OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21975, 26 December 1936, Page 6

OVER THE AIR

MR CKESSY IN TOWN AGAIN fßy LISTENER! Some of you. with a memory for things that do not matter greatly, may remember Mr Randolph Creasy, the North Canterbury musterer, whose observations on broadcasting and other subjects appeared in this column in the November race week. Well. Mr Cressy is back again for Christmas With wool prices for the present season satisfactorily arranged, Mr Cressy thinks that he is entitled to another spell. The lure of protracted shopping riots associated inextricably with Christmas celebrations in British countries is one he cannot resist. “After all,” as Mr Cressy said to me when I discovered him one afternoon this week in Cashel street w*,h a box of lead soldiers in one hand and two crayfish in (he other, “beef, beer, and Christmas are among the greatest British institutions, My own preference is for the second, and I admit that Croats. Kurds, and Cingalese may celebrate Christmas if they wish, but I can’t see those congenitally cheerful Kurds ever being melons enough to make packhorses of themselves on Christmas eve as the supposed free-dom-loving Britisher is prepared to do. Christmas in British countries brings about just one more martyrdom of man,” I was impressed by this eloquence of Mr Cressy’s, but what interested me more was the curious lumber he carried. “Why the packhorse business yourself?" I asked, and I went on to enquire impolitely why he had soldiers and crayfish. “Oh. them little lead blighters,” he replied. “They’re the Royal Northumberland Light Infantry. I’m going to train them to be red-blooded St. Georges all on their own. The crays are the dragons they’ve got to fight, and if they can do anything about the dragons that chased me from my bed last night, so much the better.” It seemed from his condition that Mr Cressy might be able to give an enlightening discourse on the state of broadcasting in New Zealand, and with the idea of drawing him, on the subject I brought him home with me again. “I’ll come,” he said, “but it’s a long journey to make without food.” Then he mentioned that this was one of the weeks in which he observed liquid days for the good of his health and for the invigoration of his mind. With apparent satisfaction, he took a comfortable seat near my radio set and listened wistfully to a Caesar Franck sonata for a time. “This high-brow music is right enough in its way,” he said with the solemnity of a judge summing-up at a murder trial, “but I think they should have more of those talks by the diet expert who broadcasts from 3YA, although it seems to me a bit ridiculous that he should deliver his advice in the mornings when all the men are at work. I don’t believe it gives the men a fair go. Nervous women hear this chatter about lettuces, European politics, and heaven knows what else. The nervous ones get into panic, and then what happens? It’s taken out on the men. I knew a chap who didn’t get a decent meal for three weeks because of it. I don’t know who this expert is, but I’d like to have him out in a musterers’ hut for a week. He’d learn a bit about diet there. He’d have his pick between mutton and grass that the sheep had rejected.” After this I was called to the front door to play my part in a little affair which proves conclusively that Christmas is the season of goodwill. A friend of mine had come to pay me the five shillings he lost through wagering that Bradman would make more runs in one innings than the whole English team would be able to make in two. “I thought I’d pay it now so that you’d have the money to spend for Christmas,” he explained. When I returned to the room Mr Cressy was sitting in his chair looking pale and bewildered. My six-valve "Rake the Globe” set was silent. “I’ve had a shock,” said Mr Cressy. “I read somewhere that receiving sets should.face the Magnetic Pole to get the best reception. I twisted yours about for you and then I found that the wires had to be disconnected. I thought that by turning the nob everything would be all right. I’ve only just learned that I should have switched off at the light plug. The shock I got has clipped a couple of months off my life. That’s what comes of believing electrical old wives’ tales.” He meditated for a few seconds and then began again. “The last tipae I talked to you,” he said, “we discussed a few important radio matters and I think we had better look into the business a bit more. I know it’s got nothing to do with New Zealand, but I must say I’ve had a laugh or two out of the stuff that’s come across from Australia about the test cricket matches. Those talks in the evening make me wonder what would happen if something like the battle of Waterloo had to be described over the air. That Mr Gilligan is the only onp who will occasionally crack a joke about the game. The rest of them put Bradman and Allen on pretty much the same perch as Julius Caesar and Napoleon. • n “However, that’s a smalUJomt. When it comes to programmes T must say that often when I’ve been out riding on the ridges. I’ve wondered what changes this Professor Shelley is going to make. After all. a programme is a programme, and something has got to be provided for everybody. The cba P who likes Eb and Zeb pays the same fee as the one who wants to hear nothing but that Caesar Franck stuff. There are some, too, who like tnat dreary Mr Bach. How anybody can get fun out of hearing Bach run up and down scales beats me. but because I don’t like him I wouldn’t say that there should be no more Bach on the air I’m generous in that way, and I expect everybody to be just as generous to me. The Bach, fan might say that there should be no racing broad-, casts, but I like my racing and I’m entitled to have it if I let some Bach go by without a squeal. As far as I can see, there’s not much chance of changing programmes at all. It’s the sort of thing you can talk about a lot, but when it comes to the point you’re in much the same position as a woman changing the furniture and pictures in her drawing room. She talks a lot, twiddles a lot, but in the end everything is much the same. All that has happened is that a thing which stood in one corner has been changed to another. Programme reformers are like that. Give them control of things for a week, remind them that they are not catering for themselves alone, but for about 250,000 other people as well, and then see how they get on. Anyway, that’s what I think out on the ridges, and I don’t believe I’d be talking like this to you at all if I hadn’t got that electric shock. Great thing electricity—it clears one’s head.” Mr Cressy’s discourse was interrupted by a lecturette on the subject of Christmas in two hemispheres. He explained that he had spent two or three Christmases in the Northern Hemisphere about 20 years ago. and he had not seen a sign of a wait or a Christmas tree, and as for Santa Claus —well, ho had not shown up in person cn the Western Front. "What Christmas present would you like best from the National Broadcasting Service?” I asked.

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

“That's easy," ho replied. ‘Td like them to broadcast what was going to win races, not what had won them, and I’d like them to . . ■ Aw. it’s no good—they couldn t send liquid good cheer over the air.’’ BROADCASTING TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES 3VA. CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: Selected iccordings 11.0: Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 11.2 : Selected recordings. 12 noon: Progress reports of play m the Blanket Shield match, Auckland v. Canterbury. Lunch music. 2 p.m.; Summary of Plunket Shield match, Auckland v. Canterbury, at 4.0. 4.45 and 6.0. Selected Yccotdmss. 4.30, Sports ic suits. 5.0’. Children s hour. 0,0. Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7 30- Time signals. 7.35: Review ol day s plav in Plunket Shield cricket match, Auckland v. Canterbury 8.0; Chimes "Evening in Budapest." A musical play bv Viera Biro, daughter of the famous Hungarian playwright. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: “At the Sign of the Blue Kiwi.” A programme ot cabaret vaudeville. 10.0: Music mirth and melody. Alternative station, 3YL, 1200 kilocycles. 5 p.m,: Selected recordings. 7.0; After-dinner music. 8.0: Variety and vaudeville programme, 9.0: Symphonic programme. 10.0: Half an hour of light recitals. IYA, AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.; Breakfast session. 10.0. Devotional service, conducted by Adjutant Lord. 10.15: Selected recordings. 1115 (approx.); Running commentaries on Auckland Racing Club’s meeting, held at Ellerslie 1 p.m.; District week-end weather forecast. 3.15 and 4.30; Sports results. 5.0: Children's session, 60 Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30: Talk, the Gardening Expert. 8.0. Concert programme, "Eavesdropping m Radioland.” The Man in the Street has been eavesdropping in Radioland. 9.0. Weather report and station notices. 9.5. Ringside commentary on boxing match, relayed from the Town Hall. Contestants. Semi v. Leo Kelly. 10.0: (approx.): Sports summary. 10.10 (approx,): Old-time dance programme by Clarric Bruce and his Dance Band. Alternative station. IYX, 880 kilocycles. 5 p.m.; Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinnei music. o.U. Symphonic programme. 9.0; Old-time dance programme. 10.0 (approx,): At the Close of the Day”—variety programme. 2VA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.; Breakfast session, 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.30; Devotiona service. 11.0; Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 12 noon: Programme of miscellaneous recordings. This programme will be interrupted to permit ol summaries of the play in Shield game. Wellington v Otago. Sum maries will be broadcast J ust b ® for ® the luncheon adjournment, afternoon tea adjournment, and stumps. 43). Time signals from the Dominion Observatory! Sports results. .5.0: Children s session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0. News and reports. 7.30; Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 80 Theo Walters and his Personality Band. 8 30; “Eb and Zeb” the country storekeepers. 8.40: Charlie Kunz (piano). 8.46. The Four Aces (light vocal). 8352: Geraldo and his Romance in Rhythm Orchestra. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: “Sinbad the Waller.” A Christmas Frolic.” Devised by Will Bishop. 10.5: An hour with Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees. 11.5; ’Jazz Virtuosi.” Thirty minutes with Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. Alternative station, 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 5 p.m.: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Miscellaneous classical recital programme. 9.0: "In Order of Appearancc,” G. T. Pattman, Reginald Foort, Jesse Crawford. Terrence Casey. Popular organists entertain, with interludes by favourite vocalists. 10.0: Variety and vaudeville programme. 4YA, DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 9.0 a.m.; Breakfast session. 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.15: Devotional service. 12 noon; And, at intervals during the day, commentaries on the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting (relay from Wlngatui). 1 p.m.: District week-end weather forecast. 2.0; Selected recordings. 3.30; Sports results. .Classical music. 4.0: W'eather report and frost forecast. 4.45: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. "From the Provinces.” In this programme, listeners from various centres bring to the microphone their favourite musical items, and explain the reason for their preference. 9.0; Weather report and station notices. 9.5: A programme of modern dance music. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative station. 4YO, 1140 kilocycles. 5 p.m.; Selected recordings. 7.0; After-dinner music. 8.0; Variety and vaudeville programme. 9.0: Band programme, with dramatic and humorous interludes. 10.0: Comedy and light music. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND GSO, 19.76 metres; GSB, 31.55 metres. (New Zealand summer time.) 8.0 p.m.: Big Ben. Christmas Variety. Tommy Handley, Bod and Alf Pearson, McNaughton and Sutherland Felce. with Harry Bidgood and his Band. 8.31: The Leslie Bridgewater Quintet. Three Dances from Henry VIII. (Edtvard German). A Country Lilt (Leslie Bridgewater). Country Dance (Suite, As You Like It) (Roger Quilter). Tunes from The Dancing Master (arr. Bridgewater). Moorland Fiddlers (Arthur Wood). 9.0: Harry Hopeful's Party. In which old friends from the Yorkshire Dales, the Lakes. Cleveland, the Border, the Derbyshire Dales, and the Durham Dales will reunite round Wassail Bowl and Parson's Nose at Brough. By D. G. Bridson and Crawford McNair. 9.45: The news and announcements. 10.0: Close down. SUNDAY 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from St. Matthew's Anglican Church. Preacher. Rev. J. F. Feron, organist and choirmaster, Mr George E. Wilson. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.0: Recording; London Symphony Orchestra. 3.24: Selected recordings. 4.0: Time signals. 5.30' Children’s song service. 6,15: Selected recordings. 7.0; Relay of evening service from Trinity Congregational Church. Preacher, Rev. D. Gardner Miller, organist. Mr Hugh Lorimer, choirmaster, Mr W. J. Salkeld. 8.15: Selected recordings. 8.30; Thirty minutes of operatic selections. Recordings: Columbia Symphony Orchestra, grand" march from “Aida” (Verdi). 8.34: Miliza Korjus (soprano). 8.42: Boston Orchestra. intermezzo from "Cavallcrla Rusticana" (Mascagni). 8.45: Lawrence Tibbett (baritone). 8.54; Sir Hamilton Harty conducting the Kalle Orchestra. 9.0; Weather report and station notices. 9.5: “Mutiny on the Bounty,” a dramatic narrative of the sea based on the film version of the most famous Naval mutiny in history. Alternative station. 3YL. 6.0 p.m.; Musical programme. 8.30: A programme of light recitals. IYA. AUCKLAND 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Morning service, relayed from the West Street Church of Christ. Preacher, Pastor William Campbell. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0; Selected recordings. 3.30: Light musical recital. 6.0: Children’s song service. 7.0: Evening service, relayed from the Salvation Army Congress Hall. Preacher. Adjutant V. J. Dick, bandmaster. T, Paice. 8.30: Complete recorded presentation of “Rigoletto,” an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi. Alternative station. IYX. 6.0 p.m.: Light musical programme. 8.30; Band programme, with spoken and instrumental interludes. 2YA, WELLINGTON 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from Wesley Methodist Church, Taranaki street. Preacher, Rev. Percy Paris,’ organist and choirmaster. Mr H. Temple White. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Adolf Busch (violin) and Rudolph Sirkin (piano). Sonata in C Minor, Op 30, No. 2 (Beethoven). 2.26: Selected recordings. 3.0; Relay of recital from National War Memorial Carillon. 3.15; Selected recordings. 6.0: Children’s song service. 7.0; Relay of evening service from Vivian Street Baptist Church. Preacher Rev. L. J. Boulton-Smith, organist. Mr Charles Collins, choirmaster, Mr H. E Wilson. 8.30; A miscellaneous band

programme. Recordings; Band of H.M. Grenadier Guards. 8.40: Francis Russell, Parry Jones, Raymond Newell and Harry Dearth (vocal quartet). 8.46: Grand Massed Bands at Leicester Brass Band Festival, conducted by James Oliver. 8.52; Essie Ackland (contralto). ' 8.56; 8.8.C. Military Band. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Signor and Signora Marotta (basso and soprano) in a recital of works by Bellini. Quilter, Verdi and Pergolesl. Duetto and soli. 9.23; Recordings: Foden’s Motor Works Band. 9.29; Jan Zalski (tenor). 9.35: The Band of H.M. Coldstream Guards. 9.43: The Light Opera Company. 9.51; Wingate’s Temperence Band. 9.54: Jack Mackintosh and Harry Mortimer (cornet duet), with brass band accompaniment. 9.57: Massed Brass Bands (Foden’s Motor Works). Alternative station. 2YC. 6.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30; Light instrumental recital, with vocal and spoken Interludes. 4YA. DUNEDIN 9.0 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of service from Moray Place Congregational Church. Preacher. Professor S. F. Hunter. D.D.. organist, Mrs H. C. Campbell. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings.' 2.30; Josef Szigeti and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61 (Beethoven). 3.10; Selected recordings. 5.30; Children’s song service. 6.15: Selected recordings. 6.30: Relay of evening service from St. Andrew’s Street Church of Christ. Preacher, Pastor W. D. Moore, organist, Mr G. Hickey, choirmaster. Miss E. White. 7.45: Selected recordings. 8.30: Concert programme. Recordings: G. Thalben Ball (organ). 8.45: A recital by Sophie Braslau (contralto). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Arved Kurtz (celebrated violinist), with Leo Whittaker at the piano, presents “Faust Fantaise” (Wieniawsky). 9.25: The 8.8.C, Chorus. 9.37: Frederic Lamond (piano), “Feux Follets” (Liszt); Barcarolle in G Minor (Rubinstein). 9.45: Paul Robeson (bass), a recital of Negro spirituals. 9.54: The London Chamber Orchestra. Alternative station, 4YO. 6.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30: Grand opera recital. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND GSO, 19.76 metres: GSB, 31.55 metres. (New Zealand summer time.) 8.0 p.m.: Big Ben. Aston Villa v. Swantea Town. 8.22: The 8.8.C. Empire Orchestra; leader. Daniel Melsa; conducted by Clifton Helllwell. Overture, William Tell (Rossini). Three Dances (As You Like It): (1) Woodland Dance (2) Children’s Dance (3) Rustic Dance (Edward German). Petite Suite de Concert, Op. 77: (1) Le caprice de Nannette (2) Demande et reponse (3) Un sonnet d’amour (4) La tarantelle fretillante (Colerldge-Taylor). 9.0: Weekly newsletter, sports summary and announcements. 9.25; Musical interlude. 9.30; A religious service (Roman Catholic), from the studio. 10.5: Close down. OVERSEA RECEPTION NOTES (Supplied by the New Zealand DX Radio Association.) The following American stations arc now being received at good strength in Christchurch:—WJß, Detroit, Michigan, 750 kilocycles, 50,000 watts; XEPN, Piedras Negras, Mexico, 730 kilocycles, 50,000 watts; WWJ, Detroit, Michigan. 920 kilocycles, 1000 watts; WTAM, Cleveland. Ohio. 1070 kilocycles, 50.000 watts; WJJD. Chicago, Illinois, 1130 kilocycles, 20,000 watts; WWVA, Wheeling, West Virginia, 1160 kilocycles, 5000 watts; KRNT, Des Moines, lowa, 1320 kilocycles, 500 watts (all from 11 p.m.). New stations now operating are;— KLAH, Carlsbad, New Mexico, 1210 kilocycles: WPRA, Mayaguez, Porto Rico, 1370 kilocycles; KOVC, Valley City, North Dakota, 1500 kilocycles; WEAU, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 1050 kilocycles; 3LK, Lubeck, Victoria, 1090 kilocycles. 2000 watts. Is operating in place of 3HS, Horsham, which will close down. 3LK will relay LDB, Melbourne. Special DX programmes will be broadcast to-day as follows;—WCSC, Charleston, South Carolina, 1360 kilocycles, 1000 watts, 7 to 7.30 p.m. WTRC, Elkhart, Indiana, 1310 kilocycles, 100 watts, 11 p.m. to midnight, and tomorrow from KWSC, Pullman, Washington, 1220 kilocycles, 1000 watts, 8 p.m. to midnight, and CFLC, Prescott, Ontario, 930 kilocycles, 100 watts, from 11 p.m.