Over The AERIAL

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19118, 1 December 1933, Page 8

Over The AERIAL

BY RHEOSTAT

THE COMING WEEK.

'Sunday. —lYA: 3.30, Recorded .talk; 7.30, service from St. Mary’s Cathedral; 8.30, studio concert. 2YA: 3-30, talk; 7, service from The Terrace -Congational Church; 8, studio concert. 3YA: 2.45, talk; 7, service from Salvation Army Citadel; 8.15, organ recital and studio concert. Monday.— lYA: 11, Talk, “All About pets"; 12, relay of Takapuna Jockey Club’s meeting; 3.30, home science talk; 7.30, agricultural talk; 8, studio concert. 2YA: Talks, 11.30, health hints, or first aid; 3, home science; 7.40, “Books, Grave and Gay”; 8, studio concert; 10, dance music. 3YA: 2.30, home science talk; 7-15, health talk; 8, concert by Woolstou Brass Band. Tuesday.— lYA: 7.30, Book review; 8, relay of swimming carnival results; 8.30, studio concert; 10, dance music. 2YA: 7, Agricultural talk; 8, studio concert. 3YA: 11, Talk, “Fashions"; 7.30, industrial talk; 8, studio concert; 9.30, dance music. Wednesday. —• IYA: Talks, 11 “Women’s Interests," 7.20 S.P.C.A. talk; 8, studio concert. 2YA—Talks, 11.30 “Hollywood Affairs," 3.15 physical culture, 7.30 horticultural talk; 8, studio concert. 3YA —11, talk; 7.35, Addington stook market reports; 8, relay of Handel’s “The Messiah”; 10.15, dance musio. Thursday.— lYA: 12.30, service from St- Matthew’s Church; 2, .opening of Horticultural ‘Society’s show; 3.30, home science talk; 8,8.8. C. programihe, “Worlds Away”; 9, studio concert. 2YA —3, home 'science talk; 8, studio concert. 3YA —11, talk; 2.30, home science talk; 7.35, review of Journal of Agriculture; 8, studio concert. Friday. —lYA: 7.30, sports talk; 8, studio concert. 2Y r A—11.30, health talk; 8, studio concert; 9.30, dance musio. 3YA—II, talk, “Feeding the Family”; 8, studio concert. Saturday. —-IYA: 7.30, horticultural talk; 8, studio concert. 2YA—B, studio concert; 10, sports summary; 10.10, dance music. 3YA—12.20, relay of New Brighton Trotting Glub’s meeting; 8, concert by Commercial Travellers’ Choir; 10, sports summary; 10.10, dance music. RADIO IN THE CAR. OFFICIAL RESTRICTIONS. DRIVING DISTRACTIONS. In view of the rumours in New Zealand that the trafllc authorities may introduce special regulations for the control of car sets from the back seat it is interesting to note that the Wireless World indicates that similar restrictions arc under consideration in Britain (says the Dominion). Interest in car radio is undoubtedly increasing, and it looks as if in the course of the next few months a large number of sets will be fitted both on new models of cars and existing types (states the journal). All sorts of rumours have been current as to what may be the official attitude towards car radio, and it lias been suggested that the Ministry of Transport or the Home Secretary will prohibit the use of wireless whilst cars are travelling on the road. It is not unnatural that some alarm should be felt by those wireless manufacturers who arc at present interesting themselves in the development of car radio at the idea of rerestrictions of this kind, because the public are not likely to spend money if there is any likelihood of a ban being put on the use of the sets at an early date. Wireless on motor cars is not by any means a new idea; portable sets have been canned for years past, and sets built in as permanent fittings on a car have also been known in this country almost slnco the days that broadcasting started. It is only recently, however, that the possibilities of a really compact and efficient set have made the idea generally attractive for privately-owned cars. Accident Risks. The officials of the Ministry of Transport and the Home Office have,

naturally, 'bad to look into the question of car radio from the point of view of accident risks on the road, and consider wdiether special regulations ought to be issued governing the use of car wireless. Consultations nave certainly taken place, but as yet no statement has been made by these authorities as to what their attitude will be. On the face of it, the possibility of a prohibition of wireless on cars seems -impossible. It is at present not illegal to carry and use wireless on a car, and the only action that the police might take would be on the grounds that because the driver’s attention was distracted by wireless the oar was being driven negligently or dangerously. .If the Home Office and the Ministry of Transport have any recommendations to put forward, or if they contemplate regulations affecting the use of wireless on cars, they should lose no time in making these known. It would be unfortunate if car radio were developed on lines which subsequently had to be revised because of new regulations. Regulations, If any, should bo with the object of ensuring simple control of the set so as to cause the least possible distraction from the attention of the driver. For this reason it seems particularly desirable that tuning 'Should be by touch rather than visual, in order to avoid the necessity for the driver to take bis eye off the road in order to adjust the set. DANGER OF SHOCKS. NEED FOR CAUTION. You should never touch an eleotric light switch with one hand whilst touching a water pipe, hot water geyser, or any suchlike object with the other hand. You have probably notioed that in bathrooms the eleotric switch is generally made with, an insulating cover instead of a metal one; at any rate, if not, It ought to he. It 'should also be plaoed in a position where it is impossible for anyone to reach it while standing in the water in the bath. Of all possible ways in the home of getting an electrio shock the best (or the worst) Is to touch the eleotric light while standing in the bath, because you have then such a very effective connection to earth. Sbme main sets are so arranged that they cannot be opened until the mains supply is withdrawn or -so that the aot of opening the cabinet disconnects the main from the Interior. It is a good rule, no matter how the set may be constructed or whatever safety device may have been introduced by the makers, to disconnect the plug from the mains socket before you attempt even to open the case of the reoeiver. If this were done accidents would almost be unheard of.