NOTES AND NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16374, 23 June 1927, Page 3

NOTES AND NEWS

GISBORNITJI "ON THE AIR" EVENTS OF THE WEEK 2FG Sydney scored a great hit with the""Maori Melody Maids, who are commencing to Australian tour. Their voices bleqdod harmoniously in Maori songs and gave great pleasure to listeners-in. Following their items 2FC relayed orchestral nmsie from IYA Auckland, which music after travelling all tho way to Sydney and hack to New Zealand, was heard quite distinctly at Gisborne.

The civic reception to Queensland's new Governor, Sir James Goodwin, was broadcast by '4.QG a, few nights ago and came through well, the speeches being heard most distinctly, and as in the Empire Day celebrations, Brisbane's loyalty to King and constitution was emphasised by much enthusiasm.

The opera "Maritana" was broadcast from 3LO one night last week. The same evening a concert by the Sydney male choir was given on 2BL.

Dr. Haig, whoso performances on the organ in Gisborne some time back gave great pleasure, was heard in some splendid numbers on St. Andrew's Cathedral organ at Sydney one evening last week.

.. Mr. James Drummond, F.L.S., F. 2.5., an old Gisborne hoy, spoke at 3YA, Christchurch, on Wednesday evening on "the most Conservative New Zealander," referring of course to the Tuatara lizard. Mr. Drummond has made a life study of zoology. 51 * ■ - # * #

Mr. Harold Prescolf, tenor soloist, well, known to music lovers throughout New Zealand,' has been engaged ny 3YA. This gifted artist, who recently appeared as <>no of the leading vocalists in tho very successful presentation of "Faust" in Christchurch, has been much in demand byviiearly every musical society from Auckland to Blufi. Therefore listeners will welcome him over the ether this evening.

The lecturctlcs delivered under the auspices of'the Workers' Educational Association from 4YA, are growing in popularity: To-morrow evening, at 8.45, Mr. A. Brotherton, M.A., will discourse on "The Drama." This speaker has had considerable experience m amateur' theatricals, and is ah instructor at the Dunedin Boys' High, School, and a graduate of Aberdeen University.

?•■■ ""■# * . #.. * "Song of the Volga Boatmen" will be one of tho items rendered by Mr. -F. Baker, the Auckland. baritone, at IYA on Saturday evening. Other songsi by him will be "Reuben Ranzo" and King Charles." Miss I. Holmes, a leading soprano in the Queen city, will , sing "The Jewel Song" from "Faust' and "Fairy. Pipers." From 9.5 p.m. to 11 p.m. danco music from the Chck-Clack Cabaret will .Bo" relayed.

72L Hobart has increased its power to 3 kilowatts.

There were 215,801 wireless licenses in Australia, in May, 1927, including 57,251 in Mew South Wales and 113,977 in Victoria * * * *

Financial, relationships between Farmer and Co., Ltd.. and J. C. Willianv son, Ltd., were discussed at the less Commission at' Sydney last week. A proposal had been made, it was stated, that a hew'company should be formed to take' oyer 2FC, but the scheme had ' been ' held "over pending the deliberations of the commission. ■» # * *

Following l its plan of rebroadcasting Australian or overseas station's every week, 2FC put 72W Hobart on" the.an; on Monday night," and listeners' in at borne could hear' this station both direct and through: Hydney/ as they pleased.'' Clmstclitircti and Auckland stations have also been .heard through Sydney.

A correspondent ilias asked: "Seeing that the short-irave are heard wjtb such'wonderful clarity from .New York State and |iollarid, why are the "sjidrt'wave-lengths not universally adopted' for broadcasting?" "Aerial" in the Dominion replies: "It is an unfortunate' peculiarity of short-wave transmission that it skips nearer areas to he heard at remote distances, Radio signals on 32.79 metres, inaudible 200 miles from the transmitter, were heard and copied with 100 per cent, accuracy : by a listener in Australia, 11,400' miles from ah American transmitter. This fact is brought out in; the report of engineers of* the general Electric Co., following a series bt propagation tests on modulated or voice signals, and telegraph signals, on 32,79, 65.16, 109, and 140 ''"" ' ' * * * *

Many people, when they think of Melbourne broadcasting, think of 3LO. They forget that there is another up-to-date station there—a station which was operating* long before 3LO started. This is 3AR, the second A class station in Victoria, which• is owned by Associated itadio. Tlie power of 3AB* has been recently increased from 14 to S kiio>vatts, arid already appreciative letters have been received from all parts of Australia and New Zealand.

"If yon take a trip through the Melbourne' suburbs," vsaid Mr. Gardiner, manager of tins company, "you will find that nearly every small cottage has an aerial.' 'Ninety per" cent, of Victorian listeners reside in the metropolitan area. We have, as a matter of iact, the highest number of listeners in proportion to the number of, houses, in the world. Every third house has a set." Station 3AR has been able to get all the- artists it requires without the aid of any theatrical combination, and makes it. a point of encouraging (aspiring singers and musicians. • • • •

Giving evidence before the Wireless Commission at Sydney, the secretary to the P.M.G., Mr. H. I'. Brown, said that, the "time might'not be far distant when it might be necessary to link up the .whole telephone system of the Commonwealth /with some wireless service. Telegraphy, telephony, and no said, Were so related that it was essential for tlio -f.Ai.U.'s Department to have its own research branch.

The South African Broadcasting- Co. has under consideration the organisation of a "wired broadcasting" service to enable telephone subscribers to receive programmes.

British amateurs will be co-operat-ing with tin; Radio Research Board on June 2!) in special tests on the effect of the total eclipse of the sun on loss reception. *■* * *

For some time the 8.8. C. has followed the practice' of having a small audience in the studio for variety broadcasts. It is believed that this helps both the artist and the radio audience. The fact that the performance is punctuated by laughter and applause is said to lend atmosphere for the benefit of listeners.

A correspondent in a Loudon paper writes in favor of women announcers. Those who have listened to Continental stations, whore -women are quite frequently employed for the purpose, will, he says, have no doubts as to the mutability of' a woman's voice for anlouncing. * * * *

The seaside broadcasts of last year, which succeeded cm occasion in bringing the sound of the sea waves lo jaded London in the summor, arc to "ve repeated this year. * * * *

Some American stations have special broadcasts on short wave for the benefit of listeners in the Arctic Circle. Some of these listeners in the Far North are able also to hear Daventry. Most of the Arctic mission stations are equipped with wireless sets, so that in She solitude and darkness of tho Arctic winter missionaries are kept in touch with the rest of the -world.

Mr. W. V. talks on stage life and celebrities from 2FG'are well worth listening to. His talk'on Hamlets he had seen, on Wednesday "night was most interesting. ilo will speak on June 24 oil "Unrehearsed Stage Happenings," oh July 5, "Behind the Scenes." and on July 14, "Great Actors Compared." # * * *

A tram-car was operated by radio control of Little Rock, Arkansas, recently. Filled with .State officials and radio enthusiasts, the ear sped along- for several blocks. Tho receiving devico was placed on the running board and the portable transmitter,, controlled by the inventor, Maurice J. Francill, was cojoveyod in a motor car tvhich rau alongside the tram. The weight of the tram was oo.OOOlbs; that of the total radio'equipment, filbs.

A representative of 2FC Station declared, at tho Wireless Commission at Sydney, that his company had offered Kreisler, the famous violinist, 500 guineas tor broadcasting one of his concerts. M. Kreisler, 'however, refuses to be broadcast. It was montioncd, also, that from' January until March this year; 2FC's programmes of grand opera, theatrical, dramatic, comedyV variety and comic opera had put on the air the accomplishments of 4637 performers, including bandsmen, choristers, soloists and principals. # * * *

After making a number of readings' the glass barrel of the hydrometer becomes clouded, due to the accumulation of deposits from, the electrolyte adhering to thp inside surface of the glass. After a period of time it is very difficult to deterjnihe the reading on 'lie float. ' A simple and effective method of cleaning the glass barrel is by inserting the nozzle of the hydrometer into a hot-tie of denatured alcohol, allowing the barrel to 'fill.' Then expel the alcohol! into the bottle again. It will then be found: that the glass barrel is perfectly clear. The same alcohol may be used indefinitely.

The Radio Society of Christelmrch, realising that many set builders have neither the tools nor the experience in carrying out the work, lias decided on a plan to help members' in se,t building. The society has provided itself with a first-class kit of tools, and on certain evenings each week an ex : perienced member will be in attendance at the clubrooms, and members who, wish to build a machine may take along tlie parts to the rooms, use the workshop facilities, and 1 obtain lielp on both the electrical and mechanical side from fhe member in charge. This service will be free to members.

Mr. A. P. Morrison (Wellington) reports very fine-reception of thp, American short-wave 'broadcast station 2XAG, Schenectady :' (22.2 metres), through 2XAF! (32.77metres), owned arid operated by the General Electric Co. Mr. Morrison states that ho did not observe much alteration, in strength of reception betwpoii 4 p.m. and ll'p.m. Pie first used his outdoor aerial and no earth wire, ami then, as an experiinen.L connected a short; piec.n of wire to" his spring mattress. Frqin 4/Ll p.m. till 5.15 p.m. he received the music with good 'phone strength, using only two valves, the spring mattress acting as an excellent aerial. From S p.m. till 1.1 p.m. Mr. Morrison had the American station with, only the detector valve in operation, and reception, he says, was perfect. The programme comprised dance music and baritone items. The announcer asked listeners to send reports of reception to the engineer in charge, radio department, G.E. Co., Schenectady. * * * #

British Broadcast Company is considering n proposal to set all England laughing. It has been suggested that a number.of people should be brought into studios in various parts of the ebuitty and 'iiiude to laugh,, with tho, infectious.result that listeners all over the country would join in one big community laugh. In the practices in the' studio' a very talkative green African parrot, and some amusing gramophone records, have beon introduced and were tri-cd on members of. tho staff at Savoy-hill. The result was good, but not nearly so promising us the effect produced by a man who gesticulated to * order. When the last-mentioned methqe] waj tried the laughtpr was hearty and spontaneous enough to satisfy the oxperimenters, und, incidentally, to disturb the.occupants of offices in tho neighborhood of the studio. "The idea at present," said an official of. the 8.8.C.,"is that the laughter shall be .competitive. That Is to say, that the' laughter from Lon : don after a few ininiiles will bo faded out and replaced by that from Manchester 'or Birmingham. Listeners tvill be able to judge for themselves as to which part of the country aqquits Itself best.'' He declined to say, however, whether the experiment was' to be extended to Scotland.