Radio's Part In Grand National

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 6, 18 August 1933, Page 21

Radio's Part In Grand National

National Link-up Brought Christ church Races to Thousands of _ New Zealand Listeners-Splendid Work of Dunedin’s Symphony Orchestra.

HRISTCHURCH, during the whole of last week, was in the throes of the Grand National festivities. Rac ing, Trotting, dances, parties-all claimed the attentions of the Canterbury folk, who flocked to town for the week’s gaieties, and of the visitors,

who arrived from all over New Zeas land for this, one of the chief racing carnivals of the year. And radio has played a big part in the most success ful Grand National meeting that Ohristchurch has known for 10 years. DA*x after day, lovers of racing who haye not had the wherewithal to visit the racecourses have listened-in to the interesting and well-given resume of the racing events. And who knows but that it has been a profitable investment? How much have they saved, by staying at home and hearing that their fancy horse missed by inches. The announcing from the courses was bright, nearly every epi sode explained so lucidly that one could picture the horses as they fiew along. No better description of the Grand National Steeplechase could have been given-it was vivid and wel! illustrated. By the way, what was the announcer doing when he omitted to tell the public that a smash-up had occurred in the last race of the second day’s trots? Boxing has also been relayed, good accounts coming over. Altogether it has been a week of .perfeet radio work from all Christchurch stations. * & ME. J. N. CLARKE gave an interest--ing talk on trotters and their do ings on the night of the first day’s trots. "Jim". made his remarks topical and interesting. tard * @ "THE annual industrial show arranged 2" by the Manufacturers’ Association yhas been .proceeding all the week. A . splendid relay of the opening swas put oyer the air by 3YA, the speeches of .the: speakers being clearly relayed. ‘There are two or three stands engaged -in selling machines, but not a sign of any working or industrial exhibit. What is wrong with the local and Dominion manufacturers? & & ROGRAMMDS during last week wete of a bright nature throughout, Derry’s Band, with Mr. Gladstone

Hill as conductor, was heard in a series of items that pleased, while Mrs. Rex Wilkinson, a nice contralto, sang with charm and grace "To the Forest" and "Down to Kew in Lilac Time." On the Same evening Mr. Charles L. James (baritone) sang some fine songs, well suited to his voice.

N another programme Hubert Carter and Lillian Hanham were the principal soloists, both singers performing in a manner that was impressive. Miss Hantiam was well suited in "O Mio Babbino" (Puccini) and ‘Elsa’s Dream" (Wagner), & % & MONSIEUR B. L. H. de Rose, conductor of the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, deserves many congratulations for the high standard of playing by his orchestra from 4YA on Thursday, ‘The supporting artists. Mr. Max Scherek (piano), Miss Anne White (soprano), and Mr. Edward Benton (bass), were in great form, and made the programme more enjoyable. Becthoven’s "Symphony in F Major" was an exhibition of good: tone and ensemble work, perfect. balance being recorded. Mr. Scherek is a delightful artist at any time, his movement, "Allegro Maestoso," from the Chopin "Concerto," reaching a high standard of technique. Hs * Fed PDUNEDIN’S talks have also been up to standard. The series. of Dickens’s talks by Mr. George McCracken ended last week, his final being on the prose of the great English novelist. "The Elizabethans-Empire Builders," was covered in a masterly manner by Mr. W. G. McClymont, M.A. He dealt fully with Frobisher. Hawkins, Drake, and Chancellor. % ne * GUCCESS is attending the slogan competition organised by 22M, the Christchurch B station. . Already over one thousand entries -have been received. This.station. has also been enlarged to cope with the increased work. ; " %e "ae HE good work that is being done by the Training College instructors in radio education, a resume of which was given in the "Radio Record" a few weeks ago, may be curtailed about the end of the year, because of the proposed closing of the college. Radio sets in city schools are quite. numerous. but there are more in the country districts. Should the scheme lapse it would be a disaster, because so far even though the scheme is only in its infancy, the possibilities are enormous. Mr. J; G. Polson, principal of the Teachers’ Training College, stated that it was quite probable that arrangements ‘would be made to carry on the service next year. As Mr. Polson said, there were many capable teachers who could carry on the scheme if it was in danger of falling through. At any rate, the matter shoul! be handled by the Broadcasting Board. and whatever happens school committees could rest assured that the Board would not Iet them down.