(12) H. A. S. Rollinson, Acting Station Manager, 3ZR Greymouth

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 34, 16 February 1940, Page 8

(12) H. A. S. Rollinson, Acting Station Manager, 3ZR Greymouth

HILE he was still at Rangiora High \/ School, H. A. S. Rollinson’s interest in the technical side of radio began to develop. Radio was in those days only a hobby, but in 1930, a chance came to join the staff of 3YA, Christchurch, and Mr. Rollinson was quick to seize it. A yeer in the office taught him much about recordings, the administrative and programme sides to broadcasting work; and after a year, he became operator on the Christchurch subsidiary station, 3YL, later becoming announcer there as well. This showed him that it was on the announcing and presentation aspects of the work that his interest’ lay. Towards the end of 1937 he was transferred to 2ZR, Nelson (which afterwards became 2YN), as officer-in-charge, with the job of organising the station. This meant a good deal of hard work, in what, as he-says, "I then thought was diabolical heat, but which I appreciated later, when I discovered facilities for indulging my favourite sport of swimming." He. also enjoyed motoring in Nelson. The year of work in Nelson gave him a thorough insight into the intricacies of running a radio station, There he had the opportunity of trying out some ideas about programmes; that is, making them short, and contrasting each section with the ones, that preceded and followed it; and trying to give each section as much continuity as possible. To the West Coast When, about a year later, Mr. Rollinson left Nelson to go to Greymouth, it was not without some reluctance. He had been on the West Coast only once before, and on that occasion it had rained continuously and heavily. The prospect did not at first seem a very bright one. He soon discovered, however, that the West Coast does have fine weather at times, and that any discomfort from the climate was more than made up for by the famous, and authentic, West Coast hospitality. "It doesn’t take long before one seems to have been on the Coast for years, and is just as proud of its traditions as the real Coaster," says Mr. Rollinson. The task of reorganising 3ZR has not been an easy one, but it has been full of interest — perhaps because Mr. Rollinson’s chief hobby, as well as his work, is radio. After radio as a hobby, comes reading. He is building up what he hopes will one day be an extensive library. Other activities are debating, and "a good deal of bad tennis."