THINGS TO COME

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 64, 13 September 1940, Page 6

THINGS TO COME

A Run Through The Programmes

dered, on this page, how such topical commentators as 2YA’s Coranto and 3YA’s George Bagley kept abreast of the topsyturvy times in their regular broadcasts. Last week, for example, we saw two scripts on Tuesday about the Bahamas. By Thursday the Bahamas, or part of them, had been hired out to President Roosevelt. Bill, that ubiquitous office boy, who appears even in this sacred print occasionally, is now wondering whether the history comes first or the commentary; whether the news made Mr. Bagley and Corarito, or whether Mr. Bagley and Coranto make the news. He is going to follow them more closely. Next week, for instance, he will tune into 3YA at 7.20 p.m. on Tuesday, Septem‘ber 17; and to 2YA on Friday, September 20, at 7.30 p.m. S OME months ago we won-

News for the South _Lambs in the North Island are already more than a price on the overseas markets. Bulbs burst a month ago, and are now "in fine flower. Rhododendron trees are masses of colour. Flowers, fruit, and vegetables everywhere have forgotten the puny threat of frost and scorn the weather as if summef had arrived already. All this will be new for the South Island, which cannot quite manage such an early springtime, even after the mildest winter the oldest inhabitants can remember since Ballance and Stout.

But something must be stirring down under, all the same. Plans for spring and summer clothing will be discussed in an A.C.E, Talk from 3YA, at 2.30 p.m. on Monday, September 16. Nature is anticipated. In Nero’s Day To be the victim of a former pupil was the lot of Seneca, the famous Roman philosopher and playwright. He tutored young Nero. Nero showed his appreciation by making Seneca consul. Unfortunately the influence did not last. Seneca incurred the displeasure of the Emperor, who came to hate him. Nero

attempted to poison his former tutor, and Seneca was drawn into a conspiracy, discovered, convicted, and condemned. Left free to choose his mode of death he took a way out pretty common in those days -he opened his veins. Listeners are to hear about Seneca and the infamous Emperor in a talk by Miss M. I. Turnbull from 4YA on September 17. This is one of a Winter Course series on classical subjects.

Acclimatisation Once upon a time deer were brought to New Zealand, and they ate the bush. Once upon a time pigs were brought to New Zealand, and they ate the fern and the lambs and everything else they could. Once upon a time rabbits were brought, and they ate the tussock. So weasels were brought to eat the rabbits, but the native birds were easier to catch. Many of the early mistakes have been blamed on the Acclimatisation Societies, although no one has yet suggested the importation of a natural enemy to exterminate them. But the societies are more than targets for abuse. They do a great deal of useful work and, as far as radio talks go, interesting work. G. L. Pomfret-Dodd, President of the Council of South Island Acclimatisation So--cieties, will tell about it when he begins a series of talks from,3YA on Friday, September 20, at 7.35 p.m. Tragic Greatness Hugo Wolf is regarded by some people as the greatest song writer the world has seen, not even excepting Schubert; yet his life was profoundly tragic. Dismissed as a student from the Vienna Conservatoire on a false charge, he made a bare living giving lessons and writing music criticisms. Then he settled in a little village near Vienna and poured out one song after another. But at thirtyseven his brain gave way and he entered an asylum where, seven years later, he died. Since his death, in 1903, his songs

have continued to win many music-lovers. A group of them will be heard, sung by Helga Roswaenge, tenor, at 8.14 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, from 4YA Dunedin. Facing Death Tale-telling among castaways on a raft is J. Jefferson Farjeon’s theme for his serial, "Facing Death,’ written for radio. A number of people find themselves on a raft that is all that remains of a large ship. The company is mixed. There is a pale old lady in a black dress, a Harley Street doctor, a film star, a negro, a test match cricketer, an author, and so on. They are in a spot about as bad as bad can be. The author suggests story-telling-their own experiences. One man obligingly leads off with a confession of murder, and the game is on, One after another of these castaways unburden themselves. O. L. Simmance is to read this serial from 3YA, beginning on September 18. Mr. Speaker! What manner of men were our early Ministers and Members of Parliament? They are shadowy figures now, these frock-coated, top-hatted and _ heavilywhiskered public men in a young pioneering society, but they were our background just as much as the runholder who brought land into service or the miner who washed gold out of Westland

shingle. It is fitting, therefore, that they should be considered in 2YA’s "Background to New Zealand" series of Winter Course Talks on Monday evenings. The subject is to be covered by Dr. Leslie Lipson, Professor of Political Science at Victoria University, and C. E. Wheeler, a political correspondent in Wellington for many years. In the first talk, on September 16, the scene will be laid in the year 1876, just after the abolition of the provinces. In the second, on September 23, the speakers will move forward into this century. God-Like Music Mozart, the extraordinary, who in natural gifts was one of the most perfectly equipped composers who ever lived; who as a child could detect a difference of an eighth of a tone and recall it next day; who toured the courts of Europe at an age when most young people are still learning to read and write; wrote eight Symphonies in C Major. Of these, that which has been nicknamed "Jupiter" is the greatest. The origin of the nickname is not known, but at all events it is a well-chosen label for such god-like music. This symphony will be presented at 3.30 p.m. on

Sunday, September 15, from 1YA Auckland. 4 Family Grocers The fashion in radio plays these days tends toward the quiet paths of everyday life, and that is at least one reason why "Martin’s Corner," the George Edwards serial which will begin from 1YA Auckland at 9.15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, should be popular. "Martin’s Corner" is the typical corner grocery store so well known to everyonethe place where anything from the proverbial needle to an anchor may be purchased. Presiding genius here is " Gran" Martin, who appears rather rough and tough, but has a heart of gold; then there are Philip and Rose Martin, and their two charming daughters and son. O.K. For Sound

Or in other words, let’s go! That is the idea implicit in "Let the People Sing," the programme scheduled . for 3.2 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, from 2YA Wellington; and as we have all crooned in the cradle and still, on special occasions, are known to burble a ballad or two in the bath, this show should have universal appeal. Brows need be neither elevated nor depressed, for the songs and choruses featured in "Let the People Sing" are those like "Come to the Fair," and "Blue Danube" -which like John Brown’s soul, just go marching on! ;