Television Comes to Gisborne

Gisborne residents had their first opportunity of viewing television in their own homes earlier this month when a trial translator erected on Mt. Misery, or Trig H, approximately two miles east of Matawai township, relayed programmes from Auckland's Channel 2 via the Government Mt. Te Aroha translator.

The two-watt trial translator, which was on loan to the P.B. Television Society, was man-handled into position by members of the organisation, and was run for its three-day experimental period by Mr Graham Bryce, of Kawerau.

The success of the trial was sufficient for the society to proceed with plans to install a permanent 25-watt translator pending the raising of £3000. At the time of writing, less than half this amount had been raised, with which an access road and power line had been made to Trig H. Upon reaching their financial goal, the society can install the permanent equipment almost immediately, which will then be virtually cost-free to run.

Such was the demand for television sets during the trial period, that a special shipment to the city was made by an N. A. C. freighter.

(Pictures of translator installation by Kandid Kamera Kraft).

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Mr Ted Mitchell, president of the T.V. Society, and his family and friends, relax before their set to watch the evening's programme.

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Television masts are becoming a common sight in the city