"AUNT PAT"

Radio Record, 12 August 1938, Page 18

"AUNT PAT"

PRIVATE: AND PUBLIC FAREWELLS . "T COULD never have carried « on my work without’ the. help of the voluntary assistants." I. am going straight away .from' Christchurch as:1 shall miss: you all. so much," said "Aunt Pat" (Miss Maynard Hall) at a 8YA staff farewell on the eve of her retirement. "A> child wrote to me the other day saying, ‘I am going to miss you something horrible.’ And that is just how I feel about my friends of the staff of 3YAI. too, will miss them, ‘something horrible,’ " Director James Shelley, who attended the presentation, said that the NBS owed much to those who blazed the trail. "Aunt Pat" had set a great tradition,. but this: would ‘not be the last time she would speak over the microphone. "I thank her deeply for her work, on behalf. of the service," added the director. Latecomers to the’ Christchurch Civic Theatre gathering for the public farewell to "Aunt Pat" had no ‘chance of getting into the building. Though the function did ‘not take place until 5 p.m. a queue extended round into Worcester Street two hours before the opening. Miss Hall, ‘like a. true radio aunt, showed not the slightest Sign ‘of strain, was cool and calm, and not forgetful of the smallest detail. The public children’s "session was organised by the honorary’ staff of 8YA’s children’s hour, and.the way in which the public: responded was a singular tribute to her ‘immenée popularity. ‘ To cope with the overflow of wouldbe farewellers, a: ‘Youdspeaker’ system did duty in the area behind ‘the theatre. ?