Broadcasting in Nelson

Late last month the Prime Minister formally opened Broadcasting House, the headquarters of the N.Z.B.C. in Nelson. In doing so he wrote a new page in the history of radio in the province, a history which began in 1923 when Wilkins and Field had a licence to broadcast, and operated, with the equipment shown at LEFT, under the call sign 2YA. Power for this unit was provided by 300 torch batteries soldered together. The picture at left shows Messrs G. M. Smart and D. L. Field, with the equipment they used back in the powerless days. Today, packed inside this beautiful building (Below), are thousands of dollars worth of equipment, electronic and transistorised, automatic and push-button controlled. Cost of the building, its equipment, furnishings and installation would be about $250,000.

To commemorate the opening, we toured the building to record photographically the many facets of broadcasting. Unfortunately, with space limitations, we were not able to cover adequately the activities of some departments.

From this...

...to This

Visitors to the station are welcomed by Gaye Waide at the reception desk in an airy and comfortable foyer

Newsman Roger Tennent on the job

Mike Coyle prepares to spin a disc

Under the old system, announcers had to break off transmissions while technicians played recorded advertisements. Today, many commercials are pre-recorded on tape and announcers, like Carol Peters, can operate them from the desk with a button.

P.R.O. Sean O'Hagan interviews Joan Savage during his weekly session in one of the recording studios.

Technician Graeme Taylor at the main control console

Executive officer Bill Houston and manager Seth Harris discuss administration.

Technician Sheng Yee at the control console for the main studio

Copy writers and advertising staff: Kay Jones, Len Hall, Niels Zindel, Joyce Tucker, John Fowler and Gordon Kersey (advertising), Pamela Manville and Doreen Mackenzie.

Looking after accounts are Harry Peters and Marjorie Wilson

Technicians through the glass of the main studio: Brian Walker, Terry Sutton, Laurie Merrick (chief), Nev Pankhurst and Graham Veitch.

Director-General of broadcasting, Mr Gilbert Stringer, and the Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake, are obviously happy about the whole affair.

Making sure it's caught on film for tele was local cameraman George Henry

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The Nelson Photo News

No 112 : March 7, 1970

Broadcasting in Nelson