OVER THE AERIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 70, 23 March 1934, Page 12

OVER THE AERIAL.

RADIO NOTES.

FROM FAR AND NEAR.

(By PHONOS.)

IYA will come 011 the air at 9 a.m. on Good Friday, closing down from 3 to 0 p.m. and then remaining on the air till 11 p.m. IYX will observe the usual 0 to 10 p.m. hours, as will the other auxiliary "Y" stations.

On Saturday of next week "A Country Girl" will be relayed from His Majesty's Theatre, where it is to be presented ; by the J. C. Williamson Comic Opera Company.

Has the death-knell of the B stations in New Zealand been sounded as the result of last year's regulations? Many writers throughout the Dominion have been speculating on this question during tlio past week, and discussing the assumed resources behind the 20 stations which work quite independently of assistance from license fees. The general opinion is that some of the B's will find it difficult to carry on after this month unless the listening pviblic becomes , sufficiently concerned about their welfare to provide their financial life blood. So the period of existence will inevitably vary with the extent to which a station can maintain its grip on public approval. This, in its way, is hard on the B stations and those who pioneered their efforts, but, on the other hand, it gives them an incentive to struggle for continued popularity in the face of many hurdles, not the lcatst of which are patent royalties and performing rights demands.

Overseas reception on the broadcast band also lias shown a dccided improvement this week, which has proved a splendid one for those whese obsession is "distance."' Several American transmitters can now be picked up at good strength in the early evening. Next month our clocks will be altered, and Australian stations will come in half an hour earlier, but, as the YA's are now 011 the air till 11 p.m., this will not be very encouraging to those who think 2FC the best of them all.

The writer has given almost nightly attention to the short-wave broadcasts from Daventry, but never has he heard any of these to better advantage than 011 Tuesday night, when GSB came in with the volume of a local, and provided recorded music almost completely free from distortion. The progress that has been made with the transmission from the Empire station indicates that before long experiments will prove that British programmes can reach us with a quality and volume that will make them thoroughly enjoyable. Then perhaps there will come a boom in shortwave sets.

Listeners to IYX on Monday night must have been surprised to hear a new voice describing boxing from the ringside. And there was 110 mistaking his nationality cither. The-way in which he pronounced "McLachlan" must have been a delight to true Scots. The Auckland Boxing Association had granted permission for the broadcast of their tournament provided the account was given by one of their own members, and ** a result Mr. J. O'Hara made a iirst appearance before the microphone as a reeounter ut a sports event. How well he succeeded with the task may be judged from the criticism of a keen follower of boxing, who, quite unaware of the identity of the announcer, declared that it was the best ringside description lie had heard in New Zealand. Certainly the lights were easy to visualise from the uecounts which came over the air.

Listeners will no doubt evince considerable interest in a general meetinpr convened by the United Listeners' Club for Monday next in Unity Hall. The order paper lists the following important topics for discussion:—That the time has arrived for a reductu 1 in license, fees; the consideration of whether the Broadcasting Board should permit B stations to continue sponsored programmes (this, by the way, is a policy for the Government, not for the board); to voice members' objections to recent regulations changing the frequency of broadcasts, and the handicaps thus placed oil owners of sets; to request higher standard of programmes; to urge listeners' representation on the Broadcasting Board. Here is enough material to give listeners furiously to 'think. There should be an interesting discussion, from which the board may get a line upon the views of Auckland license holders.

Radio interests in Auckland have suffered a severe loss through the death of Mr. E. R. Boucher. He had built up one of the largest, if not the largest radio manufacturing business in New Zealand, a concern which had grown from very small beginnings to one employing over 100 hands, and which was an outstanding example of the development of a secondary industry. In addidtion he had taken an active interest in local broadcasting, and, only a few months before the fatal crash near Wellington, had given station IZS a new lease of life as an important unit in Auckland's broadcasting service. The sympathy of all listeners who had come into personal contact with the late Mr. Boucher will go out to his widow and family.

KFT, now lost to most Auckland listeners, has promised to broadcast .1 special Easter programme for New Zealand listeners. Many of the latter are concerned about hearing it, and wonder whether IYA will attempt a rebroadcast. There is as yet no pronouncement of the board's intentions, but it would be well advised to indicate that there will be a rebroadcast if conditions are favourable, for quite a large number of listeners are convinced, rightly or wrongly, that the board's policy is to discredit overseas programmes in the effort 'to make subscribers concentrate on New Zealand offerings. It seems an unusual view, but it persists and may be confirmed in many minds.

FROM 1 Yfl NEXT WEEK. Sunday, il.o, service rrom Epsorn Presbyterian Church; 7.0, service from Baptist Tabernacle; 8.30, recorded presentation of "Carmen." Monday (to IZH), 8.0 and subsequently, the orchestra; 8.11, theme programme, "Chiefly Contests"; 0.2, A. M. Richards, "Off the Beaten Track in Many Lands"; 9.26, Barend Harris (baritone); 10.1, recordings old and new. Tuesday (to IZH), 8.0, recocded programme; 10.0, dance music. Wednesday, 8.18, Mina Cqldow (contralto); 8.20, Lalla Ilemus and Dora Judson ('cello and piano); 0.2, Alan Mulgan, "World Affairs"; 9.30, dance music. Thursday (to IZH), 8.10, the Malsle ( e-Lloyd Players in "Legend"; 9.2, Ma:, il Walker, "The Ancient Game or Bowl ; 10.0, recordings, Illustrating music, ln.ith and melody; 10.30, dance music. -Friday, 9 a.m., recordings; 10.30, Baptist Tabernacle Service; 12.0>, service from St. Mary's; 3.0, close down;' 6.0, dinner music; 7.30, service rrom Beresford Street Congregational Church; 8.30, programme by the orchestra, Patrician McLeod and recorded artists till 11.0. Saturday, 11.4 5, rrom Ellerslie Racecourse; 8.0, "A Country Girl," relay fronts His Majesty's.