For Three Thousand Miles I followed 1930

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 26, 9 January 1931, Page 1

For Three Thousand Miles I followed 1930

Ivan M.

Levy

Relates how he Caught Fleeting Glimpses of the Old Year as it Sped into the West

| HEN the editor of the "Radio Record" commissioned me to follow the flight of the Old Year and the arrival of the New Year over 3,000 odd ‘oe! miles, he set a task which but a few years ago would have possessed a touch of the Arabian Nights. No gigantic projectile, such as Jules Verne sent. soaring to the moon, nor magic carpet described so-

intriguingly by Shahrazad to King Shahriyar was at my disposal. Instead, I turned a switch, and my radio bore me faster than Verne’s projectile or Shahrazad’s magic carpet, to distant cities where I heard the joyous farewelling of 1930 and the welcoming of 1931. From a reception standpoint, the Old Year left a kindly memory, for distance reception was almost completely free from static’s surf-like -Mtashes. Furthermore, far-off stations were heard with uncommon loudness for this time of the season. For this boon I thanked the old year as it sped on its last long westward journey to the Tomb of the Past.

"T° keep in close touch with three er four broadcast ' stations almost simultaneously was a difficult feat for one person, but I contrived to maintain a sequence of reception from each of the various stations by changing quickly from one to another. 2YA, "the Great Voice of the South," devoted the last minutes of the Old Year to a relay of the Watch Night Service from. St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Reception was ‘@." tone and crystal clear. The se having ushered in the New Vii terminated at 11 minutes past mid. ight. _ 2YA then switched over to a microphone placed on the outside parapet of the G.P.O., overlooking the Post Office Square and facing the Queen’s Wharf entrance. Even . though the New Year was eleven minutes old, pandemonium reigned over a tremendous crowd, and the noise was continuous and overwhelming. No band was present in the Post Office Square, so to compensate for the deficiency two recorded march ‘fkems were stiperimposed from the studio. Whether it was by design or accident, it was a happy coincidence that the records were "Stars and Stripes for Ever," and "Invercargill," repre-

sentative marches, respectively, of two great, friendly,. English-speaking powers, the United States and the British Empire, which both border the vast Pacific: It was a cordial gesture which, no doubt, would be heard by many listeners far across the Pacific, — From the Post Office Square 2YA cut back to the studio, and broadcast

some enjoyable recorded dance items until 12.50 a.m. T® Cathedral City rapturously celebrated the passing of 1930 and the birth of 1931. A microphone placed on the balcony of the United Service Hotel, facing Cathedral Square, was connected with 3YA. The first effect when the station was switched over to the Square was the glorious ringing of the cathedral chimes. The bells reverberated sonorously as they. flung their voices far out into the night, north, south, east and west, to tell the glad tidings of the occasion. The uproar

in the Cathedral Square was tremendous. Loud detonations of firework bombs filled the air; which, as the commentator remarked, must have been rather nerve-racking. The chiming of the midnight hour stimulated the tumult three-fold. The commentator said that all the buildings around the Cathedral Square were brilliantly lighted, sky rockets, catherine wheels and bombs covered the crowd with a dense pall of smoke. Tramway gongs clanged loudly and motor-car horns bellowed _ lustily. About 800 motor-cars were parked in. ‘the vicinity of the Square. The Caledonian bagpipe band marched past the microphone. Scores of people danced gaily, and all was joyous. 3YA_ switched back to the studio, and the male voice item, "Auld Lang Syne," came through with haunting sweetness. "T= microphone ear ‘of LYA was located in Ferry Building, at the foot of Queen Street. An extremely festive multitude had assembled in the vicinity of the G.P.O., and the clamour and laughter told of some boisterous doings. The commentator informed us that a Chinaman’s cart had been carried up the street by a fun-maki mob, and vegetables (Contd. on p. 2.¥

Following 1930

' {Continued from page ty : Fore being spilled along the roadway. other group of merry-makers’ lifted the rear wheels of a Baby Austin’ off the ground, and the motorist, completely nonplussed, was. helpless. 5 Another crowd gathered on each side of a tramcar and a motor-bus, and rocked these vehicles in an alarming ‘manner until they threatened to fall over. A nearby piecart was doing "business as usual’ and was experiencing a roaring trade, The motor-bus found it impossible to get through the crowd and now endeavoured' to back out, but it was rushed and its rear wheels were lifted clear.of the ground, so that the driver was unable to move the vehicle. The rocking of nearby motor-cars next became general, and it. was observed that girls -were joining in this diversion. The hour of midnight arrived, arid then" bedlam broke loose. Cheers, choruses. and motor-horns joined in a rolonged roar.. Shortly afterward YA closed down. — DUNEDIN possesses the patent rights ‘of: celebrating. in’ true ‘style the advent of the New. Year. The Caledonian City of the South, with its Jarge proportion of Scottish~folk, has an hereditary aptitude for this particular celebration, The microphone placed at the Octogon: enabled the benighted folk outside of Dunedin to learn from 4YA, Dunedin, how to speed the parting year and to.salute the new. ‘The local colour gvas lent by the bagpipes and traditional songs by the New Year Chorus Party. ‘The Australian Stations AND ‘as the Old Year, with the New Year right on its heels, raced away from New Zealand, westward bvund, ou its 1200 miles’ rush toward Australia, I gladly accepted an opportiunity for a spell from so much bvistervus enthusiasm. The going had been terrifie, and as I pored over my notes I visualised again each tumultuous scene they recorded. Two hours’ literence in time meant 2 a.m. before the New Year would reach Sydney.

HAPPY band consisting of "The Australian Broadcasting Company’s New Year Party," held revel at 2FC, Sydney. These merry folk comprised members of the Broadcasting Company’s office staff devoted to the preparation and compilation of the daily programmes. Not a little vocal! talent was displayed by those ladies and gentlemen. There was jazz music, dancing and community singing by the assemblage. The community singing was directed by that "star" comedian, Mr. Charles Lawrence, the hero of the Ashfield and Chatswood Town Halls’ community singing. _ He was in great fettle, and with his quips and humorxous stories kept everyone amused. He announced that the assemblage would sing "I Wouldn’t Leave My Little Wooden Hut For You," and added, "I wish someone would come and clean mine up," which bore a suggestion of recent: revelry in his domicile. ‘The chiming of 12 o’clock brought a loud-speaker-rattling din of cheering, and, as there was a lack of announcing, I am. inclined to believe that the hullabaloo came from a dense crowd as-

sembled around the Sydney G.P.O. The whole effect was overwhelming. Presently it was announced fron the studio that Tennyson’s superb and appropriate "Ring Out, Wild Bells!" would be recited. The lines were weil given by a male performer, with cathedral chimes worked in as an enchanting background to the words. Finally a chorus of "Auld Lang Syne" came ‘through, and what again seemed to be the cheering of the multitude in the streets was superimposed on the chorus. TTUNING in, early, to 4QG, Brisbane, I listened to an exceptionally capable dance orchestra of 18 performers playing in the ballroom of Lennon’s Hotel, the commentator describing the brilliant and gay scenes. Many wouderful frocks were worn, and the dancers were decked with fancy jazz caps. At one end of the ballroom was ahuge wheel with many variegated eiectric spotlights, and when an operator turned the wheel round. the coloured lights flashed in waves on the dancers with gorgeous effect. As midnight drew near 4QG switched back to the studio, where an informal party of vocalists and instrumentalists presented an enjoyable programme. Hasily the best item was the ‘male vocal quartet, "Life’s But a Golden Dream With You." This was delightfully sung. 4QG’s studio party celebrated the arrival of the New Year with unstinted enthusiasm, and before concluding there were several "Tor He’s a. Jolly Good Fellow." I recognised the voice of my old friend, Mr. J. Robinson, director of 4QG. I think I also heard someone say: "TI’ll see you at the piecart afterward." / "DPDREATHHS there a man with soul so dead!" No wonder when I tuned in 8LO in my native city, .Mei-

bourne, I felt a great longing, or, shall I say.a futile wish, to be there in body to see this New Year in. However, IL. ‘Was soon there in spirit. A splendid orchestra was providing irresistible dance music, with vocal items interpolated. In the last minutes of the expiring year an impressive New Year’s message by the reverend president of the Council of Churches was delivered. This ‘was followed by the Australian Broadcasting Company’s own New Year message, to the many thousands of listeners, and it concluded with "Pass the year well, with radio." Just before the chiming of midnight a solemn dialogue, or epilogue, was given by a male and a female character, and ‘was artistically appropriate. The male voice, I believe, was that of Mr. Frank Clulow, formerly of the Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Co. The New Year was welcomed with an enthusiastic chorus of "Auld Lang Syne." But there was an. air of cultured dignity at 3LO in the last minutes of the Old Year so characteristic of Melbourne, the Boston of Australia. HE Cinderella State’s broadcast station, 7ZL, Hobart, was having a gay old time. A well-balanced jazz orchestra was playing the latest "hits." There were séveral vocal numbers which were warmly applauded. The New Year was received with hearty enthusiasm — cheers and choruses. = "THE end of the Old Year h:d now outdistanced me, and was careering westward the City of Churches, ¢ capital of the land of "crow eaters." With a turn of my tuning dial I flashed ahead again of the fleeing ‘year, and was 2000 miles away in Adelaide, where it was. still 1930. All was merry as the proverbial wedding bells, according to 501, Ade--laide, -.- Here there was a tip-top jazz

orchestra and the voices of many’ happy ' couples could be heard through the music. Vocal numbers were also given, the best of which was the offering of a coloratura soprano who possessed a well-trained, if light, voice. She was vociferously applauded at the conclusion of her item. At a few minutes to midnight the assemblage at the cabaret sang "The Long, Long Trail" in excellent style. Then, alas, a gentleman essayed to recite Tennyson’s "Ring Out, Wild Bells!" This was a poor, colourless effort, and was nothing more than the mere speaking of the words. What a contrast with the same! item as heard from: 2FC. "It’s a Long Way to Tippergry," sung by all, must have revived. y sad memories of the war. Jus¢Pas midnight was announced by the ing of the hour the jazz band struck up "Happy Days Are Here Again," and all joined in singing that joyful item. This. was followed by "Auld Lang Syne,’ "Pack Up Your Troubles," then’ an Australian national song, and finally Higar’s "Land of Hope and Glory." I glanced .at the clock; it was 2.38 am. on New Year’s Day, New Zealand time. ©The Old Year was still within reach, and I could not resist racing the New Year to Perth. Once . more I re-adjusted my tuning dial, and was instantly about an hour and a quarter again ahead of 1931. The iusic from 6WF, Perth, was coming in clearly across ‘the intervening 3300 miles of land and sea. Pondering over the wonder of it all, I caught myself sinking into a ci op reverie. I roused myself; ,with or ‘more farewell to the Old Year switched off my set, and left 1980 still hurrying westward to its end. America ‘Welcomed the New Year

(By .

F. W.

Sellens

PERHAPS the most interesting reception during the past. week was a "Coast to Coast New Year Eve Party." arranged by the General Motors of America and broadcast on short waves by W2XAF, Schenectady. Several stations across the continent were linked to New York by land lines, thus making it possible for the New Year celebrations in each time zone to be put on the air by the powerful W2XAF and heard by the whole world. The first celebrations were at New York, where a peal of bells comm ed at 11.55 pan., their time (4. 55 New Year’s Day, here). After’ th bells struck 12 they played their National Anthem. Listeners were then talyen to Times Square; Broadway, to hear the hearty reception of the New Year by the multitude there. This. consisted of hooters, cheering, singing, bells, ete. ‘Dance music followed till nearly 6 p.m., when they went over to Chicago to "SQ in" the New Year at the Edgewater Beach Hotel. While in Chicago dance music was heard from several hotels, the celebrated Paul Whiteman and his orchestra being at one of them. Denver, Colorado, was the next city that 1931 was welcomed. Orches- tral music from the Denver Athletic Club was heard fill: midnight: (7 pnt: here), when they switched over to the Cathedral. of the Immaculate Conception for a peal of bells and the striking of 12 pm. This was followed by "Adeste Fideles" on the bells. Music was again heard from the Athletic Club, ‘(Concludéd on ‘page 28.)

1931 Comes to. England and America

Mr. Sellens, too, Listens-in (Continued from page 2.)

and the Metropolitan Hotel till 7.30 p.m. Los Angeles was visited next, the musie being from the Hotel Los Angeles, where many of the world’s famous movie stars were congregated. San Francisco, the city of the Golden Gate, was reached at 7.55 p.m. The Mission Bells of California rang in the New Year at 8 p.m., N.Z. time. These famous bells have rung in the New Year at San Francisco for nearly 200 years. Dance music followed from different parts of the city, but local interference made listening impossible. Reception from W2XAF was R8-9 at 4.30 p.m., increasing to R9 by 5 p.m., remaining at this volume till after 8 p.m, New Year Good-will Talks. ON January 2 (Friday) at 8.45 a.m., W2XAF was heard again with "sood-will messages" from various re presentatives of foreign countries. Hach person said a few words in their own language, which was translated into Hnglish and repeated by the station announcer. New Zealand’s representa. tive was a Mr. Caverton (this is how it sounded), who spoke in Maori, concluding his talk with Kia Ora. There

was a background of music all through these talks. Volume was R9 at first, going off a little later on. Reception was a little gushy, making some of the talk difficult to follow. On the average it was about 90 per cent. readable. W2XAD were also transmitting oe zene programme, hut were i G5SSW at Midnight. ~ NEw Year’s Hve being a late night, I waited for their 12.30 a.m. transmission. This commenced with the striking of the half-hour by Big Ben, followed by the station call, ete. (G5 SW), with the following day’s programme, An organ recital was heard for the first half-hour, with orchestral musie following, Reception at first was fairly steady at R9, but after awhile became more gushy, with Morse interference. Morning ‘reception from 5SW is still not worth while. y,