Clarrie Paine of 4YZ

New Zealand Listener, Volume 30, Issue 769, 15 April 1954, Page 31

Clarrie Paine of 4YZ

NYONE who has seen a Children’s Session from the inside will know how much work goes into it and those who know Clarrie Paitie (Uncle Clarrie), who is heard six nights a week from 4YZ, say that boundless energy and a complete zest for éverything he does are what keep him: going. Letters in a steady stream reach him from as far away as Cape Reinga, and he has _ identified thousands of stamps, insects, creatures dredged up with oysters-even the skull of a cat, The questions he is askednot always by children-are just as varied. Among those who help Clarrie Paine in the Children’s Session at Invercargill are Olga Sansom, curator of the Southland Museum, Book Lady (Elsie Nelson), Colin Diack, who gives gardening talks, Mr. Stamp ‘Man and Mr. Travel Man. Clarrie Paine’s weekly Quiz, in which selected school classes compete, combines éntertainment and information. So far 29,000 questions have been asked, and more entries are recéived than can be handled. Girl Guides, Cubs and Boy Scouts contribute regularly to the monthly Guide and Cub nights which help many lone Guides and Cubs in Southland. Clarrie Paine is never happier than when running a programme, like Storytime and Play Night, which gives scope for his interest in acting, for his active association with the theatre dates back to 1917. Among his other interests are, the St. John Ambulance (Railway

Division), the kindergarten and Home and Schoo] Association, and visiting at hospital, health camp and Scout camp.