Christchurch Opinions Of Board

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 40, 12 April 1935, Page 20

Christchurch Opinions Of Board

Disappointment Expressed at Non-inclusion of Man With Technical Qualifications — Broadeasts From 8YA During Easter Week"Uncle Mac" For Hokitika-Radio Beacons at Lyttelton.

"(ENDRALLY, the new board seems to be an improvement upon the old one," Mr. W .G, Fernie, president of the Canterbury Radio ‘Traders’ Association, remarked when commenting on the personnel of the Broadcasting Board, "It is very doubtful, however, if, in view of the record of the old board, there is any justification for the inclusion of its members except the chairman, whose knowledge of the finances and working of the old board will be an advantage to the new one. It is also very doubtful if the introduction of a Doctor of Music will do anything to reduce the frequent complaints that the musie from the board’s station is too highbrow. It seems that there may be a continuance of the unfortunate policy of trying to educate rather than please the listeners.

ROFESSOR JAMES SHELLEY, of Canterbury College, and director of the -Broadcast-to-Schools Committee of SYA, remarked that a genuine effort seemed to have been made to secure representation of a number of. interests’ concerned with the practice of broadcasting and the selection was certainly ain interesting one. Much, however, depended on the workings of the board and it remained to be seen how it would operate, There was always the possibility with a board that members .who were particularly keen and able in one phase of its activities would. find the force of their arguments destroyed by the other members who were not so enthusiastic, but:-he hoped that theboard would be wise enough to throw responsibility on to individuals, leaving broad outlines of- policy for decision by the board. Mr, J. C. Stapleton, president of the New Zealand Radio Association, was disappointed that .there ° was no member with technical qualifications on the board. However, listeners could but wait and see the effects of the change of regime. , FASTER week this year promises some outstanding broadcasts, and Shakespeare’s birthday and Anzac Day falling in the same week listeners will have plenty of variety. The day: following Anzac Day an outstanding pianoforte recital] from 8YA is scheduled. This will be given by Mr, Ernest *Empson, who is a master of the piano, and one of the best-known teachers in the Dominion.. Mr. Empson’s pupils have © always succeeded in carrying off the highest honours in their examinations. and many of the brilliant pianists in Christchurch have come from his studio, "[PJNCLE MAC" is conducting the children’s hour from 3YA during Aunt Pat’s vacation, This "uncle" is a versatile and natural entertainer, and is, in private life, the Rey. Allon Carr, 4 nephew of Mr. Clyde Carr, M.P, for Timaru, who was 3YA/’s first announcer. The Rey, Oarr was ordained last Christmas, and has just been married. He leaves to take up his duties as Methodist minister at Hokitika at the end of this month. "Uncle Mac" is one of 8YA’s most successful broadcasters, and he will be sadly missed by everyone, for he was the creator of "Micky and Minnie." and is a natural teller of stories. LYTTELTON HEADS will be one of ~ the first places to haye. a radio beacon installed. The request for a heacon here has been before the Government for some time, shipmasters, together :with the harbour board, having urged its necessity because of bad fogs. The cost of each beacon is approximately £2000, and it is the Govyernment’s intention to place between. 30 and 40 of them at suitable points along the New Zealand coast. Radio beacons are in use in other coun. tries, where they are considered to be

indispensable aids to navigation where fogs or low visibility prevent ordinary coasta] lights from being readily picked up. They consist of small transmitters operated mechanically, and sending a characteristic signal at fixed intervals on a wavelength between 500: and 1000 metres. "THD education of the amateur in the appreciation of good recorded music is the aim of the newly-formed Christchurch Gramophone Society, and the place of music in modern life and the value to a community of a society such as this was the subject of a recent address by the patron, Dr. J. Hight, rector of Canterbury University College. The constitution of the society set out its. aims as follows:-(a) The presentation and study of recorded music; (b) the formation of a library of selected records and literature; and. (ec) the encouragement of whatever might tend toward a better appreciation of music. \ A VERY fine booklet of 60 pages has been published on educational broadcasts from 8YA, and, under the heading of "Adventures in Bxploration," there are details of a talk to be, given by Mr. L. I. de Berry, M.A,, on Marco Polo. By a strange coincidence there is included in the programme for the following day from 3YA a three-act play to be produced by the Zenith Players dealing with this famous character. SUNDAY hours will be observed by 8YA on Anzac. Day, and the citizens’ memorial service at 2,30 will be relayed from the King Hdward Barracks, This will be under the auspices of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association, the speaker being Mr, B. J. Jacobs, and instrumental items will be rendered by the R.S.A. Orchestra, under the conductorship of: Mr, H, G. Glaysher.. The R.S.A, Choir will give Tennyson’s "Ring Out, Wild Bells." Massed bugles will, play "The Last Post,’ and the "Reveille" will also be heard, The relay at 7 pm, will be from the Ohristchurch Anglican Cathedral of q special Anzac Service under the auspices of Toe H and the R.8.A. The concert programme from 8.80 will include a bracket of tenor solos by Lionello Cecil and an Anzac Day programme of special recordings. ‘