REPLACING "AUNT DAISY"

Radio Record, 1 July 1938, Page 18

REPLACING "AUNT DAISY"

_ Murphy Sisters" Engaged By N CBS-Wellington Racing ae Ge: Brae Lenght Of: Radio Preparations At Inver-- oe Cargili-News- F rou. All. The S tations

oN the : air last’ week came ) thé’ "Radio * Twins," ’_-bright.: young. ‘New. Zea- ~. landers from ~ Taranaki way, «who will replace. 2ZB’s "Syl-via’*in-the morning and afternoon sessions, amiade: "popular by ‘Aunt Daisy." THE twine: are well’ imown j in New ‘ Zealand ‘as*the Misses Pat and Murphy, who visited Australia ‘last year with the New. Zealand ski-ing team. -Joan: ho'!ds the New Zealand champioriship in her class, while "Pat | has also performed’ with ‘distinction in. both, countries. HEIR engagement "followed an accidental :broadcast-accidental because of the coincidence that they happened ‘to. bein Wellington to assist Herr Ernst Skardarasy, the Austrian, ski expert in a Bright 2ZB: ‘broadcast. The station aiithorities were tn~ pressed with the . quahty and wivacity of, their. voices... An, audi~ tion resulted in an. immediate enrm gagement. . . "OVEVIA" (Miss Doreen Walst) has Jeft 2ZB:to accept an engagement with a Wellington’ business house: TELLINGTON Racing Clubs’ annual "winter meeting begins on July 5, and; as-usual; 2YA-will relay running. ' commentary..qn’ the events from .Trentham ° racecourse,. interspersed swith studie récordings. -On the: second day of the meeting, July-7, 2YC ‘will. take cover the- broadcast between 1.30: and 2.30:p.m., while the final day’s preceedings: will be heard entirely from 2YA. FRaveric COLLIER, Australian bass baritone now touring the ‘National stations, ‘will broadcast . two further "recitals. from 2YA on July 3 and .6 respectively. On the former date ‘his programme will: consist: entirely of oratorio, but his later recital will be devoted to’ songs classified as ballads. LL-NIGHT ‘broadcasts from 1ZB during the next few months have been arranged’ for midnight to ‘6. a.m. on . ‘ July 1, August. 5; September 2, October.:7, November 4, On .each of these dates, a smoke concert will be pbroadeast hetween midnight and one o'clock. An. early. morning. session from: 4 o’clock to 6 will take: the form of a farmers’ breakfast session. The other three hours of the, all-night sesgions will: be divided into good enter-

tainment features. Checks have shown ‘that even’ in’ the’ small hours of the morning 1ZB commands an audience. DEMOLITION: work ‘on 8ZB’s old ~~ puilding, gutted .by fire, has, been begun and, if all..goes well, bigger and better premises will be ready for the staff and equipment in about three ‘months. . Improved -plans for the new ‘studios have -already been prepared. There has been speculation in Christ-

church ‘about the site, but the "Re. cord" learns that. this will be unehanged. : . PREPARATIONS are well in’ hand for the thirty-seventh annual festival of the Dunedin Competitions Society, which will open on August 17 This year: three new sections will be included ‘in an .already. comprehensive schedule. They will be: -Piano concerto for grand piano, verse-speaking choir, and women’s choir contest. All . judges have now been appointed. Dr. Lyon and Dr. Ford, of the Trinity College of Music, London, will be judges of the:vocal and. instrumental sections; Mr.-J. W. Bailey, of Auckland, will take the elocutionary sections; and Mr. Gwenn: Gibbs, of Palmerston North, is to adjudicate for the dancing, soe . ZB’S comprehensive weather service © ‘is to be further extended by the ' introduction of a special forecast at 6.45 a.m. "Tits is. planned primarily toassist the farming -ommunity. APPLICATION from Dr, V. B.. Galway, Dunedin.city organist, for

leave of absence to pay a ‘six monttis visit to, England, has been: ‘granted by the ‘Dunedin’ City: Council ‘finance committee. Dr. Galway " will depart’ on September 15. ° During ‘his absence the excellent "Masterpieces of Music" sessions from 4YA will be discontinued, and although Dr. Galway. has. arranged ‘for two organists to conduct: the fortnightly Sunday evening recitals . from ‘the Town Hall, these relays are also more’ than-likely to. be, dropped in :the , meantime.: , fot : Contest grow Larry, Adler . rose ‘to: fame , through his playing of, ‘the: ‘humble -mouth-organ, this: tuneful. little’ instru--ment has won many exponents. The NCBS has now decided to hold a Har--monica contest’ ‘at each of its four ZB stations, beginning on July. 4 There

will ‘be three. classes: Under 15,: over 15, and ‘any age (chromatic instrument only). Cash prizes of, two, three, and five guineas will be awarded in the respective sections ,together with ‘exe pensive harmonicas, and ‘in addition, the winner in. each section will receive a week’s ‘engagement from J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in each of the four centres. Entry. forms are obtainable from: Chas. Begg and Co., Ltd., and the contestants will be heard in preliminary tests to determine the broadcasting standard. There are three judges, who will hear four entrants each evening until the final.20 are found. These in turn will broadtast again till the winner is found at each station. The contest will be heard at 6.30 p.m. daily, except Sundays. Entries close on Thursday next, June 30, Bad Luck A DIARY of 21 years’ ‘world wandering with Baron’de- Forest .and Lady Houston, ‘was lost by Teddy Grundy. in the 3ZB fire recently. Since ‘then,’ many--péople have -written asking if he still possesses’ sufficient data "to publish his proposed book, "Off. the Beaten Track.". But Teddy regrets that he does- not. Just before the fire; he took his: manuscript to’ the’studios so that he could type a few pages during the week-end:. On the’ Sunday night the book was _ three-quarters" finished, and would been in the hands of the’ publishers next month, under title of "Twenty-One Years of Vagabonding." -When -Teddy. mentioned -his~ loss over the air he was inundated with letters of sympathy. He would not have aecepted £300 for the manuscript, he told the "Record" last weék. However he.is carrying on yery ably in his Sunday travel sessions, with the aid of letters he wrote to his wife during 10 years; — For Hastings awest centre to link up. with 2ZB's growing list of provincial hours: is Hastings, where reception is strong and «ear. The: Hastings hour, ‘in the charge of Phil Shone and Michael Forlong, will be- heard. at 10.15 ‘p.m. Mondays. and Wednesdays. Physical Culture DrRecror. of: Physical Education of a number of colleges in India, Pro‘fessor Jagan Nath, manager of ‘the Indjan hockey team. visiting New Zealand, will ‘give talks at the main NBS

stations. He is a scientist, specially interested in physical, culture. He is to-speak from 8YA on June 30°on "India To-day," and.at 4YA at a later date on "Physical Culture." , oO Trio EAT tuneful: and captivating: little comb‘vation;. the Novelties. Trio, will be featured from, 4YA_ next Weanesday night at 8.and 8.32. When the Trio ijast.broad¢ast from 4YA its performance was: considered one of» the best. ever given in the class of entertainment favoured by it, -and as. the meinbérs have been in constant practice .

since, the forthcoming: recital should, if anything, be-even beiter than that memorable. broadcast of five or six weeks ago. Busy Singer FrReperic COLLIER, well-known Australian pass-baritone, domin- ' ated concert programmes at 1YA -last week. He was featured on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights in recitals. Altogether he made five studio appearances, singing ballads, operatic arias and lieder compositions. Pitcairn AY the radio amateur contacting Piteain Island remember. that. he ’ Ig penetrating into .the. sanctity of 140. years or so of almost absolute . isolation. Largely by his conduct will ihe rest of the. world be the judge of the Islanders. The recent . film of the ‘Bounty,’, .brought ug fame and $recognition. and .to-day the: whole. world seems to be asking about us." These remarks were made to the "Record’s" Christchurch reporter the other day by Mr. Floyd McCoy, of the famous Pit- , cain Islarid family,,and they may be well scanned. and taken to heart,. Two Piano Suite OYA'S: weekly chamber musie hour will have .additional interest on July 4, .Two well-known piarists, Decima ‘Hughson: and -Ina Stephens,

will perform Rachmaninoff’s "Suite ‘for Two Pianos" from the studio at 8 p.m. ‘ During the past decade, music fot two pianos, has ‘replaced the old-fashioned duet, and the ‘presént ‘style enables more elaborate and comprehensive. figurations to: ‘be Bayguted "Breakdown Wen the. breakdown occurred. at oO the. Lake Coleridge ‘power supply for Canterbury last ‘week, | transtiissions from 3YA were emergency power ‘plant, driven: hy a petrol engine, ‘took up’the generating work and schedules were adhered to a’ smart -piece.of work: -Station: 8YT, the subsidiary, was off for part of the afternoon, but resumed its: broadcast shortly watore: 6 ‘oeieck," 2 "Fa rewell . rPRIBUTH to-the’ popularity: ‘of Mr. S. J. Duff, 2ZB’s. station, director,. Was paid in full-measure’ on Friday. evening last,.when members of the ‘stuff . held ‘a fancy dress. batl to farewell him on his way to. Christchurch, "where he will have charge, on ptomotion, of station | 3ZB. The. parade Was a gay and ‘colourful: spectacle, prizes for the best and. most original costumes’ ‘going to "Robbie" (Red Indians),’ and Miss B. Thompson’ (Harly ‘ Victorian): The highlight of the evening’ was a presen: . tation to Mr. Duff of a ed gold. watch-by | Mr. Cc. G. ‘Scrimgeour,

Controller of the NCBS. Mrs. Duff was also given a handsomely-worked sequined bag. Big Fight NE of the best overseas rebroad«asts undertaken for some time by 1YA was that of the fight for the world’s boxing championship: last Thursday. Reception was particularly good at Auckland, the only trouble being that Joe Louis knocked out the German . fighter, Schmeling, too soon. Still, it was exciting while it lasted, and the de. scription of the scene by the American announcer was really worth hearing.

The commercial station 1ZB also carried out a good rebroadcast. Despite the fact both stations covered the fight 30 thotoughly; dozens of persons continued to telephone and annoy officials by asking if it was really true that the negro had won. Wellington was not nearly so lucky in its Feeeption as Anckland. New Conductor First hour of I¥YA’s concert pro. ~ grame on Thursday, July 7, will pe taken up by the Royal Auckland Choir of male voices in a miscellaneous programme, This choir was very popular Dr. W. EB. Thomas, and the broadcast should be particularly interesting as it wil] be the first radio pre sentation under the new conductor, Mr, Harry Woolley, a very keen musician and choir conductor. It was Mr. Woolley who made the Auckland Commer cial Travellers’ and Warehousemen's Choir such a fine combination. Doomsday Book VPRYONE learns at school about the Doomsday Book, but few people know the book is still extant and can be seen by the public in the public records office in London, among many other treasures. This collection, the ' most important of its kind in the Hmpire. is the subject of a talk from 4YA on July 5 by Mr. W. G. McClymont. Unique Recordings ERATURE of 2YA’s evening broadenst on Sunday, July 3, is a programme arranged by Mr. L. D. Ansy tin, well-known figure in Wellington" musical circles, Mr Austin has titted his presentation "Some Wor!d-famous Musicians of the Past," and bis narra-

tive on this interesting subject will he illustrated by suitable, and in some eases unique, recordings, ‘These will include compositions performed by: Greig, Joseph Joachim, Saint-Saeus, Pablo Saruasate, Werruchio Busoni, Hugene Ysaye, and Hugen D’Albert. Noted Writer To have produced programmes for the BBG and to have described for the benefit of listeners in Hngland and Western Kurope the first: inauguration of President Roosevelt in the oflice of president at Washington are among the

many distinctions of Mr. 8S. K. Ratcliffe, noted English journalist, lecturer and radio speaker now visiting New Zealand. Mr. Ratcliffe was for some time editor of the "Calcutta Statesman," one of the leading papers in India, and has written much special work for the London "Sunday Observer" and the "Manchester Guardian," besides holding a special lecturing -post at Yale and Cornell Universities in the U.S.A. His son, Francis Ratcliffe, in Australia, wrote the book "Flying Fox and Drifting Sand." Mr, Ratcliffe was heard last week at 2YA and he will spedk at 1YA on July 7 on "Some English Celebrities of To-day." Before he leaves New Zealand he is to record a talk for the NBS on the political situation in the U.S.A., which he has studied at first hand. Kaikorai "On The Up" HE Kaikorai Band is slowly recovering from severe setbacks suffered in the last 10 years, and under Mr, EL. Osborne’s conductorship it should ere long regain its place as one of the country’s better bands. Observant listeners will note improvement when the band goes on the air from 4YA on Tuesday, July 5, at 9.5 p.m... The Sound Track {VERY week for the past few months 1ZB ‘has broadcast excerpts from eurrent films, keeping listeners up to date with films and film personalities. The sound track of a film lends itself readily to broadcast on account of the high fidelity of its reproduction and the simplicity with, which it can he put through the projector, 1ZB_ also :fentures a session of ‘Music from the

Movies" on Saturday evenings. Under a national plan, film sessions are to be broadeast always at 9.80 on Sunday evenings in future, Hymn. Broadcasts MEETING the demand for broadcasts of a religious nature, the NCBS will shortly inaugurate a daily session at 8.45 alm. from Tuesdays to Sundays beginning on July 4, called "Hymns of all Churches." A perfectly balanced mixed choir sings the favourite hymns of the leading churches of England and America, with a short explanatory note of origin and meaning. ‘Phe series originated in America. Back To Duty OFfrF the scene through illness for 12 days, Jay McNamara has made a welcome return to 2ZB. His listener popularity brought scores of phone calls at the station, and his home, where he was visited by dozens of callers solicitous for his welfare. New Radio Journal GQIDELIGHT on the progress of Radio Advertising in New Zealand. ... Mr. Jack Morris has resigned from Radio Features, Ltd., to take over the managing cditorship of New Zealand Radio Advertising, a new monthly magazine published to educate the New Zealand radio advertiser in the efficient use of the new medium. Mr. Morris had had varied career in the advertising and publicity world. Shoppers’ Service PW "Shoppers’ Session" from 1Z13 gives current prices and shopping notes, Ruling prices in mest, groceries, fish and fruit, ete., are broadcast

as a guide for the housewife. This 10.45 feature is fast becoming an information bureau for housekeepers, who listen on Friday morning just before the week- . end shopping rush. New Coates Suite HE light compositions of Hric Coates are popular throughout the world, and 2YA will present a number of this prolific writer’s works at 8 p.m. on July 6. Included in the programme is a new composition entitled "Springtime Suite’ in three movements. Pies, Peas and Mashed MANSY a sober-sided couple homeward bound after theatre must plead guilty to a couple of surreptitious sniffs when they pass that delectable cafe on wheels, the pie-cart-pardon, coffee stall. They would love to slip under the curtain, but, somehow, dignity forbids. So, for the benefit of the uninitiated in the art of dealing pies, peas and mashed on a street corner, 8ZB the other night took its microphone into one of the most aristocratiec of Christchurch pie-carts and told listeners all abouf its culinary arrangements, its chef, waiters and Customers. The session was caprh'y handled by Tan Mackay, whose side: lights feature, by the way, is to be taken over by Bob Pollar. when Mac goes to Wellington. For Men GTRANGE as it may seem, "Magazine for Men," new Saturday morning feature at 1ZB, is not made up of borderline jokes and "bright" humonr. Editor John Gordon played an operetta overtute as interlnde in the first issue, and introduced an entertaining talk on mountaineering and another on the

Auckland Savage Club. Five-day working week makes Saturday a day of leisure, so 1ZB has introduced this | mainly masculine magazine at 10.30 in the morning. Heavy Work HEY worked the technical and announcing staffs hard ‘at 1ZB during the week-end, when no lesg than six relays were carried out, catering for all tastes. At. 2.15 on Saturday afternoon the chirp and song of birds floated over the air. A couple of microphones were placed in an aviary in the suburbs and many rare and speciallyimported birds "spoke." Then, at 3.45. the station switched to Carlaw Park. where sports announcer Bill Meredith gave a commentary on the big League football game. At 10.30 that night a dance band of eight pieces and three vocalists broadcast speciality numbers from gq ballroom. On Sunday afternoon at 4.15 Mwart Lynn was heard in organ selections on relay from the Civie Theatre, and for those who like picture excerpts ‘the station switched over to the Strand Theatre at 8.15 for pnum-

bers from a current film. The final relay. was carried out from the Berkeley Theatre lounge, Mission Bay, where the Berkeley Trio, with Robert Simmers, . baritone, and Gwenda Weir, soprang, presented a bright musical programme. Assistant Manager [PORTANT "executive appointment to the head office of the’ NCBS is that of alert Mr. John W. Griffiths as Assistant’ National Advertising Mana‘ger. Formerly advertising manager at 1IZB, Mr. Griffiths had his.first introduction to radigo on completing a sec2

ondary school education, when he joined the staff of Amalgamated Wireless. This was followed by about 10 years’ service, mostly as an executive on the sales side of commerce, before his .appointment at 1ZB in November, 1936, to which post he was assisted by a ' sound knowledge of music in all its forms. His. wife, Mrs,. Griffiths, prio to' coming to Wellington, was prominent in Auckland repertory and radio ‘circles, and igs a sister of Miss Ruth Scott, tutor of June Barson, winner of "the ZB Deanna Durbin quest. ~ Women’s Choir AKING one of their rare appearances before the microphone, the Pioneer Women’s Club singing circle will be heard from 2YA on July 7. One of the highlights of the programme wil? be four Tuscan Folk Songs by Caracciolo, Auckland Singer J EAN MENZIBS, recently come from Auckland to Wellington, will give a Lieder recital from 2YA on July 5. Her pleasing contralto has been heard from 1YA on several occasions, and. she is particularly at home with -Lieder. Brahms, Mozart, and Schubert are composers she has chosen. ’ Balclutha Liked It A WHILE ago it was Oamaru, last week it’ was Balclutha-but the 4ZB concert party tours whereyer its services will be appreciated. The Balclutha concert was given in aid of the Balelutha branch of the Plunket Society. Sunday concerts are not popu-

lay in Balelutha-or so they told Mr. Perey’ Janes Blackman (Uncle Percy of the Sunday children’s hour), who was arranging for the 4ZB concert party to pay a visit. However, pessimists were wrong. When the night came the Balclutha Town Hall was packed to capacity and the party received an enthusiastic welcome. Visiting artists were Mrs. Peter Dawson, Mrs. L. J. Blackman, Misses E. Wychetley, Rita Holmes, J, Holmes, Joy As quith, Dorothy Sligo, Uncle Percy, Peter Dawson, Alex McDowell, Barnie McConnell and Jim Arthur. Horne Cabarets VWONDAY, Wednesday and Saturday A nights are to see a new feature started at 3Z2B. The dance session, tunder the heading of "The Cabaret Club," is to include recordings of prominent dance bands, besides one chosen guest artist. ‘whe cabaret atmosphere will thus be taken right into the home, and listeners will hear the laughter of dancers; cheery clink of glasses, the swish of frocks-the sounds that are part and parcel of the 1988 cabaret. Change In Team THE Wellbrock Brothers, of Christ- ' ehurech-Walter, the singer, and Allen, the pianist-who have been featured frequently over, 8YA, are together no longer, for Walter has been transferred to Auckland. The combination was scheduled to make its last appearance on June 27. However, it is- possible that another singer will replace Mr. Walter Wellbrock. The brothers have for some time now supplied 3YA with interludes of excellent rhythmic singing and playing. "Sings" OMMUNITY singing in Christchureh, conduetéd this year by Jack Maybury, of 8ZB, assisted by Eddie liegan and Norman Carson, is building up the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund. The second sing of the season netted £68 and last week’s £40 odd, Wintry weather accounted for the drop in the financial temperature. Mr, Maybury is putting all he knows into the work, even to the extent of making each sing "different." The other day he decided on a"Wild West" session, and appeared complete with cowboy outfit, but was stuck when it came to finding a bronco. He proposes to make every sessiou characteristic of some type or nation ality. German Climbers WuieEn Mr. W. G. MecClymont, well: known speaker from 4YA, toured England and the Continent in 1986, he did a good deal of alpine climbing in Great Britain and in Germany, About that time, a party of Germans had visited England to do some climbing. but, since German legislation prevented them leaving the Fatherland with very much money in their pockets, they had to fall back .n the kindness of English clubs to enjoy themselves fully. In return they invited English climbers to visit Germany. It is of climbing with these German comrades that Mr, MeClymont will speak from 4YA on July 19 and 26. First talk will be entitled "Climbing with the Anglo-Ger-man Party: Germany," and the second "Climbing . with >the Anglo-German Party: The Austrian :‘Tyrol."