GIVING THE NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 270, 14 November 1928, Page 8

GIVING THE NEWS.

"TALKER "AND SCREEN

PROGRESS OF THE POLLS

COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS

BY "STAR."

QUICK SERVICE IN FORT ST.

HOW THE RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED. Complete and elaborate preparations have been made by the "Star" to supply the people of Auckland with a rapid and comprehensive service, giving all the details of the electoral and licensing polls throughout the Dominion. A wonderfully quick service was provided by the "Star" in 1925, when the progress and final returns were announced to a dense crowd in Fort and Commerce Streets, but it is anticipated that tonight's service will be even more rapid and successful. No expense has been spared in arranging the service, which will commence as soon after seven o'clock as the results begin to arrive. In addition to results, there will be screened a wide range of pictures and cartoons, illustrative of the progress of the poll. Hnudreds of photographs and cartoons have been prepared for the edification of the crowd, preparations for to-night's display having been com- j menced many weeks ago.

Radio, telegraph, telephone and an army of message boys will be used in obtaining the results. Some 500 workers will be devoting their efforts to the success of the "Star's" service, special agents having been appointed throughout the Dominion to rush the latest news to the big screen which has been set up in Fort Street.

Immediately on receipt of progress and final returns the figures will be announced to the crowd in Fort and Commerce Streets through a set of loud speakers on the "Star" building. These amplifiers are of the latest pattern and are of extraordinary strength. An exhaustive test was made last night. It was found that the announcer's voice could be heard in Customs Street and round the corner of Fort Street, out of sight of the screen. Indeed, it should be easier to hear the announcer to-night than the person at one's elbow. A crowd would, have to cheer mighty loudly to drown the giant voice which will issue i from the funnel.

Verbal announcements through the amplifier will be practically simultaneous with the receipt of returns at the "Star" office. A skilled staff, equipped with mechanical calculators, will handle all results with the utmost dispatch, and but a few seconds will elapse between the receipt of telegrams and the verbal announcemnt..

Following the spoken advice the return ™ b® flashed on to the big screen in bold letters. A system has been devised whereby it is unnecessary to prepare lantern slides of glass, typewritten gelatine slips having superseded the oldfashioned method. Last night's try-out proved that the names and figures will be readable even to those on the fringe of the crowd in Customs Street.

Fort and Commerce Streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 7 p.m., so that the vast crowd watching the progress of the polls will be able to read and listen in comfort.

Local candidates will address the crowd through amplifiers at nine o'clock, or as soon after as convenient. Arrangements have been made whereby they may stand in an- open window, in full view of the people, and speak into the amplifiers. At the last general election the speeches of successful candidates from the windows of the "Star" were much appreciated features of t*ie proceedings.