4YA "Scoops" Visiting Explorer

Radio Record, Volume IX, Issue 14, 11 October 1935, Page 20

4YA "Scoops" Visiting Explorer

Dr. Bertram Thomas Coaxed: to. the: -Microphone -- Unique Novelties Promised: at Percy Grainger’s Public Concert-No: Beg-Pardons — In License Round-up — Loudspeakers.

YA has scored the radio ,"scoop" of the month, and the. staff is. feeling particularly pleased with itself at haying persuaded Dr, Bertram Thomas to broadcast a talk during his stay in Dunedin last week, He | had previously visited other parts of New Zealand, but had .managed to steer clear of . the microphone, confining his addresses to the four walls of city buildings. When he reached Dunedin he was.approached by the. local ,proadecasting authorities to give a talk to listeners, and this he consented to do. He proved one of the most interesting speakers heard for many a day,.and, using, perfect English, enlightened his hearers on many strange Arab customs. Dr: Thomas is in eminent explorer and authority on Arabla. He was, educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, was a, member of the British Secret Service from 1908 to 1914. He later served in the ranks of: the North Somerset Yeomanty — ‘in

Belgium, and was afterwards in Mesopotamia with the Somerset Light Infantry. He was political officer «in Mesopotamia from 1918 to 1922, assistant British representative in Trans-Jor-dania from 1922 to 1924, and Vizier and Finance Minister to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman from 1925 to 19380. These few facts are given to emphasise the importance of the "scoop."

NOVSLTInS galore are promised the . Dunedin public on the night of October 23, when Perey Grainger,.who is touring the board’s stations, makes a personal appearance in the Town Hall, supported by an orchestra, choir, several vocal and piano -soloists, organist, . and a complete battery of percussion instruments, many of the type not hitherto used on the local stage. Perey Grainger has arranged the programme himself, and it is to be known as an "All Grainger Programme." In addition to being the composer of every item to be presented, he will take part in each, sometimes as solo pianist and sometimes as conductor. The.audience will undoubtedly be astounded at the novelties to be introduced-chime bells, marimba, xylophone, musical glasses, ete--and the popular fancy will: be taken by the unique combinations of instruments and voices to be blended in many of the items. | For instance, "The Merry Wedding" will be presented hy a half choir, full choir, and orches‘tra, the whole under the direction of Mr. Grainger, while "Blithe Bells" is ‘described as a work for "tuneful percussion and orchestra." the aluminium marimha heins nlaved by Bia Grainger. Another offering will he "Snoon River," an American folk dance set for orehestra, xylonhone. marimba and chime hells. Another uninne eombination will be that of ehoir, brass and drums, fo be heard in "T’m Seventeen Come "Sunday." and another will he for solo voices, choir, musieal glasses, piano ‘and orchestra, Tt certainly promises to he. a night of surnrises, , Par. F. J..0°GRADY. the Otago radio -; _insnector. is still om’ the’ warpath, and isnot’ heeging any pardons in ‘the round-nn of nnlicencadi wireless set owners,- -Mor come monthe now he has been carrying out a. large-scale drive

against offenders, and batches of delinquents have appeared in the Police ‘Court from time to time.. However, it was the’ other Friday that the record "Was made when Mr, O’Grady marched into court and presented a lengthy list of names to the clerk, the total] number being’ approximately 50.° It was not suggested that the listeners were deliberately' evading payment of their license fees, but carelessness and delay in renewing licenses was a matter that caused a good deal of expense and loss of time to the Post and Telegraph Department. In future heavy penalties would be sought. Most of the defendants were fined small sums, while a handful were convicted and discharged. The presence of so many in court that day will probably be sufficient reminder to others to take out their licenses. T a recent meeting of the Dunedin City Council a deputation from the National Unemployed Workers’ Movement appealed to the "city fathers" to provide power plugs on certain reserves so that unemployed speakers could make use of public address loud speaker systems, and, it is supposed, proclaim their views to all and sundry whether the latter wished to hear or not. After listening to the deputation, the counci} referred the request to the general committee, which in due time announced that it was not in favour of the proposal, and was of the opinion that, as.a matter of policy. the use of loud speakers in publie places for any. purposes was undesirable, LL those. who went on the imaginary round-the-world tour with the Lockharts several years ago will probably be pleased to hear that 4YA is to replay the series of records comprising "Abroad with the Lockharts," beginning on October 18. When’ the records were first played there were many who were not attracted by. the title, and purposely missed the opening chapters, but- when they were eventually persuaded to listen they realised they had been a little hasty in passing judgment. These latter. together with many recent set purchasers, will, of course, start from the beginning this time.

4YA’s Educational Sessions N additional lecture will be ineluded in the edueational sessions from 2YA (rebroadeast by 4YA) on Thursday of the current week and for the succeeding three weeks as follows:3.pm. to 3.30 p.m.: Mr. J, H. Murdoch, M.A., Dip, Ed., Ph.D., of the Education. "Prench Pronunciation."