Jean Batten Across the World

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 44, 10 May 1935, Page 18

Jean Batten Across the World

Auckland Aviatrix Broadcast From Daventry Picked Up Well in New Zealand — "Uncle Serim’s" Life Story — English Contralto’s Tour-- Farmers and Breakfast Sessions.

PHE special rebroadcast. from the Empire short-wave station. of. a tulk by Miss Jean Batten, the young Auckland aviatrix, who concluded a record-breaking return to MWngland from Australia, was easily the most successful ever heard in Auckland. In fact it was much better than the rebvoadcast of the recent Royal wedding last year. Miss Batten’s speech, lasting seven minutes, was 100 per cent. receivable. In a most graphic manner sie described the many storms she encountered on the journey, which unfortunately toward the end was dogged by bad luck and delays owing to engine trouble. Jean sent greetings to her many friends in New Zealand and Australia, Her talk was given without the slightest hesitancy and her words were well chosen, ‘To perform the broadcast, Miss Batten had to be at the B.B.O. studios at 5.30 a.m. ue publication, "Hello, Everybody," which "Uncle Scrim" instituted as a side line in his: operations on the Friendly Road, has within the last fey months, grown from a practically

opscure pamphlet into a booklet of an important circulation of five thousand -this mainly on account of "The Life Story of Uncle Scrim," a biography by farry Bell, which is featured in the form of April; May, June and July issues. Unorthodox the .story undoubtedly is, but it settles the controversy on "Scrim’s" past’ life, while at the same time illustrating.that after all there is much to commend the school of experience and hard knocks from which he graduated. The publication is being distributed only from ihe Ifriendly Road, A CONTROVERSIAL question in the radio sphere is whether stringed instruments are at all suited te radio broadcast. Before the microphone, the general rule is that a tunelessness is the result, even from what are considered expert exponents.. However, the "South Seag Islanders," who broadcast from 1ZB, use two stéel guitars, a Spanish guitar and two banjos and have managed to rise above the usual disability. Mr. Les Hart, who coached the other members of the quintet, has made a long study of the broadcasting. of stringed instruments and he avers that harmonising is the keynote of suc-

cess. His opinion must be right, judging by the way the studio telephones were shrilling with request numbers after last week’s half-hour broad¢ast. . Exclusive artists to this station, .the "South Seas Islanders" will be heard again in the near future. . (COMMUNITY singing was a very popular feature in Auckland last year, but for some time lately there bas been a temporary cessation of these functions. All the more welcome therefore, should be the Friendly Road community sings arranged for May 17 and 24 in the Auckland Town Hall. A choir of 350 Knights. and Ladies of the Sponge is assiduously practising for the occasion, and with novelty features such as animal costumes, native boys, ete., a 100 per cent. show is assured. Already reservations are being arranged. " AN OTHER new artist has been booked to sing from 1YA. Thisis Madame Margaret Mercer, contralto, . an English vocalist who is residing at Napier. Her first appearance in the studio will be made on Sunday next at 8.45 p.m., when her numbers will include 4 "Softly Awakes My Heart" ard "Ye Power That Dwell" (Luke). On the following Wednesday night, from the same station, Madame Mercer will again be heard in Schubert’s "Linden Tree" and "Silent Moon." ; YARMERS are complaining that they are not getting full advantage for their radio sets, At a meeting of the Matamata branch of the Farmers’ Union last week members said the present breakfast session starting at 7 a.m. was no good whatever to farmezs. It was agreed that the Broadcasting Board should be approached to arrange that one station in each island should be kept in action from 8.30 to 10 a.m. every day. One member explained that many farmers’ wives who'were © busy with breakfast. and: getting the children away to school would appreciate an extension to10 a.m. ff | [HE departure of ‘Uncle Scrim" (the Rev. CO. G, Scrimgeour), direetor of the Friendly Road station 1ZM, for Australia, is to be fittingly featured by the station and its many supporters. By popular demand it has been arranged that the final Sunday evening broadcast by him shall be a public service from the Town Hall on May 12. Listeners have cause to remember the packed Town Hall on ithe occasion last year when a service there concluded the day’s anniversary celebrations at which 20,000 people’ attended. The Friendly Road choir, considerably augmented, will assist | "Uncle Scrim" in what is to be a bumper service, broadcast as a grand finale before he leaves to spend three months in inaugurating the Friendly Road in Australia