"* Much Ado—" in Dunedin Radio

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 45, 17 May 1935, Page 21

"* Much Ado—" in Dunedin Radio

Brosueasting Faults Simply Explained-Tribute to Mr. A. E. Clarke, of 47ZW, Whose Death’Has Occurred-Invasion of TalentLionello Cecil and Paul Vinogradoff.

N :the. words .of Shakespeare, there has been: "much: ado-about nothing" in Dunedin radio, The — first trouble started .when an indignant listener wrote in connection with the reproduction in: the Town: Hall or tie broadcast of the special service in St. Paul’s Cathedral in connection with the _ King’s Silver Jubilee. A large conwhich could not gain seating: miccommodation in the Cathedral was catered’ for by a local man ‘who provided: the ‘reproducing plant -in the Town Hall.. This apparatus was used to pick-up’ the broadcast of the service, but it seems‘ that something went wrong with the receiving equipment. or rather, two stations were received at the’ one ‘time, with the result that a background. of miusic was furnished. The service. was broadeast by 4YO, and apparently the background accompaniment :came -from some other source. The station authorities were in no way responsible: for: the. reception in, the Town Hall, and could not prevent music from another. station becoming mixed with the service.. It was an unfortunate happening, . but in the circumstances no, blame is attachable to either of the Y ‘st tations. Af matter that caused some concern amongst. listeners was the fact’ that 4YA did’ not rebroadcast the topical .talk by. Mr. Philip Thornton from, the Enipire.station as advertised. It was argued that the other three YA stations put the talk through, and, it 4YA, could not receive the shortwave station direct, why did it not rebroa:lcast one of the other New Zealand stations? Here again the explanation: is simple. The topical talk took place before the hour supplied to 4YA, and as the receiving base is some distance from.town and the staff on duty, it has to be operated in accordance with a pre-arranged timetable. It is obvious then ,that a speech which has been unfortunately missed from an overseas station cannot be-rebroadecast from any other New Zealand station.. The three northern stations were, enabled to receive the talk in question as their receivers are situated close to the transmitting gear, and when word was received that the talk was about to start it was. only a matter of seconds before the change-over was made. it ‘therefore, quite plain ‘that as the’ 4vA operators aré well removed from’ the receiving base; an item given ahead: of schedule cannot be dealt with.’ Pro- vision will be made to meet this difficulty" when. the new station is erected T was with regret that. the listening’ public received the news of the sudden death of Mr. A, BB, Clarke owner of station 4ZW, Mr. Clarke was: well known as the chief announcer at’ his station, which. had. been giviaz egular. programmes to listeners for glose on four years, the first official yroadeast by 4ZW taking place on June 13,1931. Mr, Clarke visualised a great future for radio, and was eager at all

times to assist in the advancement of broadeasting. His station was one vf the first in Dunedin to begin regular breakfast -sessions, and latterly the station was heard broadcasting a programme of music every night. Even when the Government stopped the B stations from receiving payment — for programmes, Mv. Clarke did not "lose faith, but struggled on at. great personal expense, confident that in the near future financial assistance would -relieve the situation. The station provided. many .enjoyable programmes for listeners, and its sudden termination of’ activities has caused some concern in the district. UITE an army of distinguished performers is about to. invade the 4YA studios.. On May 16 Mr. Walter

Kingsley, the English baritone, is to make his local microphone bow. Mr: Kingsley has already been heard iu the north, and his items have been much enjoyed by southern listeners, so that an appearance at the local station will be an event of more than ordinary interest. On the same night the Russian pianist, Mr. Paul Vinogradoff, who is well ‘and favourably known in the Otago district, will again be at the keyboard, while on the following night the champion. cornetist, Mr. John Robertson, is to play his way into the good’ books of listeners. Mr. Lionello Cecil will also be back in town about this time, as he is to appear with the other three mentioned at the big couicert next Saturday in the Town Hall.