MESSAGE TO LISTENERS

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 17, 2 November 1934, Page 5

MESSAGE TO LISTENERS

The following message was specially written for tic British Broadcasting number of the "Radio Record" by the general manager of the New Zealane’ ~roadcasting Board (Mr. E. C. Hands) :- [7 is with pleasure that I briefly review radio progress since the New Zealand Broadcasting Board assumed control on January 1, 1932. The Board has not indulged in fireworks; every step taken has been carefully considered, the object being to build on a solid foundation. Paz%icular attention was paid from the beginning to the quality of transmission and the apparatus has been brought up to, and mainained at, the highest possible state of efficiency. In pursuance of the recommendations of the experts appointed to consider how adequate coverage could best be given, the Board erected and opened last year the arst of the modern transmitters-3YA, Christchurch. lhe new Auckland one is nearing completion and teners have been called for one to serve the Dunedin irea. The two latter will have 10 kilowatts aerial nergy and 3YA, Christchurch, is to be brought up to he same output.. On the programme side, great advances have been aade; regular grand opera broadcasts, Gilbert and ullivan music every week, and the best gramophone :ecordings that money can buy, recorded programmes rom the B.B.C., and special ones from other countries. it is only by scanning a programme broadcast at the ‘eginning of the Board’s career that one appreciates »vroperly the improvements effected. No opportunity nas been lost in securing the best of the visitor-artists, ind listeners have heard many famous ones. In addition, the Board is securing, on contract, many splendid performers from overseas, ail with the idea of giving listeners the best entertainment possible. School broadcasts have been developed, and in this sonnection, it is worth while mentioning that, although 10,000 booklets, explanatory of the present series of educational broadcasts trom 2YA, were printed, the supply is already exhausted. Special lectures to assist candidates for the Matriculation examination were re- ‘ cently broadcast and were the subject of congratulatory messages from all parts of the Dominion. . In conclusion, | would mention the tremendous increase in the hours of transmission, Each main station is giving service for 124 hours, and the subsidiary stations for four hours per day. The increase since the Board assumed control: approaches 120 per cent. .