Simpson and His Famous Donkey

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 23, 18 November 1938, Page 24

Simpson and His Famous Donkey

‘New Clue In Moore-Jones Mystery? ... Why Not Special Legislation For Tourist Resorts? . . . NBS And Handling Of Election Results

BEEVER (Ngaruawahia) J In the ‘‘Record’’ of October 8 last year you published an article by Robin Hyde on the subject of the painting by Sapper Moore-Jones of ‘Simpson and the Donkey.’’ While turing up some old. papers recently I came upon a copy of an Auckland paper dated November 4, 1915, and in the pictorial section was a photograph which would ap‘pear to have been the one used as the ‘‘model’’ for the famous painting. . I have it before me as I write, and on comparing it with the black and white reproduction of the painting there is no doubt that this photograph was used in the making of the painting. There are only two main differences, both apparently having been introduced to improve the picture artistieally; first, the soldier in the photograph is upright, his head is not lying back; secondly, the background is of desert and bushy serub, while that of the painting is of a narrow,

dangerous path. Otherwise in many of the smallest details of arrangement the. similarity is remarkable. , I donot know whether this will be of any value in the socalled ‘‘mystery.’"? The main points in question were first the model from which the picture was made, secondly, the identity of the donkey’s owner, and third, the reason for Simpson being called Murphy. The information above may shed some light on the first question. Ag to the second, it is difficult to tell from the reproduced photos and paintings whether the faces are the same or not, but they appear to be different. The third question was settled by Robin Hyde. The caption under the photograph may be of interest in this connection. Here it is: ‘‘ ‘Murphy’ the Donkey: An animal that did good work in carrying wounded soldiers at Gallipoli. Unfortunately the owner of the donkey (on the right) has since been killed in action.’’ Bouquet Radio (Henderson): I read the letter from ‘‘Listener,’’ Hamilton (‘‘Record’’ October 98), regarding the splendid handling of election results by the Commercial stations on October 15. May I put in a good word for the way the NBS announcer at 2YA handled the situation? As one eed 4

who was responsible for transferring the results from the radio to the screen, IT must comment on the clearness of diction and regularity of. the announcements-neither too fast nor too slow, making it possible to get each and every result correctly. Finals were coming in as early as 8 p.m.-surely a credit also to the "D.R.O.’s" in each electorate. "Thou-shalt-nots’" Suggestion (Wadestown): In vour issue of November the: MITTITIITI ITLL

article ‘‘Too-Many-Thou-Shall-Nots’’ would not convey, to strangers, the correct ‘‘whys and wherefores" of the question. Many people here do not yet realise that the new idea is to eliminate or render impossible the existence of this adipose and wealthy-to-be-waited-upon class indigenous to New Zealand. In such circumstances how can we arrange that visitors of such a class be -treated differently from our own? Undoubtedly this tourist traffic could be made truly advantageous. What about importing the whole outfit necessary

from the continent of Europedeft waiters, cabarets, casinos and ali-and making special laws for the territory concerned? Boys’ Books Mother (Kati Kati): If both "Father" and "Another Father" (whose letters appeared in recent issues of the "Record’) want to know of a modern boy’s school story which I feel sure would appeal to all types of boys, I can heartily recommend "The Hill," by H. A. Vachell. There is nothing of the priggishness of "Hric" in the characters, and, what is a common mistake in so many stories for young people, no moral is pointed (young people will: pick it out for themselves if there is one). What is more, it is a school story that grown-ups, too, can enjoy. "S.0.58."" Lowestoft (Westport): Living in an isolated district as I do, the wireless is a very important part of my daily life. My husband goes away a great deal and I am alone sometimes for weeks, Owing to locality and possibly limitations on the set, only main A stations are available. Often the B_ stations cannot be heard and no auxiliaries except. Wellington. ‘Therefore, you ean understand when I tell you the programmes are eagerly scanned for pleasures in store for the week. I love plays better than anything élse and Monday night is always iYVA night, as it is play night there. I’ve enjoyed "Grand Hotel" and would not willingly miss one episode, and I thoroughly enjoyed "3.0.8." the Scottish play, and was immensely intrigued at it, as Lowestoft, where one of the characters was supposed to hail from, is my home town, and I wondered if the author knew the place well. I would like those tesponsible for the little play to know that it was listened to with delight by at least one lonely person. on ba wild West oast 43 re (SNe 208 8 roe hae ces tore eee

"Fungoid Growth" Cayley (Pio Pio): For the iast two years I have been trying to find words suitable to express my feelings in a more or less polite way as to the horrible cacophony, which masquerades in New Zealand radio programmes. under the name of "music." Particularly --) > re of ra ET a ED >

ae NER EEF obnoxious is this music before 9am. By the time a man has had breakfast, if he has had an hour or more of it, he leaves home ready to knock off the head of his best friend. Possibly the effect of this insidious poison is responsible for the numerous strikes all over the country. lé is quite a treat to hear a he-

man’s voice singing a he-man’s song with some melody in it instead of the tuneless noise at present fired at us. If allowed to continue at the present progressive rate, the young people of the present generation will begin to think it is the only music. Why don’t we imitate Germany in barring jazzy stuif. It is only savage music. I have beard less offensive music from conk shells and tom-toms in New Guineas and the South Seas Islands. Jazz has truly been dubbed as a fungoid growth on civilisation, At the present rate of increase it looks. like developing into a deadly cancer. Happiness Club H.S. Member (Nelson): Just 2. few lines to say how grateful the country members of the Happiness, Club are going to be to be able’ to read of club activities in the "Record." We have been getting the "Record" for years and always enjoy it... itis bigger and better in lots of ways, and I do hope the club paragraph will be a big one aiso! I hope some day you will publish a photo of Dorothy that is really like her, We have seen so very many different faces ali labelled "Dorothy" and would like to see one that is really like her, as we have never seen. her in ‘person. We enjoy Aunt Daisy’s page and wish it could be twe pages at least-rather greedy aren’t we? ‘With every good wish and many thanks for the promise of the club news.

What Do YOU Think About {t? READERS are invited to take advantage of the Home Forum for the expression of their views. Letters, which should be as brief as possible (mazimum approximately 200 words), should he addressed. to the Home Forum, c/o ‘‘Radio Record,’’? Box 1630, Wellington.

Crossword Puzzle THE solution to last week’s erossword puzzle will appear in the next issue of the "Record," together with another puzzle,