STRAY SPARKS

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 4

STRAY SPARKS

Next week both Lionello Cecil (tenor) and Dennis Dowling (baritone) are to be featured in the 4YA programmes. The former has already appeared in Dunedin with some success. and the latter is, of course, well known here. He will probably be leaving for England shortly. • * # * All listeners are reminded that the present license year ends to-morrow, and that owners of unlicensed receiving ■ets after that date are liable to prosecution. The license fee for the next twelve months will be 255, the reduction of 5s on the old charge coming into effect on Monday. « * * » In recent weeks . the Broadcasting Board has met with some success in arranging tours of the main stations by New Zealand From reports it is learned that Mr Vincent Aspey, the violinist from: Auckland, who was in Dunedin a short time ago, is finding favour with listeners everywhere, while Mr Dennis Dowling, baritone, of Ranfurly, is also doing well on his tour. These two have proved that there are some artists in the dominion who can broadcast as effectively as overseas visitors. * * * * It is hoped that the 4YA programmes at the Easter period will be packed as tightly as possible for a selection of sporting events. Arrangements are alreadv in hand for relaying descriptions of some of the activities at that time. * * * * It is suggested that because of the success of these two others will be invited to make tours later. It is also worth mentioning that many New Zealanders who : travel to other countries have little difficulty in finding a place on the programmes overseas. •** * • It has been held that the very short waves known as micro-waves were simi-, lar in their characteristics to light rays, and that accordingly reception of microwaves would be impossible except over limited distances and unless the receiving aerial was in view of the transmitting one. However, the Marquess Marconi announced that he had received micro-wares of 60 centimetres over a distance of 258 kilometres, or more than eight times the optical range. « * * » In celebration of the 250th anniver•ary of Johann Sebastian Bach, a special programme, arranged by Dr V. E. Galway, is to be given from 4YA to-mor-row evening. • * • • On a special aerial erected on a building in the heart of Auckland, KFI, Los Angeles, was received on a locallymade stock receiver while IYA was on the air. This is regarded as something of an achievement, and is not thought to be a fluke. • * * * » Throughout one night the ashes of Mr J. H. Whitley, chairman of the 8.8. C., who died "in London recently and was cremated, lay on a in - the. religious studio in Broadcasting House. Outside the studio door shone the red light “ silence ” signal. * * * * A demonstration was given in Auckland of a new aerial system which has been invented by a local radio enthusiast, It is claimed that the new system is a big improvement on the old type. Certainly it was shown in _a test that the new aerial, compared with the old, picked up a surprisingly small amount ' of noise. • * * » On Tuesdav, March 12, the 8.8. C. Orchestra made its first appearance abroad, when all the 119 players, with their conductor (Dr Adrian Boult), gave a' conce'rt in the Great Hall of the Palace of Fine Arts at Brussels. v • m * A, good deal of interest attaches to the forthcoming visit y of Percy Grainger, who is at present broadcasting in. Australia. When his contract •xpires he is to cross to New Zealand under engagement to- the Broadcasting Board' to tour the main stations. Not only is Mr Grainger a pianist of note, but he has gained added popularity at Home and abroad as a composer. * » * * The 8.8. C. announces that a new General Advisory Council, of which the Archbishop of York has accepted the chairmanship, has been set up in view of the increasing scope and responsibilities of the broadcasting service. It will act for an experimental period of two years. There are two objects in view—first, that the corporation may have the benefit of the advice, on matters of policy, of the eminent men and women who have agreed to serve on th« council, and, secondly, it is hoped that the members of the council will bis prepared to interpret the policy and practice of the corporation to the various sections of the community with which it may be specially associated.