RADIO BROADCASTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1931, Page 5

RADIO BROADCASTING

GREYMOUTH STATION OPENED. The Greymquth Radio Society s broadcasting station 3ZR was officially” opened, last evening, by the Mayor, Mr J. W. Greenslade. The Pre- . sident of the Greymqutfi Radio So>ciety,' Mr A. J. McDowall, presided, I and there were associated with him the Mayor, Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., Mr T. H. Jones (Chairman of the Cobden Town Board), Mr P. J. McLean (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and the Harbour Board) and Mr R. S' Wheeler (Radio Inspector). The opening ceremony was held at Station 3ZR, which is located at the residence of Mr H. Breidstadt, Cobden. Mr McDowall stated that the priyi--1 lege of presiding at the opening of Station 3ZR afforded him much pleasure. Tn the matter of performance there was no B class station in the Dominion that could eclipse 3ZR. He would like publicly‘to express the thanks of the Greymouth Radio Society to the Radio Broadcasting Company, who had given much generous assistance, particularly in the loan of equipment. Station 3ZR afforded the local listeners a first-class service, but a more important matter was that it served to gain much publicity for the Grey district and for the whole of the West Coast, and in that respect .Greymouth was very fortunate in the possession of a broadcasting station. Station 3ZR, continued far M'.cDowall, operated on the air, but unfortunately could not operate on air alone, and the Radio Society was much concerned at the present time in raising the finance necessary to maintain the station. In order that tire station migjit continue to operate successfully, financial aid in addition to moral support was needed. Mr McDowall expressed appreciation of the Society for. the services of its energetic technical operator and engineer, Mr M. B. Spiers, who had put his heart and soul into the wqrk of obtaining a broadcasting station for Greymouth. Without his energy and enterprise, Greymouth would not have had its own broadcasting station for a long time. Mr McDowall called upon the Mayor, Mr J. W. Greenslade, to declare the station officially open. The Mayor stated that it gave hip great pleasure to officiate at the opening of Station 3ZR, which marked a further step in the progress of the and of the Grey district. He ’rpfqrred jo t)ie great achievements in linking up communication with all peoples In the world, which Ipd been accomplished py wifeless and py aviation/’ Closer communication made for a greater understanding of all problems and tended towards their solution. Sfatiop 3!ZR was going ; to be a great asset to the wholp Coast. Mr Greenslade congratulated the Greymouth ’ Radio ’ Society', and far Gpiers on the estaplishmept of . a Greymoiith broadcasting station, and said that he was sure that their endeavours to maintain the station at its present high standard of efficiency would receive the utmost assistance from all West Coasters.

Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., said that the opening of Station 3ZR could be accounted an epoch in the history of the Coast. It was, perhaps, overdue, and yet had it not been for the work of the Radio Society and of Mr.Spiers, it might not have been established for years to come. Mr O’Brien referred to the great potential resources of the West Coast, particularly its scenery. Mr T. H. Jones congratulated the Radio Society on its enterprise, and said that the residents of Cobden much appreciated the honour ,of having the first broadcasting station on the West Coast established in their midst. Mr P. J.’ McLean also offered his congratulations to the Radio Society on the establishment of Station 3ZR. No Government assistance had been given, and the fact that the station was being officially opened that night was entirely due to the efforts of Mr Spiers and the Radio Society. Station 3ZR would do a great deal of good for the whole district,’ bringing settlers into closer touch with the main centre. Mr ,R‘ S. Wheeler apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr G. Clark, chief postmaster, and said that, as radio inspector he would always give his whole-hearted assistance to the Society, and to its enthusiastic listeners, asking only that they keep within the regulations. The Greymouth Radio Society deserved every encouragement, and on behalf of the Post and Telegraph Department he wished the new station every success. He was sure that all radio enthusiasts on the West Coast would assist the Society to maintain Station 3ZR as one of the best B class stations in the Dominion. At the conclusion of the ceremony Mr M. B. Spiers announced that two telegrams of congratulation had been received, one from Wellington and one from Palmerston North,, congratulating the station on its excellent transmission and wishing it every success. Mr Reg. McDonald’s orchestra then contributed items, assisted by Mr C. Leach (violin solos), and Mr D. Galbraith (mouth organ solos).