More Daily Doings Of The Exhibition Station

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 24, 8 December 1939, Page 49

More Daily Doings Of The Exhibition Station

OU wouldn’t recognise Galloping YL Geri these days. So well established has Mobile Unit 5ZB, the Exhibition Station, become, that it looks as though it has never been anywhere but at an exhibition-and will probably never move again! The schedules are packed with interest at 5ZB. The regular features continue to interest listeners, from whom come many appreciative letters;‘and also the Unit itself continues to draw crowds of interested spectators. "Mac" and " jill" have quickly made many personal ties, and among the child-_ ren " Jill" is becoming quite as well-_ known as she was in Dunedin, where she could not walk down the street with-_ out meeting several of her small friends, | This friendliness among the children is undoubtedly a great pleasure to her, as she has always been happy among the small folk. And now, how go the "Radio Tours"? Perhaps these are the most appreciated features of all, especially by those listeners who are unable to visit the Exhibition for themselves. These "tours" really do succeed in giving listeners a very true picture of the exhibits. Among recent "tours" have been those to the Tasmanian, Samoan, Women’s and Dominion Courts, as well as to Playland, Tower Block and to the Free Kindergarten. A broadcast was given from the kindergarten on the occasion of the official opening, when, incidentally, diplomas were presented to the students who successfully passed their final examinations this year. ‘ In Playland, " Jill" and "Mac" gave bright and colourful descriptions of "Strange As It Seems," "A _ Little Theatre," "The Ice Skating" and the "Crown Jewels"-all enthralling subjects for listeners. The studio presentations have been gay and entertaining as usuai. Among the artists have been Eric Bell, George Armitage (who cleverly plays the pianoaccordion), Lady Gay-and of course "Jill" herself. The last named, in association with Eric Bell, admirably presented a Noel Coward programme. Interviews continue steadily, as notables are captured for the " mike," and among several interesting personalities recently heard over the air was T. R. Toovey, M.B.E., representative of the Port of London Authority. The Lounge, too, has continued to attract visitors and people may be seen at all hours eagerly scanning the photographs of radio personalities round the walls. Most popular innovation in the Lounge has been the daily recording, which has recently started. People are invited to have their voices recorded. They speak through the " mike," and immediately their voices are played back ‘to them-often causing a good deal of amusement both to the person concerned and to the listeners. So, day by day, the interesting and ever-changing life of the Mobile Unit goes on-and Galloping Gertie sees plenty of life!