2YA WILL OPEN TO-MORROW NIGHT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18208, 15 July 1927, Page 14

2YA WILL OPEN TO-MORROW NIGHT

WILL BE MORE LISTENERS IN AUSTRALIA THAN IN NEW ZEALAND. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, July 14. Wellington’s new super-broadcasting wireless station will be formally opened by the Prime Minister on Saturday evening, and, as it is second only to Daventry as the most powerful station in the Empire, listeners-in will have . much wider opportunities of entertainment than they hitherto have enjoyed. Whatever may be said of the Broadcasting Company's preliminary efforts to provide a good service on the air, this station shows signs of a very definite attempt to place the equipment on a high plane. The broadcasting studio, in the centre of Wellington City occupies the spacious premises recently vacated by the Men’s Club, and has been luxuriously fitted for the accommodation of the directing staff and artists. It must

be difficult for an entertainer over the wireless to work up to that pitch of enthusiasm which comes from the sight of a large audience, but the new broadcasting studio, palatial in its lay-out, will go far to .create the atmosphere for a first-class effort. One enters a beautiful, carpeted hall surrounded with lounges, and views through large plate-glass panels all the principal rooms of the suite. There is a central instrument room, where the programme announcer controls the entertaining output. Important churches and theatres throughout the city are connected to this room, and through it go the items picked up at these points. They are transmitted by a land line to the Broadcast Station on the skyline of Mount Victoria, but the performers do not need to leave the city. The greater part of a wireless programme originates from the studio, and, as it is necessary to keep things moving without delay once the listenerin has commenced to give his attention, there are two studios, so that, while one item is being presented, another can. be prepared

DRAWING-ROOM STUDIO. The grand studio, SO feet long by 40 feet wide, resembles a beautiful draw-ing-room. The only suggestion of its scientific purpose is to be found in the small stand bearing the microphone, which can be conveniently arranged among the decorative effects. Another concession to its purpose is that the large panels on the walls are padded with thick felt, covered in blue and mulbery shot silk. In the centre of each are golden medallions, each containing a choice picture of New Zealand scenery. The blue and gold colour scheme has been carefully followed out in the furnishing. This studio is large enough to accommodate a big choir or orchestra. The supplementary studio, though smaller, is equally luxurious While waiting, artists have at their disposal a spacious lounge with decorative effects and comfortable furnishing, which make this room very distinctive. If the programmes reach the level of the studio equipment, then wireless enthusiasts will be well served. POSSIBILITIES AND ACTUALITIES. Of the wireless receivers in the Dominion eighty per cent are crystal sets with a limited range. This imposes on the Broadcasting Service the neces-' sity of producing four separate programmes simultaneously. If the entertaining resources of the Dominion could be centred on one studio, the anxieties of the Programme Director would almost disappear. The great resources of the new station will, however, enable the tremendous possibilities of re-broadcasting to be developed. By this method New’ Zealand experimenters have already been able to hear a British programme relayed through a station in Holland and as Mr Davies, Director of 2YA, remarked to our representative it is quite within the bounds *of possibility that in the near future, if we like to get up early enough, New Zealanders will be privileged to hear direct important speeches made in England. Owing to the difference in time the best English wireless programmes are on the air about 2 or 3 a.m., New Zealand time. One immediately practicable development, however, is that 2F'C (Farmers’ Limited, Sydney), and 3LO, Melbourne, will endeavour to co-operate with Wellington on rebroadcasting programmes. The new Wellington station is so powerful that there will be a larger number of Australian than New Zealand listeners. It will range easily over the Pacific Islands and be picked up by the Western States of U.S.A. As for New Zealand receivers, one valve sets from the far north to Invercargill will hear 2YA and with two valves, loud speaker strength will be secured. Crystal set owners for 100 miles radius are well within range. A systematic effort is being made to secure lecturettes from recognised authorities on subjects of general interest and the response from leading men who have been approached is encouraging. Programme arrangements are:—Monday nights—Operatic and classical music; Tuesday, classical music; \Vednesday, silent; Thursday, band selections; Friday, miscellaneous; Saturday, light music. A series of topical and educative talks will be worked into r most of the programmes. When this station settles down to work it intends to provide afternoon entertainments for the women of New’ Zealand, including talks on domestic hygiene, cookery, dressmaking and other subjects of feminine interest.