ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEW ZEALAND BROADCASTING SERVICE FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st MARCH, 1950

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1950 Session I, F-03

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1950 NEW ZEALAND

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEW ZEALAND BROADCASTING SERVICE FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st MARCH, 1950

Presented to Both Houses of the General Assembly Pursuant to the Provisions of the Broadcasting Act, 1936

I have the honour to submit the annual report on the operations of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service for the year ended 31st March, 1950, in accordance with the provisions of section 18 (1) of the Broadcasting Act, 1936. The year was one of further expansion in the Service, and with the opening of three of the new composite stations featuring advertising and non-advertising programmes at Hamilton, Whangarei, and Wanganui the plans begun in 1947 for improving coverage and enabling broadcasting to play a greater part in the life of the community were advanced a step further. Many appreciative comments have been received on the part these composite stations are taking in local community life. A new 10 kW. station was opened at Rotorua to serve the needs of the Bay of Plenty listeners. The station at Gisborne commenced operation as a composite one, and new transmitters of higher power were installed at this station and at New Plymouth,. Nelson, and Palmerston North. Events of particular interest that were broadcast during the year were the concluding stages of the tour by the Italian Grand Opera Company presented by the Service in conjunction with Messrs. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., the broadcasting of the British Empire Games held in Auckland, and the tour of the New Zealand Rugby Team through South Africa. The popularity of broadcasting was again reflected in an increase in licence figures. There were 451,426 licences held on the 31st March, 1950, an increase of 17,412 over the figures for the previous year. This compares more than favourably with the 1948-49 increase of 11,323. On the 22nd April Sir James Shelley retired from the position of Director of Broadcasting. Many well-deserved tributes were paid to Sir James for his work not only in broadcasting, but in educational and cultural activities. I should like to record my appreciation of the assistance given by Sir James Shelley when I succeeded him, and also for honorary services he has rendered the New Zealand Broadcasting Service since taking up his residence in London.

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PROGRAMMES Allocation op Programme Time The following analysis of programmes for the week ended 26th February, 1950, illustrates on a percentage basis the amount of time allocated to various types of programmes : Per Cent. Serious music .. . ... .. .. 19-21 light music . . .. .. .. .. 49•14 Modern dance music .. .. 5-37 Plays, sketches, and dramatic serials .. .. 7-08 Sporting commentaries .. .. .. .. 2-04 Talks, general and educative * .. .. 3-91 News commentaries .. .... .. .. 8-37 Church and devotional .. .. .. .. 2-27 Children's sessions . . .. .. .. 2-61 This analysis would be a fair indication of the percentages for any other normal week of the year. Serious Music Interest in serious music was stimulated during the year by the concerts of the National Orchestra and associated overseas artists. Highlights of the year's activities were the broadcasts by the International Opera Company brought to New Zealand in co-operation with Messrs. J. C. Williamson, Ltd. In all there were sixty-one broadcasts of complete operas by this company and the listening public heard many favourites, among them " Manon," " La Boheme," " Madame Butterfly," " Faust," " Aida," and a number of others. The Service also presented fifty-eight recorded operas, six being works not previously featured. These included " Darien and Darienne," by Mozart, and " Tristan and Isolde," by Wagner. Recordings of the Delius opera, " Village Romeo and Juliet," featuring the New Zealand baritone Dennis Bowling, were also presented. The Service relayed public concerts by the National Orchestra, in some cases with visiting artists engaged either by the Service or touring under private management. Among these artists were Alexandr Helmann, pianist, and Leo Cherniavsky, violinist. Artists whose solo performances were relayed from the concert platform were Oscar Natzka, New Zealand bass ; Isador Goodman, Australian pianist; the American baritone, Todd Duncan ; the Australian soprano, Marjorie Lawrence, and the baritone, Peter Dawson ; and the French soprano, Ninon Vallin. A number of other overseas artists appeared in studio broadcasts, among them Vera Benenson, Peers Coetmore, Ruth Pearl, Joan Coxon, Isabel Bedlington and four visiting music examiners, Margaret Roux, Henry Wilson, Kathleen McQuitty, and Dr. Reginald Cooper. The piano quartet Musica Viva, which concluded the tour that was started last year, broadcast a number of performances. A number of outstanding 8.8.C. programmes featuring serious music were presented, more particularly the series " Ring Up the Curtain " and six programmes featuring highlights from the Third Edinburgh Music Festival. There were many relays of choral and competitions festivals, orchestral and instrumental concerts. Of particular interest were broadcasts of choral works by the choral societies in the main centres. The programme " Tribute to Chopin " issued by UNESCO was broadcast throughout New Zealand.

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Light Music, Variety, and Bands There is a wide demand for this type of entertainment and the Service continued "to present the best that was offering in this field. A number of local artists and combinations were used in variety and light music programmes in addition to special weekly •sessions of dance music by local dance bands fropi the four main National stations. The Auckland novelty combination, the Nancy Harrie Quartet, was brought to Wellington for three broadcasts and proved very popular. Other dance programmes were compiled from the best overseas recordings. 8.8.C. programmes such as " Much Binding in the Marsh " and " Heather Mixture " were broadcast and attracted a wide listening audience. Gilbert and Sullivan light operas were again broadcast by arrangement with the copyright holders. Another addition to the Service's library of light recordings were those provided by the American Embassy, particularly the " Voice of America " programmes. Brass and pipe bands were again featured in the programmes. The 1950 New Zealand Brass Bands Festival was held in Christchurch during February and was fully •covered by the Service. The winning bands and soloists were featured in various band programmes. In March the Dominion contest for Highland pipe bands was held in .Auckland and the Service broadcast some of the performances. News, Commentaries, and Special Services The daily overseas and New Zealand news broadcast at 9.04 p.m. was continued throughout the year. The overseas portion of this bulletin is compiled by the Service from various sources, including Press Association cablegrams. The New Zealand news ■comes mainly from the Information Section of the Prime Minister's Department. The weekly news features which followed the overseas and New Zealand news for the greater part of the year included the news in Maori and " Australian Commentary." The 8.8.C. World Affairs Commentary " was also broadcast each week. News bulletins from the 8.8.C. were again a feature of the news service and were broadcast from the Main National stations five times each day. Special services provided for listeners included Christmas messages from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, reports on the Australian and British elections, .and speeches by candidates prior to the British elections. Another special service of interest to recent arrivals in New Zealand was the broadcasting of " News from Home " •each Sunday morning. Complete coverage was given to the referendum on compulsory military training and to the broadcasting of some of the speeches at election meetings and of progress and final returns for the 1949 general election. Talks Excluding overseas programme material, the total of talks and spoken-word periods in all stations since 31st March, 1949, has been over six thousand. A particular feature of the year's work has been the experimentation, especially in the four main centres, with weekly and daily special sessions, such as the " Women's Session," farming programmes, and discussion panels ; the serving of local requirements and interests, as far as possible, was watched in the preparation of these sessions. In the same way the Service has been active in bringing to the microphone new speakers whose personalities or knowledge have added to the interest of the programmes. Farm sessions, book reviews, health and home science talks, country sessions, and gardening talks .are a regular feature at main National stations. The tendency during the past year has been to allow increasing flexibility by stations in the type of material broadcast and in its presentation. A dossier of farm talks, interviews, and discussions from the main agricultural colleges, District Pig Councils, and the Department of Agriculture,

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as well as by well-known agricultural visitors and 8.8.C. speakers, has been built up over the past few years. New material is constantly being added to it for the benefit of farm sessions from the main National and district stations. The Young Farmers' Leadership Contest was again broadcast, the Dominion final on a link. Portable recording equipment is proving of immense value in enabling the Service to go into the country and record " on the spot " material. Once again main National and Commercial stations were linked each Sunday evening at 8.45 o'clock to broadcast a talk on a special theme or on a topical subject of wide interest. Nearly half of the Sunday evening speakers were New Zealanders. Among the distinguished visitors who spoke in the session were Mr. J. H. Moolman, Chairman of the South African Wool Board ; Mr. K. H. Rahman, Trade Commissioner for Pakistan in Australia ; Sir Patrick Duff; Professor David Marsh ; Dr. Gwendoline M. Carter r Associate Professor of Political Science at Smith College, Massachusetts ; Dr. Norman White, Scientific Adviser to the British Ministry of Food ; Mr. John Forrester-Paton, President of the World's Alliance of Y.M.C.A.'s ; the Bishop of Melanesia, the Right Reverend S. G. Caulton ; the Bishop of Chichester, the Right Reverend G. K. A. Bell; Dr. Lawrence E. Palmer ; Mr. G. Ward Price ; Mr. Michael Joseph ; Sir Angus Gillan ; Mr. E. H. Riches ; Mr. W. D. Forsyth ; Sir Robert Holland ; Rear Admiral J. H. S. Eccles ; and the International Head of the Salvation Army, General Albert Orsborn. The first of the series known as the " Reith Lectures " was received from the British Broadcasting Corporation and presented ; this was a series of six lectures by the noted English philosopher, Bertrand Russell. The Broadcasting organizations of the Commonwealth, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Australian Broadcasting Commission, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the South African Broadcasting Corporation, and the Radio Division of the United Nations have maintained close co-operation with the Service in spoken programmes. The Service is deeply indebed to these sister organizations for their constant readiness to help in using broadcasting as a means of closer Commonwealth and international understanding. Parliamentary Broadcasts The proceedings of the House of Representatives continued to be relayed by Station 2YA. The presentation of the Budget by the Minister of Finance, the Right Hon. W. Nash, and later the opening of the Budget debate by the Leader of the Opposition,, Mr. S. G. Holland, were broadcast by the main National stations. The Service continues to receive inquiries from other countries about the method used for broadcasting parliamentary proceedings. Plays and Feature Programmes Locally produced plays broadcast throughout the year numbered 466, the increase over last year's figure of 334 being due mainly to the opening of new stations. Of this figure, 352 were broadcast by the National stations and 143 by the Commercial. Twohundred and fifty-one short stories were also presented. There was an increase of 8 in the number of complete plays recorded over the year, 41 in all being recorded. Of these, 21 were over half an hour in length, and authors represented have included W. Somerset Maugham, Noel Coward, G. Gordon Glover, Diana Morgan, George Orwell, Clifford Bax, and J. Jefferson Farjeon. The Production Section also recorded 12 episodes of a children's series entitled " The Fairy Sisters " written by the Wellington author Jack Harper. The total number of scripts submitted to the Service for consideration was 941, approximately the same number as last year. There was a slight increase in the number submitted by New Zealand waiters ; 296 were submitted, as against 270 last year. Of the 272 scripts accepted and purchased, 53 were by New Zealand writers.

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During the past year officers attached to the Mobile Recording Unit have compiled 37 half-hour dramatized programmes on various South Island towns and districts. In addition, 26 quarter-hour programmes of recordings taken by the Unit were prepared. These programmes have had a wide listening audience in the South Island. Overseas Rebroadcasts Among the outstanding rebroadcasts from overseas were messages from His Majesty the King at Christmas and on the opening night of the " Colonial Month " Exhibition held in London. Reports on the signing of the Atlantic Pact, broadcasts dealing with the Edinburgh Musical Festival, Radio Olympia, Christmas bells from famous English churches, and the speech by Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth from the Guildhall at the opening of an appeal for funds for a students' hostel in London were also broadcast. Sporting Broadcasts During the year there were many outstanding broadcasts of sporting events. Among these were the broadcast coverage of a number of major tours by New Zealand and overseas teams, and of the British Empire Games at Auckland. Extensive broadcast coverage was given to the New Zealand Rugby Team's tour of South Africa, the New Zealand Cricket Teams' tour of England, and the New Zealand Maori Rugby Football Team's tour of Australia. Touring New Zealand were teams representing Australia at Rugby, Rugby league, cricket, ladies golf, a badminton team, and an Australian Universities Rugby team. All these tours were covered either by direct rebroadcast or by announcement of results. The Rugby tour of South Africa provided special technical problems for broadcasting. The great distances in Africa from some of the playing-grounds to the transmitting-stations resulted in a considerable loss of technical quality. On one occasion over one thousand miles of relay line separated the originating point from the transmitting aerial. This, coupled with the fact that the reception in New Zealand of South African transmission is difficult, meant that the matches were not always received with clarity. The South African Broadcasting •Corporation co-operated in making these broadcasts possible. The New Zealand cricket tour of England was also fully covered by the Service, and thanks are extended to the 8.8.C. for their co-operation in providing wide coverage for the matches. The commentaries by the 8.8.C. commentators proved very popular in New Zealand. In addition to the broadcasts associated with these tours, the Service broadcast regularly local fixtures in such sports as Rugby, league, association football, racing, wrestling, boxing, tennis, yachting, and many others. In addition to the actual commentaries, the stations made Dominion-wide broadcasts of results and summaries. Overseas sporting events which were rebroadcast by New Zealand stations included the Melbourne Cup, the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, the Derby, tennis from Wimbledon, and the boxing contest between Bruce Woodcock and Freddie Mills. Special arrangements were made to cover the British Empire Games held at Auckland. The main National stations of the Service were occupied during Empire Games week with broadcast descriptions of the various events. These broadcasts appear to have been very well received both within and outside New Zealand. Religious Broadcasts National policy governing religious broadcasts is determined by the Central Religious Advisory Committee, which is representative of the National bodies of all •churches broadcasting regular services. In the four main centres there are also local church committees whose main function is to decide how national policy can best be adapted to meet local requirements. The Service desires to place on record its appreciation of the work of these committees and the helpful co-operation received from them ■during the past year. -

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During the year the Service broadcast relays of church, services each Sunday morning and evening, devotional services each week-day morning, and the chiming of Big Ben each Sunday evening for the observance of a silent prayer period. In addition to these regular broadcasts, a number of special services were relayed to listeners. Among; them were the Anzac Day Commemoration Services, the special Empire Games Service from St Mary's Cathedral, Auckland, the Combined TOC H and Returned Services Association service from Christchurch Cathedral, the Good Friday service by the United Churches at Dune.din, midnight mass from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church, Wellington, and the midnight mass from St. Michael's Anglican Church, Christchurch,. at Christmas. The dedication of the Memorial to the Fallen was also broadcast from Christchurch Cathedral. Arrangements were made for the new station at Rotorua to include a service for Maoris once a month in its rota of Sunday evening broadcasts of church services. Broadcasts to Schools Once again this session, comprising a weekly schedule of just under three hours,, has proved a valuable aid to teachers and school-children, particularly in the remoteareas where library and other facilities are difficult of access. While the programmesare worked out in detail by officers of the Service, the general policy covering school broadcasts is determined by a committee representing the New Zealand Broadcasting: Service, the Education Department, and the New Zealand Educational Institute. The number of schools listed to receive booklets issued in connection with the broadcastsis 2,916, an increase of 203 on last year's figure. This figure, while not a completelyreliable index of the number of schools actually listening, does indicate that a very large percentage of the schools are listening to one or more of the programmes. The sessions generally and the booklets issued are designed to fit in with other educational publications,, such as the School Journal. During the year five booklets were issued and they were a great improvement on those of past years. The booklets were a General Booklet for the use of teachers, a Music Booklet also for the use of teachers, a Pupils' Booklet, and a Children's Music Booklet. A new series of French programmes was presented in 1949-50, but the French Booklet was the same as was used in 1949. The Broadcast to . Schools Sessions dealt with a wide variety of subjects and included features such as" What is Law," " Nature Studies," " Musical Appreciation,"" and literature. The Education Department's Correspondence School broadcast a half-hour session twice weekly and included talks on physical education, music, travel, and talks for the guidance of supervisors of the Correspondence School's pupils. Under an agreement made at the Commonwealth Conference on School Broadcasting, some of the 8.8.C. programmes are transcribed for use by Commonwealth countries,, and travel talks, history, and talks on, citizenship were broadcast. It is hoped to extend this interchange of programmes to include other English-speaking countries. The programme. " Life on a New Zealand Sheep-farm " was produced for the Canadian. School Broadcasting Department, and two talks prepared in New Zealand have been accepted by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Women's Sessions Regular-sessions for women are an established feature in the main centres. A widevariety of subject is included in the spoken sessions and covered such topics as films, art and book reviews, citizenship, .careers for women, and the homecrafts generally. In these sessions distinguished women, both in New Zealand and from overseas, were brought to the microphone.. The scripts of the ". For My Lady " feature were again presented and. covered musical and spoken material ranging from grand opera to comedy.

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Children's Services Entertainment for children was provided in the late afternoon programmes. The aim is to make these sessions informative and educational as well as entertaining. Travel, genera] knowledge, and musical items were features of the programmes. Attractive programmes received from the British Broadcasting Corporation included " Matilda Mouse," a series of children's stories read by Wilfred Pickles, the leading figure of the " Have a Go " programmes. On Sunday evenings special children's song services were broadcast in collaboration with the clergy of the various churches. The Service again wishes to thank those people who throughout the year have given voluntary assistance to programme organizers in the presentation of children's sessions. Recorded Programmes A steady flow of material was received from the London Transcription Service of the 8.8.C. and heard by New Zealand listeners during the year. These programmes are of wide range and excellent over-all quality and are distributed to the stations of the Service as soon as possible after they are received. The types of programmes received cover classical and light music, variety, talks, documentaries, plays, children's programmes, and serials, and they feature some of the world's most famous authors, playwrights, and performers. The Commercial stations also used a number of these 8.8.C. features as sustaining programmes. There was a decline in the number of feature programmes offered to the Service from overseas producers. The majority of these features are purchased from Australian sources. There was a noticeable decline in the number of sensational features offered and an increase in the light musical programmes. In all, fifty-six features under the following headings were purchased . .. Serious music . . .. 4 features comprising 70 episodes. Light music .... .. 14 „ 416 „ Variety .. .. .. 1 „ 26 Dramatic musical .. .. 2 ~ 65 „ Self-contained programmes .. 6 ~ 182 „ Dramatic serials .. .. 11 ~ 988 ~ Book adaptations .. .. 12 ~ 585 „ Children's plays .. .. 6 „ 54 „ 56 features 2,386 episodes. A Selection Committee exercises considerable care in the auditioning of features to ensure that of the large number submitted only those suitable for our purposes are accepted. SHORT-WAVE DIVISION The 27th September, 1949, marked the end of the first year of transmission of Radio New Zealand. Intended primarily for listeners in the Pacific islands and Australia, the transmissions have reached much further afield and reports on reception have been received from a great many countries. The division of programme time allowed for approximately one-quarter of the transmitting-time to be given to talks, news, and documentary features. These were given under four main headings : " Background to New Zealand," dealing with a wide field of background information ; " Through New Zealand," a commentary on the coastsline, outlying islands, and country people ; " Farm Topics," dealing with items of an agricultural and pastoral nature ; and " Sporting Commentary." . ,

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Since the inception of the short-wave service considerable attention has been given to publicising New Zealand attractions, and while it is difficult to gauge directly the result of this publicity, letters received show that there is a definite interest in New Zealand scenic and sporting attractions. Some of the features covering this field were " New Zealand —Pacific Playground," " Winter Playtime in the Southern Alps," " Fiordland Expeditions," " White Island," " Mount Maunganui," " Deer Stalking," and " After Wild Pig." The musical programmes covered a wide range and included recitals by New Zealand artists. The presence of prominent overseas artists was also mentioned in the programmes, and recitals by Leo Cherniavsky, Oscar Natzka, and others were rebroadcast. Concerts by the National Orchestra were also .relayed. There is a wide general interest in Maori music and every opportunity has been taken of publicising the singing of the Maoris. The Empire Games were fully covered by Radio New Zealand, and a large number of letters were received from overseas listeners who had followed the Games' broadcasts from this country. There is no doubt that, within limitations of power, Radio New Zealand is performing a definite service both as a source of news and entertainment for overseas listeners and as a link with the home-land for some New Zealanders living abroad. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW ZEALAND TALENT The Service continued to provide an outlet for New Zealand musical, dramatic, and literary talent. There were broadcasts of local bands and orchestras, vocal and choral groups, plays, short stories, and talks by local artists. The opening of stations in some of the smaller centres enabled the Service to provide a stimulus for artists previously remote from broadcasting activity. This is shown by the substantial increase in the number of appearances by local artists, bands, and choirs throughout New Zealand. These totalled 4,345, compared with 3,484 for the previous year, an increase of approximately 25 per cent. Tours were arranged for artists and combinations who had reached a sufficiently high standard of performance. Some of the itineraries included the newly opened stations. Among the artists who toured were Ray Trewern, Wellington baritone ; Nita Ritchie, Christchurch soprano ; Mollie Skillen, Gisborne pianist; Leonora Owsley, Auckland pianist; Thea Smith, Wellington contralto; Anthony Larsen, Palmerston North baritone ; Doris Sheppard, Palmerston North pianist; Maurice Larsen, Christchurch tenor ; and the Wellington pianists, Dorothy Downing and Frederick Page. New Zealanders who had returned to New Zealand after studying abroad were also broadcast. They included Thelma' Petersen, soprano ; Patricia Moore, soprano ; Shirley Welch, pianist; and Geoffrey Moore, tenor. In the dramatic field 15 scripts by New Zealand authors were accepted for broadcast out of a total of 140 offered. Fourteen short stories and 24 children's scripts by New Zealand authors were also accepted. One locally produced play and one short story were broadcast each week over the short-wave stations, and, wherever possible, works written by New Zealanders were used. The New Zealand Listener continued its policy of providing for New Zealand literary talent, a number of short stories being published. The output of musical compositions of broadcast standard by local composers was small, but a number of works were accepted, notably the piano sonata by Douglas Lilburn, which was broadcast from each of the main centres. Other composers to have their works performed were H. C. Luscombe and H. J. Finlay, both of whom had work performed by the National Orchestra. A further increase in the number of talks and discussions broadcast is evidenced by the figures for the year. There were 3,465 broadcasts by local speakers during the year. The increase of 811 over last year's figure is attributable largely to the new stations and to the increased activity of stations outside the main centres. • -

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Local music societies were assisted with the loan of music from the Service's library, and in the case of some societies by the loan of orchestras for combined broadcas performances. A Royal ode contest was conducted by the Service in connection with the proposed visit by the King and Queen. The winner was Miss Ruth France of Christchurch, and the winning musical setting was composed by Mr. Terence Vaughan. The policy of building up an historical library of Maori chants, &c., was continued, and a recent visit by the Mobile Recor ding Unit to Tokaanu resulted in some valuable material being recorded. This historical library is quite extensive, and the work of preserving ancient Maori material that is in danger of being lost will be continued. NATIONAL ORCHESTRA AND CELEBRITY CONCERTS The 1949-50 season was a very full one for the National Orchestra with extensive tours of both the North and South Islands. The opening of the season found a large part of the National Orchestra still engaged in opera performances in association with the touring International Opera Company. In all, the Orchestra appeared 104 times with the Opera Company and played to an estimated audience of 120,000 people. At the conclusion of the season the full Orchestra reassembled in Wellington and then commenced an extensive tour of the North Island. In the main this was a provincial tour and concerts were given at New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings, Napier, Gisborne, and Hamilton. School concerts were also given at each of these centres. The Orchestra took part in Auckland's Music Festival Week, appearing in orchestral concerts and with combined choral groups, the principal work being Elgar's " Caractacus." The New Zealand pianist Peter Cooper also appeared with the Orchestra at this Festival. Later in the year two further visits were made to Auckland for public and school concerts. During the first of these, associated artists were Peers Coetmore, English 'cellist, and Stewart Harvey, Auckland baritone. At the schools concert two young soloists, Miss Barbara Jury and Miss Winifred Cooke, were presented in concerto performances. Following the Auckland concerts the Orchestra played at Whangarei and Rotorua. An extensive tour of the South Island was also made during the season with concerts at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill, two of them being in association with Alexandr Helmann, Russian-American pianist. First visits were made to Ashburton, Oamaru, Timaru, Greymouth, Hokitika, Westport, Nelson, and Blenheim. Free school concerts for post-primary pupils were also given at most of these centres. On its return to the North Island the Orchestra visited Masterton. In two of the Wellington concerts the Orchestra had as associated artist, the well-known violinist Leo Cherniavsky, who featured the Tschaikowsky and Mendelssohn violin concertos. Both performances attracted capacity houses and were very well received, as also were the Wellington performances by Alexandr Helmann. Including the performances with the Opera Company, the National Orchestra gave a total of 188 performances, including 37 schools concerts. It is estimated that the audiences at the schools concerts totalled approximately 40,000 children. On the 19th December Mr. Andersen Tyrer relinquished his engagement with the National Orchestra. During his association with the Orchestra, which commenced in October, 1946, Mr. Tyrer gave unstintingly of his ability and enthusiasm in the training of the Orchestra and in the attainment of a standard of performance which won high praise from audiences and music critics. Applications for appointment as Conductor for a term of three years were invited in England, Australia, and New Zealand, and from seventy-one applicants, Mr. Michael Bowles was appointed. Mr. Bowles is eminently qualified in attainment and experience for the position, and we are confident that his term of office will be a notable one in the development of the National Orchestra.

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Pending the arrival of Mr. Bowles, Dr. Edgar Bainton, former Director of the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music, accepted a temporary appointment as Conductor; We were grateful to Dr. Bainton for the valuable and successful service he gave during, this period. SPECIAL SERVICES AND CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT' DEPARTMENTS Extensive use of broadcasting facilities was made by other Government Departments,, local bodies, and charitable organizations. Announcements of public interest were broadcast for the Electoral Department,, the Transport and Railways Departments, Labour and Employment Department, and the Social Security Department. The Service continued to broadcast weather reportsand time signals, and there were reports of wool sales and stock market reports. Other community services were the broadcasting of navigation and flood warnings, and police messages for missing persons and motor-vehicles. Publicity was given to the Tuberculosis, Hydatid, Anti-drowning, and Health Stamp Campaigns. The Service co-operated extensively with local Power Boards in announcements concerning the conservation of electricity. RELATIONS WITH OVERSEAS ORGANIZATIONS The Service gratefully acknowledges the valuable assistance received from overseas broadcasting organizations. The close liaison with the other Commonwealth organizations was maintained. News, talks, and other features were rebroadcast regularly from the British Broadcasting Corporation, and the Service received a number of outstanding programmes from the London Transcription Service of the Corporation, The South African Broadcasting Corporation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the Australian Broadcasting Commission also extended valuable facilities; The Service also wishes to acknowledge programme- material received from the American Embassy and the French Legation. The music and recordings loaned to the Service are often unobtainable from any other source. The New Zealand Listener There was an increased supply of newsprint available, and in April, 1949, the size of the Listener was increased to forty-eight pages. Additional space thus became available for radio news and comment and for features of general interest. Full use could not be made of it until the staff shortage was overcome ; but near the end of the year the literary staff was strengthened, and since then the Listener has been able to print more news from the whole field of broadcasting. Although the journal's main function is to print the radio programmes, and information which helps listeners to hear broadcasts with full appreciation, it has also become widely known for its interest in the arts and for its broad interpretation of life in New Zealand. This side of the Listener has not been neglected. Encouragement has been given to our own writers, attempts have been made to improve radio comment (one of the newest and most difficult forms of radio criticism), the journal's columns have been opened to free and lively discussion, and books and films have been reviewed seriously though not heavily. A number of changes in layout have been made, and further improvements are being planned. Advertising rates were increased from Ist July. Revenue from that source, together with buoyant sales in a year of expanding circulation, helped to offset the higher cost of newsprint and to keep the Listener in a satisfactory financial position.

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COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES Commercial broadcasting continued to be an accepted medium of publicity for large sections of the business community as well as being regarded by listeners as an important part of their general entertainment and a source of information. There were many instances at all centres which indicated the effectiveness of radio advertising. The Commercial stations also played an important part in marketing campaigns, public appeals, and community services, limited only by the ability of the Service to provide suitable or adequate times. A considerable proportion of the time devoted to community activities was donated free of cost to the organizations concerned. An outlet for much of this work was found in the Women's Personality Sessions, which have commanded a. large women's audience. Advertising sponsors used many specialty programmes provided by the Service, including major sporting events, the sponsoring of which has not only brought revenue to the Service, but has provided good entertainment for the listeners and increased business for the sponsors. The object of the Commercial Division during the year has been to balance the incidence of advertising on the air with the requirements of good and varied entertainment. Advertising and Feature Programmes Sales of time on the air to advertisers for the promotion of their goods and services continued to provide the full cost of the operation of the Commercial stations and to> bring additional revenue to the Service. During the year ended 31st March, 1950, the Commercial Division has shown an increase in revenue of £90,565, the total revenue for the year being £396,210, the highest yet recorded. However, although additional revenue has been gained over the past year, there has been a noticeable trend for business to harden and for advertisers to place allocations with the. Service on a more exacting basis than has been the case in other years. .Nevertheless the Service, was unable to accommodate all applications for broad-casting-time. . .Most of the major, advertisers continued their contracts and there were few cancellations either on a network or local basis. Many larger advertisers, both network and local, have.had contracts running continuously with the Service since itsinception. Time available for advertising was divided into periods of local time, which is sold locally by the stations, and network time, which is controlled on a national basis from the Head Office of the Service. Thus the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer were, served on an equitable basis, and due regard and opportunity was given to the smaller advertiser as well as the larger one. Many of the sales results were just as significant for the smaller advertiser as for the larger one. During the year, apart from the sale of time, the Service sold recorded feature programmes in the form of quarter-hour episodes to a total of 10,567, representing monetary value of £32,556. The stocks of recorded programmes during the year were supplemented from time to time by new features within the limitations of the dollar position, which again, in this year, did not allow for any expenditure by the Service on the importation of recorded feature programmes from dollar sources. The advertisers y in collaboration with the Service, selected programmes, both recorded and " live," which covered a wide range of entertainment, including. drama, comedy, documentary T music, sporting, and quiz programmes. . Composite " X " Class Stations The opening of composite stations at Hamilton, Whangarei, Wanganui, and Grisborhe brought the total number of full and part-time Commercial stations to ten. Notwithstanding heavy applications for time by network advertisers on these composite stations., priority was given to local advertisers in the allocation 1 of advertising-time, thus encouraging local business enterprise and preserving local listener interest. The business at stations has been good in each instance, one station ending the year with a long list of advertisers waiting to get on the air.

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Political Advertising All parties took advantage of the special arrangements provided for the advertising of political meetings prior to the last general election. One station alone broadcast as many as fifty political announcements on a single day. Programmes of the Commercial Stations General. —The Programme Officers were continually alert to obtain material suitable for the popular programme appeal of the Commercial stations. While endeavouring to increase the amount of material produced in New Zealand, the Service had to obtain the large proportion of its transcribed features from Australia. Programmes were also included from Great Britain, some of those not available for sponsorship being used in sustaining programmes. The Service continued to be the sole importer of recorded features, and bv this means it was able to control the standard of such features which it accepted for broadcast in New Zealand. Popular Entertainment. —The entertainment offered to the public has been varied and covered a wide range of interest and popular appeal. Studio presentations by local artists were encouraged and engagements arranged within the limits of the time available. Constant efforts were made to obtain the greatest variety in standard recordings, and the libraries were augmented during the year. The visiting American artist Todd Duncan provided a delightful broadcast from the ZB stations, and other sessions were provided by Leo Cherniavsky, violinist, Pnina Salzman, pianist, and there were broadcast from members of travelling theatrical companies. Belays included industrial fairs, flower shows, air pageants, artistic exhibitions, an Anzac Dawn Parade, and the comedy of a visiting circus. Commercial stations featured weekly broadcasts of local bands and the Brass Band Championships were covered. Audience Participation. —Audience participation programmes continued to be popular and many hundreds of participants were involved in the broadcasts. Some of these sessions took the form of straight entertainment, while others enabled listeners to forward questions for a panel of specially selected people to deal with on the air. 'Others again had a sports bias such as were organized during the period preceding the Empire Games. The Inter-Dominion Quiz Contest between teams representing Australia and New Zealand evoked considerable public interest on both sides of the Tasman. Studio Interviews and Talks. —Commercial stations maintained their activity in imparting information to the public and stimulating interest in many topics by means of studio interviews. Stations have been encouraged to associate themselves very -closely with their local communities, and interviews from leaders within their respective spheres have been promoted accordingly. Interviews broadcast included the following : New Zealand sports teams overseas (including the cricket tour of Great Britain and the All Black tour of South Africa) ; Empire Games leaders and participants in Auckland ; visiting American scientists ; Australian Farmers' Party ; the Rover Scouts who attended the Norwav gathering of Scouts ; and world travellers passing through the cities. Other topics included all forms of sport, alpine climbing, nursing overseas, Otago pioneers, photography, beauty aids, model engineering, journalism overseas, life-saving, unusual hobbies, the making of pottery, Australian aboriginal drawings, a librarian's work, and fashion trends. Talks of a vocational interest included " The Sea as a Career." Cooking demonstrations had a place also in this type of programme. In addition to the interviews there were many talks covering a wide range of subjects, such as United Nations, National Savings, anniversaries, theatre memories, parliamentary and historical reminiscences, sport, and domestic subjects. Among the interesting occasions were the reopening of the Dominion Museum and the celebrations of the Maori church at Eangiatea.

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Sports Sessions. —The Commercial stations concentrated on the coverage of sports results with weekly previews before the events and summaries after the events. The year was a particularly interesting one to New Zealanders in the sporting field, and the Commercial stations shared in some aspects of the broadcasting of many important sporting events. Competent reviewers broadcast on aspects of the various matches played by the New Zealand cricket team in England, and former All Blacks provided background material to the New Zealand Rugby tour of South Africa. Regular summaries were broadcast during the Plunket Shield cricket series. During the Empire Games the Commercial stations broadcast daily bulletins and views and comments of both athletes and officials. The Commercial Division was able once again to broadcast a round-by-round description of the world heavyweight boxing championship bout between Walcott and Charles. The Melbourne Cup was broadcast from Australia, and there were special previews of the New Zealand Cup and Trotting Cup. In association with a Melbourne broadcasting station, complete coverage of the interDominion trotting contest held in Melbourne was given. There were interesting broadcasts by Yon Nida on golf; W. Sid well, Australian Davis Cup star; H. McKinley: Lloyd la Beach ; Edwin Carr ; and other Olympic athletes. Mark Nicholls and G. T. Alley, two former All Blacks, covered the South African tour, and C. S. Dempster and K. C. James provided the background material for the cricket tour of England. On his return from South Africa, the official commentator, Winston McCarthy, broadcast a series of informative talks from the ZB stations. Women's Sessions. —A considerable amount of time was devoted during the year to programmes designed expressly for women. Each ZB station had two such sessions on each week-day, in addition to Aunt Daisy's session. At the X stations a special morning women's session was included in the commercial programme. These sessions served a useful purpose, being appreciated by listeners and regarded as excellent sales channels by advertisers. A successful experiment in women's audience participation shows was a sponsored half-hour programme recorded by the Service and broadcast under the title " Afternoon Tea with Selwyn Toogood." Fashion parades and demonstrations also attracted a large number of listeners to the studios. A fortnightly London News Letter written by a New Zealand journalist at present in England was broadcast in the ZB Women's Hour. A series of discussions under the title " Housewives' Opinion " provided a popular forum, and each station handled studio competitions with prizes for participants. Most of the material broadcast featured our own citizens, with emphasis on local requirements. Talks and individual sessions dealt with early New Zealand, impressions of post-war Europe, a series on the remote islands of the Pacific, and many others. Day-to-day problems of the housewife and mother have been covered by experts in particular fields. Overseas visitors such as Dr. 0. J. Murie, American scientist, Countess de Mazaubran, of the French Resistance Movement, and Commander Thomas Woodroffe, naval expert and journalist, and others, provided excellent material. In addition, suitable books were reviewed during the year, and literary interviews featured Miss Nelle Scanlan on " Journalism," Mr. Peter Llewellyn, author of the first book of the New Zealand War History series, and Miss Ruth Park, who has achieved success in literary fields overseas. Broadcasts on relay included visits to passenger liners making maiden voyages to this country, fashion parades from departmental stores, while one of the most interesting broadcasts under this heading was initiated by 3ZB Christchurch when portable recording equipment was used to collect information of the moa finds at Pyramid Valley. Station 2ZB Wellington secured some interesting broadcasts from the much discussed " demonstration house " built in Wellington by a group of architectural students.

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In Serious Mood. —A feature of these programmes was the singing of children's choirs, the reflective talks by padres, hymn sessions, and the broadcasts marking special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, and Anzac Day. Book Reviews.- —The " ZB Book Review," now playing over ten commercial and X stations, continued to attract many listeners. Panels of expert reviewers each dealt with one book, and each session was co-ordinated by a chairman. Fifty-two sessions were broadcast and over 200 books reviewed in detail. Interest in this novel method of handling book reviews has been shown by overseas organizations. Controversial Broadcasts.—These were confined to the " Citizens' Forum," which broadcast independently from the five Commercial stations. They were included in each Sunday night's programme throughout the year, and among the subjects discussed were : " Is Religion Losing Its Influence in the Present-day World ?" "Is Preferential Voting Superior to the First Past the Post System ?" " Are We in Danger of Over-development of Our Secondary Industries ?" " Do New Zealanders Tend to Over-estimate their Contribution to World Social and Material Advancement ?" "Is There Any True New Zealand Culture'." "Should We Have a Staggered Forty-hour Week?" "Is Compulsory Conciliation and Arbitration in the Best Interests of Trade-unionists ?" " Should State Lotteries be Used to Finance Social Facilities?" and " Is Modern Advertising Wasteful and Uneconomic ?" Special Programmes.—Many special programmes were broadcast during the year, including documentaries on Kapiti Island Bird Sanctuary, the history of New Zealand aviation, the work of the R.N.Z.A.F., the activities of the Post and Telegraph Department, and recordings of the combined exercises by Australian and New Zealand naval units off Akaroa. A visit was organized to the island dependencies—first to Niue and the Kermadecs with the Public Works ketch, " Golden Hind," and then by air to Fiji, Makogai, and Norfolk Island. Excellent programmes were recorded for later use in New Zealand. At Christmas, stations broadcast many seasonal programmes, special attention being paid to the requirements of the old folk and the orphans. These included a pantomime produced at the Recording Studios, Auckland, " Carols by Candlelight," featuring Dunedin Hospital nurses, and a Christmas party for old people. FINANCIAL REPORT Progress with the post-war development plan of the Service involving the establishment of new stations, the repowering of some existing transmitters, and the expansion of programmes, together with increases-in salaries and costs of other services, is now bearing heavily on the Broadcasting Account. Accounts for the year under review show an excess of expenditure over income of £25,631 before providing for taxation on the net profit of the Commercial Division. Comparative figures for the past two years are shown below : 1948-49. 1949-50. ; ■. . £ £ National Division .. 29,583 surplus 58,265 deficit. Commercial Division .. .. 52,401 surplus 32,634 surplus. Total .. .. 81,984 surplus 25,631 deficit. Provision for taxation, Commer- 30,680 20,224 l: cial Division £51,304 net surplus, £45,855 net deficit, 1948-49 1949-50

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Summarized information is given below, with figures for the previous year shown in parenthesis : Income from licence fees, £516,924 (£498,630), exceeded that of the previous year "by £18,294, while revenue from the sale of time on the air reached £386,819 (£305,549), an increase of £81,270. The greater part of the latter increase is due to an easing in restriction of broadcasting hours for electricity conservation as compared with previous years ; an additional £30,575 represents increased earnings from five new " X " stations, the first of which commenced business in January, 1949. Total income of the two Divisions from all sources was £956,330 (£853,953), an increase of £102,377. Total expenditure, excluding capital but including depreciation, for the two Divisions was £981,961 (£771, 969), an increase of £209,992. The item " Land and Buildings " .appears in the Balance sheet at £284,134, compared with £231,773 for 1948-49. " Machinery and plant " show at £419,733 (£234,177) and " Office and studio equipment " at £97,728 (£81,501). Expenditure for the year under the main headings and reasons for increases were (a) National Division — Programme Expenditure : At £155,520 this item shows an increase over the previous year of £29,800, due to programme expansion (including, amongst other factors, increased use of local artists and speakers in a greater number of programmes originated locally), the operation of a new station at Rotorua, and a full year's operation of the short-wave station, Radio New Zealand. National Orchestra and Concert Presentation : Gross expenditure in this section was £95,514 and net expenditure £82,811. Details are as follows : £ Pay, overtime, travelling-expenses, National orchestra .. 77,090 Expenses incidental to public presentation of the Orchestra, including fees and other expenses of associate artists.. 7,396 Overseas artists not associated with Orchestra .. .. 4,118 Deficit Italian Grand Opera tour (excluding cost of Orchestra) .. .. .. .. .. 2,470 Direct concert management costs .. .. .. 4,440 95,514 Concert proceeds— £ National Orchestra .. .. .. 11,904 Other concerts .. .. .. .. 799 12,703 Net expenditure .. .. .. .. £82,811 No charge is made in the above figures for general departmental overhead. The gross expenditure of £95,514 shows an increase of £9,232 over the previous year, which offset by an increase in takings of £5,094, leaves a net increase of £4,138 over the previous year's net expenditure. The expenditure of £4,118 on overseas artists not associated with the Orchestra relates to tours by two artists continued from the previous financial year. The total expenditure on the tours for the two years was £5,543 and proceeds from concerts were £1,187. These costs include the artists' fees and other expenses for a total of twenty studio broadcasts in addition to seventeen public concerts, twelve of which were also broadcast.

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Owing to the intensive year's work undertaken, involving much travelling, and to increases (some of them retrospective to 1948-49) in the remuneration of members, expenditure on the National Orchestra was unusually high. In the first two months of the year a' substantial portion of the Orchestra was engaged with the Italian Grand Opera Company, and later a comprehensive concert tour was carried out in which many of the smaller centres were included. Arrangements for the tour of the Opera Company were made with J. C. Williamson (New Zealand), Ltd., the Service undertaking financial responsibility for the tour and agreeing also to supply a portion of the National Orchestra. While the net financial result, excluding the cost of the Orchestra, was, as indicated above, a deficit of £2,470, the arrangement secured a visit to New • Zealand, which did not seem otherwise possible, by the first Italian Grand Opera to come to this country for many years. With the approval of the Service, prices for the cheaper seats were ss. only, as against 10s. in Australia, and visits were made to less remunerative places outside the four main centres, involving higher travelling costs and lower nightly takings. In addition, the Service received, without further charge, sixty-one broadcasts from the public presentations of the Operas. Indications for the future are that with less extensive travelling and increased concert takings the net cost of the National Orchestra will be appreciably reduced. General Administrative and Running Expenses : Expenditure of £319,350 under this heading shows an increase of £53,094. This reflects the progressive effect of increased rates of pay to staff and of higher costs of other services. A full year's operation of the short-wave service, which commenced on 27th September, 1949, and the operation of Station IYZ Rotorua from 27th April, 1949, also involved additional expenditure. (b) Commercial Division — Programme Expenditure, £44,992. This is £2,180 less than the expenditure under this heading for the previous year. The decrease arises from a reduction in the use of relays and the payment as salaried employees of certain announcers and broadcasters previously engaged casually under contract. General Administrative and Running Expenses : The expenditure of £322,606 was greater by £107,778 on the previous year's figure. This increase is mainly due to the development and operation of new stations, increased salary payments to staff, and to the rising cost of other services. Experience has shown that rates established in 1936 for depreciation of technical equipment have been more than adequate and equipment has remained in use much longer than such rates allowed for. In the early years of broadcasting development, obsolescence was an uncertain factor, but under present conditions, equipment manufactured is more stabilized in design and is not subject in the same degree to obsolescence arising from rapid changes. It was felt, therefore, that the position in regard to depreciation rates could be reviewed, and after full examination by technical and accounting officers of the Service and consultation with Treasury and the Controller and AuditorGeneral, reduced rates on technical equipment in keeping with existing conditions were approved and applied in the accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1950. Notwithstanding the reduction in depreciation rates on technical equipment, the provision required in the current year for depreciation on all assets totals nearly £56,000, some £19,000 in excess of the charge for the previous year. Provision for depreciation will continue to increase as capital expenditure on development increases.

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Substantial progress during the year in the development of new stations and the replacement of old equipment is reflected in the accounts in increases in fixed assets and a reduction of investments from £1,850,000 as at 31st March, 1949, to £1,500,000 as at 31st March, 1950. As a result of the reduction of investments, interest revenue at £24,660 was £3,048 less than in the previous year. In the immediate future interest receipts will be substantially increased, as short-term maturing securities have now been replaced by longer-term investments bearing interest at higher rates and maturing at dates convenient to estimated cash requirements. However, as further capital is expended in the development of the Seryice, investments will ultimately be reduced to a figure representing only normal reserves from which interest revenue will be small compared with that now received. This consideration, combined with the progressive increase in depreciation; charges, will reduce the proportion of annual revenue available for the general purposes of the Service. Although the increases in operating costs to which the Service is committed are not yet fully reflected in the annual accounts, there is already a change from a long series of annual surpluses to a deficit for the year under review. It can be seen, therefore, that revenues on the present basis, after allowing for normal increases in licence fees and additional receipts from new Commercial stations, would not be sufficient to meet the cost of the service to be provided. Reference to this trend was made in my report last year, and means of meeting the position are now being examined. Audited accounts for the year are appended to this report. ENGINEERING DIVISION Medium-wave Service During the year considerable progress was made with the development programme which was authorized in 1946-47 and deliveries of equipment which had been ordered were completed. This programme provided for increasing the coverage of many of the present stations, erection of new station in the larger provincial towns, and the replacement of certain obsolete plant. . The new regional station to serve the Bay of Plenty area, IYZ (10 kW.), was brought intp service on the 27th April, 1949. The transmitter is located at Paengaroa, near Te Puke. This site has been selected to give the best coverage throughout the Bay of Plenty district. The studio premises are at Rotorua. . Associated with the transmitter at Paengaroa is a vertical steel mast radiator of height 500 ft. It is of the latest loaded top design, being sectionalized and loaded with an inductance at approximately two-thirds its height. With this arrangement a smaller mast can be used than would otherwise be necessary, and this results in considerable economy cost. ; Both the transmitter building at Paengaroa and the studio building at Rotorua are of a temporary nature and were constructed largely from war surplus buildings transported from Auckland. Owing to the relative isolation of the transmitting site it has been necessary to provide residential accommodation for the staff. Three new smaller stations of 2 kW. output were brought into service, and these were—--IXH Hamilton, 2nd July, 1949. IXN Whangarei, 27th August, 1949. 2XA Wanganui, 22nd October, 1949. These stations are ,in operation for seven hours daily and carry programmes with both advertising and non-advertising sections. in the case of these stations, their transmitters are located only a mile or so from the town and are operated without any staff in attendance. They are controlled by specially designed remote-control equipment which is located at the studio, and a considerable saving iri staffing costs is achieved in this way. Operational experience

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to date indicates that unattended operation in this manner is quite practical and satisfactory. Vertical steel mast radiators of 175 ft. height are used at Hamilton and Whangarei and one of 110 ft. at Wanganui. At Gisborne, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, and Nelson the low-power transmitters, which have completed their useful lives, were replaced with new 2 kW. transmitters. These were located on improved sites a short distance from the towns and equipped with 175 ft. masts. These transmitters also are remote operated. The installation of new technical equipment for the studios was completed at Gisborne, and similar work is at present proceeding at Nelson. The improved coverage resulting from these new stations and modifications is welcomed by very many listeners. New transmitters for 2YA (60 kW.) and IYA, IZB, 2ZB, 3YA, 3ZB, 4YA, and 4ZB (each 10 kW.) have been installed in the transmitting-stations at Titahi Bay, Henderson, Gebbies Pass, and Highcliff. The work of erecting the new steel mast radiators and the extensive earthing systems at these stations is proceeding. As in the case of the Paengaroa mast, these also will be of the sectionalized inductance loaded type and of a height of 500 ft. at Henderson and 400 ft. at the other three locations. Special arrangements are being made to operate two transmitters from each mast and thus effect a further economy. At Henderson, Gebbies Pass, and Highcliff, additional land has been acquired to accommodate these masts. It is expected that this new plant will be in operation by the end of 1950, certain delays having occurred in the supply of material from overseas. Short-wave Service Two high-frequency transmitters have been in regular daily operation carrying the programmes of Radio New Zealand. These transmissions are directed essentially to the Pacific and Australian areas. Additional transmitting aerials have been erected and have resulted in an improved service to the Pacific area. The task of assignment of future operating frequencies for short-wave services throughout the world is still under action by the International High-frequency Broadcasting Conference. Great importance is attached to the securing of adequate future operating frequencies for New Zealand short-wave services, and accordingly New Zealand is taking an active part in this Conference. The first session was opened in Mexico at the end of 1948, and was followed by a Planning Committee session in Paris in 1949. The second session of the main Conference will open in Florence, Italy, on the Ist April, 1950. The general use and importance attached to short-wave broadcasting has increased by such a great extent in recent years that there are now more stations in operation, and projected, than there are operating channels, with the result that many stations interfere with each other. The purpose of the Conference is to effect an orderly allocation to the various countries in an endeavour to eliminate this trouble. The Conference is faced with considerable difficulties, as many countries have different ideas on the principles on which such allocations should be decided and have strong objections to any reduction of their services already in operation or projected. Recording Equipment All stations are finding that recording facilities are of great assistance in the preparation and production of programmes, and the installation of additional high-grade, recording equipment at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin is nearing completion. Both disk and magnetic-tape systems are already in regular use. Other stations will also be equipped when suitable equipment is obtainable. Recording facilities were used very extensively in Auckland to cover effectively the Empire Games and contributed very largely to the success of these broadcasts,

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Stations in Operation The following stations were in operation on 31st March, 1950

* Composite station taking both Commercial and non-Commercial programmes. t Privately owned, but subsidired by N.Z.B.S. } Owned by N.Z.B.S. and operated under contract. f Commercial Division station. || Operated by N.Z.B.S. for Administration, Western Samoa.

Hours of Transmission During the year the total transmission time of all stations, excluding that of 2AP Apia, Samoa, amounted to 114,164 hours. Of the scheduled programme time, only 114 hours were lost through technical troubles and 80 hours though failure of mains electric-power supply. This makes a total interruption time of 194 hours, or a percentage of 0-17 per cent, of the total time of operation. The increase of 30,523 hours on last year's total of 83,641 hours is accounted for by the incorporation of the short-wave transmission hours, the new stations, and the fact that there were no close-down periods for electricity conservation. Television In July the Minister of Broadcasting set up a departmental committee consisting of the Director and Chief Engineer of the Broadcasting Service and the Chief Engineer and a Divisional Engineer of the Post and Telegraph Department to advise him on the development of television overseas and on the problems involved in the establishment of such a service in New Zealand. Information has been collected from many sources and a preliminary report is being prepared. William Yates, Director of Broadcasting.

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Station Location of Location of Frequency. Radiated Call Sign. Studio. Transmitter. Power. Medium-wave Stations Kilooyoles/sec. kW. 1YA Auckland Henderson 750 10-0 2YA Wellington Titahi Bay 570 60-0 3YA Chxistchurch Gebbies Pass 690 10-0 4YA Dunedin Highcliff 780 10-0 1YC Auckland Auckland 880 0-15 2YC Wellington Titahi Bay 650 5-0 3YC Christchurch Christchurch 960 0-3 4YC Dunedin Dunedin 900 015 1YD Auckland Henderson 1,250 0-75 2 YD Wellington Wellington 1,130 0-5 1YZ Rotorua Paengaroa 800 10-0 2YZ Napier Opapa 860 5-0 3YZ Greymouth Kumara 920 10-0 4YZ Invercargill Dacre 720 5-0 1XN* Whangarei Tikapunga 970 2-0 1XH* Hamilton Hamilton 1,310 2-0 2XG* Gisborne Wainui 1,010 2-0 2XM| .. Gisborne Gisborne 1,180 0-09 2XPJ New Plymouth Bell Block 1,370 2-0 2XA* Wanganui Wanganui 1,200 20 2XN Nelson Stoke 1,340 20 3XC* Timaru Washdyke 1,160 20 4XDf Dunedin Dunedin 1,430 0-06 1ZB§ Auckland Henderson 1,070 1-0 2ZA§ Palmerston North Kairanga 940 2-0 2ZB§ Wellington Wellington 980 1-0 3ZB§ Christchurch Christchurch 1,100 1-0 4ZB§ Dunedin Dunedin 1,040 10 2AP|| Apia, Western Samoa Afiamalu 1,420 20 Short-wave Stations ZL2 Wellington Titahi Bay 9,540\ 7 • K ZL3 Wellington Titahi Bay 11,780/ / 0 ZL4 Wellington Titahi Bay 15,280 \ 7. K ZL7 Wellington Titahi Bay 6,080/ # O

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i• ' ..1 ■ NEW ZEALAND BROADCASTING SERVICE NATIONAL DIVISION Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31st March, 1950 Expenditure £ ' Income mi % lQ & Expenditure on programmes, including payments to artists, Radio licence lees .. .. • • ~ .. ' broadcasting rights, copyright fees, recorded programmes, Less Post and Telegrap epar me relay lines, and sundry miscellaneous items .. .. 155, 520 charges •• • • Concert section— , oi kko National Orchestra— £ Interest on investments •• Pay and travelling-expenses .. .. 77,090 Rents .. •• •• ;• " 'egg Expenses incidental to presentation of public Miscellaneous receipts .. .. •• 'V r " - concerts, including fees, travelling, and New Zealand Listener Excess of income over •. 5,077 incidental expenses of associated artists .. 7,396 Balance carried down: Excess of expenditure over income .. 58,265 84,486 Net cost of Grand Opera Company tour .. 2,470 Concert artists .. .. .. .. 4,118 91,074 Plus expenses of management .. 4,440 95,514 Less net concert proceeds .. .. .. 12,703 82,811 General administrative and running expenses, including rents, rates and insurance, lighting, heating, legal and audit, printing and stationery, salaries and wages, telephone services, repairs and maintenance of buildings and office and studio fittings, operation and maintenance of transmitting equipment, fees for technical trainees, and sundry miscellaneous items .. .. .. 319,350 Payments to station operated under contract and subsidies to " B " stations .. .. .. • • ■ • 798 Depreciation provision .. .. •• •• •• 48,023 £606,502 £606,502 £ £ Balance brought down .. .. .. -.. •• 58,265 Balance brought forward from previous year .. .. 2,473,296 Balance carried forward to next year .. • • .. 2,415,031 . . £2,473 ,296 " .,= : : £2,473,296

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Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1950 Liabilities £ ! " • Assets £ Creditors .. .. .. .. .. 27,459 Cash in bank .. •• •• 13,041 Appropriation Account .. .. .. .. 2,415,031 Debtors and prepayments .. .. .. .. 73,352 Works in progress and stock of technical equipment and stores 147, 749 Newsprint stocks .. .. .. .. .. 17,923 Unplayed episodes of features .. .. .. .. 35,708 Investments in New Zealand Government securities .. 1,390, 000 Land and buildings .. .. .. .. .. 284,134 Machinery and plant .. .. .. .. .. 419,733 Office and studio equipment .. ... .. .. 60,850 £2,442,490 £2,442,490 I hereby certify that the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance-sheet have been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly state the position as disclosed thereby.— J. P. Rutherford, Controller and Auditor-General. Wm. Yates, Director of Broadcasting. W. J. Crowther, A.R.A.N.Z., Accountant.

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NEW ZEALAND BROADCASTING SERVICE— continued COMMERCIAL DIVISION Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31st March, 1950 Expenditure £ Income £ Expenditure on programmes, including payments to artists, Sales of station time .. .. .. .. .. 386,819 broadcasting rights, copyright fees, recorded programmes, Accreditation fees .. .. .. .. .. 23 relay lines, and sundry miscellaneous items .. .. 44,992 Programme fees .. .. .. .. •• .. 18,050 General administrative and running expenses, including rents, Interest on investments .. .. .. .. .. 3,100 rates and insurance, lighting and heating, legal and audit, Miscellaneous receipts .. .. .. .. .. 101 printing and stationery, salaries and wages, telephone services, repairs and maintenance of buildings and office and studio fittings, operation and maintenance of transmitting equipment, advertising, commission, and sundry miscellaneous items . . 322, 606 Depreciation provision .. .. • • • • • • 7,861 Balance carried down : net profit for year .. .. . • 32,634 £408,093 £408,093 £ £ £ Provision for taxation .. .. .. ..19,200 Balance brought forward from previous year .. .. .. 201,070 Plus under-provided in previous year .. .. 1,024 Premium on sale of investments .. .. .. .. 175 20,224 Balance brought down .. .. .. .. .. 32,634 Balance carried forward to next year .. .. •• 213,655 £233,879 £233,879

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Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1950 Liabilities £ Assets £ Creditors .. .. .. .. .. .. 9,657 Cash in bank .. .. .. •• •• •• 55,251 Deposit Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 229 Cash on deposit .. .. .. • • • • • • 229 Revenue received in advance .. .. .. .. 1,094 £ Provision for taxation .. .. .. .. .. 19,200 Debtors and prepayments .. .. •• 41,936 Writings off provision .. .. .. .. .. 284 Less provision for bad debts .. .. .. 459 Appropriation Account .. .. .. .. .. 213,655 41,477 Investments in New Zealand Government securities .. 110, 000 Office and studio equipment .. .. .. •• 36,878 Assets in Suspense .. .. . • • • • • 284 , 119 I hereby certify that the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance-sheet have been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly state the position as disclosed thereby.— J. P. Rutherford, Controller and Auditor-General. Wm. Yates, Director of Broadcasting. W. J. Crowther, A.R.A.N.Z., Accountant.

Approximate Cott of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (799 copies), £52 10s.

By Authority: R. E. Owkn, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1950.

Price 9d. 1

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