SOUTHLAND RADIO CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 22507, 15 February 1935, Page 9

SOUTHLAND RADIO CLUB

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. ANNOUNCER’S REPORT. At a meeting of the executive of the Southland Radio Club the following were present: Messrs A. W. Jones (in the chair), G. L. Teychenne, G. Skipworth, J. Pickard, D. McEwan, A. E. Jordan, C. A. Lockhart, and J. A. Haywood (secretary). , A report - was received from the announcer, Mr H. J. Farrant, who stated that the months of December and January, being holiday time, did not show a big record of talks and relays, but during December there were four church relays, two relays from the Royal Show, two relays in connection with the arrival of the Duke of Gloucester, at Wellington, a relay of a musical recital from First Church, a relay of a special children’s session and a studio concert from the Orphans Hall, two garden talks, a talk by Mrs Pasley (Royal Show), a talk by Mrs S. Brown (health camp) and one book review. In addition there were four childrens sessions, and short seasonal greetings by the announcer on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, leaving fourteen days of recordings only. The January record was one relay concert from 4YA Dunedin, three garden talks, one bird talk, one Boy Scout talk by Harold Longley, one talk on “Safety First’ by Mr R. W. Robson, and seven children s sessions, leaving 24 days of recordings only. To date for February there had been one church relay and three children’s sessions. The outstanding features were the relays of the arrival of the Duke of Gloucester, the celebrity concert at Dunedin, and the studio concert from the Orphans’ Hall, and also the talk by Scout Harold Longley. Mr Farrant reported that the programmes of recorded music had received careful attention, and it was quite safe to assert that in comparison with New Zealand and Australian stations the programmes from 4ZP were “as good as any and better than most.” Special half-hour features had been introduced at once a week and appreciation was fully expressed. The features included band music, organ music, _ tenor, baritone, bass and soprano singers, Hawaiian music and yodelling. With regard to yodelling, the previous occasion when yodelling was featured was on October 26, and again on January 30, an interval of nearly fourteen weeks. Since December 27 a two-hour modem dance programme had been put over each Saturday evening. A Scottish P ro “ gramme last Wednesday was much appreciated and on Wednesday of this week an Irish programme was put over. Nearly all the board records have been over the air, some twice and three times, and Messrs McCracken and Walls maintained a regular supply of new releases, always available to the club along with all their records. Thus the club was able to put over good programmes all the time. Reports of the Sanders Cup contest and the Southland croquet tournament were eagerly listened for by a large . number of people. In concluding his report, Mr Farrant tendered his congratulations to Aunt Hallie for her valuable assistance, not only 4< on the air,” but also in other ways. Her interest in the health camp had helped considerably to popularize 4ZP likewise her sympathetic interest in the hospital children, and in the work of Sister Alice. Mr Farrant attended with her on a visit to the health camp and could not fail to note her wonderful organizing ability and her love for children. It was resolved that Mr Farrant be instructed to include short talks on composers, orchestras and orchestral leaders, histories of bands, etc., these talks being introductory to numbers about to be played. A donation of a number of records was received from Mr F. Logan, and it was decided that the secretary convey the thanks of the club to him for his gift. A discussion took place on a paper brought down by Mr Teychenne on ways and means of improving and increasing the popularity of the station. It was arranged to hold studio concerts at regular intervals, with an idea or encouraging local talent. It was also decided to ask listeners to express fheir opinions on the advisability of abolishing the mid-day session and in lieu of it, extending the time to the evening session, either by going on the air earlier in the evening or continuing later. It was decided to try and arrange for at least one relay weekly from 4YA Dunedin.

■ It was agreed to make further improvements to the studio and they were left to a sub-committee to carry out. The chairman reported that the collectors were still enrolling members freely and quite a good response was coming from the country districts. The sum of £37 7/6 had been collected in subscriptions since last meeting. The secretary submitted a statement of the receipts and expenditure which showed a small credit balance. A fair amount of correspondence was dealt with, including a number of letters from listeners enclosing subscriptions and congratulating the c J u b on the variety of programmes and forwarding helpful suggestions, which were duly noted by tne committee.

The chairman reported that the relays of church services had commenced last Sunday, and ’’that a rota had been drawn up for the year 1935.