RADIO

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1930, Page 12

RADIO

2YB RECEPTION IMPROVED. APPRECIATION IN MANY PARTS. “ (By “8.C.L.”) Now that 2YB is firmly established in its new home Taranaki should receive a goodly measure of advertisement. The station has been reported from many points coming in with a “wallop,” From PalineTston North, where previously it could be heard only occasionally, a report says it was necessary to detune a five-valve set for comfortable listening. Dunedin also reports improved reception. This week also brings a report of authentic reception in Los Angeles, a distance of some 8009 miles. That 2YB is probably the most popular B station in New Zealand is evidenced by the appreciative comment from all sides. A listener in Havelock North wrote to a Wellington paper and suggested that all B stations in New Zealand should broadcast an appeal for funds to keep 2YB on the air. The following clipping shows the. esteem- in which’ the station is held in places outside the province: — “One trusts the Taranaki people will rally around their own little broadcast station, 2YB New Plymouth, which is in sore need of financial support. 2YB is a credit to the Tarai/aki Radio Society not only for the quality of its transmission* hut for the unvarying excellence of its programmes.” To advertise Taranaki it would be a golden opportunity for the Tourist and Eynansioii - League to have printed an attractive folder setting out the beauties of the province, a folder to be forwarded by the Radio Society to each listener outside the province of New Zealand when acknowledging reports of reception of 2YB. improved programmes. The Maori pageant of 1930 was a masterpiece of Native oratory and was thoroughly enjoyed by thousands of listeners on both sides of the Tasman. Listeners continue to derive great pleasure from the augmented schedules of the YA stations due to the radio exhibitions being held in various centres. RADIO EXHIBITION FEATURES. WONDERS OF MODERN WIRELESS. Features of. unusual interest will characterise the radio exhibition at the Melbourne Town Hall from July 18 to 25. At three o’clock on the opening day the Lord Mayor of London will move a switch which, through beam wireless, will illuminate a sign in the Melbourne Town Hall announcing “The radio show is now open.” At 8 p.m. on the opening day of the radio show, three different series of lights will be switched on in the hall —one from Montreal (Canada), one from Suva. (Fiji), and one from Wellington (New Zealand). These lights will embody the name of the city operating the beam. Arrangements are being made for a demonstration of beam wireless during the currency of the exhibition. Receiving apparatus will be installed in the hall and operated from Montreal and London, showing automatic reception of high-speed signals. Two sets of telegraph apparatus will be inter-connected from one end of the hall to the other, enabling visitors to the exhibition to send messages' from one point to the other. These messages will be handed in at either point, and the sender will call at the other point to receive the message... automatically recorded on a paper ribbon, which will form an interesting souvenir of the wonderful operation of beam wireless. Another demonstration will consist of projecting a wireless beam across the hall. A

powerful light or other signal will be produced as it impinges on each of the receiving points. This will be an effective demonstration of the principle of beam wireless concentration. During the currency of the exhibition, lectures and addresses will bo given during the lunch time sessions and in the evening. The Australian Broadcasting

•Company, operating 3LO, will broadcast from a special studio in the hall during the exhibition. There will be a State schools’ brass bands contest. Other features will include a demonstration of “graphic broadcasting,” or picture transmission. The whole of the floor space of the hall will be taken up by a comprehensive display of the latest in wireless receivers. ITALY’S SHORT WAVE STATION. Italy has its equivalent of the British Empire broadcasting station, 5bW, in the Rome short-wave station 3RO which has just been completed for the E.I-A.R. (Italian Broadcasting Company). 3RO has been built to enable the Italian broadcasting programmes to be heard in the Italian colonies and in distant countries which are outside the range of the broadcasting stations operating on the normal waveband. Reports on tests and the early transmissions from the station on 2-5.4 and 80 metres indicate that it has practically a worldwide range. Tests on 25.4 metres were clear, v heard as far afield as India, Australia* South Africa and South America at good strength and quality. On SO metres also 3RO gives an excellent service to the Italian colonies in North Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, Erythea and Italian Somaliland, and is clearly audible throughout Italy and Sicily'. A Turin listener reports that on this wave length the short wave station was received at the same intensity as the 50-kilowatt long-wave Rome'station. Among the reports from foreign countries of reception on 80 metres, a Peking (China) listener notes excellent and consistent reception. BROADCASTING AND WEATHER. ■w VICTORIAN FARMERS’ PROTEST. From Victoria has come the cry that radio broadcasting lias upset the seasons; that it is responsible for serious droughts in several localities, to the prosperity of which regular downfall,* are vital." Sydney people are unable to see any point in this argument, for there is more broadcasting in this city than in any other place in the Commonwealth, yet it has rained here every dav for nearly three weeks. This seems to'explode the idea that broadcasting causes droughts. Still, the Victorian claim was regarded as of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the Commonwealth meteorologist, Mr. Hunt. Mr. Hunt promptly dismissed the charge that wireless broadcasting had caused abnormal fluctuations in Australian rainfall. He therefore declined to fall in with the suggestion that the wireless stations should be closed down for a month, so that a test could be carried out. It was claimed, for instance, that the adverse effect of broadcastino- had been manifest in some districts °since 1924, when the large stations in Victoria began to transmit continuous daily programmes. Mr. Hunt points out that in April, 1923, it was practically rainless in Northern Victoria, and. was the only entirely rainless month recorded in Melbourne. The rain which fell in May, 1923, was hailed with delight as the salvation of the wheat crops. Similarly, in May of this year, the rain broke a long dry spellAlthough the rain in May last coincided with great broadcasting activity, it was, on the average, about three times as good as the rainfall in May, 1923. In May, 1923, the rain in the Malee district ranged from 42 to 43 points, but last May it ranged from 109 to 310 points. Mr. Hunt’s finding has been embodied in a special report to the Prime Minister, and, in view of its nature, it is certain that no action will be taken to stop broadcasting on the ground that it is causing the seasons to be topsyturvy. • So broadcasting and rain and droughts seen, likely to continue as far as Australia is concerned.

RE-ARRANGEMENT IN SYDNEY. The studio of 2BL has been removed from Bligh Street to a portion of the studios formerly occupied by 2FC. By this arrangement the whole administration of the Sydney A stations will be in one suite of rooms under the direct control and supervision of the executive heads of the Australian Broadcasting Company. There are better facilities in the Market Street studios for orchestral presentations than there were in the Bligh Street studios of 2BL. Another matter of importance is that the rent of 2BL studies will be saved. _ Under the. contract arrangements this saving will be shared by the broadcasting company and the Bost Office Department, which is the nominal owner of the studios, the company having to rent the offices and studios required for broadcasting and administrative purposes. hawaiki calling. RADIO ENTERTAINMENT. Since the broadcasting company first brought from the Wanganui district a party of the best available talent to perform at 2YA in the historical “Radio Pageant of the Maori Race,” a great fillip has been given to the native music of New Zealand. In “Hawaiki Calling,” which was presented by 2YA, 3YA and 4YA on Tuesday (and again on Wednesday at 11 p.m.), listeners heard something very different from anything previously attempted. As the name suggests, the old tradition

played a prominent part in the entertainment. Listeners were taken to Hawaiki, the legendary home of the Maori, and they voyaged with the wpnderful navigators in the canoes over that long ocean journey; they sat with the helmsman by his calabae.li of water as he peered into it to steer by the reflection of the stars; they heard the tohunga as he chanted incantation nt risings of the sun and of the moon; they heard

the rhythmic beat of the paddles, wielded by muscular' arms; they tired with the crew, only to bound again with energy when a stirring haka commenced or a joker began to joke; and they rejoiced with the crew when at last, after a long, wearisome journey, weak and faint from lack of food and from prolonged exposure to the elements, they saw through the morning mist the outline of Aotea-roa. the “Long White Cloud,” New Zealand. The description, and radio presentation of this portion of the programme was dramatic and graphic. Then followed the portrayal of life and customs in the primitive Maori pas before the arrival of the whites. Listeners were taken by radio into the marae of a pa and heard much of interest concerning the mode of living and the social amenities of the Maoris. An important section of “Hawaiki Calling’ was devoted exclusively to a Maori entertainment. This was an outstanding, attraction of the evening. In this programme many of the items were entirely new to listeners. The programme comprised many solos and choruses, hakas and poi dances. It was a unique climax to a unique entertainment. TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES NEW ZEALAND STATIONS. IYA Auckland.—-3 p.m., afternoon session, selected studio items, including literary selection; 5, children session; 6, dinner session, Columbia hour; overture, Basle Symphony Orchestra; instrumental, J. H. Squire's Cejeste Octet; Musical Art Quartet; violin, Yvonne Curti; 6.30, instrumental, J. H. Squire's Celeste Octet; ’cello, W. H Squire; instrumental, J. H. Squire’s Celeste Octet; 7, news and market reports; talk, Mr. W. E. G. Wheeler, “Esperanto”; 8, chimes; instrumental trio, Studio Trio; soprano, Mrs. M. Cantwell; instrumental trio, Studio Trio; elocution, Mr. J. M. Clark; 8.31, clarinet solo, Mr. S. C. Lewis; baritone, Mr. H. Barry Coney; instrumental trio. Studio Trio; soprano, Mrs. M. Cantwell; piano, Mr. Cyril Towsey; 9.1, evening weather forecast and announcements; clarinet solo, Mr. S. C. Lewis, Fantasia; elocution, Mr. J. M. Clark; instrumental trio, Studio Trio; baritone, Mr. H. Barry Coney; instrumental trio, Studio Trio; lecture-recital, Mr. Karl Atkinson, gramophone lecture-recital; all sorts and conditions of choirs; 9.57, God Save t'hp King. 2YA Wellington. —10.30 a.in., selected studio items; 2.30, relay the Radio Exhibition, Town Hall, of items by James Haydock's Orchestra; 5, children’s session; 6, dinner music, H.M.V. hour; band, Creatore's Band; orchestral, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra; orchestral, Marek Weber and Orchestra; 6.30, orchestral, New Symphony Or- 1 * chestra; orchestral, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra; piano, Mark Hambourg; orchestral, Marek Weber and Orchestra; band, National Military Band ; orchestral, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra; 7, news session, market reports and sports results; 7.-10, lecturette, Mr. J. W. Fergic, Head Office, New Zealand Railways, “The Romance of the Main Trunk Railways”; 8, chimes; from the radio exhibition — songs and choruses, pois, hakes by the Wanganui Maori Radio Party; from the studio —selection, Salon Orchestra; soprano, Miss Ella Fair’; 8.32, bass, Mr. R. J. G. Madigan; selection, Salon Orchestra; from the Radio Exhibition, Town Hall—further items by the Wanganui Maori Radio Party; 9, from the studio—weather report and announcements; waltz, Salon Orchestra; duet, James Liddy and Elsie Gergley with chorus and orchestra; humour, Miss Zena Jupp; eelection, Salon Orchestra; from the Radio Exhibition—Wanganui Maori Radio Party will again entertain; from the studio —selection, Salon Orchestra; soprano, Miss Ella Fair; Band of H.M. Grenadier Guards; humour, Miss Zena Jupp; selection, Salon Orchestra; bass, Mr. R. J. Madigan; vocal, Columbia Light Opera Company; selection, Salon Orchestra; 10.30, close down. 3YA Christchurch. —3 p.m., afternoon session; 4.25, sports results; 5, children’s hour; 6, dinner session, H.M.V. hour; Hawaiian, Hilo Hawaiian Orchestra; medley waltz, The Troubadours; ’cello, Pablo Casals; 6.30, waltzes, International Concert Orchestra; viplip and guitar.

Giulietta Morino; instrumental, New Light Symphony Orchestra; Wurlitzer organ, Royal Opera Orchestra; 7, news session; 7.30, sporte results; 8, chimes; march, Sousa’s Band; baritone, Mr. K. M. Fountain; soprano, Mrs. M. Sierokowski; piano syncopations, Miss Helen Macdonald; tenor, Mr. ML J. Trewern; humorous song, Mr. Reg. Lamb; 8.30, cornet, Mr. N. G. Goffin; mezzo-contral-to, Miss Kathleen Johns; recitation, Miss Lily Kinsella; baritone, Mr. K. M. Fountain; piano syncopations, Miss Helen Macdonald; soprano, Mrs. M. Sierokowski; humorous songs, Mr. Reg. Lamb; 9.3, weather report and station notices; tenor, Mr. W. J. Trewern; cornet, Mr. N. G. Goffin; mezzo-contralto, Miss Kathleen Johns; recitation, Miss Lily Kinsella; 11, God Save the King.

4YA Dunedin. —3 p.m., chimes, selected gramophone items; 3.15, talk, Miss Buccleugh, “Fashions”; 4.25, sporting results; 5, chimes; children’s hour; 6, dinner music, Columbia hour; orchestral, Milan Symphony Orchestra; band, H. G. Amers and the Eastbourne Municipal Band; orchestral, Jean Lensen and His Orchestra; orchestral, Symphony Orchestra; violin solo, Toscha Seidel; orchestral, Jean Lensen and His Orchestra; orchestral, Bernardo Gallico and His Orchestra; 6.30, orchestral, H. G. Amers and the Eastbourne Municipal Orchestra; orchestral, Bernardo Gallico and His Orchestra; band, H. G. Amera and the Eastbourne Municipal Band; orchestral, H. G. Amers and the Eastbourne Municipal Orchestra; orchestral, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra; violin solo, Toscha Seidel; orchestral, Symphony Orchestra; 7, news session; 8, chimes; orchestral, Berlin State Opera Orchestra; contralto, Miss Irene Horniblow; instrumental, 4YA Trio; recital, Miss Tui Northey; 8.39, ’cello, GaspaF Cassado; bass, Mr. Jack Clark; instrumental, 4YA Trio; soprano, Miss L. de Clifford; piano, Mrs. C. Drake; tenor, Mr. Janies Simpson; 0, weather report; orchestral, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra; contralto, Miss Irene Horniblow; piano and violin, Mr. Max Scherek and Mr. J. Wallace; recital, Miss Tui Northey; 9.33, bass, Mr. Jack Clark; harp, Mildred Dilling; soprano, Miss L. de Clifford; instrumental, 4YA Trio; tenor, Mr. James Simpson; orchestral, Boston Symphony Orchestra* 10.1, God Save the King.