STATION 3YA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18924, 12 February 1927, Page 16

STATION 3YA.

NEW STUDIO OPENED. "ORGANISED RADIO SERVICE." Musical, chimes and a peal commenced the programme of radio at Station 3YA. Christehurch, which was opened last evening by the Hon. Mr Xosworthy, Postmaster-General. \ large number of visitors were present, and Derry's Hand and other entertainers provided a pleasing programme of music. Mr Nosworthv said .thai that night we were passing the second milestone of the Dominion's progress in the broadcasting branch of radio science, and he hoped that before many more imni'.hs had passed we should reach the third stage with the completion of the larger station proposed for Wellington. The fine new station would be doubly welcome. The electrical plant and the studio equipment were the most up-to-date obtainable. Since the Auckland station had been opened, radio in this country had made vapid strides, the most striking advance beiuir the increase, during the short time that had elapsed, in the number of licensees. There were then only 4000. To-day there were 16,000. On a population basis, this represented an approximate increase of from one in 300 to one in 80. Hundreds of applications were still pouring in. Unfor-t-.nately, the remarkable growth had broucht in its train an aggravation of the howling valvo nuisance. A phase of broadcasting that would receive n great deal of notice in the near future was tho rebroudcasting of programmes. There was at present po station in tho Old Country of sufficient power to carry out this work: but, when one was erected it would give us our most intimate bond of communication and interest with tho Homeland, and prevent broadcasting from becoming the medium of the un-liritish inllui'iieu for which tho film industry had unfortunately provided a vehicle.

The Minister then declared the station officially open. A Growing influence. Mr T>. G. Sullivan, M.P., who took the plnco of the Mnvor (Mr J. K. Archer), congratulated tho companion the completion of the building, which ho said was n credit to the City. Ho was certain wo were on the line of great developments in radio, and he could foresee the day when evcrv home would have its sot. This would ultimately result in a universal language ami human-brotherhood. Bishon West-Watson said ho believed that radio was Roing to be n big factor in tho Years to come. Already it w(\£ having a big effeet on counter lifo'-'nt TTonie. and he hoped that it would check the tendency of peoolo to drift to tho towns. Radio would fill tunny a gap, and would he of groat service to the Church. There was n magnetism in the personal presence, and radio should not. result in a derrease in church congregations. Mr J. M. Prentice (chief announcer) said that a messago from Mr J, R. Smith (Wellington) wan to the effect that the station was being received considerably better than previously, and the Hon. Mr Nosworthy's address hail boon hoard very well. Auckland had announced that transmission was weak nt first, but later improved, and Bkhop West-Watson's snoech was heard excellently. Napier had received tho ceremony well, but nt Mastcrton it was not so good. Programmes suitable to evervhody would be broadcast by the station.