(New Zealand Press Association)
AUCKLAND, February 23.
The first State television transmission was made from channel two, 1YA, Auckland, at 4 o’clock this afternoon when a cruciform — a black cross on a white background—was telecast. The cruciform was received clearly on a TV screen at Avondale, about nine miles from the transmitter in the 1YA building in Shortland street.
Mr J. H. Gault, regional engineer for the New Zealand Broadcasting Service in Auckland, emphasised that experiments were simply to test equipment in the studio. No effort would be made for some time to test strength and capabilities of the transmission outside.
The Auckland district manager for the Broadcasting Service (Mr L. R. Sceats) said that parts of films would be transmitted at irregular intervals “for some time yet” before anything else happened. "There certainly won’t be anything like a programme or anything of entertainment value for a long time,” Mr Sceats said.
A station identification card has been designed for testing purposes. It is an enlarged photograph of Rangitoto taken from Motuihe Island, framed with Pohutukawa trees, with the raised letters, “N.Z.B.S. TV Channel Two, Auckland,” set across the picture.
The station surprised by bringing pageantry, drama, and beauty into several homes in the city tonight. In its first night of testing the station faded in the new station identification card which had been on the screen since 4 p.m. and continued with selection from old National Film Unit newsreels, The films were interspersed with test cards while technicians made alterations to the "video” equipment. Finally, after another showing of the station card, the studio man came on “live” again, and announced that the station had ended its experimental transmission for the night.
For comparison
- Television debuted in the United States on May 10, 1928
- The BBC began experimental television broadcasts in 1929
- Canada's first experimental television broadcasts began in 1932
Hour And Half Programme
(New Zealand Press Association)
AUCKLAND, May 18 (1959). The first scheduled television transmission was broadcast from channel two, 1YA, this evening. The hour and a half programme began with a test card to enable viewers to tune up their receivers. Then appeared Mr C. R. Hexter-Stabbins, known in radio circles as “the Baron,’’ who, with his handle-bar moustache and deep, resonant voice, immediately reminded viewers of the B.B.C. personality, Gilbert Harding.
Mr Hexter-Stabbins emphasised that the telecast was experimental, and he asked for the help of Aucklanders with receivers in the experiments. Several films were broadcast. The Broadcasting Service wants written reports on the viewer’s location, type of aerial and its height, the quality of the picture and sound, and any undue noise or interference.
Regular TV Tests on Channel 2
New Zealand Listener, (29 May 1959)
MODEST start in the transmission of regular television tests was made by the NZBS last week when Channel 2, the Auckland experimental station, gave its first weekly scheduled test programme.
Viewers were invited to phone or write to the NZBS their reports on reception, but it was emphasised that the four short films televised were not offered as entertainment. However Channel 2 viewers were given an opportunity of meeting the station’s first personality, C. R. Hexter-Stabbins, who introduced Channel 2 and announced the films.
Popularly known as "the Baron" at 1YA, where he is a regular "steamradio" announcer, Mr Hexter-Stabbins quickly yet politely established himself with viewers. Although the occasion was the first on which the NZBS had attempted to televise a scheduled programme for public reception there was little excitement. As the minutes ticked by just before 8.15 p.m.-it was Monday, May 18 -the technicians went about their duties in the casual manner they always adopt on important occasions-a manner which belied their concentration on the many control switches and the intricate equipment they were operating. Of course, they had lined up their camera’ chains beforehand, and in fact had spent most of the day rehearsing the sequence of pictures which comprised each operation. There were no hitches, The technicians were Colin Cox (No. 1 camera operator), Steve Henderson (No. 2 camera and telecine operator), Gordon Kayes (camera control operator), Jack Metcalf (vision mixer), Bill Carlaw (sound mixer) and Peter Sandlant (techrical director).
Reports of reception varied and many were sent in. Some viewers complained that vertical distortion elongated the image or that the image raced wildly across the screen-both complaints originating in the faulty adjustment of the viewers’ own receivers. Most reports indicated clear definition at distances up to 10 miles.
Programmes in October
October 18.—ZL1XQ: 7 p.m Bible making; 7.30: Schooling in Aitutaki; 7.45: Religious film; 8.15: Canadian canoeing holiday; 9: Cartoon and talk on road safety; 9.5: Close down.
October 19.—ZL1XQ: 7.15 p.m.: Travelogue Panama; 7.45-8: Travelogue—England. IYA: 8.15: London airport; 8.30: Uses and history of paraffin; 8.50: 1956 Commonwealth Games, Cardiff; 9.25: Foothold in Antarctica; 9.45: Canadian social study; 10: Close down.
October 22.—ZL1XQ: 7 p.m.: Sights of London; 7.30: Rubber manufacture; 7.55: Dances of the South Pacific; 8.20: Religious film; 8.55: Metal machining; 9.20: Close down. A sketch was stuck haphazardly in the middle of the film “Dances of the South Pacific.” Three young men, apparently technicians, took part in it.
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