NEWS FROM ALL PARTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19718, 18 August 1927, Page 15

NEWS FROM ALL PARTS.

AUSTRALIAN ENTERPRISE. Northern Ireland must be the home of the radio "pirate," since of the 125,000 receiving-sets in use only 30,000 are licensed. Last night 2FC, Sydney, was to conduct a special midnight session from midnight to one o'clock this morning. Many, striking novelties were to be introduced. Station 2BL, Sydney, is commencing a novel idea which should go a long way toward the improvement of broadcasting items. A reward of 10s 6d will be given weekly to the best suggestion of a broadcasting idea Many novelty broadcasts should be the result. When it is suspected that annoying scratching noises are due to faults in phones or loud speakers, the assumption may be tested by connecting across them one or two accumulator cells, the terminals of which are quite clean. If the noise persists then the instrument is at fault. The London Daily Mail recently conducted a ballot of the preferences of the listening public and received the astonishing number of 1,285,083 replies. Such a vote gives an adequate expression of general opinion. Variety and concert parties was an easy first, followed by light orchestral music and military bands. Readings and recitations were last, a good last, with 2717 votes. The desire of 3LO, Melbourne, to pxovide nothing but the best for its listeners is shown by a statement that Heifetz, the emment violinist, was offered £750 for a broadcast performance of 20 minutes from that station. Mr Heifetz, in replying, thanked the station for its substantial proposal," and expressed his regret that the terms of his contracts prevented his playing bemg broadcast.