Wider Scope Of Smaller Stations

Radio Record, 7 August 1936, Page 27

Wider Scope Of Smaller Stations

Plays and Sports Relays Included Where Music Formerly Had a _ Monopoly — 8ZM Provides Popular Plays and Talks Each Week -- Alterations in Hours For 1ZJ.

OT so many years ago the B stations relied almost solely on music for their programmes, which were most welcome to listeners, especially to some during the talks and news sessions from the larger stations. But in recent years they have been drawing from a far larger field for their broadcasts, and by so doing have earned the further approval of listeners, Dunedin’ might be termed the B station city of New Zeuland-there are four of these small broadcasters in existence there. Two others dropped out some little time ago-and it is only right that they should be in the front itne of those providing their listeners with variety. In this respect 4Z0 is doing its best to keep its end up, and for some months now has fulfilled a very satisfactory arrangement with several sporting bodies in Dunedin by having some of the members broadcast interesting talks on each Friday night on the prospect of the next afternoon’s games. Football, cycling, running, ete. are all included in the broadcasts, EVER a week goes by without a play from 3ZM, Christchurch. Last week this station, deservedly well known for its bright variety programmes, gave listeners an earful of "A Privy Council," dealing with the days of naughty old Samuel Pepys-1665 or thereabouts. Miss Pessy Hollander was producer, and with her were Dorothy Mardon, Bessie Dini, Marjorie Robinson, Dawson Douglas, Clive Moody and Denis Hur-ley-all local players who are closely connected with the repertory movement in Christchurch. For ~ the benefit of players as well as the army that barracks from the sideline, Mr, R..§. Anderton, manuager of "the English Rugby League team, gave a talk the other night from the station on New Zealand players abroad, There’s nothing like variety! HH Minister of Broadcasting ‘having given permission for 1ZJ to change its hours, this station, starting on Monday last, now broadcasts. Dbetween noon and 2 p.m. on Mondays, and from 7.30 to 9.80 p.m. on Thurs: days. 1ZJ’s voice now reaches out far and wide on 1810 kilocycles, reception in remote parts of the South Island being excellent. according to reports recently. received. The station is hopeful of securing an: extension of hours in the near future. Minister In Charge ACCORDING to information re ceived. by an Auckland B station last, Week, the Minister of Broadcasting,’ the’ Rt.’ Hon, M. J. Savage, has now assumed full control, the Post and Telegraph Department no longer exercising its jurisdiction,

Breakfast WN these days when broadcast breakfast sessions are so familiar to all listeners one is apt to forget that. the pioneer early morning music station. in the Dominion was 4ZL, which some five or siw years ago introduced the 7 to 9 a.m. pro--grammes to listeners. This B station is still active in the early morning, but only from 7.80, since the local national ' station began its early sessions. During all these years 4ZL has maintained a par-.' ticular type of .light programme, | which is popular with listeners, who evidently find it digestible with the first meal of the. day. 1ZM’s Annual Meeting . HE annual meeting of the 12M Broadcasting Society was held in the Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, ° on. Thursday, July 30; when the president, Mr. J. G. Gates, congratulated the — committee on their co-operation in the interests of the station during the past vear. Ample evidence of the continued confidence of subscribers in the services | by this station and, convineing. testimony to the’ satisfactory. performance

of the duties undertaken, was disclosed in. the annual report and balance-sheet. ‘The previous committee was unanimously returned to office, Popular Session "THUMBNAIL sketches of little pro- _ ,blems of: the. day .experienced by the average person; well arranged and ‘presented -by Arthur Collins, who introduces; song numbers with ‘Steve Parker as vocalist,.follow the "Man in the Street" session from-1ZB -on Sunday nights. .These further .illustrate his simple philosophy: of life; There is no doubt that. this hourly.’ session from seven until eight on Sundays is a most popular.ohe, . Flying With "Smithy" ASSOCIATED with the: late Sir . Charlies ‘Kingsford Smith’ as wireless operator on. many of his long . flights across oceans and continents, John. Stannage, of the 1ZB staff. still has a great fund .of. stories. of his ex- ' periences to -tell. listeners, He broad‘easts these interesting talks at 8.20 on Sunday nights from this . station.