War News Hurries Professor's Talk

Radio Record, Volume IX, Issue 14, 11 October 1935, Page 16

War News Hurries Professor's Talk

Hostilities Cause Change in Prof. Rutherford’s Schedule-Interference _ Affects Sales — Particularly Good Evening’ S Entertainment — Mr..Mulgan’s Duties — Better B.B.C. Reception." fee

‘AN item not scheduled, broadcast from 1YA on Sunday. night, was the talk- by Professor James Rutherford, professor of history at Auckland University College. In his talk he dealt fully and interestingly with the trouble which has ended in war between Italy and Abyssinia. Originally Professor Rutherford was engaged to do a series of talks on "The Partition of Africa,’ the first. to be.given on Thursday night next from, 1YA, but when hostilities: started last Friday, it was decided that he: should speak on Sunday night. "Listeners must appreciate such talks from. one with . the knowledge and experience possessed by the professor, which. ‘assist. them . to more clearly understand the position of affairs between the nations involved. RAvrI0 listening: conditions in Auckland city. are! so bad that. one wonders how radio dealers manage to do any business. I was recently given a demonstration-of what resulted when a modern set..was. tuned in to any station except-1YA. A deafening roar, punctuated with frightful crashes was produced. I .wag ‘apprehensive lest the receiver should ‘fall to piéces, but the dealer seemed used to it. Questioned regarding the interference regulations, the dealer explained that these ‘concerned only interference with 1YA, and as customers’ invariably .wanted demonstrations of stations other than 1YA, city demonstrations were useless for the purpose, and. these. had

to be arranged well away from trams and direct current motors. Of course, these’ conditions do not-apply to.all parts, but they do to a greater portion. of the’ city. J ROM ‘6 to 11 p.m, on Monday. of last week, 1YA pre--sented a:programme that was of astonishing merit. Restful dinner music "and melodious, practically every item being popular. The humorous items that fol- | lowed were well up to standard. while Professor R. M. Algie’s talk on "The Law as the Citizen Sees It" was very entertaining and also instructive. The professor has an ideal broadeast technique-already favourably commented. upon. recently... ON Friday last, Mr. Alan B. Mulgan, the literary editor of the "Auckland Star," who has just joined the staff of the Broadeasting Board as_ supervisor of talks, was presented by the managing editor, Mr. F. A. Clarke, on behalf of the literary staff, with a solid leather suitease, in recognition. of -his service of over 30 years with the well-known Auckland jour

nal. Mr. Mulgan now has an office in 1YA’s studio building, where he has been busy for the past week or so on the board’s business. He is to spend some weeks here, after which he will visit all the other centres before finally taking up his duties at the Board’s headquarters in Wellington. ON several nights last week reception of the Empire shortwave station was very good, there being an almost complete absence of fading, the strength of the field being consistently high. Unfortunately it was noticed on more than one night that the whole programme was spoiled by morse interference from station KS, Bolinas, California, calling and working morse station PLK, Malabar Radio, Dutch East Indies. At a recent political meeting in the Town Hall, no fewer than. eight _ huge loudspeakers were needed to pro--yide.a means:of reaching all sections | of a large crowd, both in and outside the hall. This is probably the biggest public address system ever installed in New Zealand. HE background noise to IYA’s trans--missions, so noticeable. of late, | . Was conspicuous by its: absence on several nights‘ last week. . Apparently the officials concerned are well on the job and a ‘permanent improvement may soon be looked for. It has been noted

also that’ the noise which has consisted of a mushy,. scratchy sort "of, background, has now become more in the nature of a rhythmic hum such as one "~hears from large ‘street transformers. This is not nearly as objectionable as the previous noise. YX’s programme on Wednesday of last week was most acceptable and also well arranged. The band programme, "A Day in the Army," was composed of popular numbers, which, although frequently heard over the air, do not séem:to lose their appeal. The transmissions from. 1YX .are: of high quality and this:‘materially increases the enjoyment of, the programmes broadcast, [@is reliably reported that one of the candidates for Parliamentary honourg standing for an Auckland city seat, is. making a particular plank in his platform ‘the interests of listeners. This particular candidate has "been in the forefront of every move‘ment’ in‘the interests of radio Hatonets. | REourri0n of 1ZM’s programme, ; usually of good, quality, well bal- " anced. and. of, popular appeal, has rebeen marred by an annoying whistle, mentioned in these columns in "the past. From observations made by a competent technician, it is considered that the trouble is due to inter-action between the transmissions of 1ZM and ; 1ZB. Station 1ZM pays the Post Office a large sum each

year in toll fees-at least, is re‘sponsible for the large amounts that are paid-and for this reason-alone it might reasonably be expected. that the Department would enforce the radio regulations and thus eliminate a source of great annoyance to listeners in the Auckland area. MOST interesting and al- «++ together -delightful 20-min-ute talk on "The Theatre as it is To-day," was given by Mr. Cyril Ritchard, the principal and producer of "Roberta," from 1ZB last: week. Listeners were no doubt surprised to. hear that if one wished to. book a seat for any of the big shows in New York or London, it would have to be done three months ahead. Mr. Ritchard’s survey of the world tour made on behalf of J. C.. Williamson Ltd., last year was quite informative. For instance, there were, he said, 32 theatres in New York and 24 in London. These were in addition to the picture theatres. The wellknown musical comedy star was followed .; by | his’ .wife.: Miss Madge Elliott, who addressed a few, words jo. ‘listenexs