STRAY SPARKS

Evening Star, Issue 21689, 7 April 1934, Page 4

STRAY SPARKS

On Monday evening the ,J. C. Williamson New Comic Opera Company’s presentation of ‘ Katinka ’ is to be relayed by IYA, Auckland.

Some little time ago it was practically. impossible to hear 3ZM. Christchurch, programmes in Amberley, but now the . Radio Institute ,of New Zealand has received letters from as far as Auckland commenting very favourably upon the piogrammes and the escelfence of their reception

Out of a total of 2,000, about ninety members were present at a meeting of tlie United Listeners’ ‘Club at Auckland last week, a member of the executive remarking that the apathy shown Was regrettable. A motion pressing for s reduction in the annual license fee was carried unanimously.; Another motion urging the Government to reconsider the question of 'sponsored pro grammes was carried unanimously, and it was further decided to take steps to obtain a plebiscite throughout New Zealand on the same question. * ♦ *, v ♦ At the Sydney, radio exhibition a good deal of interest was aroused by the “ pashometer.” an instrument Said to measure one’s sex appeal, itt comprised two powerful electric lamps in front of which inquirers stood. An electric meter measured -60. 70., 90, or 10Q per cent., the figures indicating the degree of interest which the person concorned mar be expected to arouse, in the opposite sex. This instrument created considerable merriment, especially when prizes Were given to girls who caused the machine to register high percentages. ♦ » * # Evidently the 3ZM Radio Club. Christchurch, is not content to let the matter drop now that sponsored advertising has been prohibited. The club has issued a booklet setting out the case for the Government, and the argument for the stations, together with thh “ judge’s ” slimming up. At the end of the booklet is . a ballot paper, upon which the listener is asked to record his answer to the question: “Are you in favour of B class stations being permitted to broadcast thirty words advertising each half-hour to allow them sufficient revenue to carry on broadcasting?” r.v';;5 :!r *f:"' * v ;/ On Tuesday, afternoon next 4YA is to commence a series of educational sessions for schools. The Wellington sessions , are to be relayed each week, and should these become a popular form of education in the Otago district it is p ibable that the station will arrange it? own broadcasts. > • • • After making elaborate preparations fc- the reception of 2YA’s running c .nentary on the eiglit-oar race at ■Wellington last week-end, 4YA was unable to pass the description on to local listeners owing to the time of the race being altered, following its postponement on Saturday. The local station was not advised of the alteration, and so did not listen to Wellington until after the event. • * Hare you renewed . your ; license? Listeners are again reminded that their license renewals are now due, and that if they do not wish to renew they are obliged to notify the department in writing of their decision, and to dismantle the aerial, but not necessarily the mast.