THE MAGIC SPARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1925, Page 8

THE MAGIC SPARK.

THE RECENT BALLOT. BRITISH BROADCASTING. TWO STATIONS ONI.T. (By '-PHONOS.") A number of local amateur transmitters are arranging to foregather with several of the wireless experts of the American fleet during next weeks visit, when the wireless men of the navy will be entertained at a social function. The Auckland Radio Association has decided, as the representative body for local listeners-in, to make an emphatic protest to the authorities at Wellington against the continued use of spark transmission at V.L.D. This interference could be inexpensively obviated, as it has been in the south, and local licensees have every justification for asking for the installation of LC.W. transmission. "Aerial." in the "Dominion."' has the following comment upon recent broadcastings from our local station: "The Auckland station has been focussed upon by the writer on various occasions during the past vreek. It still lacks its former strength, but the tone is quite commendable. The falling off in strength, of course, made the fading more noticeable than formerly/ 4Q.0.. the Queensland Government broadcasting station at Brisbane, came on the air last week with a temporary plant, transmitting on a wave of 380 meters. At present only 500 watts is being used, but the full power of 5000 will be employed when the station gets unto full working swing in December. Mr. A. H. Smith, of Cape Runaway, East Coast, reports several good receptions of X.0.A., Denver, Colorado. This station. advises that it has received appreciations of reception from five New Zealanders. "What we cannot understand about radio is how the static knows that you have company that night."—New York exchange. Mr. Henry Ford maintains the largest private radio system in the United States. His station at Dearborn is in constant communication with six of his plants and his four hike ships. Communicating in private code, Ford is able to save thousands yearly. In each of his stations is installed electric typewriters which transmit the messages to other reproducing typewriters in the various departments of the plants. Mr. Salt's Election. Congratulations to Mr. G. Salt on the most emphatic endorsement which his candidature for a seat on the Broadcasting Board has received. Southern papers comment favourably on his election, pointing out that neither of the other two candidates had the scientific and technical claims that the elected representative possesses. Mr. Salt has more. He has the welfare of the lis-tener-in keenly at heart, and has devoted much time and enthusiasm to the interests of the latter. The fact that he polled about two-thirds of the votes cast and over fifty per cent of the eligible total, places Mr. Salt in a position to speak with decided authority on behalf of radio licensees, and there is no doubt that he will do so, freely and decidedly, when occasion requires. With the board now constituted, with, a broadcasting company under ■way. and with the promise of adequate broadcasting in full swing by February next, increased interest in radio can be confidently anticipated throughout the Dominion.

Two-station Comment.

It is only natural that, when the original proposals outlined a 500-watt station for each of the four centres, the interested people of Wellington and Dunedin ehould express disappointment at the rearrangement which provides for the establishment of but two such stations, for the commencement of the scheme. Apparently considerations of finance have resulted in this decision. It will certainly be some time before revenue will support more than two New Zealand broadcasting stations. At a matter of fact, the present revenue from licensees will not suffice even to run two stations on up-to-date lines. Were the Dominion in the same position as New South Wales or Victoria, where one high-power station could satisfactorily serve the whole State, then the establishment of one such station at Wellington would have been the most sensible course to pursue. This, however, would not have been approved of in the South Island, and the present halving of the original scheme will demonstrate to what extent radio will develop in New Zealand, and will ensure a service that will not be starved at the outset for want of finance. Whether the Broadcasting Company will continue the present service at Wellington and Dunedin appears doubtful. The fate of IV.A. also seems uncertain, for, according to southern reports, the new company has cabled to the same firm that supplied our automatic telephones for the transmitting plants for Auckland and Christchurch. Evolution of the Broadcast Programme. When broadcasting commenced in Britain the very novelty of it appealed to the listener and the veriest "tripe" passed muster so far as entertainment went. But as the novelty wore off the fans became more critical, and did not accept with relish anything put before them. By this time many stock items, such as: "For You Alone," and "Mighty Lak' a Rose,"' had been played °and sung until even the announcers broadcast them in a bored voice. New fields were explored, and for a time all again went well, with the old favourites filling in the gaps, uutil about six months ago, when the quality of the programmes had deteriorated and continued to remain at low ebb. Consequently, at the present time, the programme is again at the "tripe" stage, but of the highbrow variety, and the only listeners who are catered for are the disciples of Mozart. Brahms, Beethoven, etc. Even these are not satisfied, as they view syncopated music with scorn. In fact, they not only veto any proposed extension of the jazz section of the programme, but strongly object to its being there at all.