4000 LETTERS

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 3, 5 August 1927, Unnumbered Page

4000 LETTERS

_ "UNCLE JACK’S" MAILBAG ¢ WONDERFUL POPULARITY Is there anyone who receives more lettefs than a broadcaSting ""Uncle’’? It is hardly likely. Within eleven months Uncle Jack, of 3YA, has received 4000 letters. What a wonderful testimony to the popularity of the oldest radio uncle in New Zealand. Who is ‘Uncle Jack," of 8YA? This question has often been asked, so perhaps the following particulars of his life will be of interest to listeners-in. Uncle Jack, who in real life s© Mr

Ernest J. Bell, was born in Richmond, Surrey, in 1885, and when under fourteen years of age he left school and eutered. the local Public Library as junior assistant, a year later he went to the Hammersmith Library, London, and 3 years later was appointed to the staff of the Fulham Libraries, Hard work and diligent study secured for him the professional examination of the English Library Association, and he was later elected a London representative on the Council of Library Assistants Association, ultimately being

elected an Hon. Fellow in recognition of his work. In 1911 Mr. Bell resigned from his position and emigrated to New Zealand, landing unknown 11 the "City of Auckland. . He was successful in obtaining the temporary posttion to recatalogue the Library of Auckland University College, and while doing that work received the apporntment as Chief Librarian to the Canterbury College Public Library, a position which he has now held since 1013. Mr. Bell has contributed many articles to Library and other journals, and last vear was elected to the executive of the New Zealand Libraries Association. While in Christchurch, he has reorganised the Library and special attention has been paid to the Children’s Wibrary, which is now one of the best in the Dominion. Close upon 2000 boys and girls make constant vse of this section of. the library. Many thousands of adults are also familiar with the yoice of Mr. Bell, for he has now delivered a regular talk on books from® 3YA during the past few months and the large number of messages he has received from all parts. show that these talks are of interest to a wide circle of radio listeners-in, who are also kee readers. A Big Repertoire. , To have received four thousand letters and messages from boys and girls" and their parents is the proud record. of Uncle Jack, of Christchurch. Since September last year he has entertained | the children twice weekly, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, except for the three weeks when he was away on holiday, and during those three weeks Aunt Edna, also well known to the children, very capably corducted the sessions. Uncle Jack has upwards of 800 stories, has completed several serial stories, and in addition has delighted the boys and girls with many songs and choruses. I is not only over ‘the air that the voice of Uncle Jack is heard, for when he hears that a little boy or girl is iil a stirprise visit las taken place ard the hearts of the wee folk have been gladdened by the presence for a few minutes of their radio Uncle. A little fellow in Dunedin had difficulty in getting a certain school text book, and of course Unele Jack chad to know about it, but the laddic wags soon in possession of the yolume,

| Words and music of songs form the bulk of requests, too, and in most instances the required information has been sent along. Lucky Writers. When the two thousandth name was entered in Uncle Jack’s big list, he.

promised a present to that child. The lucky boy was Hector Steele, of Rotorua, who duly received his promised packet. Last Saturday, July 30, saw the four thousandth letter registered, and this was Joyce Reynolds, of Beckenham, Christchurch, who will eventually receive a packet from Uncle Jack. Aunt Edna in real life is Miss Edna Pearce, a young lady who has been on the staff of the Christchurch Library for about 5 years. Aunt Edna is in possession of a pleasing voice and she has delighted many Christchurch audiences by her sweet rendering of well-known songs. Aunt Edna has assisted Uncle Jack upon several occasions and she is now a firm favourite with the listener-in. Letters From Australia. Unele Jack receives letters from all over New Zealand and even from Anstralia. The most recent one was read at B8YA on July 28. Jt reads as follows :- *Dear Unele Jack, We thought it would please you to know that we heard you quite clearly away here in Australia, on the, Murray River. Dad was tuning in at 5.10 p.m., our time, in broad daylight, and heard yon telling all the little boys and girls in New Zealand about Robinson Crusoe, and you had a little girl singing with you. You read letters from Rotorua, Wanganui, and, of course, plenty from your city, also some Maori names. Dad says we must be alent 1500 miles away as the tui would fly (if he could), so we are pleased to have heard you and we send best wishes to all Christchurch kiddies. If you would like to try and acknowledge on the air, please try on Wednesday, July 27, at the end of your talk, 7 p.m., and we will be listening