NEWS FROM THE ZB STATION

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 35, 23 February 1940, Page 46

NEWS FROM THE ZB STATION

UDLEY WRATHALL'’S racD ing commentary in 1ZB’s Pedigree Stakes is even more racy because of his apt inclusion of the names of wellknown Auckland citizens as the jockeys. Riders in the Pedigree Stakes on recent Tuesdays and Thursdays have been local detectives, police, barbers, sporting reporters, hotel-keepers, tramwaymen, and auctioneers. Local opinion has it that many an interested Auckland racing fan was delighted to hear of a prominent detective falling at the third fence. All in all, the detectives’ race made a very arresting session for listeners. "Dumb Dud" is hoping in the near future to pick his jockeys’ names from the ranks of the politicians. Splendid Gift As a result of their very fine efforts at the Sunbeams’ Fair, held at the begining of December last year, Thea’s 1ZB Sunbeams have presented the Children’s National Permanent Health Camp at Buckland’s Beach with a splendid grand piano. Thea explains that the reason for selecting this good instrument is that the piano at the Health Camp must be suitable for broadcasting, as she intends to take members of her Sunbeams out to the Camp on Saturdays to provide entertainment for the children there, and occasionally at the same time to broadcast the wellknown Sunbeams’ Session. Jerry as a Magician Believe it or not, Jerry is now a full-blown magician, and if he likes, is fully licensed to pull rabbits out of a hat, or saw a woman

in half. The explanation is that at the recent annual meeting of the New Zealand Society of Magicians, Jerry was. unanimously elected an honorary member of the club, in reward for his services in popularising ventriloquism. Wedding at 1ZB Two popular members of 1ZB’s staff, Revell Chignell and Margaret Abbott, were married at St.

Aidan’s Church, Remuera, on the morning of Saturday, February 10. Mr. Chignell is in the programme department, and among his various duties he picks out the theme songs which are signatures for so many well-known features. Suggested theme song for Mr. Chignell himself, "I Once Had a Heart, Margarita." Bryan O’Brien’s Success Bryan O’Brien, who is so popular at 2ZB in the Children’s Hour, and in his own special "Irish Song and Story" session, scored

another triumph in Wellington recently. Bryan ably produced and directed the highly successful Catholic Youth Rally in the Wellington Town Hall, in connection with the National Eucharistic Congress. The only regret was that the rally was held on one night only, and many people were unable to see this unique demonstration. Tongue Twisters Versatile Alex McDowell has adopted yet another role on the radio, this time as the "Tongue Twister King." In the first broadcast of this entertaining programme, Alex delighted listeners with his spontaneous wit, and he handled the session admirably. The contestants, however, found tongue-twisting not so easy as it sounded. Only two out of six succeeded in emulating Alex by repeating the tongue twister the required number of times. Intriguing Competition Station 4ZB’s Saturday evening programme has been brightened considerably by the introduction of a popular musical competition in which every listener has a chance to show his skill. Questions are asked, such as the name of the instrument, or the artist, the language in which the number is Sung, the composer of a certain number, the number of voices, and so on. In a recent competition, out of the 12 questions asked, six entries secured full marks, but the three prizes, double tickets to a local theatre, went to those who came nearest to spelling the names of the artists and instruments correctly. This competition, "Do You Know Your Stars?" is broadcast every Saturday night at 8.30, and

is capably conducted by Len Bates. New Voice for 4ZB A new voice has been heard recently from the Southern unit of the Commercial Broadcasting Service. It belongs to Jack Bremner, who recently has been transferred from 3ZB, Christchurch. Although his voice is new to most of the radio audience, Jack is by no means unknown in Dunedin, as he was born and bred in the "Edinburgh of the South." As a matter of fact, he is still in his twenties, and has spent 22 years of his life in Dunedin. Naturally he is pleased to be stationed at 4ZB. He takes the place of Brian McCawe, who has gone to 3ZB.

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