Items From The ZBs

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 78, 20 December 1940, Page 25

Items From The ZBs

VERY now and then, Reg Morgan, who is producing a big musical show, "Radio Rotogravure" for the Commercial Broadcasting Service, stumbles unexpectedly across first class musical talent in Wellington. Claude Jupp, a young mouth-organ player who is a real discovery, was first heard at a " queen carnival" concert in Wellington, and last week Mr. Morgan recorded a number of songs by a group of women who call themselves "The Miramar Singers." He heard them at a Sunday night concert at Miramar, Wellington, and was so impressed that he immediately invited them to an audition. "The Miramar Singers" have a wide repertoire, ranging all the way from popule: melodies to Brahms, Strauss and Percy Grainger. bad % oe TATION 1ZB relayed one of the jolliest children’s parties of the year the other Saturday when a picnic organised by Harold Walmsley was held at Carlaw Park. Every years Mr. Walmsley holds a picnic for the poorer children of Auckland, and this year over 300 children of soldiers who are serving overseas were there as well. Mr. Walmsley has been of great assistance to "Thea" of 1ZB and her Sunbeams in their periodic drives for charity funds. "Thea" was present at the Carlaw Park picnic, and Des. Lock of 1ZB was also there to describe what was happening. Toys were distributed, and there were Punch and Judy shows, races and games, entertainment by Norman Tate, and, to cap the afternoon, an appearance by Father Christmas, * x * WO more clever young performers have come to light through "Station T.O.T." One of the most popular items given during a recent session was @ mouth organ solo by Graeme Pig es head, a fair-haired, blue-eyed lad of just six years. His mother was there to assist in case he broke down, but Graeme, who also had a few lines of script to say, didn’t show any sign of embarrassment. A violin trio, which was highly praised, was given by Eric Foley, Ernest Waterworth and Evan Bracegirdle, three 13-year-old boys. They played an old English "16th Century Air." ‘i * * * 6 "T HEA." who is 1ZB’s studio pianist and head of the Sunbeams, is one of the most versatile people at the station. She can "take" a session at a half hour’s notice, and at different times has deputised for all the women announcers at 1ZB. "Marina’s" "Shopping MReporter’s" session has been conducted by "Thea"; so has "Gran’s" "Home Service" session; and at present, during " Molly’s" absence, "Thea" is conducting her daily "Young Marrieds’ Circle." And on top of all this "Thea" is frequently to be heard deputising for "Rod" in the " Diggers’" session. :