Man v. Nature on New Station Site

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 46, 24 May 1935, Page 21

Man v. Nature on New Station Site

Constructors Beset By Difficulties . in Hillside Ground — Good Artists Make Good Pals — Non-Listeners Make Use of 4YA — | More Visiting Artists Expected.

GooD progress is being made with " the preliminary operations in con‘nection with the erection of the buildings to house the new 4YA transmitter. The first consideration was easy access to the site on the hill, so that heavy building plant could be taken to the ground. Wxtensive excavations have been made for the transmitting

house, and a _ special reservoir has been sunk for some distance. This latter work necessitated quite a deen eut. being made in the ground, and when the contractors had proceeded

a few feet in depth they encountered rock, but as they had anticipated this, the difficulty was’ soon dealt with. ~ Other contingencies have also had to be met by the contractors, who found that the heavy. rains experienced soon after they. started the job saturated, ‘the higher levels to’ such an extent that small streams formed themselves in places. Two deep plough furrows were, therefore, run up the hillside, meeting at a point, like an arrow: head. and these acted satisfactorily in de. fiecting the running water, the cuts being immediately filled. For a spell . conditions on the hill were not too pleagant for. the workers, but, .however, there. was not any cessation in the svork. No doubt, observers will see marked progress in the district in a very short time, -° QUARTRET of prominent artists invaded Dunedin ‘last week, when Mr. Walter Kingsley, Mr, Lionetio Cecil, Mr. John, Robertson, and. M, Paul "Vinagradoft arrived by the train one evening to fulfil engagements with the Broadcasting Board.: While they ~ performed in the studio at different times, they collaborated last Saturday ‘night, when, along with Miss Mary Pratt, the’ champion St, Kilda Band, and the 4YA~.Concert Orchestra, they appeared..in .the Town. Hall on .the occasion of the board’s: first public concert for the 1935 season... These four were apparently thé best of pals and at odd times during the day they gathered together on the 4YA premises As they walked about the lounge, chat‘ting freely, they.made a happy. group and when the "Radio Record" correspondent called at the station, they all. spoke of the high appreciation of musi* held by the New Zealand public. They were also of the opinion that this fact was particularly noticeable in) Dune-’ din, oe [? has been mentioned in these notes before that whenever any imporiant event is taking place the telephone line to, 4YA is kept working at top pres sure, The recent attempted Tasma: flight was the cause of all the anxiouinquiries at the station last Wednes day, when the phone bell rang almoni incessantly for several hours on ensl but those who rang the station were ix ninety-nine cases out of a hundred per‘sons who: did not possess receiving sets. « When each was asked if he had ‘not heard the Ifist broadcast concerning news of the plane, there was usually some hesitation at the other end befor: _ the inquirer, completely taken uuawares. admitted that he had not 4 set. Only one man varied the mono tonous answer by saying that his r¢ ceiver was not working too well that day; The obliging nature of the station official was fully exemplified on this occasion, as the latest information to hand was passed on to’ telephone

callers, who, it should be remembered, in no way contribute to the coffers of the Broadcasting Board, and have no claim to the courtesy shown them. LISTENERS have been given 34 variety of opinions already by rhe four speakers who have been heard ciscoursing on the subject of "The Causes of War." This has proved 2 most -interesting series of talks, al- ' though many will ‘admit that Lord . Beaverbrook’s first talk was easily, the most impressive. There are six more talks to be heard, these being scheduled as follows:-May 23, Sir Norman Angell; May 30, Mr. Aldous Huxley; June 13, Mr: G. D. H. Cole; Tune 20, Sir Josiah Stamp; June 27, Major C. H. Douglas; July 4, Sir Austen ChamverJain. Perhaps interest will be centred more particularly in» Major Dougias’s talk, as this speaker ‘paid a personal visit to this country last venr, (COMMUNITY singing starts in Dunedin on Friday, May 31, at 12.80 p.m., at the Strand Theatre, Tast year Dunedin had a record season, and everything promises. for a great cammunity singing year for 1935.