FINAL BROADCAST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 9 August 1937, Page 6

FINAL BROADCAST

RADIO STATION 2ZF. v 14 YEARS’ SERVICE ENDS. “It is with regret that I face the microphone to convey the news that this is the final transmission by Station 2ZF. On Wednesday morning a Government official will arrive to take over the station a.nd dismantle it ior removal. 2ZF will then bo only a memory.” These were the terms of an announcement, described as the most important in the history of the station, made by the president of the Manawatu Radio Club (Mr W. A. Waters) when the Palmerston North B class station 2ZF was on the air for the last time last evening. The station was recently purchased by the Gov-

ernment. “When one looks back on the years that have elapsed since this amateur club started—we are now in our fourteenth year of broadcasting I am sure the-jshole honorary staff of thi* club will agree with me,” added Mr Waters, “when I «ay that we have carried out a pioneering service which has been of real value to the - community, as well as a fine hobby for all of us. Years ago, before most people had radio sets, 2ZF carried out relays of overseas stations on shortwave, and had the honour of pioneering this work in New Zealand, London first being heard in the district through 2ZF. At one time the club had a large orchestra. It has received great help from numerous artists, musicians, bands, etc. “We have broadcast the speeches of Governor-Generals, Prime Ministers, and other noted visitors to the city, including the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. We have also broadcast some outstanding concerts, musical comedies and plays. We have played our part in times of flood, and on one occasion saved 2000 sheep from being drowned. Their owner did not have a radio set, but his neighbours did.”

Mr Waters related another occasion on which settlers in the low-lying areas of the Manawatu were warned just in time to vacate their homes in the face of a flood. At the time <}f the Napier earthquake Station 2ZD was oil the air for ( long hours, assisting in appeals for’ help for the refugees, aiding many parents to locate their children and relatives. Appreciation of the support the club had received from numerous sources was expressed By Mr IV. Waters, who stated that when the club was in difficulties, eleven years ago, Mr L. H. Collinson, managingdirector of Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame, Ltd., presented it with a cheque for £IOO. He had fitted up the studio premises, and the club had enjoyed from the firm the privilege of their use, rent free, for all these years. For great assistance with the programmes Mr Waters thanked all concerned, also the P. and T. officials, the old radio Broadcasting Company, and the Broadcasting Board. Every help had been received from the Government in the past, he said. There were only 37 radio sets in Palmerston North when the club started to operate, and now there were 5000 within a 25-mile radius of the station, as well as over 100,000 people. Continuing, the president of the club conveyed his personal thanks to Mr F. J. Swindell, treasurer and Wednesday night announcer, who is at present in hospital; Mr A. G. Roe, Sunday night announcer fori ten years; Mrs J. Pegden (“Aunt Pat” for ten years) ; Mrs Murphy (‘Aunt Rene”) ; Messrs H. Gray (operator for nearly 13 years) ; K. Treleaveu (operator for over ten years); D. Brady (operator), D. Brady (junior of the teajn), and L. Hardie (lion, secretary and announcer). Subsequently the president and other officials of Station 2ZF bade an official farewell to listeners.