CEREMONY AND SPECTACLE ON OPENING NIGHT

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 121, 17 October 1941, Unnumbered Page

CEREMONY AND SPECTACLE ON OPENING NIGHT

TATION 1ZB was officially opened on Monday night, October 6, with ceremony and spectacle, a picturesque touch being added by a trio of Maori artists in traditional costume who sang an ancient karakia or chant to speed the new building successfully on its way. Following the official speeches, 1ZB listeners and the guests in the radio theatre were entertained by a lively variety programme. The Controller of the Commercial Broadcasting Service, C. G. Scrimgeour, presided and introduced the Hon. David Wilson, Minister in Charge of Broadcasting, who performed the opening ceremony. Mr. Scrimgeour remarked that there were two good reasons for welcoming the shift to the new building, first that conditions would be much happier and healthier for 1ZB’s staff, and second that there would now be opportunity for presenting New Zealand artists more frequently and more efficiently. Mr. Wilson, after congratulating the architect, builder and all the tradesmen who had contributed to such a fine job, mentioned that there had been some criticism, mainly through ignorance, he thought, when the Government decided

to continue with the erection of the building. Actually the proposal had been approved before the war started, and the reason why it was not postponed, as the National Broadcasting headquarters in Wellington had been, was because of the unhealthy conditions under which the 1ZB staff had to work and the urgent need for providing accommodation for other Government departments in Auckland. "I might say that owing to war conditions, quite a number of features such as the neon lights on the tower and behind the glass bricks at the entrance, have been eliminated," said Mr. Wilson.

‘However, when victory has been won, and when the need for blackouts is a thing of the past, I can promise you that you will see the 1ZB building in all its dignity and beauty. "One feature that will appeal to listeners and to my fellow countrymen in _ particular, is the fact that the Commercial Broadcasting Service

costs them nothing, as the advertisers pay for it," added Mr. Wilson, Other speakers were Alva Bartley, the architect, N. C. Cole, of N, Cole, Ltd., the builders, and John Griffiths, 1ZB’s director. Princess Te Puea Herangi, C.B.E., was to have conveyed greetings from the Maori people, but was unable to be present because of illness in her family. : Immediately after the opening, a chant was sung by Ana Hato, Te Mauri Meihana, and Deane Waretini, who also sang several Maori songs. The mutsical programme was compéred by Jimmy MacFarlane who introduced Theo. Walters and the new 12 piece 1ZB Orchestra in several new hit tunes. Variety was the keynote of the programme. There were interjections and asides by "Jerry" whose voice appeared mysteriously and who claimed to be operating a "freedom station," items on the Novachord by Eric Bell, a bright presentation by four members of the cast of Station T.O.T. Most of the vocal items were songs written by members of the CBS staff, Reg. Morgan sang, to piano and Novachord accompaniment, his own composition "Shannon River’; the orchestra, with two. vocal trios, "The Three Majors" and "The Three Minors," played Thea Ryan’s "Sleepy Maori Moon", Phyllis Gribben sang Eric Bell’s composition, "A Regret", and Bryan O’Brien sang three children’s songs written by himself. In addition there was a comedy presentation and songs by Jimmy MacFarlane, Trixie Herdson, Theo, Walters, a quartet "The Four Octaves" and "the Carina Trio."