Pleased With B Station Prospects

Radio Record, 5 June 1936, Page 19

Pleased With B Station Prospects

Director of Dunedin’s 42M Looks Forward toa "Fair Deal anda | Chance to Make a Living"-Perambulating Music and a City’: By-Law-Dunedin Clings to Scots Visitors. |

\ "T™ more than pleased with the way things are shaping," said Mr, R. ‘ Walls, head of the Dunedin radio station, 4ZM, to a "Radio Record" repre_sentative the other day, when commenting on the B station position in New Zealand.. ‘‘All the B stations are asking-all they: have asked for réght from the outset, in fuct-is a fair deal and‘a chance to-make gq living. I’ve had. several talks with members of Parliament, and I don’t think it. will be long now before the whole questiou of New Zealand’s broadcasting policy is before the House. And I’m feeling most sanguine about the outcome of the discussion, The B stations have nothing to fear from the present Goyernment." "THERE is a by-law in Auckland which provides that musical instruments may not be played in the streets of the city without a license from the city council. Although there haye been no prosecutions, the point has been raised as to whether auto radios being played at some volume while motor-cars are parked on, say, 2 taxi rank, can be dealt with under this by-law. In view of the: almost universal use of radio, it would appear to be time that the by-law was amended. ‘Possibly the "city fathers" may take the view that a wireless set, even one fitted to a motor-car, is not a musical instrument, although few owners of a modern receiver would agree with this. There are now few taxis in Auckland not fitted with radios, and on days when races are being held it is a common sight to see small crowds surrounding the vehicles to hear the latest from the racecourse Scots Return VER since the Dunedin Scots, and a good many other memhers of the community, too, heard Sydney MacEwan and Dunean Morison from the loca] studio, they have been hoping (almost praying. one might add) that the Scottish entertainers would be sent back to the Edinburgh of the south by a discerning Broadcasting Board. Now it is announced that their Wish is to be granted, as these two Scotsnien are to come back for a further series of broadcast recitals. When they were first in Dunedin they were frequenily requested to sing or play many Seottish airs, but unfortunately ‘they were unable to accede to all demands, and left a public that was hankering for more, which may — now he given them. Musical London -~ iss GRACE whose tour of New Zealand under engagement to the New Zealand Broadcasting Board opens on June 9; is at

present in her home town after: seveu years abroad: Christchurth was glad to welcome back this famous contralto. Miss: Wilkinson cannot speak too highly of the wonderful way in which she was received in London. Dame Clara Butt. Whom Miss Wilkinson acknowledges ag responsible for her whole career, met her on her arrival, and introdueed her to the inner circle of musical London. Miss Wilkinson regards the musical outlook in that city ag very bright indeed, the theatres being packed with . most enthusiastic audiences. The Covent Garden Opera Company is doing wonderfully well under the new management. Opera is not, the only side of music, according to Miss Wilkinson. which is claiming great attention, the

enthusiasm which is being displayed 10 music generally at Home is certainiy giving great encouragement to the different artists, "The One Bright Spat": pGHT music seems to be unfailingly popular with the, men ‘at a Public Works, camp, on the Milford-, Sound road, who have reported. to the lowpower station 4ZC that’ their’, programmes are ‘enjoyed, bette; than, the "nationals." This B station ‘is located at Cromwell, and is therefore in 2 good position for reception on the Mil ford Sound work, yet recently the stutioh received a report from a DXer.as fay distant as Whangarei. notifying that the "programme of musi¢ .tyas

‘thoroughly enjoyed." The Public Works "men considered that the "4ZC pro/grammes "make life worth living, and are the one bright spot on this job." "Apparently, good things: ¢come from ‘Bmall stations. Debate Date : BETWEEN. eight-and nine o’clock- on ~. Tuesday evening, June 16, the postponed debate which was to have taken place on May 29 ° between Victoria University College and Canterbury College will take place. "That the Savage is Happier than the Civilised Man" will he debated by Mr. ©. M. P. Brown, Miss Dorothy Souter, and Mr. R. B. Jack, taking the affirmative for Victoria College, and Mr. C. M. Bennett ‘leading Canterbury’s team, with Miss D. Neal and Mr,-B. J, Wilson.

Fine "Circle" . ONSIDERABLE, ’ favourable. com‘ment has been made in Dunedin about the recent play broadcast through 2YA and 4YA by the members of the J. ©. Williamson Dramatic Company now appearing in New Zealand, "The Cirele’ is not an. ‘unknown piece in Dunedin, and was- -only a short time Ago staged. by an.-amateur group in the town, so that-more than ordinary interest. Was naturally taken in the radio version played’ by professionals. Perhaps the two points which struck listeners most were that the players never hesitated in an endeavour to add effect: after their words, but ‘carried the dialogue through in a conversationa] manner; and that there was no straining of voices-each was a perfect match for. the character pertrayed. All those who heard the broadcast will

welcome the news thatthe company is to broadcast again when it reaches the South Island, Christchurch "Sings" REQUESTS for "cheerios" are already pouring into Christchurch for the first community sing, which was scheduled to commence on Thursday, June 4, Owing to the indisposition of. the song-leader, Mr. W. MeNair, the first luneh-hour sing will not now take place until a week later, Thursday, June 11, and by next week the pianist to assist Mr. MeNair will have been chosen. It is possible that the pianist of one of the leading orchestras in Christchurch will act in this capacity, if his business arrangements will allow. Dance Lessons R. A, L. LEGHORN’s Rhythm Talks under the heading of ‘Medern Ballroom Dancing" from 3YA have proved a great success with listeners, and the last three of the. series are scheduled for June 11, 18, «nd 25 at 9.40 p.m. "The Waltz’ (No. 2) is the title of the first talk on June 11, "The Foxtrot" Nos, 1 and 2 being the end of the series. In "The Foxtrot No, 1" Mr. Leghorn deals with historical characteristics and the basic steps; the walk, three-step, and feather step. The No, 2 series deals with the curns, reverse wave, ete. and how to construct the foxrot. , . Range Increased ECENT improvements in the appa-~ ratus of 1ZM have resulted in a further inerease in the service range. of this station. The tone has been greatly improved, the only fly in the ointment at present being the persistent whistle, or whine. which cannot be separated from the station’s carrier, Originality | ‘ZB’s children’s session (the Smile _ Family) seems to be bigger and brighter than ever. more tha.’ 60 being present last Wednesday. More than ordinary interest is being taken by young © and old alike, and judging from the remarks of one of the announcers the four walls of their comfortably large studio will have to be ptished outward should the attendance continue to increase. The session is original in every respect; it is run entirely by the children themselves, the aunts and uncles merely announciug and supervising, None of the Smile Family have been trained by teachers and they perform their parts in their own inimitable fashion. In fact, they are all a happy band of ordinary smiling, healthy, everyday "kids" ranging from six years of age upward who come along to 4ZB every week. Radio Christenings NYOND tuning in to the Friendly Road Station, 1ZB, on the first Sunday of each month, during the 12 o’clock devotiona] session will hear one of the most unusual broadcasts to, come over the ether. These are Christening Sundays.. From far and near mothers bring their babies to be dedicated to the care of the "Stranger of Galilee." There is nothing pretentious or elaborate about: this ceremony, but just a quiet dignity and reverence as "Uncle —

Scrim’s" prayer for the little people is offered up. Of course this is often broken by the lustry cries of the important little New Zealanders making their debut. before the microphone. 1ZB Relays NEW departure, so far as the exploration for relays is concerned, was made by IZB last Friday evening, when the ‘Ritz Orchestra was hear from the Queen Street restaurant in an hour's programme, A erystal microphone’ suspended from the roof gave 4 perfect balance. to the programe, Which was contributed to by "Frieud John," Mr, Dudley Wrathall and Bert Skeels as the vocalists. The latter, who once travelled as male alto with the Westminster Glee Singers, is now conductor-pianist of the Ritz Orchestra. On Thursday evening g niceiy balanced programme was provided )\ the St. James’ Salon Quartet, through this station. This quartet has become exceedingly popular over the air, auc is heard from 1ZB at regular intervals. Reviews by Experts A REVIEW by eaperts-a doctor and a business man-of a news item relative to the dispatch of 2000 cases of butter fron’ Japan to England formed the subject of an interesting dual talk, from 1ZJ one night last week, They claimed that this. "butter" did not come from cows, but was the product of the soya bean! It is proposed to make these talks a weekly feature of transmissions, the idea being to take an item of topical and world interest from the newspapers and review it impartially and proper investigation has been made by an expert in his own line. Advice to Listeners AST week's talk by Mr. George C. Hart, A.M.I.R.E., technical manager of Johns’, Limited, from 1Z] on "The Bugbear of Modern Radio" introduced something entirely new in the way of broadcast talks. His talk, consisted of carefully-considered advice to listeners regarding intermittent faults overhauling and repairing of sets,‘and th> right time to replace sets, He gave | many hints that were of great value to -listeners. ‘ Savoyards HE manager of the D'Oyley Carte Company in England, who ‘recalled Miss Evelyn ,Gardiner while she Wis appearing in Christchurch, -is .1 native of the same city. He is Mr. F. H. Hobbs, who will be remembered for his singing in Gilbert and Sullivan operas with Mr. Jimmie Hay some 12 years ago. On that occasion Mr. Hobbs came out to New Zealand to see his relatives in Christchurch. Mr, Hobbs Was principal baritone for many years before being appointed to a managerial position, oO What of 1ZQP__ REPORTS are current in Aucklanil . that the B. station 1ZQ is shortly to go back on the air, There are even some listenerg who claim to have hear} this station testing last week. It is the general opinion that the station ‘is to be taken over by the Douglas Social Credit organisation and that an application has already been lodged by this

body for a B station. ‘Tisteners will no doubt remember that 1ZQ Wag clos éd down about three yeats ago by the Post and Telegraph Department, aii event which had its sequé] in the Supreme Cotirt. Mr. Roy Keith owned and opérated the station at that time. Self-critics O induce an artist to state definitely his opinion as to what is his bés: recording may be no easy task, but it has been accomplished. The result of the inquiry, embracing highbrow, lowbrow and {n- betWéen has been incorporated in a programme devised by "The Man in the Stréet," to be broadcast from 2YA on Wednesday. July 106. The following well-knowu performers will be heard in this 40iuinute show: Dr, Adtian Boult (con: ductor), George Baker (baritone), Hileen Joyee (pianist), Frank Titterron (tenor), Albert | Sandler (violin-

nen ist-eonduetor), Nessie Ackland (sopratio), Jack Payne (dance leader), Normin Long (etitertaitier), and John Barbirolli (conductor). The actual vords these artists have used to deseribe "the best thing I have recorded — nd why" are to be repeated in this special programimié, along With the actual recordings for which they express their preference, Music from the misiciat’s own poitit of view should be interésting, In One Generation HE amazing progress in aviation from the "erates" of thirty years ago to the fotir hundred-mile-an-hour racing plane, Will be comprehensively covered in a series of nine talks, the first of which will be given on Monday, June 8, from 2YA, at 8.40. The series is a B.B.C. recording under the title, "The Conquest of the Air," and the narrators will bé mien Who have netually been concerted in aviation activities at Home. The talks will be run weekly, Maori Speaker PRS, RAURI MAKATAUARA was the fluent péiker whom many wo men listeners heard from 3YA_ last Thursday morning. and her subject, "The Maori Home," Was covered in true Maori style. This talk wis given under the auspices of the Christchiirch bratich of the National Council of Women. Miss Jean Stevenson. the National Secretary of the Y.W.C.A.. was originally scheduled for this session oh that day. but she had been detained in Wellington,

e Talks ‘TALKS With a military flavonr ate evidently of iterést to southern listeners, as more lave béen arranged for broadcast. On .-Monday night at 7.30 Colonel G. Barclay, from 4¥A, is to tell the brief story of the old Volunteer Defence Force, an orgahisation that was the pride of the city during part of the previous century, and Major F, H. Lampen, who has previously been heard in talks on service matters, is shortly to etibark on a new series, "That Reminds Me of a Story," whith will deal with reminiscences of. the services, 4 subject thé MAjor is so well able to handle