Acquisition For Local B Station

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 41, 19 April 1935, Page 18

Acquisition For Local B Station

Recent Addition to Unclé Scrim’s Staff — Biggest Loudspeaker in New Zealand --: Luxury v. Interference in Tram Service — IZM Finds Land Line Too Expensive.

WELCOME and helpful addition to the staff of Broadcasting Station 1ZB is Mr. Bric Granger, who has just taken over permanent duty as chief announcer and technician, As a. technical radio expert, Mr. Granger is @xtremely well known; and. he hag hopes of effecting several marked improvements in the 1ZB station transmission in the very near future. Apart from his technical ability, My. Granger enjoys an excellent reputation as a radio announcer, having capably fulfilled this ‘function at the now extinct Station 1ZS. Incidentally, when operating, station 1ZS achieved renown for the general high quality of its transmission-a transmission which was the entire responsibility of Mr. Granger. The present announcer at 1ZB, Friend John (Mr. J, Brown), must welcome this relief, for during the past six months the fact that he was the sole announcer at the station has necessitated, his working an average of fourteen hours a day every day in the week. Now that relief is afforded, it will be possible for Friend John to devote more time to the personal broadcasts, with which he has gained such signal success, ;

HB largest loudspeaker ever to be ‘built in the Dominion has just been completed by an Auckland radio firm, Capable of covering several. square miles with music and speech, it has an audio output of 100 watts. The speaker is seven feet in length, the unit alone weighing 30lbs. A second ‘speaker almost completed weighs over half a hundredweight. Both have been specially designed and made for public address systems, At last week’s meeting of the Auckland Presbytery, it was decided to press for two 20-minute periods at 1YA each week for the broadcast of talks on religious education, evangelism and information on the life and work of the Presbyterian Church overseas, also in Maori work and among Huropeans. The Presbytery thinks it has a just claim on the Broadcasting Board, However, there are many listeners, no doubt, who will think likewise. HE Auckland Transport Board has recently placed an advanced type of tramecar in service in Auckland. The painting and general design is extreme-

ly futuristic, the body being streamlined. However, radio listeners who are the board’s customers, would ap--preciate more the expenditure of surplus cash on eliminating the frightful interference to radio reception caused by the controllers, motors and bells on. the tramcars. This seems tobe is ancl steadily worse in certain districts ana something will have to be done shortly to remedy the nuisance. HE proposal by the company which controls Station 1ZM, Manurewa, to fit out a studio in the heart of Auckland so that artists will be saved the necessity of travelling 30 miles to and from the existing station, is not to be persevered with. This is believed to be due to the fact that prohibitive charges have been asked for the installation of a land line from the transmitter at Manurewa to the city. GUNDAY morning of last week in the studio of the Friendly Road siation, 1ZB, might well have been terined "Lullaby Morning," for no less than 65 babies were dedicated, or! christened, by "Uncle Scrim," direccory of that station. The first Sunday morning of each month is devoted to dedication services. Some infants laugh and — others cry. and everything that occurs is broadcast, the result being a mosi unusual entertainment and one really worth while listening to such young New Zealanders making their very firsi appearance over the air. HE Silver Jubilee of his Majesty the King, to be celebrated in a few weeks’ time, is going to give a distinct fillip to the radio trade, Preparations are ‘being made by many listeners locally to enjoy the reception of the many special broadcasts to be given by short-wave from England, One large radio firm in Auckland reports that during the week many buyers of allwave sets expressly mentioned.to salesmen that they wanted the sets to receive the jubilee broadcasts, while in several cases the same firm has sup- \ plied all-wave sets to owners who have traded in broadcast sets. NSTEAD of performing with the studio orchestra in the studio of 1YA next month on his first appe:irance here, John Robertson, the champion silver-toned cornetist, who has been specially engaged to tour the YA station, will be heard playing with the Auckland Municipal Band in the Town Hall on Sunday, June.2, This concert will be relayed through 1YA. John Robertson is a native of Westport, and after distinguishing himself as a cornet soloist in several’ South Island bands, he left for England five years ago to gain more experience. While at Home he played in the crack St. Hilda ! Colliery Band and also Jack Payne's ° — Well-known band. Still only a young man, he has heen acclaimed as a great cornetist with a rosy future. J