NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 20, 10 November 1939, Page 46

NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

CENTENNIAL BALL NE of the most pleasant aspects of a radio anmouncer’s work is that it contains all those unusual broadcasts which take him very often to unexpected places, in unaccustomed circumstances, or into a pleasant mixture of duty and pleasure. Listeners who were tuned in to 2ZB on Friday night, October 27, will remember the broadcast from the opening function of the Centennial social season-the Centennial Ball. A brilliant affair, it was broadcast by "Tony" of 2ZB, and " jill" of 5ZB in association with Kingi. This was, of course, an occasion when pleasure rather than duty was uppermost in the minds of everyone, and those announcers in charge of the broadcast are to be congratulated on getting down to the job on hand, among so many distractions It was a good broadcast in that it conveyed a complete word picture of the scene, and made listeners wish they were there. No easy job-but an interesting one, and the trio of announcers certainly managed to convey a detailed impression of lovely frocks, a gay crowd of swirling dancers against a charming background of huge white ball-room, shining floor, and a first-class band. During the broadcast several people came to the microphoneMrs. Knox Gilmer, C. B. Hains-. worth (general manager of the Exhibition), Manuel Raymond, leader of the band, and the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, and what they had to say gave point to the Ball-and to the Centennial Celebrations so shortly to follow.

1ZB Sunday afternoon " Record Request Session" has brought in an interesting mail. Here is one letter which introduces some particularly interesting points:LAURENSON’S popular "The reason most people like the ZB’s is because the announcers are so friendly. You know, when we first got our radio, 1ZB was on the air only a few hours a day, and so we thought that a radio wasn’t such a great thing after all. Then along came Commercial tadio, and did things buck up! We tound that there were announcers who could laugh and joke, and that they were really human after all. At the beginning of Commercial radio, people thought it was great, and let me tell you, they still do. One hears people talking about it everywhere, and I’m sure that everyone in New Zealand follows up at least one NCBS serial." New Angle on Films Designed to present Filmland less as a "hokum" factory, and more as a place of hard work, brilliant achievement and fascinating variety, the new feature "Behind the Silver Screen" is broadcast on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10 p.m. from 1ZB. These programmes present an unusual angle of photoplay production. Listeners who are surfeited with talk of stars, may learn with relief that lovely ladies and handsome he-men are only part of the show. Every one of the twenty or more major departments of the modern film-studio has its own story of achievement, contributing to the high level of entertainment value both in the films, and in these programmes about the films, which tell unusual stories in a manner unusually easy to listen to. Pocket Money These days many radio listeners are finding that there is pocket money to be earned, often quite simply, by participating in one of the competitions from 1ZB. A quick glance over the sessions where shekels are to be collected reveals: " Leaves From Life," on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.45 p.m.; " Musical Story Competition," on Mondays at 3.30 p.m.; "Captain Speedee’s Tours," on

Thursday nights at 9 o’clock; "Spelling Jackpots," on Thursdays at 8.30 p.m. (in which good spellers may collect anything from threepence to twelve pounds); and the " Joke of the Week" broadcast on Tuesday and Friday nights at 8.30 o'clock, in which the best joke has been known to collect the magnificent total of £30. And every story broadcast gets a consolation prize! Bands on Parade Repeating a performance which they staged early in the year, the Wellington Massed Bands gave a brilliant performance at Athletic Park on a recent Sunday

under the direction of Gladstone. Hill. Some three hundred bandsmen took part in the spectacular Octagonal Serpentine Parade. The weather man favoured Wellington with a clear fine day which enabled the bandsmen to parade their colourful uniforms and shining instruments in a glittering performance. The many spectators were quick to appreciate the work of the bandsmen, who must have been gratified by the sustained applause which greeted their efforts, Among

the guests present were the GovernorGeneral, Lord Galway and Lady Galway. 2ZB broadcast the Octagonal Serpentine Parade for the benefit of those listeners who were unable to attend, and the bands came over the air very well indeed in one of the most satisfying broadcasts of its kind that has ever taken place. Flying Men Several members of the staff of 2ZB have at some time or other been pilots. Just recently Jack Lambert left the staff to join the Royal Air Force as an instructor, He is now a Flying Officer in the Air Force training base at Taieri. In the control room, Ben Sword is one who is also a pilot of no mean ability, and as we have mentioned before, Maurie Power was a member of the Royal Australian Air Force. Ben Sword, who was a radio operator at sea before he joined the Commercial Broadcasting Service, is a man of many parts indeed. He is a fencer of no mean ability-a form of activity which goes well with his nameand like a good many other sea-faring men he has travelled the world and taken part in more activities than most of us are able to imagine. Babies at the " Mike" Great crowds filled the 4ZB lounge during the Children’s Hour to witness the first 4ZB Baby Microphone Contest. Little ones from 1 to 4 years are eligible, and many surprises have resulted from imitations of Aunt Daisy's inimitable "Good Morning, Everybody," to the highlights of the day, all being given in the fascinating manner which is the charm of the juvenile world. Farewell to " Jill" On Friday morning, October 20, the Dunedin Railway Station was the scene of an enthusiastic farewell to " Jill" of 4ZB. Besides a huge crowd of "fans," Many prominent advertisers were present, as well as members of the staff of 4ZB. The proceedings were broadcast, and the esteem in which Jill is held in Dunedin was demonstrated by speeches of appreciation by the advertisers, the ; station Director, Mr. Bullivant, and lis-~ teners to the "Home Service" and Children’s Sessions. Her departure will not be forgotten for a long time in Dunedin.