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(c) District stations —at present represented by IYA, 2YC, 3YA, 4YA, 2YH, 3ZR, ;and 4YZ—will be regarded as serving interests of the larger districts of the Dominion — supplying their best artists to the National station and broadcasting the best of the " local" artists, sometimes rebroadcasting the National station and sometimes being rebroadcast by the National station. (d) Alternative stations in main centres —at present represented by Stations IYX, 3YL, and 4YO —which will present alternative programmes to those of the " district " stations. (e) " Local" stations —small coverage stations located in the smaller towns and populated areas —-to serve the immediate locality, to search out and encourage talent, .and to act as a feeder of suitable talent to the " district " stations. The extent to which these stations will broadcast commercial programmes, if at all, will depend on local (/) Commercial stations, which will present light programmes and provide listeners with an additional alternative programme to that available from the " district " stations in the main centres. (g) Districts not within convenient distance of broadcasting studios will be visited by mobile recording units, which will record the work of artists, musical and dramatic •organizations, as well as talks and local activities for broadcasting from appropriate stations. (2) Programmes.—At least one local programme capable of first-class reception and an alternative " national " programme will be available to listeners, while those who are situated in or near one of the four main centres will, in addition, receive an alternative "" district " programme and a commercial programme. The coverage thus provided will more than favourably with any network overseas. (3) General.—The development proposals include plans for orchestral, dramatic, and .art development. The extended use of " local" stations and mobile recording units working with educational authorities will encourage children's efforts by granting broadcasting facilities for important school functions and outstanding work. Local stations will provide a unifying instrument for the entire community, stimulating civic consciousness .and cultural endeavour, and embracing the interests of remote country districts. The development of the Service as planned will provide a more adequate system for training and promotion of staff. New Stations and Improvement of Coverage During the year under review a contract for the replacement of the present equipment ■of the four YA, four ZB, the Palmerston North, Greymouth, and Nelson stations was let. The contract also included a new " district " station for the Bay of Plenty and " local " •stations for Whangarei, Hamilton, Wanganui, and Timaru. The coverage of the National network will be improved, as the Bay of Plenty and West Coast (South Island) stations will each be of 10 kW. The new equipment of the main stations of the Commercial network will also be of 10 kW. The local stations at Whangarei, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Nelson, and Timaru will all be of 2 kW. The replacement of the equipment of the present YA stations will enable the present transmitters to be completely overhauled and serviced. They will later take over the programmes of auxiliary stations. Listeners will then be able to tune into either the •district station or the auxiliary station, and both will operate at the same output of 10 kW., except 2YC, which will be 60 kW.

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