NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 48, 24 May 1940, Page 46

NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

N important change is announced in the senior personnel of the Commercial Broadcasting Service. av. is to return to his former position as Director of Station 2ZB, a period of service with the Head Office ‘staff. as National Programme Director. Mr. Kilpatrick has held the latter position since January, 1938. W. C. Elliot, the present Director of Station 2ZB and formerly of the Auckland Station, 1ZB, is transferred to Head Office as Director. of the new Production Department now being instituted by the Commercial Service. — This important change consequent upon the initiation of the new department opens up a highly promising field for the Commercial Service. Several specialists in radio producticn work will be associated with Mr. Elliot in his new duties. Radio’s Latest Sleuth "Look out, he’s on your trail! Mind your ‘step or the Berkeley House Detective will GET YOU!" These words in a sepulchral voice, recently startled 4ZB listeners and gave rise to all manner of speculation. What new horror was this? Was some sinister figure going to step from the loud-speaker and lay "icy hands on unsuspecting victims? But no, it all led up to a+ perfectly harmless and very absorbing brand of radio fare, which calls for "audience participation" and the distribution of prizes. These two features alone are usually enough to secure success for a new programme. Those who listen in are. enrolled as assistants to radio’s latest Sherlock Holmes. Musical clues are handed out with each unsolved "crime" and the attempts at tracking down the criminal make first class entertainment for those who are tuned in to the Berkeley Cabaret broadcast at 8-45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Public Service Queen Estelle Boucher, better known as " Stella," the popular 1ZB personality, has been chosen by the Public Service Association to stand as the Auckland Province Queen in the Carnival being organised throughout New Zealand to raise funds in aid of the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance Appeal. Stella has often been heard on the air, particularly in the early days before 1ZB became the first Commercial Broadcasting Service station in New Zealand. Although she is better known to-day as Head Receptionist at the 1ZB Studios, she still occasionally appears before the microphone. Educated at Auckland’s St. Cuthbert's College, Miss Boucher is the daughter of the

late E. R. Boucher, a President of the Auckland Aero Club, and also well-known in the Auckland radio trade. -In the Public Service Sports held just before Christmas last year, she represented 1ZB in the swimming team. She is often seen yachting on the Waitemata, and before the war she engaged in flying at the Mangere Aerodrome. As a member of concert parties arranged by the Auckland Patriotic Council, she has visited military camps near Auckland. Questions of Health Tony of 2ZB in her new ‘session, the Young Marrieds’ Circle, has begun a series of very interesting interviews. T. Wallace Dick, the well-known Wellington health con-

sultant, has consented to take part in the session once a week and answer any ques-' tions on diet that Tony’s listeners send in. In the course of a recent talk Mr. Dick gave’ Tony many points on treatment of the skin.’ The Screen Collaborates Station 2ZA has made another move towards the advancement of radio entertainment. For years now it has been realised that the movies provide one of the best mediums for entertainment that there is, and it is realised, too, that much recorded music features screen stars and screen bands. The station recently completed arrangements with a local theatre to put a line direct into the sound box in order to take relays direct from the film ‘" Talking Feet," which featured Walter Heughan, the Scottish baritone, the

Royal Marines Band, the Seaforth Highlanders Pipe Band and the world-famous pianist, Mark Hambourg. Mark Hambourg’s item was relayed at 6-30 on Sunday night. He had associated with him fourteen juvenile pianists. It is hoped that it will be possible to take further relays from the screen. Marina’s Book Talks For nearly three years, Marina of 1ZB has been reviewing books every Tuesday ‘morning in her Shopping Reporter’s Session at 11.30. These book talks are one of her most popular features. After each broadcast libraries all over Auckland are inundated with requests for the book just reviewed on the air by this popular 1ZB personality. Bookshops also give prominence to books recently reviewed by Marina. Considerable experience in criticism, knowledge of literature and modern novels, gives Marina a good background for her reviews of the latest books. One of her greatest interests is the development of a tradition of New Zealand literature and encouraging New Zealand authors. Mother's Day Requests With a long and successful career already to its credit, 4ZB’s Sunday Request Session took on its most massive proportions when it was associated with " Mother’s Day." The mail bags were so bulky that special measures had to be taken to save disappointment among the mothers for whom a radio tribute was desired. Between the hours of 12 and 2 p.m., 3 and p.m. and also from 10 p.m, to midnight, the station did its best to cope with the demand. A tall order, indeed. Anxious though everyone is to honour the day with appropriate gestures it is perhaps as well that like Christmas, Mother’s Day comes but once a year! Time, Please? Time marches on-and it’s always accurate at 2ZB. That’s because the announcers’ studio contains a tape which records the exact time in split seconds. Capping Day Fun The Patriotic Community Sings conducted each week by 4ZB are gathering impetus like the proverbial snowball. Cash totals have been mounting steadily and the latest, £155 15s 104d to be exact, exceeded the most hopeful expectations of the promoters. In’ spite of the fact that the day was one of Dunedin’s wettest, over a thousand people had to be turned away from the Sing, which was in honour of Capping week. Students’ choruses and several interludes and items by

the Capping band gave plenty of variety, while Jimmie McFarlane and "Spud" Murphy looked yery studious in their gowns and mortar-boards. In an impromptu and highly diverting ceremony the worthy "Spud" was "capped." Tonque Twisters The popular "Spelling Jackpots Session" at 1ZB has been replaced by ""Tongue-Twisters." This old-fashioned parlour-game has taken on a new significance since it was adapted for radio competition purposes. 2ZB listeners are already familiar with the jaw-breakers sent in by listeners to torment the studio competitors, but to Auckland this session is a novelty. The first presentation was heard from 1ZB on a recent Thursday evening at 8.30. A well-known Auckland personality, Alan MeElwain, was in charge of the session, " King’s Cross Flats " The new radio serigl from 1ZB, 2ZB and 3ZB on Fridays and Saturdays at 7.15 p.m. is the story of the people who dwell in King’s Cross Flats, Sydney, narrated by. Victor Lloyd. The serial will tell you something of the lives of the people who live in these typical blocks of flats. It will begin soon at 4ZB.