OFF THE AIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 129, 2 June 1934, Page 10

OFF THE AIR.

AUCKLAND B STATION

IZS SUSPENDS OPERATION

ANNOUNCEMENT TO-NIGHT.

IZS, second in power of Auckland's B class broadcasting stations, bids farewell to the listening public this evening. An announcement will be made at 7.30 p.m.

The station has been on the air sine;about five years ago, the firm of McCabe's Radios obtained a transmitting license for broadcasting purposes. It was one of the first, if not the first, to popularise "breakfast sessions" locally, and to act as a substitute for the Post and Telegraph Department's abandoned service by frequent announcements of the correct time. On September 1. 1933, IZS was sold to the late Mr. E. R. Bou-hcr, who controlled Radio Limited. He made application to the Department for permission to operate IZS on short wave, with the idea of "ivinji a service such as is provided by Amalgamated Wireless through their 'stations in Australia. If that application had been granted. Auckland would have had the only short-wave broadcasting service of this type in New Zealand, and the city would have been heard in the daytime throughout the whole of New Zealand and the South Sens. The Government, however, refined permission, and IZS continued its Original work on the broadcasting band. hi October last the studio and transmitter were transferred to the premises of Radio. Limited, in Commerce Buildings, where 1/S has since been operating on a power of 50 watts. Reasons for Decision. The transfer of ownership was undertaken prior to the ban placed upon this procedure last year, a ban which was waived in the case of the taking over of IZB from La Gloria by the "Friendly Road." Following the death of Mr. Boucher, 1/S paused Into the hand* of the now company controlling Radio Ltd., but this firm has found its busi ness expanding so rapidly that it requires the space jjiow occupied by studio and transmitting plant for other purpones. The station participated in providing sponsored programmes up till March HI, when the permission to broadcast these ceased, and consequently the opportunity for obtaining revenue for running expenses disappeared. These two factors, combined probably account for the decision of IZS to "go off the air, but owing to the absence from town of Mr. W. J. Truscott, managing director of Radio, Ltd., no official statement on the matter is obtainable.

Whether IZS will resume broadcasting at a later date depends upon whether the Post and Telegraph Department is notified that the station has decided to abandon its license. This, taken out on April 1, operates till March 31, 1035, but notice of its abandonment cancels it. No official intimation of sucli abandonment had been received at the Auckland radio inspector's oflice this morning. Listeners will naturally tune in IZS at 7.30 this evening to hear the oflieial announcement regarding the future of a station that has given an appreciated auxiliary service.

The other B stations in city and suburbs are IZB ("Friendly Road"), IZM (W. W. Rogers, Ltd.), and IZJ (Johns, Ltd.). The B station in Hamilton, IZH, is subsidised by the Broadcasting Board for relay work of IYA.