Dunedin Exhibition

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 5, 16 August 1929, Page 7

Dunedin Exhibition

T. he Children’s Session ’ ; . { A Great Success EAT success attended the special children’s sessions at the Dunedin Radio Wxhibition. The programmes arranged by Big Brot’ er Bill purported to demonstrate the two types used generally at 4YA, On Wednesda~. August 1, the opening night of the exhibition, a group programme of 22 Maori children from Otakau, at.the end of the Otago Peninsula, gave a varied — programme of hakas, poi dances, and Maori part songs. ; The Maori bairns received a fine reception from the big crowd in the Pioneer Hall, and they certainly deserved the ovation. There was something especially quaint in the sight of the youngsters dressed in- ancient Maori mats and feather decorations. And theve was something else, especially appealing, in the childish trebles and cohtraltos singing the old songs of love and war of a warlike race. .. Uncle Allan, Aunt Anita, and Big Brother Bill had charge of Wednesday night’s session, and the big crowd listening in the hall enjoyed the quips and jokes equally with those listening in their own homes, ON Friday night, August 2, a programme of individual performers entertained a still larger crowd in the Pioneer Hall. Here again, their appreciation of the songs, recitations,. and instrumental items was unmistakeable, Rounds of applause greeted each small performer, and the riddles, jokes, and birthday letters were equally subjects of keen and appreciative interest. Aunt Shiela, Uncle George, and Bie Brother

Bill conducted this session, whilst Mr. Announcer joined in the fun at every opportunity, The laughter and fun in the Pioneer Hall during the children’s hour was attractive enough to fill the big hall long before the hour had passed Thursday niglt. was, of course, the big night for the radio bairns. It was 4YA’s party, and an excellent opportunity of making the acquaintance of all the radio Uncles and Aunts and Big Brother Bill. Six hundred. and fifty tickets were issued, and 200 nar-

ents allowed seating accommodation around the walls of the Pioneer Hall. It is estimated that 700 children came to the party and 200 parents watched the fun. And it is known. that hundreds of children were disappointed, whilst the police had to he requisitioned to keep in order the crowd of parents who failed to get admission after the hall was filled. The Grand March of the bairns, in taulti-coloured paper hats and costumes of every colour and shape, past the judging committee, was a sight to be remembered. "Topsy" won>the costume prize, and a most original radio aerial hat, the hat_ prize. aCe Following the Grand. March, the children took complete: charge of . the programme. Wherever a radio Uncle, or Aunt, could be seen, they wére surrounded by a sea of. happy laughing faces. Uncle George mounted’ 4 chair, and, with a broom handle as baton, led the children in singing "Show Me the Way to Go Home." Aunt Anita

played "living snake" in the middle of a procession of bairns in another corner. Uncle Allan and Big Brother Bill were roped in by a living chain and compelled to play "Here we come gathering nuts in May." Mr, Announcer acted in his professional capacity and bellowed instructions through a megaphone. And all the time the station director told the world what was happening at the party. It was an: uproarious time, but everybody was happy; and although there were ambulance men ready for L usiness they: were not given a singlé case fer attention. Tired bairns, and equally tired radio Uncles and Aunts and Big Brother, saw 9 o’clock come with relief. It was a night to be remembered, with ,soft drinks, biscuits, and lollies to stimulate. the memory; and a good preliminary effort towards the great big party which is being. planned to celebrate~ te opening of our new Dunedin station.