Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 48, 10 June 1932, Page 6

Our Mail Bag

An Apology. QOwWiINe to an oversight a letter which contained what we consider to be an unjust personal attack and which, according to our policy, should not have been’ published, found its way into the Mail Bag Columns last week. We refer to the letter signed by M. K. Johns. Now that it*has occurred, we can only express our apologies to those concerned, i.e., Mr. de Mauny and Mr. M. T. Dixon. While in our Mail Bag Columns we encourage the expression of opinions of our readers, we do not encourage biting personal attacks, and, in consequence, any letters containing such are usually withheld from publication. Unjust, Unfair and Incorrect. I THINK that the sooner M. K. Johns (vide last week’s Mail Bag) sets out on his travels the better, if he can do little more than criticise in such a manner the 2YA musical Gombinations. Obviously he is not giving either Mr. Dixon or Mr. de Mauny a fair run. He says, first of all, he heard the Orchestrina under Mr. Dixon. What a ridiculous statement! Mr. Dixon had no connection with the Orchestrina, nor the Orchestrina with Mr. Dixon. Which has he heard? Might I suggest that, before he levels criticism, he at least makes certain that he is levelling his criticism at the right person. Furthermore, both combinations have given excellent service to 2YA, and at a time such as this, when they are to be disbanded, I would like to place on record my appreciation of their very fine services. Certainly the time is ripe for a larger organisation, and if there

have béen any shortcomings, then these. have surely been due, largely, to the limitations which were necessarily imposed upon the two capable conductors. But I think his attack on Mr.’ de Mauny is beyond a joke. I have heard many of Mr. de Mauny’s performances, both concerts and broadcast, and I can only say that he is one of. the finest musicians and conductors I have heard in this part of the world. As a violinist he is an-artist with an enviable reputation, and I look forward to hearing him again in the near future.. As a conductor he has few equals. One has only to see the way he has built the Wellington Symphony Orchestra to realise this. A short time ago there was no such combination in the city, and Mr. de Mauny started out on very ambitious lines, and largely through his own efforts as a teacher, was able to get together a splendid combination. I have not ‘missed any of his concefts, and each one I have found more enjoyable than the one that went before, so I have no fear in asserting that Mr. de Mauny is not only a capable soloist and conductor, but a very, very progressive. musician, I am certain that his acquisition at 2YA will do much toward making that station even more popular than it is. May I, in conclusion, again emphasise my point that Mr. Johns’ criticism is not only mean and unjust, but, what is ‘more important, his statements are in-

correct.

Chas

Smith

(Karori).

"Keep Travelling, Mr. Johns!" | 4™ surprised at the tirade of insults directed against Messrs Dixon and de Mauny by M. K. Johns in last week’s

"Mailbag" Columns. In the first place, My. Dixon's orchestra was not engaged to play dance music, and so it is grossly unfair to eriticise their renderings of this type of music. In the second place I have never seen anything so unsportsmanlike as. your correspondent’s remarks on Mr. de Mauny, before that gentleman has even appeared before the microphone in his new capacity. In conclusion, I notice Mr. Johns is evidently on tour. Keep

travelling, Mr. Johns.-

J. K.

Evans

Dannevirke)

The Bridge’s Trio, I AM a settler on the Wanganui River, and a regular listener to the very fine programmes put over by 2YA. For some time now, I, together with other listeners up this river, have been wondering why that clever combination, the Bridges Trio, with their wonderfully toned marimba xylophone, have not been heard over the air. My house is always full of appreciative listeners, both Maoris and pakehas, when these clever artists are perforiying. The former enjoy the guitar musie and Maori songs immensely.° I would venture to suggest that you give these young people an engagement if available, and give us back-block people

a special treat-

Lover of Light

Music