Pioneers Contribute Unique Childrén's Session.

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 47, 8 June 1928, Page 3

Pioneers Contribute Unique Childrén's Session.

‘AN unofficial event of a most unusual nature provided one of the many attractions put over the air from 3YA during the celebrations of Christchurch Diamond Jubilee last week. The children, and grown-ups, too, were given a unique opportunity of hearing four old ladies speak from the studio, of their early impressions of the city. These pioneers are 3YA’s oldest bivoadcasters.

HE way in which a broadcasting station can handle public functions for the information and entertainment of listeners was demonstrated by 3YA during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Christchurch last week, : N the four days over which the celebrations were spread, there Were many attractions, as is evidenced by the fact that there were 22 relay lines to 8YA. The speeches at the many public functions were broadcast perfectly, and in the case of spectacrum

ular events, such as the big procession on Monday, listeners "saw" it through the eyes of 3YA’s announcer, Mr, Clyde Carr, whose descriptive work was very good. QNE aspect which was of outstanding interest was ‘that of the

children’s session of Uncle Sam and Aunt May on Saturday evening. This was not one of the official jubilee celebrations, but if was nevertheless of a memorable nature. Four old ladies came to the studio and spoke to many thousands of listening children about the early days of Christchurch. These old pioneers were a most interesting link with the past. NE, Mrs. T. V. Whitmore, aged 83, is the last lady survivor of the "Charlotte Jane," one of the four ships which brought the first immigrants to Christchurch in 1850. Another, Mrs. Rosindale, aged 73, mother of Mr. J. 8. Neville, Christchurch Town Clerk, came to New Zealand on the "Cressy." Mrs. C, §. Bell, aged 84, mother of the programme organiser at 8YA, played a lively pianoforte solo, "Weber's Last Waltz," with all'the abandon and skill for which she was noted two generations ago, ANOTHER old pioneer, Mrs. Rapley, gave a very graphic account of Ra a

her first impressions of the site of Christchurch when she as a child arrived with her parents. Mrs, Rapley spoke without reference to any notes. TILL another pioneer, Mr. Bell, forwarded a most interesting letter,

descriptive of the early days of the city. The whole entertainment was unique, but it was distinctly appropriate for a children’s session owing to ‘comparison of conditions, special refs erence being made to the modern wonder radio, UNT PAT, Children’s Session Ox. ganiser at 3YA, arranged for the appearance of the old pioneers at the studio. She endeavoured to induce some of the male members of the oldest generation in Christchurch also te speak, but they were "far too shy."