Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Monday 31 May 1937, page 2


WEST COAST NEWS

REMOVING WEST COAST ISOLATION

Representative Gathering At Queenstown

For Opening of 7QT

A FURTHER step in the removal of the isolation of the

West Coast was the official opening of 7QT broadcast-ing station, Queenstown, on Saturday night, by the Chief Secretary (Mr. T. D'Alton). The aerial power is 100 watts, and the wave length 333 metres. Speeches were broadcast from the studio at South Queenstown, and a large and repre-sentative gathering of guests assembled in the lounge rooms at the Empire Hotel, where radio receivers were installed.

PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT

''PHE Chief Secretary said the opening

. o£ 7QT marked an Important step forward in the progress of the district and also reflected credit on the enter-prise of those who believed the West Coast could support a "B" class

station.

"We are able to feel satisfied with the facilities which have come to us during recent times," he said. "No longer Isolated as we were for many years, we are now linked up with Ho-bart and Launceston 'by ' a first-class motor road, and the road to Strahan is almost complete. Approximately seven miles of the Zeehan-Corinna Rd. la fin-ished, and the Government intends shortly to start the construction of the Queenstown-Zeehan section. We hope that, before long, our local aerodrome will be in use. Our mining Industry, which is vital to this part of Tasmania and Tasmania generally, la prosperous. The Mount Lyell Company Is again extending-operations, and recently the hours worked by the employees were reduced and wages Increased. A simi-lar position exists at Rosebery and Mount Farrell, where they are produc-ing to capacity. Recently a company with a capital of £30,000 was floated to work the Magnet field. I feel sure I am expressing the pleasure of every-one when.I say we are delighted with the revival of mining activities at the old 'silver city' of Zeehan."

Mr. D'Alton added that nearly 1,300 wireless licences were held within _ a radius of 50 miles of Queenstown, many of them in localities remote from the amenities of everyday life. Those whoBe work took them to towns and cities could hardly realise the boon wireless had been to those who lived in Isolation and In lonely places. The marvels of yesterday were the commonplaces of today, and in no direction perhaps was that so pronounced as in broadcasting. "B" class stations played a prominent and useful part. He officially declared 7QT open.

POSSIBILITIES OF AREA.

Mr. L. P. R. Beau managing, direc-tor of Strómberg-Carlson, who spoka from Sydney, said he was pleased to note the demand for copper, and that the price for it had increased through-out the world. Tasmania could be-come the workshop of the Common-wealth, due to Its wonderful facilities He hoped other industries would b» opened In the district.

The Warden of Queenstown (Mr. H. H. D'Alton) asked listeners to acclaim the station as their own.

The Deputy Director of Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. E. Monfries), who had spoken over the telephone to Mel-bourne so that engineers could make a. gramophone record of his speech, said he had found much to interest him In Queenstown on his first visit

nine years ago, and that interest had grown in the intervening period. It was suffering from lack of contact with the outside world at that time. There were 10 or 12 motor-vehicles in the town, but they could not be taken beyond 10 miles. There now was an outlet to Hobart and Launceston over a first-class road and through mngnU ficent scenery. Station 7QT was in an area which had contributed much to the past, and was pregnant with pos-sibilities.

The general manager of the Mt Lyell Co. (Mr. R. M. Murray) said tho enterprise of those" responsible for the establishment of the station was wor-thy of the highest praise. Queens-town had long been noted for being up-to-date in its amenities, and the broadcasting station was a further ad-

vance.

LARGE NUMBER OF LICENCES.

More than 50 per cent of the dwell-ings at Queenstown had wireless rerceivers, and the proportion of licences to population, within a radius of 50 miles, was higher than for any other part of Tasmania, except Hobart, said Mr. 32. J. G. Bowden, Deputy Radio Inspector. Station 7QT was the sixth licensed station, and, including the two "A" class stations, the eighth to start broadcasting in Tasmania.

Mr. N. Tindlay, managing director of 7QT, replied on behalf of the station. He said that if ever there had been a town calling for a station of its own it was Queenstown.

Mr. A. E. Garrott, secretary and director, also spoke. s

Sponsored programmes were given during the evening. Supper was serv-ed at the Empire Hotel.

The new station will operate from Monday to Saturday, from 7.30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from 5.3Ö p.m. to 10.30 p.m. It will not operate on Sundays for the time being.