MISS LOUISA MAYNARD HALL

New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 916, 1 March 1957, Page 19

MISS LOUISA MAYNARD HALL

| ISTENERS who grew up within range of 3YA in the thirties, and a great many older listeners throughout Canterbury and farther afield, learned with regret of the death-at Blenheim, on February 13-of Miss Louisa Maynard Hall. Miss Hall came of a talented family and was already an accomplished musician, both as singer and pianist, when in 1927 she joined the Radio Broadcasting Company (under Mr. A. R. Harris). Her appointment was as official accompanist at 3YA, but from the start she took part in the work of the Children’s Session, and in 1932 the New Zealand Broadcasting Board appointed her Children’s Session Organiser. It was in this field, which allowed scope for her skill as a musician, for a lively and charming personality, and for a particular interest in and sympathy with children that she achieved her greatest success. Young people enjoyed listening to and taking part in her programmes, and to many thousands of Canterbury children and their parents she was known simply. and affectionately as Aunt Pat. Those who worked with her at 3YA remember her with the same warm feelings, and recall both the integrity which set high standards for the Children’s Session and the energy and enthusiasm which maintained them. Aunt Pat did a great deal to introduce young people to the pleasures of music and she proved equally popular as a storyteller. Her own wide interests drew into the Children’s Session many other

talented Christchurch people, who became regular specialist contributors to the programmes-her brother Dr. R. E. Robinson Hall established a well-remem-bered tradition as Father Christmasand, in fact, her work between 1932 and 1938, when she retired, was in its field a notable contribution to broadcasting. Following her retirement, she spent some time travelling, but about five years ago finally settled at Picton.