BROADCAST FROM AMERICA.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20308, 6 August 1931, Page 16

BROADCAST FROM AMERICA.

SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR j DOMINION. A .TuOftb, interesting xobroadcast of ft programme from tho United States, dedicated .especially- to New Zealand, was undertaken last evening by Stations IYA, Auckland, arid 3YA, Christchurcli, and met with very fair success. The Crossley Radio Corporation, of Ohio, U.S.A., through its short-wave station, WBXAL, Cincinnati, transmitted a special programme of typical American music and entertainment for the benefit of New Zealand listeners, and though atmospherics were troublesome the rebroadcast wan carried out satisfactorily, improving considerably as the hour grew late. The rebroadcast began in the middle of the overture from the American station, which, though distorted and interrupted at first, ended fairly clearly, and with good volume. .Atmospherics were bad, as it was a clear, frosty night, but the music of "Tho Light Cavalry Overture" could bo heard well enough. The first announcement, "This is short-wave station "WBXAL,, owned by tho Crossley Radio Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United Stateß of America, broadcasting a special programme dedicated to Stations IYA and 3YA, of the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand," then came through and was followed by items by "The Southern Singers," but all that could be heard were occasional snatches of traditional ' Mississippi melody sung in negro dialect. Atmospherics and howling valve interference! were bad, but the Southern Singers' second item came through fairly well. Other items were given by an orchestra or band, and by two singing comedians, who referred frequently but indistinctly to "Noo Zealand.'' They could-be heard singing, "1 Lift up My Finger and Say 'Tweet, Tweet',' amid impromptu tweet, tweets" from the atmospherics and bowling, valves. A few words on American musio were spoken by the announcer, and were followed by examples" of Indian folk music, negro folk music, and of the earliest types of European music introduced by the pioneers into the States. The announcements began to come through more clearly and by about eleven o'clock, when the rebroadcast had been in progress about threequarters of an hour, the transmission had greatly improved and for minutes at a time was practically uninterrupted. . rebroadcast continued with varying success until towards midnight, and at each break the announcer sent greetings to New Zealand listeners.-