Ex-Soldiers' Hearty Get-Together

Radio Record, 31 July 1936, Page 23

Ex-Soldiers' Hearty Get-Together

Wartime Acquaintances and Jocularity Renewed in 1ZB’s Studio — Unexpected Result of Preference Census Arranged by 4ZPYodeller Transferred to Wellington.

N Wednesday of last week more than 100 ex-servicemen filled 1ZB’s studio, where an impromptu sing-song, organised by "Friend John," in conjunction with: the popular Diggers’ Session, was held. Here wartime acquaintances were renewed, tales were told, matches and fags were borrowed, and just to make things all the more . realistic, one of the diggers pinched an , officer’s coffee at supper time! The pro‘ceedings were broadcast for 90 minutes, Scores of country diggers have written to the station saying how much they enjoyed the old-time marching and other songs. ROM a census taken by 4ZP, 99 per cent. of the listeners are for more old-time dance music, then comes Seottish and Irish music. Modern dance musie is blacklisted. TATION 4ZO has lost the services of one of its regular vocalists, who has been transferred to Wellington. Mr. J. McKelvey, who became quite a popular yodeller to guitar accompaniment during some of the Friday night broadcasts from this station, had to leave town last week to take up his new position in the North Island town, He was booked to yodel last Friday night, but the programme had to be amended, as he had already left town. Close Debate THE second debate by members of the Otago University Debating Union was given from 4ZB on Thursday, July 16. Six speakers again participated and very ably debated a subject of topical interest, "Should Capital Punishment be Abolished?’ It was a somewhat difficult debate to judge, and it was not surprising that there was even voting among the listeners. ven the choice of best speaker fell to Mr. Nansen and Miss McKenzie equally.-The judge, however, gave the decision to the affirmative and placed Mr Nansen first and gave a very interesting report on the debate. These debates are proving very popular with listeners and arrangements have heen made to present one every four weeks. "Lying Jade" A? present there are almost as many rumours concerning the Friendly Road Station, 1ZB, as there are naughty stories about the nude statue of the athlete outside the Auckland Domain gates. Concerning the rumour that 1ZRB had been offered to the Government and ‘that negotiations had proceeded far enough to permit of staffing conditions and remuneration of the staff to be discussed, also that John Stannage was likely to be appointed director of the sta-: tion, Mr. Harry Bell, secretary of the Friendly Road organisation

‘and Station 1ZB, said: "There is as much fact in those rumours as there is in the new one in circulation that ‘Uncle Secrim’ is to contest the Manukau seat in the Labour interests-absolutely none at all." Variety FTEN on a Friday night 4ZO introduces a little variety into its programmes by featuring local artists. Mr. George Thompson has already given two or three yocal solos from the station, and as a result has been the subject of several complimentary letters received by the station officials, and a duo that has proved of definite entertainment value to 4ZO listeners has recently had a turn or two at the microphone, These two are Mr. Dave O’Hara and Mr. Arthur Mayne, who

sing popular songs to a ukulele accompaniment. The latter has earned some reputation by his trumpet solo imitations. His work bears some resemblance to that of the Mills brothers, Items of this nature are to be given more regularly from the station on Friday nights. Boxers Boxine fans are well treated by 4ZP At present with Roy de Gans, America, and Claude Nicol, Australia, fighting down here, 4ZP has been able to give listeners a boxing broadcast regularly. Letters have been received from: Australia,: all over the North Island and, while on relay, a great number of telegrams. and telephone calls.