OVER the AERIAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 162, 11 July 1930, Page 19

OVER the AERIAL

(By "PHONOS.")

Eadio exhibitions in New Zealand are again the fashion. Last week one was held in Christchurch, and on July; 16 another opens in "Wellington. The majority of listeners on Tuesday, however, will probably prefer to tune in 2YA, which is broadcasting its heralded feature, "Hawaiki Calling." This is being relayed to 3YA and 4YA, but not northwards. In Melbourne Stations 3LO and 3AR pay a sum of £300 annually to the M.C.C. for the privilege of broadcasting cricket descriptions from the club's ground. In New Zealand such privileges are accorded gratis. Winter Show items will figure on IYA programmes for the next few days. The dramatic sketch, "A Ghost Story," will be presented at IYA on Tuesday night. Its title alone is suggestive of thrills and the item shoiild provide diversity in what is too often a very "heavy" night. According to the "Record" a proposal for the establishment of relay stations at various points throughout the Dominion was submitted to the Government nearly two years ago. The proposal contained full details of what could be undertaken, but unfortunately for listeners throughout the land they have not been taken into the confidence of either Broadcasting Company or Government. We remember, however, a promise of the PostmasterGeneral that before any important steps were taken in regard to future radio policy listeners would be fully consulted.

The radiation from a single flash of lightning is thousands of times as strong as that from a high-powered broadcasting station. Thus it can be understood why the effects of flashes are heard over such wide areas. as static, and the problem of its elimination can be understood by the layman to be a herculean one. The recounting of last Saturday's game at Christchurch was excellently done. Description was most distinct and vivid, players were well individualised, and listeners could obtain a thorough grasp of football movements occurring hundreds of miles away. The announcer certainly knew how to handle his task and deserves warmest congratulations. The contrast to the description of the first Test was most marked.

There will be no broadcasts of the Music Week concerts to be given in the Town Hall next month. Permission was "iven for broadcasting under conditions to which the Broadcasting Company could not agree, though what these conditions were its official organ does not state. It was only natural to conclude that the Music Week concerts would not be on the air, since one of the declared aims of some of the promoters was the counteracting of the influence of gramophone and broadcasting upon music as enjoyed b"y personal contact between performer and audience. As lYa will not Dβ handling the special concerts the station is undertaking a Music Week on its own, with special features promised.

A LISTENER'S COMPLAINT. Dear '-'Phonos/'— Why is it that from IYA we get so many religious ceremonies broadcasted on Sunday afternoons. I often look forward to the Sunday afternoon gramophone music and am frequently disappointed. Why inflict these functions on listeners ■so often? A certain amount would be quite all right. Eut last Sunday week we had four hours' broadcasting of religious matter andbarely an hour devoted to musical numbers. My point is that we are getting •too much of it. One record was played between 4.25 and 4.30 and the station closed down. At 6 p.m. we had the usualchildren's song service conducted by the Rev. Lionel Fletcher, who cut off at 6.50 and then went to his own church. We had the same speaker again, and more hymn singing until a few minutes after 8.30. All that we got in the way of music were a few items from 5.40 until 9.30. Does any other station in Australasia treat its listeners so? This condition is another example where control from Christchurch fails lamentably in considering local needs. One more complaint about IYA. I notice recently that during the dinner music session we are getting the same old records night after night. Could we not get a few new ones? —"1.W.G." (one who's disgusted).

FROM SYDNEY NEXT WEEK. Sunday.—2FC.: 9.30, a relay of' a concert programme from the State Theatre, with Senia Chostiakoff, Russian tenor, as principal vocalist. 2BL: Relay programme for 3AR. and SCL, from the studio. Monday.—2FC: 9.30, relay concert, with items by Charles Lawrence.. Hilda Lane, Arthur Helmsley and Harry Croot; 0.45 (Tuesday), scores and details, Third Test. 2BL: 10.30, wrestliiig description; 11.55, cricket scores in third Test. Tuesday.—2FC: Old-time dance night; 0.45, cricket Test scores and description to luncheon adjournment. 2BL: 9.30, Sydney Madrigal Society's concert from the Conservatorimn. Wednesday.—2BL and 2FC: Studio programmes. Thursday.—2FC: 9.30, t( Little Nelly Kelly," relayed from Little Theatre, Sydney. 2BL:" 9.30, the A.B.C. Vocal and Instrumental Quartets in half an hour of bright music. Friday.—2FC: 9.30, studio programme; 10.50, relay from 3LO. 2BL: 10.34, "The Story of the Marseillaise/' a specially written musical presentation. Saturday.—2FC:-9.30, the Professional Musicians' concert again. 2BL: 9.30, variety items; 10.0, boxing relay. . ;

WIRELESS NEWS FROM FAR AND NEAR.

DEFINITE SUGGESTIONS Some, if not all, of our New Zealand stations have been coming in for adverse criticism of late, and 2YA, the biggest of them all, has not escaped eomc very frank comments upon its performances. As the Broadcasting Company stresses the point that it welcomes constructive criticism, it should be very grateful for the definite improvements which a Wellington writer suggests _a 6 possible for the station in his district. Though they cover only a certain Tange, they are worth printing: — (a) Quartet parties, mixed or male only, whose voices blend, whose > balance and pitch are good, and who can give pleasure by correct interpretation. (b) Vocalists of merit who can not only sing in tune, but give pleasing interpretations. (e) Vocal duets, trioe, and. a sextet occasionally. (d{ Good solo instrumentalists. There are plenty of violinists, eornetists 'cellists and pianists. (e) More care in the selection of items for broadcast. (f) Increased remuneration to artiste, 60 that only the best will be broadcast. (g) Cut out as far as possible repetition of items, as, for instance, one artiet broadcasting "I Hear You Calling Me" on Saturday evening and another on Sunday. (h) All items to be fully rehearsed, free from mistakes, and fit f<sr broadcasting.

(j) Eliminate all noises during elocutionary efforts, such as rehearsals of orchestral items and snatches of conversation. (k) All records to be allowed to finish before being taken off, and all programmes to be strictly, adhered to. (1) Eliminate interference by announcer during the playing of records at dinner sessions. (m) Better and more pleasing transmission. A remedy has been suggested. Try it out. In the interests of the Radio Exhibition in Wellington, 2YA will abandon its silent night on Wednesday next.