AN ALMOST CONTINUOUS SERVICE

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20648, 10 September 1932, Page 6

AN ALMOST CONTINUOUS SERVICE

When schemes of comprehensive radio broadcasting were embarked upon by the older countries of the world, an entirely new field was entered, bristling with problems and difficulties. As experience was gained, faults were eliminated and improvements were instituted, and by a gradual but sure progress, the services were brought up to a high standard of efficiency. New Zealand, therefore, was able to draw upon a fund of valuable experience when taking her place in the broadcasting world, and the Dominion has kept steadily in view an aim to establish a service as nearly as possible suited to her peculiar conditions and requirements. The services have been improved from time to time, and in February last a Broadcast Coverage Commission, consist-

ing of Mr A. Gibbs (Chief Telegraph Engineer of the Post and Telegraph Department) and Dr. M. A. F. Barnett (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research), was set up to make a comprehensive report on coverage. As a result of the Commission's work, longer hours are to be observed by the stations, and from Monday next, a continuous service will be maintained at Station 3YA, Christchurch, the "silent day," Tuesday, having been abolished. The Commission has also investigated programme development, ' with the result that a number of changes are to be made, the most notable being the introduction of a short devotional service to commence each day's work, with the exception of Saturday and Sunday.

At IYA ami 3YA the services will commence at 10 a.m., at 4YA at 10.13 a.m., and at 2YA at 10.30 a.m. These services will be, conducted by ministers of different denominations each day, and will be similar to "the usual church service, and will open with a reading, followed by a short talk, concluding with sacred music. Such services were greatly appreciated in England and Australia, said the 3YA station director (Mr J. Mackenzie) to a Press reporter yesterday, and should prove a popular innovation. Lighter Type of Entertainment. "The tendency' of the new programmes is to have a lighter type" of entertainment," Mr Mackenzie said, j "since this appears to be the public demand." Generally speaking, the additional hours will be taken up with gramophone recordings, interspersed with talks and lecturettes on a variety

oC . subjects such as travel, cooking, art and fashion, hints. The present staff will bo increased by the addition of aq announcer and sin operator. The New Hoiits. The hours for the future will be as follows: — Monday, 10 • a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. , "Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.ou to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to ll p,*n,. Saturday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.; 5.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday will, therefore, be the only day on whioh there will be any break in the service. . ,