Items From The ZB's

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 85, 7 February 1941, Page 25

Items From The ZB's

N impressive tribute to Lord BadenPowell was paid the other week from 1ZB by "Kahu," who is Dennis Johns, Dominion Commissioner for Rover Scouts. He reminded scouts that on February 23, the day after the late Chief ‘Scout’s birthday, services in his memory would be held in all places where there are Scouts or Guides. "Kanu" has beer on the air from 1ZB for over two years now, and has done a great deal toward spreading the ideals of scouting. He conducted several camp-fire sessions from the station, and now presents a regular fortnightly Scouts’ News Letter. * * % O date over 30 young stars have broadcast for the first time in 2ZB’s "Stars of To-morrow" -presentation in the Sunday feature half hour at 7.15 p.m. The activities of these young stars is not confined to broadcasting; a number of them have been members of concert parties which have visited hospitals and orphanages round Wellington, while others took part in the 2ZB concert at Trentham. Almost without exception they have shown marked improvement under the friendly guidance of Eric Bell, who acts as accompanist for the session. e * * T has become almost a tradition in the Commercial Broadcasting Service that talent hidden in the most unlikely places will come to light in an emergency. At 12.15 the other day came an urgent police message which had to be broadcast in Maori as well as in English. Lou Paul, 1ZB’s Maori announcer, was away on holiday, and none of the other announcers could translate the message. A call was made to the general staff, and Mrs. " Johnny" Thompson, who is a typist in the programme department, saved the day; in a few minutes she had not only translated the message but had broadcast it as well. She has learned Maori only in.the last 15 months, her interest dating from her association with the 1ZB Maori Choir. * * * i" ‘THE HARMONADERS," two travel- ‘" ling entertainers who are in private life Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hill (not to be confused with. the singer heard frequently from 2YA), were recently heard in a_ novel studio presentation from 3ZB. "The Harmonaders" play 14 musical instruments, most of them unusual ones such as the electric unifon, the hand and cowbells, and the "grand silver organ chimes." The last instrument was invented in America about 70 years ago, and the Hills’ presentation of it is the first in the Southern Hemisphere. They have already ‘toured India, Africa, Canada, and Australia. They broadcast over the air in Australia, and while in Christchurch they have given a concert at Burnham Military Camp. * * * A NDRINA, who conducts 4ZB’s Young Marrieds’ Circle, has spent most of her life in New Zealand, but gained her first radio experience in Australia, where she conducted children’s sessions over Sydney stations. She has also had stage experience, which should be invaluable in Dunedin, a city noted for its amateur operatic and repertory activities. Andrina has a brother in Sydney, also in radio.