NATIONAL QUIZ KIDS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 936, 19 July 1957, Page 19

NATIONAL QUIZ KIDS

N interest in broadcasting dating back to Army days when, as Education Officer, he prepared a 15-minute script for daily broadcast, has led John Rayner to the interesting task of compering a National Quiz Kids’ radio contest. John, who is the regular compere of the Quiz Kids’ programme, says he is eagerly looking forward to. the National Contest.

"Teams of children from all over New Zealand will be striving for the title of Champion Quiz Kids of New Zealand," he told us. "The contest will be worked on an elimination basis. The team gaining the most points for questions correctly answered will be declared the winner of the round. Questions will be on all manner of topics, but will be primarily educational or cultural. Teams will be allowed to . discuss a question before giving their answer -an answer which

may earn vital points. The top teams from the North and South Islands will then’ be featured in a special programme to Ciscover the Champion Quiz Kids of New Zealand." The climax of this national contest will come when the Champion New Zealand Quiz Kids’ team meets the regular Quiz Kids’ team for the champion of champions title. The interests and ambitions of the young people taking part in the contest cover a very wide field. "David Given at 13 years already possesses an engaging personality and has a ready

wit for one so young," John Rayner said. "A third-former at Nelson College, David has acquired what he terms ‘a_ modest collection of fossils, mostly shells.’ By an odd coincidence two of the New Plymouth team are bent on a career in the Diplomatic Service. They are Patricia Fullerton, of New Plymouth Girls’ High School, and Anthony Butler. Anthony has a terrific range of interests. In addition. to his normal school work, he finds time to delve into archaeology, stamp collecting, Soccer, the violin, debating, ancient history and collecting miniatures of different cele-

brated makes of china-but, as Anthony himself points out, ‘only as money allows.’ "Another keen collector of unusual items is 15-year-old John Haughie, of the Marist School, Hamilton, who collects matchboxes. Though studious, John still finds time to play New Zealand’s national game. John Jensen, of Palmerston North, Boys’ High School, has an interesting combination of hobbies. At 15 he is particularly interested in modern art, science fiction, jazz music,

and skin diving. Another contestant with variej interests is Geraldine Boyes, of the Christchurch team, who is interested in everything from Greek to Rock ’n’ Roll and ice skating." "It should be stressed," John Rayner added, "that the extra-curricular interests of the children are secondary to their school and home studies. All are avid readers." Listeners may hear the New Zealand Ouiz Kids’ Champion Contest from all ZB and ZA stations and 1XH on Friday, July 19, and for the ection nine weeks.