"Mr. Heigh-Ho" Resigns

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 47, 3 June 1932, Page 5

"Mr. Heigh-Ho" Resigns

Loss to Broadcasting THD resignation of Mr. L. &. Strachan, Station Director, Programme Organiser, and Announcer of Station 2ZW, Wellington, whose voice is familiar to thousands of listeners throughout New Zealand, and further afield, as "Mr. Heigh-Ho," will create a gap in broadcasting circles which will not easily be filled, for the many and .varied qualities essential to each of the three positions so capably filled by Mr. Strachan since the inception of 2ZW are seldom found in any one person. In "Mr. Heigh-Ho" Station 2ZW has been fortunate in possessing & cultured musician with a lengthy. expefience in newspaper journalism and

al comprehensive knowledge of entertainment in its many and varied branches. These factors have enabled "Mr. Heigh-Ho" to develop a standard of programme equal to the best heard from any of the New Zealand or Australian stations. : His versatility has expressed itself in many directions, enabling 2ZW to pioneer many innovations in broadcasting in New Zealand. As a musician Mr. Strachan was fortunate in being actively associated for some years with three of the best musicians in the Dominion-Dr. J. C. Bradshaw, of Christchurch Cathedral ; the late Mr. Hermann Lund, a distinguished musician, who was personally acquainted with Liszt, Brahms, Rubinstein and other great masters; and the late Mr. Edward Branscombe, of Westminster Glee Party fame. Mr. Strachan was for seven years musie critic of "The Sun," Christchurch, succeeding the late Mr. Bdward Branscombe. During this period he came into personal contact with practically every musician of note who visited the Dominion. He is an accomplished organist and pianist, holding the Associate Diploma of Trinity College of Music, London, in each of these branches of practical music.

Mr. Strachan’s experience im _ the newspaper world has given him a broad insight into human nature, enabling him to gauge public taste to a nicety. In his programmes he has never played to the gallery, and on the other hand has avoided anything savouring of the pedantic. He has endeavoured to #levate the standard of musical taste byfa judicious admixture of the best music, with a "sugar-coating"’ of lighter music, his "annotations" throwing a new light on many classical works which formerly were little understood by many listeners. The hope will be expressed by many that his services will not be lost to broadcasting in the Dominion. It is understood that "Mr. HeighHo’s" resignation was due to his disagreement with the directors of 2ZW regarding a new policy which it was proposed to adopt.