OVER THE AERIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1936, Page 14

OVER THE AERIAL.

RADIO NOTES. . FROM FAR AND NEAR. . .(By TUNE-IN.) Boake Carter, who delivered a eulogy of the late King George over the Columbia (U.S.A.) circuit, is reported t:> have received over 100,000 letters asking for copies of his talk. A listener has, been amusing himself at nights lately by tuning in to the American police stations broadcasting at intervals. On one night, he states, there were 30 motor accidents reported in Los Angeles in an hour. These police stations operate at the low end of the dial, about 1700 kilocycles, but cannot be heard on most standard sets, which tune down to only 1000 kilocycles. The Australian Broadcasting Commission did not iet any grass grow under Howard Jacobs' feet. The Englishman did not reach Melbourne until April 22 and the first broadcast of the national dance band went on the air nine days later. The band comprises musicians from all over Australia, the instruments comprising three violins, four saxophones, three trumpets, two trombones, guitar, double bass, piano and tympani a total of sixteen.

There is no doubt that B stations are immensely popular with listeners. Last week, when IZJ resumed transmission after being temporarily off the air since the imposition of the ban on recordings, the announcer asked listeners to kindly forward reports oil the quality of the transmission. So many messages were sent that the officer in charge of the automatic telephone exchange was compelled to telephone the station manager and request him to ask listeners not to dial the station's number. Although three trunk lines were provided the telephone system was completely disorganised because so many calls were being put through.

Another well-known radio personality joined the staff of the Friendly Road' station, IZB last week. He was Mr. Steve Parker, formerly announcer at 4ZM, Dunodin. Mr. Parker has often been called "New Zealand's Bing Crosby," because his voice is so like that of the well-known film and radio star. So we may expect to hear a real live crooner from tliis station. Mr. Parker is to have control of the new breakfast sessions to be introduced at IZB, starting on May 19, when the station resumes .after its temporary close-down. The new breakfast sessions are to be from G. 30 to S a.m., daily except Sunday. Listeners will then have an alternative breakfast session.

•A fine programme was presented from IZM last night by the Bill Hindman Radio Sports Club. From 7.15 until eight o'clock, Mr. Hindman, the sports announcer, was busy replying to correspondence received from all over the Dominion. The concert programme, which included dance numbers by Dave O'Malley's Radiant Revellers and humorous monologues by Vic. Mnrdoek, was interspersed with.an interesting talk on the -Olympic Games by Mr. Victor Hugo and a chat by the Australian champion boxer; Cyril Pluto: The station's telephone was kept particularly busy last night when many listeners signed up as members of this club. During the week 1728 new members and 12 sports clubs joined/ bringing the total to 10,194 members and 126 clubs affiliated.

An interesting, departure is to be made at IZM, Manurewa, next month, when a series of debates on subjects of topical concerm to ,tli"6v»public will be broadcast. These debates have been arranged by Mr. Kenneth H. Melvin, and will be of a more or less controversial nature. The first debate ■is scheduled for the first week in Jiflie: on the subject of the censorship of, films and literature. The debates will occupy an hour of the. station's time once every fortnight, and the debaters, although anonymous, will be well known citizens of Auckland. The judges of these debates will be the listeners,' wjio will be invited to send in their opinions of the respective merits of the protagonists on each side.

I, ■ IZB's transmitter lias been given a thorough overhaul under the expert supervision of Mr. John Stannage, the Friendly. Road station's technical expert, and on Sunday night at 8 o'clock the '■'•voice" of this ptation will be again 'heard. Sunday night's broadcast is to be in the nature of a test broadcast of one hour's duration. Testing will also be carried out on the following two or three week nights between 7 and 8 o'clock. As soon as the technical men pronounce themselves satisfied with the transmissions. the station is to resume its regular schedule probably on Wednesday or Thursday.

FROM IYA NEXT WEEK. Sunday—9.o a.m., selected recordings; 11.0, relay ofiservice from the Salvation Army,; . Newton'' Corps; 1.0 to 2.0- p.m., dinner music; 2.0 to 4.30," featuring-, at 2.0 "The Concert Hall or the Air," and at 3.30, Delius' Viola Sonata, by Lionel TertiS (viola) and George Reeve (piano); 7.0, relay or service i'rom the Pitt Street Methodist Church; 8.30, concert by the Auckland Municipal Band, relayed rrom the Town Hall. Monday—7.3o p.m., agricultural talk by Mr. H. G. Holford, "Modern Views On Pasture Management"; 8.0, concert programme featuring radio sketches and recordings; 10.0 to 11.0, music, mirth and melody session. Tuesday—Concert programme including usual serial reatures and Items b.v the string orchestra, also "The Easy Chair, a memory programme or songs and melodies or days gone by; 9.5, talk by Mr. H. G. Bell on "World AlTalrs"; 9.20, dance music from the studio by Norman Volkner and his internationals, interspersed with recordings, the station closing 11.0. Wednesday—l2.3o p.m., community singing, relayed from His Majesty's Theatre; 8.0, chamber music hour, featur-ing-Trevor De dive Lowe, violoncello, and Leo Whittaker, piano, presenting Beethoven's "Sonata for Violoncello and Piano"; and recordings by the Busch Quartet, and songs hy Robert Simmers, baritone; 9.5, taik hy Agnes Stops, or the Women's institute, "Farewell impressions or New Zealand"; 10.0 to 11.0, music, mirth and melody session. Thursday—l2.3o, relay of mid-week service rrom St. Matthew's Church; 7.30, recorded talk on "The Maori Language," by Mr. W. W. Bird, M.A. (final talk or the series: 8.0, continuity hour, teaturing "They're Off," a romance or the blue ribbon or the turf, the English Derby; 9.20 to 10.0, "Scots Wha Hae," a programme or pipe band music; 10.0 to 11.0, dance music. Friday—7.3o p.m., sports talk by Gordon Mutter; 8.0, concert programme, reaturing Blna Addy, the Indian mezzo-con-t'ralto, and including recordings by famous orchestras; 10.0 to ll.n, music, mirth and melody. Saturday—3.ls p.m., commentary on Rugby football match from Eden Park; 7.30," talk by the gardening expert, "The Development or the Garden"; 8.0, concert programme, reaturing Bina Addy, Indian mezzo-soprano, and Sydney MacEwan, tenor, and Duncan Morison, pianist, in hair an hour or Scottish and Gaelic music; 9.5, recorded feature, "The Radio Night Club," a programme or cabaret vaudeville; 10.10 to 11.15 p.m., dance music.