RADIOCITIES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 79, 16 March 1935, Page 12

RADIOCITIES

Wireless Invention*. During 1934 about 300 patents were granted in Australia for various wireless, television, and like circuits and apparatus. Only 10 (or 3 per cent.) of the inventions which were the subjects of these grants originated in Australia and New Zealand. The rest came mostly from England, the United States and Germany. About one-sixth of the total were concerned with television. Auckland ' Background.” In spite of extreme care in the design and construction of IYA building there is in certain of the programmes from the main station an annoying 'background” from the auxiliary IYX transmitter. This is particularly in evidence when IYA is broadcasting speech, as with the recent broadcast of ‘‘Flags on the Matterhorn,” when at most dramatic moments one could plainly hear light orchestral numbers in the not-too-distant background. A swing of the dial definitely identified the | source of interference. It is certain i that this interference will have to be eliminated by some means Or other. Dr. Peter Buck. Listeners are hopeful that the Broadcasting Board will take advantage of the visit to the Dominion of Dr. Peter Buck to have him appear before the microphone At the same time the board might well secure the co-opera-tion of Dr. Buck in the arranging of a comprehensive programme schedule of Maori origin, comprising Maori tales, mythology, customs and music. With I its enhanced income the board might well regard it as a duty to foster '“nd ! perpetuate Maori culture. A little has i been done in this connection, notably i from 2YA, and this little has won the commendation of listeners and of n.er seas visitors, w ,■< delight in the recorded versions of Maori songs. A great deal more might well be done, and there is no better means than a planned j serie., o' bioadcasts. Enjoyable Items. The Broadcasting Board is to be congratulated on its engagement of Mr Harry Thurston, the comedian, whose broadcasts proved immensely enjoyable and entertaining. Tt says much for the artistry of Mr Thurston that he was able to depict to an unseen and unseeing audience so unusual a character as i “Old Bill.” There is a great d«al to

commend in the free aud conversational style of Mr Thurston in his introductory and closing remarks, and local artists might well copy his mode of gaining the attention of listeners, lar too many speakers are “switched off’ before they hav e got into their stride, simply because of a bad approach.