SOUTHLAND RADIO CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 22498, 7 December 1934, Page 5

SOUTHLAND RADIO CLUB

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. - At a meeting of the executive of the Southland Radio Club the following were present: Messrs A. W. Jones (in the chair), T. H. Watson, J. Pickard, H. Aitken, L. Alsweiler, D. McEwan, G. Skipworth and J. S. Haywood (secretary). The chairman reported that in reviewing the activities of the club it was interesting to note that there had been 51 relays, 76 talks, 59 children’s sessions, and 42 evenings of recordings only. Of the relays undoubtedly the most interesting was that of the Royal wedding on Thursday, November 29. Another splendid relay was from Bluft on October 8, an old-time concert and dance programme. Mr Farrant, in his report, stated that the 76 talks recorded were all of interest. The regular bird talks he had been giving had been discontinued during the summer season and that he was putting one over occasionally when of special interest. Mr Farrant reported that the recorded programmes had been kept well up to standard and followed closely on lines set down by the programme committee. The introduction of special half-hour featuring had been well received. In connection with recorded programmes and recent Press correspondence, Mr Farrant had noted suggestions for the elimination of different types of records, and found that band music was the only type not condemned by one or other of the correspondents, and this conclusion amply proved what was already universally known—that it was impossible to please all listeners all the time. He further reported that one correspondent, who signed his name, wrote in a serious vein of somewhat constructive criticism, and as an experiment he had omitted from programmes for a few days the types of records that he recommended for a “close season” with the result that there was an immediate and insistent demand for their re-inclusion. The records sent by the Broadcasting Board were being freely used and most of them were good and in good condition. The use of these records was serving to provide variety. Since October 30 the Stock Exchange report had been put over regularly each week-day. The children’s sessions had been well maintained up to the high standard set by Aunt Hallie and Uncle George, and were much appreciated.

In connection with recent criticism the chairman reported that letters had been received expressing appreciation of the club’s activities, and it was interesting to know that in the Lochiel and Winton district every set holder, with the exception of two, had joined up with the club. The routine reports from the various sub-committees were received and it was decided to make an effort to obtain one relay a week from Dunedin. Mr Jones, who had recently been to Wellington in connection with the Advisory Council of the Broadcasting Board, reported that the new aerial mast at Auckland, which was 508 feet high, had been completed and the station would be officially opened towards the end of January, but more than likely would be on the air testing within the next week or ten days. The secretary reported that 1100 members had renewed their subscriptions already and that subscriptions were coming in now at the rate of sixty a week.