NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 25, 15 December 1939, Page 46

NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

ELL-DRESSED, by Young Man out of Tailor’s Shop." Such was an apt pedigree which was submitted by an entrant in "Pedigree Stakes,’ a comical racing session broadcast from 1ZB on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9.30 p.m. The competition is presented in the form of a running commentary on an imaginary race, in which the winners, although judged by merit alone, will be brought in proper order past the post in a realistic description by "Dumb Dud." This feature proved itself, when broadcast last year, to be one of the most popular ever heard from 1ZB, and its tevival promises to be even more successful. Most important of all, the cash prizes are attractive-a first, second and third prize-and they will grow with the competition. "The entry fee is sixpence. Every entry will be carefully considered by competent judges, whose decision shall be final, and ALL the proceeds, less prizes and expenses, will be devoted to approved charities. 2ZB Staff Wedding Another member of the Commercial Broadcasting Service’s staff at 2ZB was claimed by the Ancient and Honourable Society of Benedicts the other week. Roy Neate, station engineer, was married to Miss Jean Eggie in the picturesque church of St. Alban’s at Muritai. A beautiful day marked the occasion and a crowd of guests numbering some two or three hundred were present to see Roy and his bride walk up the aisle, and to do them honour at the breakfast afterwards, held in the Day’s Bay Pavilion. The bride looked really charming, and the bridegroom-well, he looked the most nervous person it is* possible to imagine. On the previous afternoon the staff of 2ZB presented Mr. Neate with a solid bronze fire-screen and wished him good’ luck, and members of the control-room staff, of which he is head, gave him a table lamp as a mark of their esteem. Snookered! While listeners would certainly have had to listen very hard indeed the other Friday evening to hear the click of billiard balls in 3ZB’s tranmission, nevertheless the atmosphere was there. For some time lately, "Chiv," the sports announcer, has been introducing sports personalities into his "Sports Preview" which goes on the air at 6.45 every Friday evening, and many well-known names have appeared in this session. Last Friday, " Chiv" interviewed Horace

Lindrum. Modest, unassuming and quiet, Mr. Lindrum, nephew of the great Walter, nevertheless had a fund of interesting stories to tell of his experiences while travelling (and playing billiards and snooker) all round the world, One of his stories is worth repeating. While in South Africa he attended a dinner at which Steve Donoghue, the famous English jockey, was also present, and Steve was boasting toward the end of dinner of having shot a zambuk, Horace was strangely unsympathetic toward Steve’s embarrassment when it was pointed out to him that a zambuk was a tin of ointment. Old-Time Dance A suggestion which came to "Slaps and Claps" some time ago was acted upon the other Saturday night when 4ZB presented an "Oid-Time" dance programme. Although the programme was completely recorded, the good work of the control-room with effects, and the efforts of the compére, made it appear as though it were actually relayed from a real country dance in a barn "up country." Many listeners rang up to inquire the origin of the relay and were amazed to know that it was being carried out from the studio. There have been many requests for repetition . of this ‘programme. Wurlitzer Organist The new Wurlitzer organist broadcasting from 1ZB Sundays at fourthirty is Lionel Corrick, who plays: on relay from the Civic Theatre. Mr. Corrick’s clean, crisp playing has already attracted thousands of listeners, and his half-hour recital on Sunday afternoons has become a high spot of the day. Born in Hobart, Tasmania, where his father was an organist and fine musician, Lionel Corrick is a very clever young man who has music at his finger-tips. He has played in dance bands, over the air, and on the organ for years; in fact, he knows every "blow" of a Wurlitzer organ, and why it happens. He was a fine dance band pianist before he took up the organ. For several years he did all the dance arrangement music for Allan’s, the music publishers, and there are many songs that bear the imprint of his name. He has also several. compositions of his own which have been published, the best-known being the waltz hit "I Cannot Forget." His Sunday organ recitals from 3KZ, Melbourne, were very popular. A check of his mail revealed that approximately ninety-nine

thousand Melbourne residents were regular listeners. : Christmas in Many Lands Everyone’s thoughts are turning to Christmas. Realising this, 4ZB is providing a very illuminating session on Thursday evenings at 9.30 p.m., when Don Donaldson presents "Christmas in Many Lands." The habits and customs of other peoples are told and illustrated with suitable music, making good entertainment with definite educational value.

‘Captain Speedee’s Tours" The new "Captain Speedee’s Tours" are going full swing at 4ZB, Dunedin, with Alex. McDowell as the genial Captain Speedee, and Bernie McConnell as the Cockney purser. These two announcers have created definite personalities for themselves and provide much amusement. Last week a crowded lounge was invited to come into the studio and hear the competitors first hand. It is hard to say who enjoyed the session the most-" Captain Speedee," the " Purser," the studio audience, or the _ radio audience, It was a bright affair throughout. Joke From New Hebrides Fame of the " Joke of the Week Competition" has penetrated far-or is it

the hope of reward? Whichever it is, proof that this session is listened to with interest in other parts of the world has been received in the form of a letter from Vila in the New Hebrides. It read: " Being a Wellingtonian, I felt I was entitled to submit one of the jokes which may enable me to collect one of your handsome prizes: A simple youth applied to a magistrate to have his name changed, Magistrate: What is your name? Youth: Joe Stinks. Magistrate: I don’t blame you wishing to change it! What do you wish to change it to? Youth: Charlie Stinks. It is interesting to think that the ZB stations are listened to as far away as the New Hebrides. Good Catch To the inquirer who wanted to know whether any of 2ZB’s announcers were given to hobbies we can say " Yes," Almost all of the announcers occupy their time away from the microphone with some minor fetish or other. For example, last week-end a tall man, somewhat bronzed and dressed in the most comfortable-looking old clothes, might have been observed making his way home from Makara with a bag full of fish. Peter Whitchurch, as befits one who been a sailor, is a very keen fisherman and often makes a trip to Makara Beach where the hospitable Italian fishermen make him and other members of the staff of 2ZB very welcome. Last week’s bag included several large crayfish. Hawaiian Melodies On Saturday and Sunday, November 25 and 26, listeners to 4ZB were transported by Momi Kaaiomaku and her Hawaiians to the tropical islands of the Pacific. T6 the lilting strains of electric guitars and rhythmic strumming on the ukelele by the Princess Momi Kaaiomaku, the traditional airs of Hawaii made a very pleasant broadcast. Airini of 4ZB compéred both presentations and gave the broadcasts a decided atmospheric effect. Unfortunately, this touring band of Hawaiians did not stay long in Dunedin. ~