Different Longitude and Latitude

Radio Record, Volume X, Issue 5, 14 August 1936, Page 19

Different Longitude and Latitude

English Organist Confuses New Zealand with Newfoundland nshy Announcer showered with Compliments-No Latin Fire About Guido Carreras’ Proposal to La Meri.

HIL®E speaking at a meeting of the Music Teachers’ Association, of Christchurch, the president, Dr. J. C. Bradshaw, organist at the Christchurch Cathedral, said he had been struck with a question asked him in England by a Master of Arts of Oxford University. Hearing that Dr. Bradshaw came from New Zealand, he asked, "New Zealanil, is that the same as Newfoundland?" Dumbfounded, Dr.. Bradshaw managed to explain that he rather thought not, as longitude and latitude between the two differed somewhat. "In excuse of his question I might say that besides being an M.A. and a Doctor of Musie, he was also a cathedral organist," said Dr. Bradshaw, "and everyone knows that they are a queer lot!" JTDUNEDIN’S Rugby announcer has been snowed under by telegrams and letters of congratulation of his description of the big Ranfurly Shield match between Otago and Southland. This was a game that interested practically | the whole of the Dominion, and during the broadcast Mr. R.:MeKenzie was receiving a large number of telegrams sent from almost every part of New Zealand. The’ number grew and grew, and the ‘announcer was finally quite unable to deal with them all over-the air . and maintain an adequate description of the game at the same time. After the broadcast the letters began to arrive, and, without exception, all writers congratulated him on his ability at the microphone, ‘One. prominent New Zealand. ‘ Rugby follower said, "As an ‘ahnouncer he is not equalled in "any: part of the world. " ' OW do you. propose? Various people have various ways of goinz about this delicate business. Take the ease of Signor Guido: Carreras, husband and manager of the dancer, Li Meri, .who was in Christchurch last week. About four years ago, Madame told the "Radio Record," she and Signor Carreras, who is an Italian, were in London. During a Stroll through Piceadilly. Circus, the Signor stopped the walk and said, apropos of nothing, "T think I manage you better than anyone." La Meri acquiesced. "I think T’d like to‘manage you always," he added, "Yes?" said the dancer. "So we'd better get married," he continued in matter-of-fact tones. It was all very quiet and there was only one witness. So there are exceptions to all the Latin fire and passion business beloved of the popular novelists. 4ZP News LD-TIME dance music from Smith’s Hall, on relay through 4ZP, Invercargill, should suit many southern listeners. The music is by "Scotty" Don‘ald’s Orchestra. Mr, ‘Tarrant, the "Birdman," has a large mail each week, providing many requests for repeat

talks, The recordings supplied by the New Zealand Native . Bird Protection Society are proving particularly ‘interesting. About Flutes | T dates from the stone age. In fact is is one. of the most ancient of musical. instruments,’ John’ Amadio told Rotarians, : in» Christchurch the other day. "He was referring to the flute. Research, added the flautist, had brought.some remarkable facts to light. The first fairly effective flute.came on the scene about a hundred years ago and the nobility gave it, their extreme blessing. One of the distinguished players of the. day was Charles Nicholson, who had a special flute made for himself-the instrument was the forerunner of the present style. The distinguished visitor wound up with a

melody or two: on.-.various types ° of. flutes. This’ was. the most: ‘interesting talk Rotarians had listened to, in Christ ehurch at any ‘rate, for many a day. Autographs AUTOGRAPH. fiends made a job of it the other night*at . the Civic Theatre, Christchurch, whens: Madame’ Austral and other overseas artistssang in a benefit concert. Immediately’after the show -they beseiged the stage; and Madame was -held up in her dressing- | room long.after "house-lights out." Not content With the night’s: ‘captures, . they swarmed over the stutlios at the next day.and met with most courteous; receptions. But the autograph-hunter, is'not altogether a sycopliant-he’is atrue collector, and will go to any, lengths to attain his or her désire. The

artists were graciousness itself, and bore out the remark of a 3YA official, made to the "Radio Record" last week -‘‘they are a pleasure to work for and with." Too Early JN eonnection with the relay of 4VA of the Pipe Bands from the Caledonian Grounds on Sunday, August 2, it is unfortunate that the programme shouid have run rather ahead of the advertised timing, owing to the absence of several bands. This probably resulted in the disappointment of a number of listeners who had deeided to tune in for the massed band display. By the best information the National Broadcasting Service could obtain, the massed band performance should have occurred between 4 and 4.30 p.m., but owing to eireumstances as stated above, it was presented before 4 o’clock, the relay station having no option but to take it when it occurred, and fortunately heing in @ position early enough to dlo so. Good Treatment (CHRISTCHURCH has nothing to grumble about in the treatment it receives at the hands of the Nationai Broadcasting Service. Again, on Aug:

ust 26, the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund will benefit from a concert in the Civic Theatre in which Dora Lindsay, Scottish comedienne, will make a popular personal appearance, There’s a wealth of talent on the programme headed by Senia Chostiakoff, and it wil! include such visiting stars, new to Christchurch, as Freddie Chomondeley (English humorist), Vincent Ryan (comedian), Dave Howard (saxophone. comedian), Eileen Boyd (contralto), and Thea Phillips (soprano). It's ‘whoopee for a bright show." Joking Apart ° RAdIO artists who tell humorous stories have scores of followers whose one delight, it seems, is to pop along with something they think is quite new. "Have you heard this one?" they ask. Miss Dora Lindsay, who has told several very good ones from 3YA, has received hundreds of contributions from Christchurch. But her mail the other day contained one that was faintly "smoky." And the joke is that it came from an aged maiden lady. Radio Newspaper RRAviIo station 1ZJ Auckland claims to be the first station in New Zealand to introduce the radio newspaper Starting from Monday, August 3, the

station changed its sessions to broadeasts consisting almost wholly of talks, given by experts in their different spheres. Out of the two two-hour sessions each week, only 12 minutes is taken up in musical interludes of the recorded variety. News of the day is reviewed and topical matters fully ex-

plained. For instance, last week’s Budget was dealt with from the point of view of the man in the street. Why the Government formed its National Health Service proposals was described by a doctor who prefers to remain anonymous, but who is recognised as an 211thority on such matters, Versatile ER Dunedin friends and the public generally were pleased to welcome back to the city, even if only for a short time, Miss Iris Mason, who wag the pianist with the J. ©. Williamson Comedy Dramatic Company, which ended its local season last week. Miss Mason was the young lady who presided at the console of the organ in the Empire Theatre for approximately 10 months a few years ago, and at that time she proved. herself not only a clever organist, but quite an accomplished singer as well. Now she has had her chance to extend the field of her capabil'ties to play acting, as, on the night the company played "The Breadwinner" from 4YA, she was suddenly thrust inte one of the parts to take the place of Miss Phyllis Baker, who was unavoidably absent. Although it was a smal] part, it called for an exacting interpretation, and Miss Mason very creditably gave it at.

Unusual Set "PHE United States Army Signal Corps’ big sixteen valve shortwave receiver recently landed in Auckland to the order of a well-known radio technical man, created much interest when it was exhibited in a_ city radio dealer’s shop last week. On Friday last more than 100 persons, ineluding a number of experts, viewed the up-to-date set which cost £108 to import. The cover was removed, exposing the maze of wiring and the yalves and other fittings to full view. This is the first set fitted with the latest knife switch change arrangement and also the shutter type dial to reach New Zealand. Auckland’s Boom "THE radio trade in Auckland continues to enjoy the biggest boom in radio since its inception. This really started some months ago, but the trade has never before been so busy than it has this last six weeks. The shortage of radio cabinets and skilled radiotricians, mentioned in these pages a few weeks ago, continues to be felt, only even more so. Cabinets cannot be had in the required quantity, and accordingly many orders have been delayed. "So far as skilled radiotricians are concerned," said one prominent dealer last week, "the position is quite serious, It is almost impossible to secure the services of a trained man, or even a partly-trained lad." Reviving | A Most every day, station 4ZM is being given proof of the fact that Dunedin listeners definitely do not wish the station to go off the air, They have liberally supported the 4ZM Club, and now that it is almost certain that the station will not have to close on account of Government legislation, its membership is daily increasing, and it should not be long before it is back to the total at which it stood before the scare caused when the rumour spread that B stations would be closed down or bought by the Government. Dr. Malcolm Sargent. HEN he arrived at Auckland by the Aorangi last week, Dr. Malcolm Sargent, the famous English conductor, was met on behalf of the New Zealand musical societies by Mr. Arthur Fairburn, a — well-known music critic. Mr. Fairburn had no difficulty in persuading Dr. Sargent to pay a visit to 1YA’s fine studio building in Shortland Street. He spent threequarters of an hour in the studios. Before leaving the station director, Dr. Sargent expressed his surprise and delight at finding such a thoroughly equipped broadcasting station so far south. He was particularly taken with the big concert hall, or No. 1 studio, which is big enough to easily house the biggest orchestra in the world. Laid Up LJSTENERS to 4Z0 in recent weeks have missed the well-known voice of Mr, T. O’Shea, the highly popular and competent Friday night Rugby prospects announcer, The truth is

that Mr. O’Shea is in hospital, and his friends among Dunedin listeners: will naturally join in wishing him a speedy recovery. Mr, O’Shea is a prominent member of the Otago Rugby Football Union and is on the executive of the Otago Radio Listeners’ League. In the meantime, his place is being filled on Friday nights by Mr. P. Vallis, who, incidentally, hag been stroke and manager of the Otago rowing eights in recent years. Without a Wobble ALMOST as soon as they had stepped off the Main Trunk express, the touring party of radio artists, comprising Thea Philips, lyric soprano, Hileen Boyd, contralto, Vincent Ryan and Freddy Cholmondeley, humorists, Dave Toward, saxophonist, and Senia Chostiakoff, tenor, who are making a New Zealand tour of the YA stations, were in the 1YA studios, busy rehearsing for their respective recitals and turns. This is .Thea Philips’s first yisit to New Zealand, and she says that if Auckland is as nice as Wellington, then she is going to enjoy her stay there. A lyrie soprano of fine quality voice, Miss Philips had the honour of singing in the role of Elisabeth in Wagner’s opera, "Tannhauser," before the late King George and Queen Mary at Covent Gard?n, the performance being con-

ducted by Sir Thomas Beecham. On that occasion a famous Inglish critic described her as "the soprano without a wobble!" Band Broadcasts RUE to its promise to listeners to obtain the services of the Dunedin City Tramways Band for a further studio recital, station 4ZB featured the band in one of its programmes last week, It has always been recognised that a brass band supplies the people’s music, so broadcasts by any of these combinations usually find favour. In its library the Tramways Band has a variety of concerted and solo items that have been made available to the public only on. occasional Sunday afternoons, or at special functions, but now, through the offer of 4ZB_ being accepted, it is able to play to a wide audience seated in their own homes. Honour WHEN Dr. J. C. Bradshaw, celebrated organist of the . Christchurch Cathedral, says of a musician that New Zealand should be proud of her, it is Something she may treasure throughout her career. This is a verbal honour that has fallen to the lot of Grace Wilkinson who, after a short visit to Christchurch, will set out again this month on her return to Australia and

England to continue her musical studies. She was farewelled at a morning tea. function organised by the Christchurch branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of New Zealand. Dr. Bradshaw, who is the president, said that Miss Wilkinson, a Christchurch girl, had helped to put New Zealand on the map! Her Christchurch friends looked forward to hear of her further triumphs, Fine View HE staff of 8YA has something, scenically, over everybody else in New Zealand engaged in broadcasting and all its ramifications. From the administration floor, where Mr. J. McKenzie, station director, holds sway, there is a magnificent view of the Southern Alps. True, the foreground is composed of delicate shades of rusty iron roofs, and the tall and rugged grandeur of the city .destructor smoke-stack, but, beyond, there is aesthetic compensation. After Christchurch's bout of snow the other day a perfect nor’-west arch formed, and its contrast with the snow-clad mountains was remarkable, AMfany overseas: artists, Florence Austral among them, have praised the view. Licenses CONSTDERING the fact that wages and conditions have improved so greatly during the past few months and that times generally are brighter, it is dificult to understand why there should be between 1200 and 1300 radio listeners who have so far failed to renew their licenses. According to the Auckland radio inspector. this is the jargest number of non-renewals for 4 long time past. He confided to the writer that his department was now starting to round up the slackers and the pirates. During the next few weeks there witl be quite a large number of prosecutions for operating unlicensed radio receivers brought in the Police Court. Football LANCASTER PARK is to be on the air again shortly, in fact, on August 19, when 38YA will tell listeners all about the Canterbury v. Manawatu Rugby contest. Later the Canterbury team will flit to Timaru to play South Canterbury on August 22, Southland at Invercargill on August 26. and Otago at Dunedin on August 29. A broadcast frum the southern station will keep Canterbury au fait with shield matters. "omposers HAT is known as a "New Zealand Composers’ Programme," is to be submitted to 4YA listeners on August 19, when a variety of works by many of the prominent musical figures in the South Island will be played. Three of the composers are Dunedin. residents, and a fourth was, unti] some months ago. when he shifted to Invercargill, and the fifth is. claimed by Christchurch, Compositions by Dr. Y. ER. Galway, Dunedin city organist, Miss Marna Service, who is associated With one of the Dunedin dailies in a musical capacity, and Miss Mabel Little, also of Dunedin. will he among the featured works, which will also incinde some by Miss May Burnes-Loughnan, of Christchurch, and Mr, ©, A. Martin,