"Cousin Nessie" More Than a Children's Hour Artist.

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 33, 22 February 1935, Page 12

"Cousin Nessie" More Than a Children's Hour Artist.

AUNT JEAN, of 1YA, bestowed the name. of "Cousin Nessie’ on Miss Agnes Shearsby during the latter’s residence in Auckland. Now Miss Shearsby is delighting the little ones under the same nom de plume with popular items on the piano during Aunt Pat’s children's hour from 8YA, Christchurch, every Monday evening... "Cousin Nessie’ is very popular, and has to accede to many remost numbers during her appearance

before the microphone in this session. Miss Shearsby trained under Mr. Gordon McBeth, of Wangauui, Mr. Alfred Bunz and Mrs. T. L. Crooke, of Christchurch. She won a New Zealand competition for the first movement of a Sonata, and has compoSed several composi tions for the piano. She later: became music mistress at the Hurworth Boys Preparatory School in Wanganui, anil travelled many times through New Zealand ag musical directress ‘for visiting theatrical companies. Miss Shearsby is a well known musician in Christchurch,

and her work from 3YA in original compositions and medleys of popular airs has made her popular with all listeners. Mias Shearsby is official accompaniste to Mr, Arthur Gordon’s pupils during their recitals and examinations, while her classical solo work includes Mendelssohn's Concerto with the 8YA orchestra. Miss Shearsby is a New Zealander, and started her broadcasting work in 1921, when radio was in its infancy, and the studio was situated in Robert Francis’s music warehouse in High Street, Christchurch.