NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Again wireless proved splendidly, successful in keeping everybody in touch with the third Tasman flight. Tho staffs of all the broadcasting statioiisiconcerned wore on duty for 24 hours continuously, transmitting reports and relaying the departure and arrival of the Southern Cross. The IYA staff, moreover, .had bcon at their posts for tho previous 24 hours, waiting for the plane to leave. Needless to say, they and others similarly placed are not anxious for another Tasman flight within many months to come. The Auckland rebroadcast of , 2YA's description of the departure was far from clear, but those who stayed up to hear about the arrival at Sydney were richly rewarded. 2BL's transmission came through perfectly, and crystal set owners heard one of tho most vivid descriptive talks that it is possible to imagine. The general opinion was that if ever a man knew his job, it was that announcer.

Tbo civic reception to Lord Lovafc at Wellington on Tuesday was specially relayed by 2YA. This distinguished visitor was in Auckland a week earlier and delivered two mid-day speeches in tho Town Hall on successive days, but IYA missed tho opportunity of broadcasting hiin. Auckland is tho landing-placo of inoro than half the notable people who visit New Zoaland, but usually tlicv are not heard on tlio air until they reach Wellington or Christ,ehurcli. This is regrettable, especially as IYA has dona such good work in another outside field —the Tasman flights.

John Drinkwnter's play, "Oliver Cromwell," at IYA last week was really successful, and any fault that listeners found with the presentation could only have been that, such an entertainment did not fit their tastes, Mr. Montaguo succeeded in conveying tho "atmosphere" or the different scenes very well —a difficult matter. Tho handling of tho debato in Parliament was particularly good, and tho unaccompanied singing with which each scene closed seemed a true echo of Cromwell s times. Music is beyond question an invaluable aid to broadcast drama.

A listener, writing to tho Sydney Wireless Weekly, charges one of the "Unclos" at 2BL with aggravated verbosity. lie makes the following list of words used in a "children's hour" talk Accomplished, ordeal, buffeted, tempestuous, destination, traversed, constitutes, aviation, maintained, interpreted, admiralty, relayed, transmitted, statute, expanse, fusdage, flexiblo, constellation, aperture, _ interior, approximately, alternate, ascertain, tapering, anticipated. From a talk to tiny tots he quotes these Adventure, ability, delighted, eventually, awaiting, unexpected, unhappy, stupid, illnatured, peering, polite, ornaments, recover, cheerful, pleasure, downhearted. Tho writer suggests that the "uncle" should give up children's talks and go in lor spelling lessons tq university students.