BROADCASTING SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20766, 8 January 1931, Page 13

BROADCASTING SERVICE.

REVIEW OF PAST YEAR. ACTIVITIES AT STATION IYA. HIGH STANDARD MAINTAINED. The broadcasting service provided by the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand, Limited, last year was of a high standard ■ and showed a distinct advance on the broadcasts offered in the previous year. The activities at station IYA can compare more than favourably with those at the other three centres.

A feature of the broadcasts from IYA was the splendid sports service. The sports covered included cricket (including the M.C.C.,matches early'in the year), race meetings at Ellerslie, Epsom, Avondale and Takapuna, football (including the principal British matches), tennis, wrestling., boxing, swimming, athletic sports, girls' sports, motor-cycle races and hockey. A rebroadcast of baseball events was' carried out from New York, while a relay of the America's Cup race was attempted. There was also a highlysuccessful relay of the Melbourne Cup race when Phar Lap won its sensational victory. Station IYA ' has conducted more sports relays than any other of.the New Zealand stations^ Many Interesting Belaya.

Auckland is fortunate in possessing such a capable and versatile sports announcer as Mr. Gordon Hutter. There is no branch t)f sports in which Mr. Hutter is not versed, while he combines lucid and running descriptions with a pleasing voice personality. Further, his work as in the case of racing is often carried out under great difficulties. The position regarding the privileges to relay football and other sports events is still undefined, and it is' hoped the various organisations will offer a greater measure of co-operation this year. Broadcasting does not detract from gate or hall attendances, but as has been proved during the past year helps to increase them.

Other interesting relays last year have included regular and special church services. Jersey stock sales, the openings of the Auckland railway station, the Cenotaph and War Memorial Museum and the Winter Exhibition, community singing, Wirth's circus, and concert and band recitals. Notable New Zealand and overseas rebroadcasts have comprised the SarronDonovan boxing contests, Rear-Admiral Byrd's talk from Dunedin to New.York, the openings of the Five Powers Naval Conference, the Indian Round Table Conference and the Imperial Conference, the memorial service to the victims of the RlOl disaster and the arrivals of Miss Amy Johnson and Air-Commodore Kingsford Smith in Australia. Variety o! Entertainment. The entertainment, side of the programme was well maintained. The presentation of dramatic and humorons plays played a large part in the studio broadcasts during the first, half of the year. Some of the enjoyable productions were "Wurzel-Flummery," "I'll Leave It To You," "Lady Frederick," "Outward Bound," "Three Wise Fools," "Nothing but the Truth," "Paola and Francesca" and the "Transit of Venus." This appreciated section .of the entertainment was, however, unfortunately, practically terminated by a more stringent imposition of the copyright restrictions. The company, it is understood, has the matter under review, and listeners are hoping a satisfactory arrangement can be made as early as possible. There is some excellent local talent available and more encouragement should be given by the company in this respect. "The Signal" was an example of the splendid type of radio sketch which can bo produced locally.

The instrumental part of the station's activities is now in the capable hands of the Orchestral Octet under the direction of Mr. Harold Baxter. The -orchestra was the third one to be engaged .during the year, having succeeded those under Mr. Eric Waters and Mr. J. Whiteford Waiigh. In addition to regular rebroadcasts of the Municipal Band's recitals performances have been'given by all the leading Auckland bands as well as by club and ship orchestras. The formation of new vocal and instrumental trios and quartettes has helped to increase the variety of the excellent entertainment offered.

A number of overseas artists. have appeared at the station during the year, while several performers from, southern centres have been heard.. The idea of making where possible an .exchange of YA artists is to be commended and it is hoped more can bo drine in this direction this year. Tho gramophone sessions have been of an enjoyable nature. There are, however, a few records in'tho dance section which would not bo missed. The restrictions on the broadcast of records have not affected the station, which has a large stock to choose from. Tho company hopes in tho near future to include in the programmes recordings of American and overseas broadcasts. Tho gramophone lecture-recitals presented by Mr. Karl Atkinson were widely appreciated and listeners are looking forward to a continuation of tho recitals this year. Question of Extended Hours.

Tho variety of talks and lectures given by qualified speakers have added to the high standard of tho entertainment. Considerable interest was taken in the spelling bee and the verse-writing and musicalsetting competitions. More innovations of (his nature could be held to advantage. Tho merging of the classical and operatic nights seems to have'met'with general approval. The tone of the broadcasts has been very pleasing and the purity of the ether has been carefully guarded. Once any forms of indirect advertising are allowed " over tho air" broadcasting will tend to develop into a state of chaos such as exists in the United States. The transmission from the station has been very satisfactory, there being very few breakdowns.

During the year the station lost the'services of Mr. Owen Pritchard, programme organiser, Mr. T. T. Garland, " Uncle Tom," and the Pev. Lionel B. Fletcher, " Uncle Leo." The statiotTdirector, Mr. Len Barnes, and the new programme organiser, Mr. Colin Trim, together with the staff have the interests of listeners at heart, while able assistance is being lent by the Music and Dramatic Advisory Committee.

The question of abolishing the silent nighfc and inaugurating morning sessions is still a matter of considerable _ controversy. Thero is much to be said on both sides. It is felt by many people, however, that with the usual daily sessions commencing at three o'clock there is-too large a, gap in the day before broadcasts are available. The extended hours provided 'during the Christmas and New Tear holidays' were undoubtedly appreciated by alMisteners.