PERSEVERANCE REWARDED

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 32, 20 January 1939, Page 47

PERSEVERANCE REWARDED

1938 VK3 COMPETITION WON BY ~

¥-7%- 9. BAY FTER having been well placed in the annual VK3 Competition since its inception, the Hawke’s ‘ Bay branch has at last been rewarded for" its _efforts and its members have, by their efforts, secured _for their branch the coveted Thompson Shield. In the following article a full account of the competition is given by the judge-

FIRST of all, may I say that the entries this year were poor by comparison with other years and that there was a really poor response especially from the newly revived branches., Southland as usual put up a great effort with an entry of 17 members, while Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu competed 100 per eent, strong. The chief item of interest was the fact that the night of July 24-25 was just about up to the average as regards conditions, with very little to choose between the islands atmospherically. Once again the most meritorious effort came from a northern dxer, but this time he was. the individual winner as well. Mr. L. M. Durbin’s effort was the best I have yet seen from any new mem-

ber (as regards the VK3 contest),. and his method. of reporting was © the equal of Mery. Branks’s, which ig the highest praise I can offer. I feel sure that all branches will congratulate Hawke’s Bay on their win. In the past two years they have been well in the running and this year they won in a canter. This year’s result proves very Cone clusively that the small branches have an equal or even a better chance than the larger ones and perhaps it may induce other small pranches to show a keener interest in this annual event. As will be seen, B. Goodger’s fine total had a great deal to do with the win for Hawke’s Bay, but each of his co-members did his bit.

The effort put forward by members of the once virile Manawatu branch was a very even one. Clemoes with a score of 10 points was best, but was run very close by Roy Morgan, whose score of 9 was commendable. That old war-horse J. P. C. scored 8 points, thus assisting his branch very materially. Southland’s is a real hard-luck story. With ai ilarge active strength, most of whom entered the contest, they actually beat themselves by the very fact of their large membership. In a few cases ‘the actual standard of reporting leaves much to be desired, which is rather surprising considering the coaching available. Mrs. Dowling put up « really good entry and it looks as though R. J. will shortly be taking a back seat in dxing also. Mrs. Brighton, notwithstanding her great handicap, Offered her usual good entry and scored (with Bob Thomas) third highest points. On the face of what the two women members accomplished, it appears to me that Southland requires more of the gentler sex. "Southlander" and "Stamps" Mac headed a very even list.

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GEORGE F. THOMPSON.