Every Seventh Person A Licensee

Radio Record, Volume XI, Issue 1, 10 July 1936, Page 25

Every Seventh Person A Licensee

Registered Sets in New Zealand Exceed a Fifth of a Million at End of May | -Visit Promised by Hileen Joyce, Pianist-Grace ‘Wilkinson to : Sing in Dunedin Town Hall. oo ee

EW ZEALAND now takes its place among the great broadwastiny, lations of the world. She can march forward with others with every countidence, for she has now passed the 200,00U mark in the number of radio licences in force. This means that there is one receiving set for nearly every seventh man, woman and chili in- the country. This compares favourably with.the figures for any other country. Wellington has maintained its lead for many months, and the latest figures show that district more than 10,000 ahead of her traditional] rival, Auckland. The figures are: Welling: ton, 72,776; Auckland, 62,552; Canterbury, 35,779; and Otago, 26,881. The grand total is 200,869. There is a remarkably small proportion of free licenses, only 407, this number, of course, discounting those who still think that a ‘wire mattress does’ not constitute an aerial. (THAT young Australian pianist, Eileen Joyce, whose rise to fame has been almost meteoric, kas been secured by the National Broadcasting Service for a six weeks’ tour, to begin toward the end of August. She will arrive on August 19 in Wellington, and her first performance will be from 1YA on Friday, August 21. Her career, short though it has been, seemed to have been mapped out for her when. she was but a child of three. There is as romantic a story behind her career as. would be found in any fairy tale. ISS GRACE WILKINSON, New Zealand contralto, is to make her bow to Dunedin listeners, and, incidentally, to a visible audience on Sunday night, when she will sing at the Town Hall organ recital to be given by Dr. V. BE, Galway. The vocalist is at present under engagement to the Nationak Broadcasting Service, and, as the recital will be broadcast by 4YA, she wil! appear on the Town Hall platform. This will not be the first time that a visiting artist has been loaned by the radio authorities to the civic committee for the purpose of entertaining radio listeners and an audience in attendance at the hall at the one time. The idea is gq good one, and has proved, satisfactory to all concerned on previous oceasions, and will undoubtedly meet with general approval this time.. Novel Welcome ON Monday last when the Niagara arrived at Auckland from Vancouver, a novel welcome was given Victor Jory, the latest motion picture star to pass through Auckland from Hollywood on his way to Sydney, where he is to star in a specially written Zane Grey. picture to be produced _ there. Chartered by Columbia Picture Cor-

poration, a large launch from which streamers-and streamers flew, went out to greet the mail steamer in the harbour. On board the launeh was installed at the masthead radio loudspeakers, and well-known Maori meiodies and other popular tunes were broadeast. The arrangements were earried out without a hitch. Soccer on the Air HE Australian Association Feotball team has _ visited Dunedin and gone necth again, and there was no lack of publicity during their stay in the city. At reon on the day following their arrival the Mayor tendered to the manager and members of the team a civic reception that was attended by a good many Soccer enthusiasts, but a far greater audience had access to the reception by means of breadeasting, the proceedings being relayed by 4YA. The next day was appointed for the big matzh against an Otago ~ceven, and for the first time this ¢-ason a breadeast description of a loca] Soecer game was carried cut. This was made by arrange-. ment between the station and the Otago Football Assosiation, and the actuaf.commentary was entrusted to the president of the association, Mr. E: J. Anderson, who was responsible for an illuminating discourse on the game. Different Action‘ (COMMENT has arisen in Auckland regarding the action of the Franklin Power Board in carrying out experi mental work to secure two-way radio telephone communication between the board’s depot and the various. break down trucks used to repair faulty lines. It is pointed out that recentl) the Auckland Electric Power Board was refused permission. to instal apparatus of the same kind by the Post and Telegraph Department. Further, the work has been carried out by amateur radio enthusiasts. It is suggested that work of this kind should . be entrusted to professional people. "Vision" WHEN "New Zealand Composers ' Night" was staged by 3YA last. week listeners heard an _ orchestra transcription of ‘"Menin Gate Vision." composed. by Mr. Perey Nicholls, o! Christchurch, and dedicated "To Those Who Did Not Return." Mr Nicholls wrote. the piece some months ago on a sudden inspiration; and -its birth was recognised. last "Anzac Day in Christchurch when it was played by the Woolston Band. The following day Mr. Nicholls was’. deluged . with compliments from friends and from ne jess i musician than Mr, R. J. Estall. conductor of the band. In.a chat with the "Radio Record" Mr. Nicholls said that the famous picture of the

"Vision" had appealed to him in a musical sense, and he had rushed to. transmute it into a form suitable fo; orchestra or band. He is, by the way, well known as the New Zealand tenor, and has made many gramophone records. For some time he was principal tenor with the Rigo Grand Opera. Company. ‘ Help the Blind (CONTRARY to what most people be‘ . lieve, the Jubilee Institute for the’ Blind in Auckland is not a depressing place, thanks to the wonderful organisation they have for helping the many afflicted in mates,. That wonderful child. of science, radio, next to the Braille system, has brought the: greatest measure of enjoyment to the blind. A, scheme whereby the blind folk would be able to purchase a radio set at a reduced cost, was outlined by Sir

Clutha Mackenzie, director of the institute, in a broadcast from 1ZB last week, It is certain that the public will generously support such a fine scheme and that those who will not miss a shilling, florin or half-crown will forward their donations to make life just a little brighter for those less fortunate than themselves. New Find OMPETITIONS, elocutionary and musical, come in for a good deal of criticism, but they often bring forth something outstanding in the way of talent. An official of 3YA was hovering about the Civie Theatre a month or two ago in search of a singer, and he singled out Miss Gwynneth Hughes, of Orari, South Canterbury, contralto, as a radio possibility. Actually, Miss Hughes was one of the best in her section, and she will sing her competition selection, "Where Corals Lie," from 8YA on July.17, in the ballad hour. Much is expected of this young lady. Improvement S igs well-known, reveiving conditions in Invercargill are, as a rule, anything but satisfactory. Listeners in the southern town have a good deal to put up with in. the way of stray electrica] noises other than natural static, but it is now freely reported that the Government

intends to improve those conditions. The local radio dealers have-been talking the matter over at their association meeting, and it is understood that they have heen advised that a general improvemeut in reception may be expected when the Government officials get on the job. At the present time 4ZP is the only station operating in the town, so that listeners must necessarily turn to outside transmitters for any variety in entertainment. Now it is rumoured that there is a probability of a new station being opened there te augment the local service already available, G. and S. RENEWED interest in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas was taken by the public as a result of the recent visit to New Zealand of the special J. C. Williamson Company. The company’s stay in the country was all too short, and with many there was a definite want for more when it sailed back to Australia. It-has now fallen to the lot of the broadcasting stations to endeavour to compensate for that want, and on Sunday-afternoon nexi 4YA will make a start in that direction by broadcasting the first half of a complete recorded presentation of "Tolanthe." It will be readily understood that the opera’s length would not permit of a full presentation in one afternoon without it becoming te.

dious' to those listeners whose interest does not lie in the combined arts of G. and S.; hence the decision to broadcast only part of the opera. The remaining portion will be given at a later date. Old Time LD-TIME dances, their movements and music, have a peculiar fascination for country listeners, On July 18, the dance sessions will commence again, to the music of the Christchurch Salon Orchestra, conducted by Mr. Francis Bate. Mr. A, L. Leghorn, as Master of Ceremonies, will ensure that the right atmosphere is created by introducing a "set" in the studio itself. And so, listeners will be able to link up their evolutions with those who are "doing their stuff"? on the floor of the studio, From 9 p.m. until 11 p.m. is the time for the light fantastic. Jumped at Conclusions " HA, ha, That's the new Government for you, starting to run the stations already,’ said lots of Auckland listeners on the morning of July 1, when an announcement was made from 1YA concerning the movements of the Minister of Railways, who was travelling toward Auckland in the new rail-car. In fact, one Auckland paper re- ferred to the announcement as being the first direct effect on their daily programme to be noticed by listeners. It was just a coincidence that the announcement was made on the "first day that the Government took over full control of broadcasting. As he was hours behind schedule and still at Rotorua, and he did not want to keep many deputations and people waiting unnecessarily between there and Hamilton, the Minister instructed his secretary to request 1YA to broadcast the altered progranme. That was all there was to at. Szigetvary Again Me. ARPAD SZIGETVARY who has been off the air for some months, began a new series of talks, "Some Little Known Countries of Europe," from 1YA on Tuesday, July 7. His subject matter embraces the repubiics of Andorra and San Marino. the principality of Liechtenstein, the Grand Duehy of Luxemburg and the Monas-tery-Republie of Mount Athos. On July 17 Mr Szigetvary wil! deliver a special talk on the Chinese soldier. Me. Szigetvary was born in Manchuria and spent r any years there and in China. He saw severai of the conflicts in the Sino-Jupanese War, the Boxer Rebellion, the Russo-Japanese War and civil wars During the Great War he was adjutant aboard a ‘vessel carrying 3000 Chinese to France. Not so Dull HB child mind is of great importance in the radio world, for the small fireside listeners of to-day will be the fully-fledged citizens-with 2 hand in civie affairs-of to-morrow. Therefore the talks on current topics of world moment, commenced on Monday from 3YA, Christchurch, by Mr. A, J. Campbell, M.A., are of special: value. Mr. Campbell told the youngsters quite a lot about Palestine, from its early duys to the reign of T. BE,

Lawrence, bringing the history of this troubled country up to the presest day. The talks will be continued fortnightly for three further Mondays. Judging by the first lecturette, the dull school history book, with its masses of dates and statistics, will soon lose much of its former appeal. £1000 Gift HE welcome announcement that an . anonymous donor had. contributed £1000 for radio at the Auckland Public Hospital, was made last week. Although radio entertainment for patients at this hospital has already been provided to some extent, there is an increasing demand and the hospital board will now be able to install an up-to-date system. In the past the

Health Department has regarded radio as rather a luxury in’such institutions, and the board has been handicapped because no money could be specifically provided for the purpose. The board decided last week to call tenders for the radio equipment of the Wallace Wards, the intention being to have one master set on each of the five floors of the building, with headphones to each bedside. .Radio has for some time been installed at the two other institutions controlled by the hospital board, the Knox Home and the Auckland Infirmary, where the patients regard it as a boon, Trouble with New Set AST week an Auckland listener who purchased an expensive set telephoned the dealer and complained bitterly that all he could get, either day or night, was 4YA Dunedin, also that this station covered the whole of the dial. The firm concerned was in high glee and sent an expert serviceman to inspect the set which was so powerful and selective that it could get 4YA

in broad daylight and covered the,whole of the dial, The trouble was soon discovered, A. grub screw on the tuning control had loosened, the result being that although the dial pointer could be moved over the whole dial, the set itself remained permanently tuned to the station on which it happened to be last used, Help Wanted E Otago Radio Listeners’ League has lived for six years, but unless the membership ~ increases appreciably within the next few months, it will go to its grave. At the annual meeting last week, twelve members were present, and two or three were in favour of winding-up the. affairs then and there, but the others were: not so easily beaten, and finally it was decided to start a new drive for members. Those present were at.a-loss to understand why the listeners were unwilling to support the league-the listeners were not entirely satisfied with the broadcasting they received, yet they were loth to join a body that was trying to help them, Patent Aerials AUCKLAND is at present experiencing an epidemic of "patent" aerials, some of which are guaranteed to bring in foreign stations that cannot be heard on the normal outdoor aerial. A well-. known radio éxpert considers that the claims made on behalf of some of the’ patent aerials should be the subject of investigation, and he pointed out that no type of indoor aerial could compare for efficiency with the outdoor type. He said: that the pickup of a properly designed outdoor aerial using: masts from 35 to 40 feet in height was from twenty to thirty times greater ' than any indoor aerial which had a re stricted sphere of usefulness, Fine Work MISS GRACE WILKINSON, charming New Zealand contralto, who has been delighting 8YA listeners, is to be followed immedi--ately by Beatrice Pugh, Awstralian soprano. Although Miss Pugh is knoun as an Australian singer, she was born in England and there. . received her early musical training. She went to Australia when she ended her schooldays. She continued her studies and in the meantime won competitions, gold medals and a scholarship before her professional career proper began. The B.B.C. engaged her regularly for two years, and to-day she is receiving a@ very warm welcome from New Zealand. Troubadours OR perhaps the first time in the history of 4YA, two speakers have ap. peared at the microphone at the one time to give a joint talk on travel and experience, and those who were fortunate enough to hear them speak had only one regret-twenty minutes was all too short a time for such an interesting item. The speakers were the caravaning. troubadours, Misses Joan and Betty Rayner, who gave an interesting and entertaining discourse oun "Hxperiences in Scotland and Germany." They had a remarkably free and conversational style at the micro-

phone, and a subtle manner.of transferring the story they had to tell.from the lips of one to the. other, without in any way damaging the connection between the incidents described. Shavian TATION 8YA has gone Shavian. On July 16 it will present "How He Lied to Her Husband." The cast provides.for Dr. H: B..W. Robertson as He, Miss Marjorie Bassett as She, and Professor James Shelley as her Husband. With such a strong combination of Christchureh players, this should be something really worth-while in the radio world. Golf Talks W!tH sO much interest being taken in all codes of football, and the crowds who watch hockey, bowls, etc., one wonders how many people are left to take an interest in golf. The interest taken in the three talks given from 1ZB by Norrie Bell, professional at the North Shore Club, and former New Zealand champion, will convince anyone that the old and ancient game is _ still growing in popularity. In these talks from the Friendly Road station, Mr. Bell dealt fully with the fundamental principles that are the basis that must be mastered before any play: er can hope to get the maximum enjoy: ment out of any eighteen holes, regard-

less of whether it is a club competition, or just the usual expenditure that the loser is expécted to foot at the nineteenth hole. He couched his remarks in such a way that they could be easily followed by even those with the most limited knowledge of grip and stance. Judging by the interest taken in these talks by listeners and the appreciation they have voiced, golf is to be a most popular game this winter. Dorian Choir "Tua first of its kind in New Zealand, the Auckland Dorian Choir, containing 25 fully-trained and wellknown vocalists, will give its first studio recital from 1YA on Saturday, July 11. Organised and conducted by the well-known local tutor, Mr, Albert Bryant, the Dorian Choir created quite a sensation and presented great entertainment when it gave its first public recital in the Town Hall six weeks ago. Two Debuts ‘WO of the visiting artists mentioned . in last week’s "Radio Record" will make their New Zealand debut on consecutive nights. Sydney De Vries, baritone, gave an operatic recital

at 9.46 on Tuesday, July 7, from 2YA, and on Wednesday, July 8, Browning Mummery, the famous Australian tenor, will present "A Oycle of Life" (a gong cycle by Landon Ronald), at 8.14, also from 2YA. In addition, Madame De Vries, wife of the visiting artist, will give listeners a good account of a littleknown country-Hol-land-in two talks from 2YA, the first being scheduled for Thursday, July 9, and the second for Tuesday, July 14. New Talks UBJECTS ranging from the _ background of the nineteenth century -traversing the age of steam, electricity, speed and the arts and sciencesto present-day achievements in medicine, are part of a programme which the educational committee has in hand for 83YA. The first talk, given on Wednesday, by Miss A. M, Candy, of Canterbury College, indicates that the series may develop into a big thing. Weekly a special subject is to be dealt with by an expert, and particular attention has been given to the continuity side of the programme. Thus each subject will really be a further step from that explained the previous week. Essentially Spectacle HB unveiling of the memorial to the late Sir Maui Pomare was the occasion for a great gathering of many tribes of Maoris, the total number of both Maori and pakeha being in the vicinity of seven thousand. The proceedings were relayed by 2YA from 9.30 to 11.45 on Saturday and the reception was very good. For a long time before the actual unveiling there were sufficient hakas, poi dances and singing by both men and women to give one the impression that New Zealand’s most colourful background is the Maori race. Some of the finest exponents of the Maori’s fearsome and friendly dances were gathered there, but over the air it was rather hard to acquire much enthusiasm, although one could well imagine what it would be like, However, a function such as this is essentially spectacle, and it is in this type of broadcasting that the shortcomings of radio are revealed. Mystery Minutes HIS week 1ZB is continuing a "Mystery Minutes" guessing competition for the benefit and entertainment of listeners. Portions of a@ number of records are to be played, the listeners being asked to guess the names of the performing artists. As an incentive for the radio audience to participate, prizes will be awarded the successful entrants. New Equipment SYN CHRONISED motors have recently replaced the old gramophone motors in the 4ZO studio. These are a distinct advance on the motors formerly employed, and both travel at exactly the same speed, so that when a second record is played in continuation of a composition started on another, the tempo of the piece does not vary in the slightest. The turntables are also reversible, which means that they will revolve clockwise or anti-clockwise, as desired. There is no stop switch oneither motor, and all that is necessary to start them is to give each turntable

a half spin with the hand. New pickups are also in use at the station. These are 500-ohm pick-ups, which give off less noise than those previously used. They ‘have also had the effect of brightening up the tone of the music. 2ZR. Jottings HE general air of optimism in broadcasting circles has not overlooked Nelson, for 2ZR’s transmission is now playing an important part in the educational, cultural and entertainment aspects of the life of the average Nelson listener. Some of the New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society’s talks which were heard from 2ZR recently appear to be finding favour. When 2ZR resumed transmission after a silence of some months, a speciallyrecorded Friendly Road session was in-

troduced by Mr. Ian Mackay, Arrangements are in hand for the co-operation of 1ZB, Auckland, with 2ZR for a weekly recorded Friendly Road session from the latter station each Sunday evening, 1ZJ’s Application AN interesting series of talks from 1ZJ, together with a splendid selection of up-to-the-minute recordings, has resulted in a steady stream of requests to the station director asking for more entertainment along the same lines, The hours of 1ZJ are from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 7.30 p.m. to 9.80 p.m. on Wednesdays. Application has been made to the Government for extended hours and a substantial increase in power. Better Quality [PROVEMENTS recently effected to the transmitter of 1ZJ, Auckland, owned and operated by Johns, Limited, have resulted in a great increase in quality. While this station was off the air owing to the ban on recordings, opportunity was taken to thoroughly overhaul the transmitter and other station apparatus. The result of the good work done is now apparent to listeners,