N.Z. Girl Popular On English Air

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 32, 15 February 1935, Page 22

N.Z. Girl Popular On English Air

Stella Murray,: Formerly of-Christchurch, Sings For the B.B.C, in London — Prime Minister Opens Christchurch Fete From Wellington — Mona Tracy Back Again.

Miss STELLA MURRAY, who bad the distinction of broadcasting five songs from the B.B.C. during the Empire Programme .from London last Wednesday night, isa Christchurch girl who left New Zealand about 1920. She has a wonderful contralto voice, and

much of her success is due to the interest Madame Melba took in her career and studies. Miss Murray has a flat in the Mews in London, and entertains many New Zealanders. She hag paid two visits to New Zealand since -her departure, and has two brothers in

Christchurch, Mr. Bernard Murray and Mr. H. St. Murray. HD first fete in Christchurch to be opened formally "over the air" was the grand carnival organised by the Christchurch Boys’ High School, and held in the King Edward Barracks. It was declared open by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) in a radio broadcast from Wellington. The broadcast, which was arranged by the Post and Telegraph Department and 8YA, went off excellently, the reception in Christchurch being practically perfect, and clearly audible throughout the building. HB President of the Old Boys’ Association, Mr. R. Abernethy, introduced the various speakers and said that but for pressing Parliamentary business Mr. Forbes would have been present in the building, yet the marvels of radio. were such that one hesitated to say that he was not absolutely absent, for his nearness in_ spirit would shortly be reduced to an even closer proximity by his actual .audible voice. Mr. Forbes listened in Wellington to the preceding speeches and performed the opening ceremony from his private residence. FTHR Margaret Macpherson’s talk from 8YA on Wednesday, February 20, a one act dramatic play wil! be heard and is to be performed by Vrofessor James Shelley, Mrs. Valeria Haslam and Mr. Norman Harrison. This play is entitled "The Invisible Woucd," adapted from the story by Karoly Kisfaludi. M! SS BESSIE POLLARD’s Bohemian Instrumental Quintette will contribute the musical programme on. Wednesday, February 20, from 3YA, and the well-known Mr. Thomas E. West, tenor, will sing. In the reserved session on the same evening, a talk by the clever writer Margaret Macpherson on "Monte Carlo, Humorous and Tragic." from 8YA, should be well worth while listening to. Margaret Macpherson will be heard on the following Thursday at the same hour, taking for her subject "A Jourvalist Looks at Holland." "[‘HOSE listeners who enjoy the popular Mona Tracy talks will be glad to learn that on Tuesday, February 19. the subject of this bright speaker’s talk Will be an episode in the career of Hdward Gibbon Wakefield: entitled "The Stolen Heiress." Next month Mona Tracy will speak on the "Old Spanish Voyages of the Pacific," a subject of which she is very fond and has studied widely. For the Band Hour on Monday, February 18, Derry’s Military Band, under the conductorship of Lieutenant Gladstone Hill, will be heard from 3YA,