NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 43, 19 April 1940, Page 46

NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

tising Manager, acted as compére for one of the brightest concerts of the season, when he appeared with Gay Newton's party, under the auspices of the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, at Papakura on a recent Thursday. From the moment when fourteen smiling girts came on to the stage to the tune of "Sing a Song of Sunbeams," everything went with a swing, and was greatly appreciated by an enthusiastic audience of officers and men. Highlights of the programme were duets by Dudley and Dot Wrathall, a display of magic by George Tollerton, violin solos by Felix Miller, piano novelties by Lew Jones, excellent song numbers by Flo Jenkins and Christine Watham, and a sketch by Freddie Baird and Dudley Wrathall. A special feature was a comedy ballet number, danced in black and scarlet costumes to the strains of the " Beer Barrel Polka." The ‘dancers were Estelle Boucher, Marjorie Robson, Doris Hughes, Margaret Wynne (junior), and two little tap dancers known as Bib and Bub, Gay Newton accompanied several groups of choruses which were sung by the principals and other members of the party, including Isabellc and Jean Robertson, Eileen Johnston, Florence Garland, Beryl Marshall, Terry Meale, and Molly Asher. Three hearty cheers from an obviously delighted audience farewelled the party as they went off to be entertained by the camp officers. Announcer Without Voice If a lion-tamer is afraid of lions, then that’s tough luck-but if an announcer loses his voice then it’s a catastrophe. Unkind listeners are writing congratulatory letters to Des. Lock, the young 1ZB announcer who recently fell a victim to laryngitis. "At last," said one letter, "we know the only method which will keep an announcer quiet-laryngitis." It is only a mild attack, however, and Des. * will be back at the microphone in a few days. Nothing will keep some announcers quiet. Three-Minute Mysteries 2ZB listeners are invited to become detectives for a quarter of an hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening at 6 p.m., when the "Three- Minute Mysteries " are on the air. A "crime" is enacted, and listeners are given the opportunity of solving the mystery while a S TAN. ASQUITH, 1ZB’s new Adver-

little light music is played. Then the principal character, Professor Fordney, solves the mystery, " The Toff" Each Wednesday at 10.30 p.m., and Friday at 9.30 p.m., to the accompaniment of " Down the Mall," 3ZB’s Racing Reporter, "The Toff," greets his thousands of admirers. A sporting man to his last shirt, " The Toff" has a shrewd eye for "form," and can be relied upon to tell his listeners how the thoroughbreds are behaving. Proof of his popularity has been strikingly demonstrated on several eccasions. Once, when he inadvertently omitted a particular race at a meeting nearly 50 ’phone calls were received in a few minutes following his broadcast, and sent him right back on the job to rectify the matter. On another occasion when his usual session time had to be altered at the last minute, a harassed receptionist spent half-an-hour repeating ad infinitum: "No, I’m sorry, ‘The Toff’s’ next broadcast will be at 8.30 to-morrow morning." Quite apart from his two regular sessions, " The Toff" comes to the microphone at 8.30 a.m. and in the early evening during any race week meetings.

" Fashion's Fancies " This programme has been heard at 8 o’clock six mornings each week since 3ZB first came on the air. Containing as it does a bright selection of records, old and new, this programme has become a breakfast institution in most Christchurch homes. Each Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday, "Happi" Hill, that smiling Canadian with an infectious personality, compéres the programme and introduces many interesting experiences which he had while "riding the range" or just drifting about. Even the theme song of this programme suggests morning sunshine and brightness-it is entitled "The Sparrows." Welcome " Achilles " Two outstanding relays were presented by Station 2ZA, Palmerston North. A welcome to Captain Parry and officers and men of H.M.S. Achilles, was the subject of the first relay. His Worship the Mayor, A. E. Mansford, and the councillors entertained the officers to dinner, and at the last moment 2ZA had the relay gear carried across to the dining hall and introduced officers as they left the hall. The crowd at the Band Rotunda at the public reception after-

ward was one of the biggest seen in Palmerston for some time, and the cheering and singing and speeches were a suitable tribute to the heroes of the River Plate battle. The second relay was a _ back-stage relay from the Switzerland Ice Follies. This was capably handled by 2ZA’s announcer, Rex Walden. Persons interviewed were Megan Taylor, Phyl Taylor and Eddie Marcel. A portion of the show itself was also broadcast, including Marcel’s story-telling period in the second act. For Men Only So popular has the session "Men and Motoring " become that Rod has decided -with the assistance of the listenersto extend its activities to cover fishing, camping, shooting, and all other branches of relaxation familiar to men. Rod says that this is particularly a men’s session, and he is going to try and introduce all the aforementioned subjects. " Mind you," he says, "it'll take time to give full coverage, but if the men will be patient I'll guarantee that Thursday night at ten o’clock is going to be one time when they can have the radio to themselves, and then between us we can have a nice quiet little session." To The Rescue! " Ask Aunt Daisy," the invitation extended in the title of one of "Aunt Daisy’s" books, was taken literally by an agitated father who rang 2ZB recently. A bewildered receptionist heard him wail frantically that baby had swallowed a button. "Ask Aunt Daisy what we'll do!" he implored. Sound Without Sight When Wellington was en fete for the march through the city of the men of the Achilles, 2ZB gave an interesting broadcast for those not fortunate enough to see the parade. Kingi Tahiwi, from an excellent viewpoint in one of 2ZB’s windows, described the crowds, excitement, and finally, the parade. The cheering could be distinctly heard by listeners, New Feature For 1ZB From Wednesday, April 10, the feature, "Queen Mothers of England," took the place of "The Great Goldwyn" at 1ZB. The feature, a Melvin Studio Production, is presented by Kenneth Melvin, and as the title implies, deals with Queen Mothers of England, beginning with the story of Adelicia of Louvaine, and coming down to the present day.