Director of 2YA Retires

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 28, 23 January 1931, Page 3

Director of 2YA Retires

Complimentary Luncheon tendered by Radio Dealers, Listeners and / Associated Programme _ Interests

iN the oacasion of his retire ment from the position of station director of 2YA, which position he has occupied since the opening. of the station in July, 1927, Mr. J..Davies was | tendered a complimentary luncheon by the Radio Branch of the New Zealand Hlectric Federation and representatives of religious, musical & Sporting bodies associated with in its many-sided activities. There vas @ representative attendance of over thir ty, thus testifying to the general regard entertained for Mr. Davies, Apology From the Postmaster-General. [y a letter of apology regretting his inability to attend, the Hon. J. B. Donald Postmaster-General, wrote: "I should very much:have liked to. have been able to be present personally to express my appreciation of the admirable way in which Mr. Davies has carried out the duties of station director of 2YA during the past three and a half years. It is, I am sure," he said, "largely due to his enthusiasm for broad‘casting, his wise understanding of publie taste, and his tact in dealing with artists and listeners, that he has made such a success of his position at the principal’ New Zealand station." Mr. B. Palliser, chairman of the 2YA Musical and Dramatic Committee, in telegraphing his apologies for absence occasioned by urgent business, said that that committee would greatly miss Mr. Davies, as his great tact and personal charm had made their association so pleasant. Apologies for unavoidable absence were also received from Mr. L. J. Retallick, hon. secretary, Wellington Apollo Singers, V. R. Bennett, Wellington Harmonic Society, and H. B. Robb, Orpheus Club. Expressions of Regard. AFTER luncheon, the chairman, Mr. ©. W.. Rickard, vice-president of the New Zealand Electrical Federation, expressed the pleasure of the organisers of the gathering at seeing such a representative attendance. In adcition to radio traders, they had representatives of the church, musical, elocutionary, and sporting interests, and also the Listen-grs-in Society. "I feel quite sure," he said, "that you all are here to extend to Mr. Davies your goodwill, and that you. have appreciated and realised the value that Mr. Davies has been, not only to the Broadcasting Company, but to the community-as a whole. . In appointing a station director, I feel sure that it was the desire of the company to secure @ man not only with a broadcasting experience, but one with a fair knowledge of the world, one ever courteous, tactful, and with a genuine desire to give service. All these attributes I feel Mr. Davies possesses very richly. He has been very largely responsible for the . smooth running and success of 2YA, "The radio traders are all very sorry that Mr. Davies is retiring from the position. We fee] that the Broadcasting Company is losing the services of a very loyal and a very efficient officer. We can only hope that the services of the

station will not in any way be impaired." "T have, sir," he continued, turning to the guest of honour, "a very pleasing duty to perform on behalf of those present. It is to ask you to accept ‘rom them these tokens of our esteem. In deciding to make this presen* tion to you, those responsible have not lost sight of the fact that you have been very largely assisted by Mrs. Davies, and we are askins you to accept these with our very sincere regard, ard oui best wishes for your future prosperity and happiness." Mr. Rickard then presented Mr. Davies with a handsome crystal decar ter .set. From Chureh and Sport. "| AM sorry I am here," said the Re\ ©. V. Rooke, chairman of the 2YA Church Committee. "That is the Irish way of expressing regret that such a luncheon and its object are necessary," he continued. "It was with the very deepest regret that I saw that Mr. Davies was to retire from the 2YA. directorship. I have been associated with him during the past three years and I have always found him courteous and kind, and efficient in every way, and he has made our church committee simply a happy little family of which he has been the father. It is with the very deepest regret that we lose him, and 2YA will find it very hard indeed to replace him. Mr. Davies, on my own behalf I personally feel your loss very much, and on behalf of our committee I would tender our good wishes for your future prosperity and happiness."

R. G. P. ALDRIDGE, representing sporting bodies, said that he esteemed it a great privilege to be invited to the function to pay his loyal tribute to the qualities of Mr. Davies. Mr. Davies, he said, had had considerable experience outside the broadcasting company in the control of men. He was a man who had travelled’ the world, and had-been associated with all types of men, and who held the very

highest qualifications as a marine engineer. His services were used in the Great War when he _ had control as a marine engineer of ships trading from India, and other parts otf the world. "I may mention that Mr. Davies has spoken very highly of the loyalty of ithe staff genérally associated with him in the various services at 2YA. You gentlemen all know what a very fine staff he had under him, including him whom I consider the world’s finest announcer, Mr. Clive Drummond. (Applause.) I say that the sporting bodies generally join in wishing Mr. Davies all prosperity and health in the fu ture." N behalf of the Amateur Radio So ciety of which he is past president, Mr. J. H. Owen said that he had met Mr. Davies on many occasions, and he had always been ready with a pleasant greeting. and a desire to meet one in every possible way, He conveyed to Mr. Davies on behalf of his society his very

best wishes for the future in whatever direction he went. Me: HARISON COOK, representing the 2YA Musical and Dramatic. Committee, expressed his gratitude for the kindness and courtesy that, they had always received at the hands of Mr. Davies, and wished him and Mrs. Davies every happiness. Mr, Davies in Reply. R. DAVIES, who was greeted with prolonged applause, in reply, said that he hardly ‘recognised himself in face of all the nice things that had been said. He was grateful for the recognition extended to Mrs. Davies. As to broadcasting, certainly there had been difficulties to overcome, but that was allin the day’s job, and when that job, was a pleasure, then overcoming the difficulties was a pleasure too. They could see what a great service in the future broadcasting was going to be to New Zealand, and the world in gene¥al. Although 2YA had been going 34 years it might be said to have only just started, and he trusted his successor, for the sake of broadcasting, would be a 100 per cent. better man that he was. The service was more than a matter of just giving pleasure-it. was a matter of rendering service t+ many different sections of the conmmunity, As a listener for the frture h: would probably be as ‘critical as any one; but he would know something ot the difficulties under which they wer being~ presented. No more loyal staff could be found anywhere than those associated with him at 2YA, and _ he appreciated the way in which they had invariably co-operated in overcoming difficulties. On behalf of Mrs. Davies and himself he thanked them for their kind words and beautiful presents.. Mr..Davies resumed his seat amid heartfelt applause.