet is being formed, which promises to provide listeners ye some particularly good singing, by Mr, Len Barnes, . The members are Mr. Philip Mayhew, bass, Mr. Bert Skeels, first tenor, Mr. Frank Campbell, second tenor, and Mr. Arthur Gally, baritone. These are young singers and all have "microphone voices.". UCKLAND artists and all who have come in contact with Mr Owen Pritchard, programme organiser at 1YA, will regret to hear that he has been transferred to Wellington, and will be leaving to take up his duties in the capital city on December 1. Mr. Pritchard has occupied his position at 1YA for a year, and during that time has earned a thoroughly deserved popularity. He has frequently been heard on the air, a versatile and accomplished artiat who should be a great asset to 2YA. Listeners, artists, and studio staff will join in wishing him the best of good luck in his new position, and he may rest assured that he will be genuinely missed from LYA. N Auckland radio dealer who is agent for a well-known all-wave receiver, has made a most effective advertising display by arranging the several _hundred DX cards received by Mr Mark Churton, one of Anckland’s bestknown amateur transmitters, in his window. This display certainly makes a most favourable case for short-wave listening, and is attracting wide attention from "the man on the street." NEW orchestra, to take the place ‘ of the one at present conducted by Mr. J. Whitford Waugh, is at present ' peing formed. Mr. Harold Baxter will be the conductor, and other members will include Eric Waters, organ, Doro thea Ryan, piano, Lalla Hemus, ’cello, Gordon Healy, clarinet, and Mr. H Dunn, flute and oboe. Rehearsals have commenced and the first broadcast by the new combination is scheduled to take place on December 4.

HE Hamilton "B" class station, 1ZH, is shortly to increase its power from 60 to 110 watts. This little station is very popular among Waikato listeners, and at times puts on some really good programmes. ARRAN GEMENTS have been made for the B class 1ZQ to return to the air again from new headquarters in Karangahape Road, Auckland. The station was formerly located at Mount Albert, and broadcasts were stopped some weeks ago on account of interference with 1YA.-Under the new arrangements 1ZQ will provide a programme every night, while in all probability there will be mid-day sessions. "THE programme from 1YA on Wednesday night was made up entirely from items by new artists, and proved an excellent evening’s entertainment. The: Devonport United Band played very well, and we hope to hear them over the air again. The singing of Miss Sylvia Dobbs, Mr. Philip Mayhew, and Mr. Jack Johnston, proved that in these three new vocalists the station has a decided acquisition. IN many cases one of the greatest difficulties a broadcasting artist has to contend with is the lack of any visible audience. An artist before the microphone cannot tell how listeners are appreciating. his efforts, and receives no encouragement such as clapping. In the ease of artists who appear regularly over the air this lack of encouragement often materially decreases the quality of their performances. In England it is usual for there to be a

small audience in‘the studio, and the effect on the artists is most noticeable. This little audience is made up of listeners who are only too pleased to have an opportunity of seeing some of the inner workings of the station, so

that the scheme is doubly appreciated by both artists and listeners. For a time last year small audiences of about a dozen were often present in the 1YA studio, but for some reason were discontinued. It seems likely that the idea will be put into action again, and it is to be hoped that listeners will be given an opportunity of attending the actual studio presentations.