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weekly magazine The Listeners' Digest highlights items of topical interest, and every evening there is a five-minute bulletin of New Zealand news. In addition to sessions incorporating gramophone records, New Zealand artists and the National Orchestra are also broadcast. Listener reaction to the programme " Song and Story of the Maori ' r has demonstrated the great interest of overseas listeners in Maori music. Listeners are invited to forward any questions they may have about New Zealand,, and these are answered in. a session entitled " Mail Box." A play and a short story recorded in the Production Studios of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service are broadcast each week, and, where possible, productions written by New Zealanders are used. Radio New Zealand has served to publicize important events which have taken place within the Dominion. When the Seventh Pacific Science Congress met in Auckland and Christchurch during February, a daily fifteen-minute newsreel told the outside world about its deliberations. Other programmes dealt with the rediscovery of the takahe, the National Yearling Sales at Trentham, the arrival of various groups of immigrants, the National Rifle Championship (in which an Australian team competed), the Ngauruhoe eruption, the tour by two Australian parties of farmers, the Australia v. New Zealand Athletic Competitions, and the visit of the Rarotongan Goodwill Party. Some three thousand letters have been received since Radio New Zealand's transmitters came on the air. The comments have indicated that Radio New Zealand is performing a definite service, and New Zealanders have written from many parts of the world to say that they have found the transmissions a very welcome link with their homeland. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW ZEALAND TALENT The Service again acknowledged its responsibility to provide a stimulus and an outlet for New Zealand musical, literary, and dramatic ability of broadcast standard. During the year main National and Commercial stations broadcast local bands and orchestras, vocal and choral groups, plays and short stories, and talks by local speakers ; and the New Zealand Listener continued to encourage and support the development of a New Zealand literary tradition. New Zealand actors took part in 33 plays and 113 episodes of radio serials. New Zealand authors submitted 132 dramatic scripts, of which 20 were accepted ; 130 short stories, of which 33 were accepted ; and 5 continuity scripts, of which 2 were accepted. The Short-wave Division adopted the policy of alternating in its regular play session a play by a New Zealander with one by an author from overseas until the supply of New Zealand plays was exhausted. The Service continued its policy of giving broadcasting engagements to local artists, societies, and musical combinations. There were 2,522 broadcasts by local artists, and 962 recitals by local musical societies and bands. These included relays and concerts, competitions and choral festivals, band championships, and studio broadcasts by instrumental and vocal soloists and groups. Special light musical programmes featuring local artists were broadcast each week by the main National stations, and special sessions of light entertainment were inaugurated in Auckland and Wellington. A light programme " Curtain Call," was an example of a locally-produced programme with a studio audience. "Accent on Youth " introduced youthful artists too old for the children's sessions and yet not sufficiently advanced for recital programmes. Tours of the New Zealand stations were arranged for artists and combinations whose work had reached a sufficiently high standard. Among those who toured during the year were Rena Edwards, Wellington soprano ; Maurice Till, Christchurch pianist; Yvonne Hill, Dunedin contralto ; Gwyneth Turtley, Auckland soprano ; Ashley Aitchison, Dunedin baritone ; William Clothier, Wellington baritone ; Ritchie Hanna, Dunedin violinist; Shirley Carter, Wellington pianist; Valerie Peppier, Christchurch soprano ;

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