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Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 39, 8 April 1932, Page 7

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TUDY circles to take full advantage of the W.E.A. talks from all stations should be a feature of radio work this year. Particularly in country ‘districts would I like to see these circles established. * * s , HAVE any listeners noticed this? iA In the early days of broadcast\ing announcers avoided sibilants because they ‘were inclined, like the sausage, to come out vastly different from what they went in. Now the microphenes will handle nearly: anything, and the announcers have no hesitation in spitting such sibilants as "anaesthetic," "subpoena" and "Cesarewitch"’ into the blue. * * a AVE you returned your questionnaire? You ‘remember the fuss made when legislation was promulgated for the board to take control of broadcasting, which resulted in provision being made for the Advisory Council. The council might and might not be able to represent your views. The questionnaire is your

personal and direct representative on the board, and because all your friends are expressing a preference for Hawaiian and elocutionary items you must not think you will not have your share of chamber music, providing you return your questionnaire properly filled in. I believe the response so far has been quite satisfactory, but you are urged not to neglect your return. cal * * ACCORDING to the annual report of the Australian PostmasterGeneral, the Department secured a Garplus of £35,148 from listeners to o to the Department’s general funds. Is this not special taxation of

radio listeners and conversion of moneys from the purpose for which they were levied? Listeners will be alert to see that nothing similar happens here. According to. the Act, a report must be presented to Parliament each year in respect of the board’s work. * * * RAoviI0 was useful last week in Wellington in establishing an alibi for a man charged with the theft of a car. It was proved that he heard a certain item from 2YA when at a party at a time which made it impossible for him to have been guilty of the offence charged against him. When I read this I was reminded of Edgar Wallace’s use of radio in one of his "thrillers." The hero detective knew a young lady was a keen radio fan and would be listening to the broadcast of an opera. Tracking down the criminals, he attended that opera and suddenly had occasion to warn the girl to lock her door. Leaping to the stage, he shouted his warning into the microphone-to the dismay and hysterics of prima donna and management. But he saved the girl. Bravo, radio and. Edgar! * * * NEW feature to be introduced shortly in the YA- programme will be a weekly half'hour of recordings of the latest light and bright numbers. The titles of these records will not be available for publication as the intention is to use the newest numbers available at the last minute. * Ba * R. HEIGH-HO did not attempt to fit appropriate music to the Vacuum Oil Company’s concert"Oil from the Bowels of the Earth to the Bowser"’-Why? « x * LL 2YA listeners will regret to learn of the distressing motor accident to Mr. L. W. Probert, drummer of . the Salon Orchestra, and hope to hear of his speedy recovery and early discharge from hospital. ca % * A CORRESPONDENT in a Wellington paper who has lately spent some time in ‘the Wellington Hospital writes to say that many earphones of the radio installation are in dis-

order. There is no fund for radio repairs, and a suggestion is made that as.a thank-offering for our own good health, when paying the 10/- for our own pleasure, 30 pence be forwarded to the Hospital marked "for radio repairs." My half-crown has already. gone, but complete success of such a fund would be assured, if the wonderful Smith Family took the matter up. * x # "THOSE who happened to be tuned to 2BL'on Tuesday night and heard that eminent Australian of

this and former days, Banjo Paterson, describe his recent visit to the New Hebrides, heard a racy recital that would make them glad that their sets reached Australia. Mr. Paterson is a born raconteur, and his humorous account of some fo the experiences of early and later pioners in these islands was spiritedly told. The natives were apparently not unlike our own Maoris, and. were willing at any time to sign a paper conceding miles of territory for tobacco, knives and other implements of civilisation. The fact that another native, with or without authority, had conceded the same region a week before to some other party, did not prevent the barter being vigorously pursued, and many . amusing and complex incidents naturally arose therefrom. The speaker com- -_----~-

pared the New Hebrides to Javathe richest country he had ever seen -and thought that with the discarding of Condominium Control-which is no Government at all-and establishment of a rational Government where enterprise would be assured the fruits of endeavour, these islands would open up a field of wealth comparable to that of Java. 1% % a HE report of concealed wireless sets in Mt. Eden gaol reminds me how difficult it is sometimes to locate more bulky apparatus, even with the aid of the nose, as well as the eyes. I went on board the vessel that repatriated the German prisoners of war from Australia to see one whom I had known in German New Guinea prior to the outbreak of hostilities, and sampled "moonshine" that had been distilled on board by the prisoners from potato peelings. It was not very palatable, and, I can understand what Will Rogers means when he says ‘that "in the States you are either sober or dead," but I suppose it was satisfying in the circumstances. Thorough, systematic and continual search failed to reveal the whereabouts of two stills that were in almost constant operation by these prisoners. * * * ME. J. JOHNSON'S talk "Literature’ (3YA) was listened to with much appreciation, and with the ‘approach of Anzac Day, his mention of Masefield’s "Gallipoli" will make many reach for that epic, which although written as propaganda for U.S.A. consumption, is nevertheless a gem that no library can be without. * * THE bijou concert arranged by ' Lewis Berger wreathed about Damascus (2ZW) was very well constructed, at least so we have been taught, although I cannot connect

Wool Sale Broadcast ROM 9 am. to 10 am. next Monday morning, April 11, 2YA will be on the air to broadcast proceedings at the Wellington wool sale.

A Sketch "ONLY A WOMAN " (Milne) will be presented from 1YA on April 16 by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bailey

ft nai "Je « Persian Garden" as a musical fmterpretation of 2a Persian garden. Besides a lack of paint, there are other things about the oldest city in the world that offend the aesthetic, I gBhould imagine. I have not been in Damascus, but have some knowledge of the countries that encompass it: Persia, Arabia and Asia Minor, and the inhabitants who, by the way, are responsible for dates never being on my menu. Then there is the camel and the goat-both offensive. The Mohammedan says that the camel wears @ supercilious look because he alone heard the hundredth name of Allah. The Christian of these parts avers that the look is one of disgust because the Mohammedan vies with the camel in smell. We know now,

--- that the look must be one of umbrage because of unpainted walls. But would anyone like Lewis Berger to make Damascus appear brand new even to placate the "Oont," which, for the sake of those who don’t know Kipling, means the camel. * * * oY made amends on Tuesday morning for the breakdown during the Sydney: Harbour Bridge opening celebrations in relaying from the Majestic Theatre movie~tone pictures of the scenes. Nothing more stirring has been heard for some time, and this relay being steadier than a broadcast from shortwave reception, gave listeners a realistic mental view of the throngs and their enthusiasm. A subsequent visit to the theatre left me with the impression that our isolated country folk had had on Tuesday morning the next best thing to a seat at the theatre. % a * JC REISLER and Rachmaninoff so far have never broadcast, but it is interesting to learn that* both of these world famed artists have recently transferred their entire professional management to the artists’ service of the National Broadcasting Company. The change in management does not necessarily mean that these artists will broadcast, but the association, is significant, and American listeners are expectantly waiting to hear them on the air. * es % "THE Christchurch ketch ‘Water Lily,"? which is to cruise in the Pacific, has been presented with a shortwave transmitting set by Mr. F. A. MecNiel. This station will be known as ZL2WL, and will operate on a wavelength of 80 metres. Messrs L. H. Steel, Government Radio Inspector, F. Graham and W. Turnbull have given much assistance in the installation of the set. Mr. F, Parsons, a member of the crew, holds a transmitting license, and will operate the station. 2 x * . JFDUNEDIN radio fans will learn with interest of the formation of the Tramways Radio Club. Membership will not be strictly confined to employees of the Dunedin Tramways, and it is hoped that a very large membership will result. Lectures will be periodically given, and the social aspect will not be forgotten. Clubs of this description can do a lot for radio, and those interested should communicate with the

hon. secretary, Mr. R. Emmerson, care of Car Sheds, Dunedin, bd * * HE B.B.C. intends to comb out its existing register of performers, To that end it has suspended auditions for six. months with the idea of removing some four or five hundred names from the existing registers. At the same time some of the leading artists have been advised that their engagements will be severely cut down. ® * *€ STATIONS 2UW, Sydney, and 8A W, Melbourne, have arranged with J. C. Williamson Ltd. for permission to broadcast complete performances of Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Owing to copyright restric-

tions this has not been possible previously, but the mew departure should do a lot to popularise the Savoy Operas with the new generations. ; * s a TO replace Jack Payne’s Orchestra the B.B.C. engaged Henry Hall’s broadeast band. Evidently criticism of this step was general, for the authorities announced they would take no notice of any comment for three months-evidently intending to let the public become used to the new combination.