NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 44, 26 April 1940, Page 46

NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

HE Dunedin Railway Station has seldom presented so animated an appearance as it did when Aunt Daisy departed for Christchurch after her brief stay in Dunedin. Long before 11.35, which was the scheduled time for departure, the station and its environs were packed with women anxious to catch a final glimpse of Aunt Daisy. When Aunt Daisy arrived, in company with the Station Director of 4ZB (Merton §. Bullivant), she was given a hearty ovation. The crowd surged round, endeavouring to get a word with her. Shortly before boarding the train, Aunt Daisy thanked those assembled for the splendid time they had given her in Dunedin, and expressed a wish that she had been able to stay longer, and to have met more of them personally, As the train pulled out, there was quite an impressive scene when someone started "Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Good-bye." The chorus was taken up heartily by the immense crowd on the platform, and continued until the train disappeared from sight, with Aunt Daisy’s diminutive figure still waving from the carriage platform. Kingsford-Smith Essays Entries from as far as Christchurch were received for a competition recently conducted by " Wings," the model ’plane and hobbies man heard regularly in the 1ZB "Magazine of the Air." John Stannage, who was associated with Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith in some of his famous flights, said one day to "Wings": "Here are some interesting little model aeroplane parts, They belonged to ‘Smithy, and he was going to have them fitted to a special model which he intended having made for him. Unfortunately he left on his last flight before he could get on with the model, and so I thought they might be of some value to you-do what you like with them," : " Wings" immediately saw the chance of placing these relics with someone who would value them not for their intrinsic worth, but for ‘the fact that they belonged to one of the world’s greatest aviators, So " Wings" announced a children’s essay competition with the fitting title of "Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith." Entries were received from all over New Zealand, the winner being Barry C, Kirkland, Seatoun, Wellington. The mode! parts, which consisted of four sets of aluminium motors, cowlings and three-

bladed propellers, were forwarded to the winner of this competition. Second, third and fourth prizes were won by D. R. Sadd, Nelson; Brian Spark, Hikurangi; and J. G. Box, Christchurch. They were awarded model aeroplane kits. " Heroes of The Frozen Wilds " The exploits and heroic deeds of those intrepid explorers who have braved the frozen wastes of the Polar regions have thrilled the world and written glorious pages in history. A fine feature now being presented from 2ZB twice weekly is " Heroes of the Frozen Wilds." Some of the well-known explorers who figure in this splendid feature are Amundsen, Sir John Franklin, Captain Scott, Shackleton, Sir John Ress, Sir Hubert Wilkins, and Admiral Byrd. 1ZB’s Musical Army Nearly 470 children have enrolled in the new 1ZB "Musical Army." Organised by Charles Begg and Co., this peaceable Army has grown with amazing rapidity. The 1ZB personality, Thea, and J. K. Robertson of Charles Begg’s, have a short session in the "Children’s Magazine of the Air" in which they give news and information about the Musical Army. The response has been immediate and surprising, and now pupils are enrolling at the rate of approximately twelve daily. There are twelve classes in which children learn to play such instruments as mouth organs, ukeleles, piano-accor-dions, steel guitars and banjo mandolins, In addition to these will be added soon classes on the Spanish guitar, drums and a surprise instrument-bagpipes! The tuition is in the hands of competent teachers supplied by Begg’s, who charge a nominal sum of a few pence for each lesson, The studios which were originally intended for the accommodation of classes were found to be much too small, so larger premises were found. Even these, however, will mot be adequate soon. Lessons are given after school hours and also on Saturdays. Besides being taught how to play the various instruments, the children are taught to read and understand music and theory. "Young Marrieds’ Circle" A new idea in radio has taken on. Tony, in response to suggestions from listeners, some weeks ago inaugurated an

entirely new feature in her Home Service session at 2ZB. Within a week scores of newly-weds wrote in expressing their appreciation. One writer said: "Tt’s all very well to hear radio personalities ‘saying ‘use the USUAL method or do this in such and such a way ’-to them I suppose it means doing something which years of experience have taught them how. We, who have not that necessary preliminary training, do not get the benefit of their advice, and yet surely it is we who need it most." If it’s how to mix scones, paint

a chair, or prepare a simple menu in her "Young Marrieds’ Circle," Tony begins at the beginning, Older folk are interested in this new idea, too, for they are being enlisted as "advisers" and many of the simple tricks of the home are being passed on to others through the Circle. The idea has definitely caught on. Now it is regarded as offering such useful service that the station authorities have decided to make an independent feature of it. Tony is to be relieved of much of her work in the Home Service

session, and will conduct the new session at 4.30 each day. Listen in, you’re sure to be interested. Ups And Downs Most people have had quite a lot of fun. out of the Apple Pie Contest held by 4ZB recently. However, there were exceptions to the rule. Just note these facts: the 4ZB studios are on the third floor of the Post Office Building. The Post Office Building has 7 floors and houses several hundred Government employees. Most of these employees use the back lift to get out at lunch time. At about 10 minutes to noon, 4ZB decided to move the 130-odd pies from the studio to a car in the street below. The pies were loaded into the lift and packed as closely as possible on the floor. With barely standing room for one person, the lift was taken down to the ground floor and the attendant went to look for the car. There was no car, While the attendant’s back was turned, the lift shot up to the top floor, where quite a queue had gathered. Imagine their surprise when it was discovered that the lift was completely packed with apple pies. From 7th to Ist, from ist back to 4th, 4th to 6th-in fact, from and to every floor went the lift with its load of delicious apple pies. And on every floor there was an ever-growing crowd of impatient people waiting to use the lift. Considering some of the things that were said, it is a wonder that when at length the worried person in charge finally rescued his pies, he did not find them all completely reduced to cinders. "Curses not loud but deep," as Shakespeare said.