Popular Christchurch Singer Dies

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 20, 30 November 1934, Page 22

Popular Christchurch Singer Dies

Shock to. Musical World in Sudden Death of Mr. James Shaw, of the Harmony Four-Plea for "Practical Radio Man" on Broadcasting Board-Stringent Regulations Governing Erection of Aerials.

HE Christchurch Harmony Four has lost its leader and good friend ‘in the untimely and unexpected death of Mr. James Shaw. Last Friday night he was at practice, and, stricken with pleurisy the next day, which later developed into pneumonia, he entered St. George’s Hospital. His funeral left the Trinity Congregational Church, where Mr. Shaw at one time acted as choirmaster. He was a native of Bradford, Yorkshire, where his mother is still living, and during his six years’ residence in Christchurch had made many friends, both in business and the musical world. Besides doing a lot of solo work from 3YA, Mr. Shaw was conductor of the Commercial Travellers’ Choir, and at one time conductor of the Harmonic Society in Christchurch. He was a.well-known singing teacher, possessing a fine tenor voice, and before’ his arrival in New Zealand broadcast from the Manchester studio for the B.B.C., and was to have conducted the broadcast: of the Commercial Travellers’ Choir’s "Minstrel Show" from 8YA on December 8. The "Radio Record" published a: photo of Mr. Shaw with the other members of the Christchurch Harmony. Four just two weeks ago, and his loss to SYA artd the musical world of Christchurch will be greatly missed.

Me. W. G. V. FERNIB, president of the Canterbury Radio Traders’ Association, who. has just returned from attending ¢he annual conference of the radio matters. The Traders’ Federation in Wellington, makes a plea for the reorganisation of the Broadcasting Board, so that it would include at least one member with a good knowledge of radio matters. The Traders’ Feredation hag made representations to the Government for a reduction in the charge for. the listeners’ license fee, and to the Broadcasting Board for more tion has made representations to the main stations and those: of the auxiliary stations. As a vacancy occurs in the personnel of the board on December 18, Mr. Fernie urges upon listeners to grasp the opportunity of the appointment of a practical man with at least some knowledge of radio, as this is a matter of considerable importance because of its bearing on the administration. . (THE Advisory Council to the Broad- . casting Board consists of eight. members, five from the ‘North Island and three from the South. Mr. ©. R. Russell, of Christchurch, is the CGanterbury member of -this organisation, and the idea of this council is: to refiect opinion on radio matters right ~ through ‘the country, and so form a link between the board and. the listeners. Mr. ‘Fernie, discussing the ° matters arising out of the conference, remarked that listeners would be pleased to hear that the authorities vere going ahead with investigations

into interference, and were going to do everything in their power to eliminate this cause of complaint by listeners, The advisory committee on interference is composed of men whose names. are sufficient guarantee that. the work of attacking interference will be carried out scientifically and ex peditiously. EGULATIONS dealing with the erection of radio aerials and masts are, it is believed, under con sideration, It is stated that it was the intention of the Public Works Department. to embody this particular class of work in an amendment to the Public Works Act, 1911, but the department was prevailed upon to re‘consider this, and now it is intended

that the regulations will be brought down by Order-in-Council, It is intended, it is believed, to make these regulations much more rigid than those operating at present under the authority of the Fire Underwriters’ Association of New Zealand. Special provision will probably be made governing the minimum distance from power lines for the erection of aerial masts, the length of aerial used, and also the type of erection to provide for windage stress, Also, the standard of all material used in the erection of masts and aerials is likely to be provided for in the regulations. R, FERNIE said that representations had been made concerning programmes to the Broadcasting Board. It was particularly urged that the Sunday afternoon programmes should be. brighter. Further representations had also been made to the Government that the license fee for listeners should be reduced, at least by the amount formerly paid in royalty fees-3/- a license, HE Broadcasting Board is certainly alive to the interests of listeners, and their introduction of Mr. J. Alexander Browne has been more than appreciated. His two recitals last week from 3YA were a musical treat Mr. Browne possessing a’ baritone voice of first-rate quality. This well-known teacher and adjudicator from Victori:, arrived in New Zealand with Philip Hargrave, the boy pianist, and the

Broadcasting Board engaged him. to Sing from national stations. PROFESSOR JAMES SHELLIEY and his company of clever players. were splendid in the presentation of the one-act comedy, "The Devil in the Manuscript." This was a radio version of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s "Twice Told Tales," from the adaptation by Charles Tazewell. Many letters of appreciation have reached S8YA, and ‘Professor Shelley, from listeners ‘all over New Zealand. Professor Shelley is a very approachable and popular Christchurch citizen, and he has brought the Christchurch . Repertory Society up to a very high standard, having made a life study. of art and drama. E first Sunday in December will herald the next complete recorded opera from 8YA, These operas, which have been given on-the first Sunday m every month, have been of great value to. music-lovers, and the grand‘ opera to be presented on December 2 will be Wagner’s "Tannhauser." Me. J. McKENZIN, Station Directur at 8YA, Christchurch, is away: on his annual leave, and Mr, Allen Young is acting as station director in Mr. McKenzie’s place meantime, Miss CICELY AUDIBDRT, | the well-known Christchurch sonrana.

will be heard from 38YA on Frida;, December 7, during the concert portion of the programme, and the 38YA Orchestra, under Mr. Harold Beck, will also contribute. At 9.20 the same evening, 3YA will present a new B.BO. recorded programme entitled "Pilot Station," which as its name infers, is a tale of the sea. "THE Rev. James Moffatt, of New York, is to give an address in St. Paul’s Church, Christchurch, on the morning of Wednesday, December 5. A change is therefore scheduled for this particular morning, and in place of the usual devotional service, 8Y.A will relay the Rev. Moffatt’s address. The time will he extended from 10.0 until 10.45 am. In the evening 3YA will again relay from St. Paul’s Church the rendering of Mendelssohn’s "Hynin of Praise," which is to be performed _ by the combined Presbyterian choirs of Christchurch of approximately 150 voices. ‘The conductor is Mr, Arthur Lilly, A.R.C.L., and the organist Mr. R, EB. Lake,