RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18958, 2 January 1930, Page 6

RADIO

By

“ AERTAL ”

NOTES AND NEWS. Reception. New Year's Eve, as on several occasions previously, was a hectic time for the New Zealand broadcasting stations as well as for those in the four cities who stayed at home to listen in and to the majority of country owners of wireless sets. On the whole, conditions were favourable in Christchurch for good and clear reception of all New Zealand stations except IYA, Auckland, whose transmission round about midnight was badly distorted. The “ scenes ” at midnight were similar to those put over in previous years and the roar of the crowds, etc., in Wellington and Christchurch were faithfully dealt with by 2YA and 3YA respectively. The feature at 4YA was the playing of the bagpipes and, as 4YA had been on its best behaviour all evening, first class reception was recorded. Station 3ZC saw the four YA stations to bed and carried on until the new year was well in. During the evening ihe station acknowledged the season’s greetings from a number of wellwishers. amongst them being the Rt. Hon Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Minister), the lion J. B. Donald and Mrs Donald, and Messrs If. Holland and Clyde Carr, M.P.’s. After midnight, the station staged an impromptu concert and opened up the year in good style. There was considerable activity on the short wave band—2o to 40 metres—the best being the evening’s transmission by Radio Manila. Strength was fairly good and, as was the case with broadcast band reception, the ether was beautifully quiet. J.J 35 3YA was on the air for a round twelve hours yesterday and more than “ filled the bill ” for those who were at home for the day. Reception last night was quite good, there being scarcely a sign of static about. Neither on New Year’s Eve nor last night did any of the Australian stations “ come over ” with any great volume, despite the fact that there were no disabilities at this end to militate against good results. However, this must be expected just now and those who prefer to listen to “ the Aussies ” can console themselves with the thought that in a few weeks’ time reception should improve very considerably. KZRM, Manila, was again in good form in regard to volume but there was a slight surging—a fading every other second—that made speech somewhat unintelligible. By the way, this station opens up exactly at 10 p.m., New Zealand time, with an hour’s music, the items following one another without a break. At 11, one hears the chimes, followed by a news session until 11.20, when, apparently, the concert session opens. Last night Manila’s announcer apologised for there being no market report. He “ regretted that to-day was observed as a holiday by the New York Stock Exchange”! Some Radio History. Now that 1929 is ending, and five long years have lapsed since the inception of broadcasting in Australia, it will be interesting for listeners to note the progress of radio during that period, states a message from the Australian B.C. headquarters, Sydney, of December 18. Australia is taking full advantage of the benefits to be derived from wireless broadcasting, and can claim to take a place among the pioneers of this spectacular development of the science. In June, 1920, the Marconi Company gave the first actual broadcast concert from its experimental valve station at Chelmsford, England, and among the artists was the great Australian prima donna Dame Nellie Melba, whose voice was heard a considerable distance across the Atlantic and in many parts of Europe. The second important broadcasting demonstration was given at the Imperial Press Conference at Ottawa in August. 1920. In the same month, August, 1920, Mr E. T. Fisk, managing director of the Amalgamated Wireless Company, gave a public demonstration of wireless broadcasting in Sydney to an audience of more than one hundred at a meeting of the Royal Society of New South Wales. In October of the same year he arranged a complete public broadcast concert in the Queen’s Hall, Federal Parliament House, Melbourne, to an audience of some hundreds of people. This was the third large public demonstration of broadcasting that had taken place in any part of the world. In January, 1921, a weekly broadcast programme was transmitted from Melbourne by A.W.A., and was heard by experimenters and others at distances up to 1000 miles. Discussions subsequently took place with a view to devising a scheme which would be suitable to Australian conditions and be adaptable to the vast territory and sparse and scattered population of the Commonwealth. It was desired that any such scheme should avoid the monopoly which had been granted in Great Britain, and the confusion and uncertainty of continuity resulting from free broadcasting in the United States. regulations on these lines were issued by the Postmaster-General on August I, 1923, and two licenses were issued to Broadcasters (Sydney), Ltd., on August 18, 1923, and to Farmer and Co.. Ltd., Sydney, on October 20. 1923. The two stations 2BL and! 2FC were opened for service respec-1 tively on November 13 and December 5, 1923. Prior to the formation of 2FC, operated by Farmers and 2BL, operated by Broadcasters, Ltd., Messrs W. 11. Paling and Company, Sydney, under arrangements made with the

Postmaster-General’s Department, carried out the first series of public broadcasting concerts. These were held in Paling’s Concert Hall between January, 1923, and August, 1923. Three concerts were held weekly, at which the public attended, and in this way the first listeners had an opportunity of hearing the best available talent before the official stations were opened. STUDIO NOTES. New Zealand Stations. Mr Reg. Moran and his orcnestra have been engaged by IYA for this evening, and will be heard in many delightful numbers, including baritone solos by Mr Moran himself. These will be “Danny Boy” and “The Desert Song”. Miss Kay Christie, contralto, is also appearing, singing “The Little Silver Ring”, “Good Morning, Brother Srinshine”, and “It’s Quiet Down Here”. Humour will be supplied by Mr T. T. Garland. The Snappy Three will be giving some of the latest novelties and the usual dance programme will follow until 11 p.m. 35 j.* if A new combination of entertainers, the Radiolites Concert Party, will provide a novelty programme of a bright and happy nature at 2YA. The items comprise choruses, vocal solos, humorous sketches and novelty numbers both vocal and instrumental, in keeping with the holiday season. During the news session, Ilare Ilongi will give his first of a further series of talks on “Maori Pronunciation”. At 3YA this evening there will be a miscellaneous programme which will comprise numerous classical items. The vocalists will be the Grand Opera Quartet, singing solo and concerted numbers. Pianoforte solos will be played by Miss Frances Hamerton and violin solos by Mr Arthur Gordon, first violin of the Christchurch String Quartet. Miss Dorothy Jenkin will recite “The French Peasant” and “The Thousandth Man”. From 2BL To-night. Tune in from 10.0 on 353 metres. The first four scenes of James Donnelly’s play “The Magic Carpet” will

be given. The story concerns one Hafiz, who, brought up in the deserts of Arabia, finds that he has inherited the learning of the East plus a million pounds and an aeroplane! Other features on the programme tonight include two sketches, “The Deal - ’ and “If I’d Only Known”, to be presented by Lew James, Dodi Wolffe, Sadie Anderson, Doris LascelleS and May Fouldes; “Bill” Bennett, xylophone. in the “Fantasie” from “William Tell”, and Rowell Bryden, described as a well-known New Zealand baritone, in an English folk song, “The Pretty Creature”, a Negro spirituel, “Deep River”, and two Rachmaninoff numbers. From 2FC To-night. Tune in from 10.0 on 451 metres. The feature item is a short comedy, “Punishment”, by John Stuart-—a humorous and seasonable little episode. TO-DAY’S PROGKAMMBS. Following are details of to-day’s programmes, to be broadcast by New Zealand stations and 4QG, Brisbane:— IYA, Auckland (333 M.). 11.45: Relay of results of Auckland Racing Club’s meeting at Ellerslie, interspersed with studio items. 5: Children’s session. 6: Dinner session. 7: session. 8.1: Reg. Morgan’s Orchestra, “Canary Cottage.” 8.8: Contralto, Miss Kay Christie, “The Little Silver Ring’’ and “Good Morning, Brother Sunshine.” 8.14: Mr T. T. Garland, humour. 8.19: Violin solo, Mr G. A. Fowler, “Molly on the Shire.” 5.24: Snappy Three, “Honey” and “Breakaway.” 8.30: Reg. Morgan’s Orchestra, “On With the Dance” and “The Toymaker’s Dream.” 8.37: Xylophone solo, Mr Reg. Morgan, “Danny Boy.” 8.40: Reg. Morgan’s Orchestra, “Legend of a Rose.” 8.48: Song at the piano, Mr Reg. Morgan, “The Desert Song.” 8.52: Trumpet solo, Mr R. Sprowl, “Les b'olies.” 8.56: Contralto, Miss Kay Christie, “Down Here.” 9: Weather report. 9.2: Reg. Morgan’s Orchestra, The Merry Widow” and "The Breakaway.” 9.y ; Mr T. T. Garland, "A Fireside Chat.” 9.15: Piano medley, Miss Beryl Poulton. 9.18: Snappy Three, "Walking With Susie” and "Blue Night.” 9.26: Violin, Mr G. A. Fowler, ‘Danse Espagnola.” 9.31: Programme of dance music. 11: Close down. 2YA, Wellington (416 M.). 3: Afternoon session. 5: Children’s session. 6: Dinner session, Orchestre Symphonique de Paris, “L’Arlesienne Suite.” 6.15: Columbia Symphony Orchestra, “Faust”; violin, Toscha Seidel, '‘Chanson Arabe.” 6.30: Orchestra Symphonique de Paris, “L’Arlesienne.” 6.45: Orchestre Symphonique de Paris, “L’Arlesienne—Farandole”; Band de Garde Republicaine France, “Carmen— Entr’acte.” 7: News session. 7.40: Lecturette, Hare Hongi, “Maori Pronunciation.” 8: Chimes; novelty programme by the “Radiolite Concert Party,” “Pique Dame.” 8.9: Opening chorus, “Radiolites.” 5.12: Baritone, “Jack’s the Boy.” 8.16: Violin, “Romance” (d’Ambrosio). 8.21: Sktetch, “Reggie Makes a Complaint.” 8.31: Balalaika Orchestra, “Fantasy on ‘Song of India’.” 8.35: Tenor, "Bonnie Mary of Argyle.” 8.39: Orchestra, “Love’s Garden of Roses.” 8.43: The soubrette in something fresh. 8.46: Violin solo, “Indian Love Call.” 8.50: Humour, “Otherwise She’s Mother's Kind of Girl.” 8.55: Soprano, “The Dancing Lesson.” 8.58: Orchestral selection, “Good Old Songs.” 9.6: Weather report. 9.8: Vocal duet, “Tenor and Baritone.” 9.3 2: Violin solo. “Le Souvenir.” 9.17: Sketch, “Love or Lucre.” 9.29: Instrumental novelty, "Sleepy Valley.” 9.32: Entertainer at the piano, “You Mustn’t Do It After Eight o'clock.” 9.38: Violin and piano, “Medley of Popular Hits.” 9.4 9: The soubrette will entertain. 9.53: Soprano and baritone duet, “Song of Love.” 9.57: Columbia Symphony Orchestra, “March of tho Bojaren.” 10.2: Close down. 3YA. C hris tch.ur cli (306 M.) 11.30 a.m.: Results of Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington, interspersed with selected gramophone items. 5: Children’s session. 6: Dinner session—American Legion Band, "The Conqueror”; Savoy Orpheans, “Lido Lady.” 6.15: New Light Syra-

phony Orchestra, “Rustic Wedding SyraphSny”; Victor Olaf Sextet, “To a Water Lily”; New Light Symphony Orchestra, "Spanish Dancfe"; Wurlitzer organ, Reginald Foort, “Just Like a Darby and Joan.” 6.30: Jack Hylton s Orchestra, “The Selfish Giant”; Victor Olaf Sextet, “To a Wild Rose” and “In Autumn”; violin and Wurlitzer organ, De Groot and Terence Casey, “Parted.” 6.45: Victor Symphony Orchestra, “Dance of the Hours”; Wurlitzer organ, Reginald Foort, “Love Lies”; American Legion Band, “lowa Corn Song.” 7: News session. S: Chimes: Royal Opera Orchestra, “1812 Overture.” 8.13: Grand Opera Quartet, “Shepherdess and Beau Brocade.” 8.17: Mezzo-contralto, Miss Mavis Spiller, "The Diver.” 5.20Pianoforte, Miss Frances Hamerton, “Longing” and “Study No. 2” (Mendelssohn). 5.25: Bass, Mr James Filer, “My Lodging is the Cellar Here.” 8.29: Royal Opera Orchestra, “Marche Hongroise.” 8.33: Tenor, Mr Ernest Rogers, “The Spirit Flower.” 8.37: Violin, Mr Arthur Gordon, “Romanza Andaluza.” 8.43: Grand Opera Duo, “Sunbeam.” 5.47: Recital, Miss Dorothy Jenkin, “The French Peasant.” 8.52: Organ, Reginald Goos-Custard, “The Question.” 8.55: Mr James Filer, “The Wanderer.” 9: Weather report. 9.2: Detroit Symphony Orchestra, “Spanish Rhapsodv.” 9.5: Madame Gower Burns, “Hush, Little One.” 9.12: Pianoforte, Miss Frances Hamerton, “Fantasie No. 3” and “Fantasie No. 1" (Mendelssohn). 9.18: Grand Opera Male Duo, “Love and War.” 9.22: Organ. Reginald Goos-Cus-tard, “The Answer.” 9.25: Miss Mavis Spiller, “Eleanore” and “Yesterday and To-day.” 9.32: Violin, Mr Arthur Gordon, “Berceuse” and “Viennese Melodite.” 9.38: Mr Ernest Rogers, “To Daisies” and “Like Stars Above.” 9.43: Miss Dorothy Jenkin, “The Thousandth Man.” 9.48: Instrumental trio, Kreisler, Kreisler and Raueheisen, “Marche Miniature Viennoise.” 9.51: Madame Gower Burns, “Mia Piccarella.” 9.55: Grand Opera Quartet. “Fly. Singing Bird. Fly.” 9.59: New Light Symphony Orchestra, “La Poupete Valsante.” 10.3: Close down. 4YA. Dunedin. Silent day. 4QO, Brisbane (385TKE.). (385 M.—780 K.) 10 p.m. to midnight: Concert session —An “Old Time” night, from the studio. FOR FRIDAY. 3ZC, Christchurch (250 M.). 10.0 a.m.: "Sweet Dreams of Home,” American Symphony Orcfiestra. 10.5: Household hints and tested recipes:— Masked chops, steamed chocolate pudding, Quaker wafers. “Valse Capriccio,” Albert Spalding (violin); “FloatingDown the Old Monongalia” (Kerry Mills), Charles Hart (tenor); “Thru the Park March,” Frosini (accordeon); “Evening Song,” Willem Willeke (’cello); “Salut a la France,” Odette le Fontenay (soprano); “Vera-Valse iente,” Sodero’s Band. 10.45: Home Service Association Talk. “Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses,” Albert Spalding (violin). 11.0: Talk supplied by Ballantynes. “Let the Rest of the World Go By” (vocal duet). “Echoes from the Movies,” Frosini (accordeon). “An-dante-Concerto No. 2” (Goltermann), Willem Willeke (’cello); “Berceuse de Jocelyn,” Odette le Fontenay (soprano); “The Warbler’s Serenade,” Sodero’s Band.” 11.30: Close down. 12.0 noon to 1.30: News and luncheon music.