A MILESTONE AT 2YA.

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 28, 23 January 1931, Page 4

A MILESTONE AT 2YA.

JN view of the fact that Mr. J. Davies, late Director of 2YA, has occupied that position since the formation of the station in July, 1927, it may fairly be said that his retirement marks a milestone in the history of the station. The gathering of radio dealers and representatives of the religious, musical and sporting bodies which have been associated with 2YA in manifold activities, at a farewell luncheon to Mr. Davies on Friday last, gave fitting expression to the regard commanded by him during his term at the station, through his invariable tact and courtesy and keen desire to give the fullest possible service. . The speeches made «at that gathering testify abundantly to the personal regard felt for Mr. Davies and his work. Those remarks may fittingly be endorsed by the "Radio Record." It can be said without hesitation that Mr. Davies has devoted himself whole-heartedly to the interests of the station and listeners and in his retirement he carries with him not only the expressed good wishes of dealers and his other associates, but the unexpressed wishes of listeners in general. [T is interesting on this occasion to glance back at the progress made by the station during Mr. Davies’s occupancy of the position of Director, 2YA was opened in July, 1927. On June 30th preceding, the total number of listeners was 18,326. Auckland provided 8,933, Wellington 3,347, Christchurch 4,606, Otago 1,440. The superior service provided from that point by the Radio Broadcasting Company through 2YA and its other stations which were then being reorganised and strengthened, started a period of exparision which has continued to the present. To-day the latest figures give the grand total of licensed listeners and dealers ‘as 61,948. Wellington has displaced Auckland from the premier position and

takes the lead with the splendid total.of 25,227. Auckland is neat with 18,189, Canterbury third with 10,014, and. Otago fourth with 6,727. In contemplating these figures some satisfaction must be felt by Mr. Davies at the position attained by Wellington. In an interview with Mr. Davies published in the first issue of the "Radio Record" these remarks were made: "We-have here one of the most perfect plants in the world and we intend to provide the best programmes that Wellington can produce. Of course, we will not please everyone. I hardly need to say that, but if we provide a service of a high standard of education and as large a variety as possible in the way of entertainment, I think public approval will be. gained and kept." The ideals thus enumerated by Mr. Davies have provided a steady objective for the station. Recognising from the outset the impossibility: of pleasing all listeners all the time, Mr. Davies has nevertheless aimed at giving a. service which would give as many as possible the highest degree of satisfaction. THE testimony of his success is recorded in the figures of fcenedl listeners for the provincial area. | No one not closely asso--ciated with a broadcasting studio.can quite appreciate the long’ hours and incessant work required to keep the routine-of broadcasting rutning smoothly. Mr. Davies has never spared himself in the time devoted to his task. His tact never failed’to our knowledge and his urbanity was never ruffled. This is in itself-a notable tribute for occasions have been. seen when telephonic and other pressure of an irrational nature might have excused the ruffling of a remarh~ably even temper. : TRIBUTE should also be paid to Mrs. Davies for assistance retidered by her on social occasions as official hostess. Her part was recognised at the. complimentary. gathering by the nature of the presentation. To both Mr. and Mrs.: Davies the hearty thanks of listeners are due for services rendered over the past three and a-half years and best wishes for future happiness and. prosperity. Their departure marks a milestone at the station, and for the sake of broadcasting in general we trust the next period of service will witness as high a standard of service and an equal improvement in popularity.