Golden Jubilee Programmes (1925-1975)

These recordings consist of a series of five programmes, made for the Golden Jubilee celebrating 50 years of state involvement in radio broadcasting in New Zealand, from 1925 to 1975. Barbara Basham, Peter Downes, and Ulric Williams were involved in the production and presentation of these programmes, which include archival excerpts, studio recreations and interviews.

In the final programme, Asquith Thomson gives a history of the radio sound archives.

Part 1: "The Wonder of it All" begins with a recreation of the first-ever radio transmission in New Zealand by Professor Robert Jack from Otago University in 1925 [sic. actually 1921]. Also the first international Royal Christmas message by King George V in 1932 [at 49'30"]. Also features or mentions: Clive Drummond; William Goodfellow; Ambrose R Harris; Gertrude Lawrence "I've lost my heart in Maoriland"; Edna Gyde; James Hartstonge; Walter Sinton; Stan Mee; Greta Williams; Bessie Pollard; Amy Woodward; Tony Wood; Dudley Wrathall; "We're in the Money"; Grace Green; Jim Younger; John Proudfoot; Ken Collins; Arch Curry; Russ Tulloch; Winifred McCarthy; "The Teddy Bears' Picnic"; Aunt Daisy; Barbara Basham; Elsie Lloyd.

Part 2: "The Golden Years 1935-1944". Elsie Lloyd describes the golden years of radio broadcasting. In 1935 the Labour government came to power. Prime Minister M.J. Savage spoke to the nation on election night [actuality]. John Proudfoot describes how government took over radio as a means of communicating policy to the people. Direct parliamentary broadcasts were introduced. The National Broadcasting Service was established and also allowed for a commercial station network. Twenty-one private 'B class' stations were practically all bought up by the government.

James Shelley was appointed Director of Broadcasting in December 1936 [actuality]. Colin Scrimgeour describes how he bought station 1ZB for 50 pounds after selling his wife's piano and then went on to become Controller of Broadcasting for the Commercial Network.
A typical day of broadcasting in the late 1930s began with Aunt Daisy [excerpt of her programme with a homily on 'married life' as the foundation of the nation.]

Community singing sessions were an important part of keeping up morale during the Depression. Actuality of a 'Community Sing' is heard and an excerpt from Russian tenor Senia Chostiakoff who was very popular. Dudley Wrathall recalls making "Chuckles with Jerry" a comedy series which he began in 1938 or 1939 with George Tolerton [excerpt].
Elsie Lloyd recalls making the radio serial "One Man's Family" with Selwyn Toogood and others. Visiting musical artists often appeared on New Zealand radio [actuality of interview with Gladys Moncrieff and excerpt of "The Merry Widow". ]

Pianist Henry Pen [?] talks about the difficulty Peter Dawson used to have singing the Maori lyrics in "Waiata Poi" [An excerpt is played.]
James Hartstonge talks about the development of news and current affairs. They received one cable a day with British and overseas news and had an arrangement to re-broadcast items from newspapers.
A medley of excerpts from well-known serials and shows is heard.
An excerpt of 'Panorama of New Zealand' - a documentary programme compiled for Empire Day 1938 is heard. It featured Bernard Beeby, James Shelley and William Yates.

Arthur Pearce talks about "Turntable" and "Rhythm on Record", early jazz and dance programmes he hosted from 1935 onwards. He describes jazz as being a 'four-letter word' in broadcasting for many years.
Dr Turbott describes starting health talks on air in 1943 at the request of Prime Minister Peter Fraser. A review from a 1937 issue of 'Radio Record' describes the first appearance on radio of Inia Te Wiata [an excerpt of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot".] A broadcasting orchestra was formed and radio took a full part in the Centennial exhibition at Rongotai. But this was overshadowed by the outbreak of World War II [actuality - an excerpt of M.J. Savage's 1939 speech to the nation.]

Wartime developments in broadcasting saw an increase in the number of BBC bulletins and the introduction of censorship meant many programmes were now recorded beforehand so nothing could slip through. Jean McPherson recalls singing at camp concerts for the troops and artists she appeared with, including Wally Marshall [Excerpt of a performance.]

The wartime Mobile Broadcasting Unit was sent overseas with New Zealand troops [Actuality of Arch Curry reporting on the Battle of El Alamein and personal messages from troops.] Excerpts of war-time radio dramas are heard. Commercial and non-commercial arms were amalgamated to form the New Zealand Broadcasting Service.

Part 3 "Peace and Expansion, 1945-1954"
Opens with actuality of cheering crowds marking V.E. Day. Excerpt of a 1945 live performance by Gracie Fields. The end of World War II meant broadcasting could begin to expand once again. Deputy Prime Minister Walter Nash is heard speaking at the launch of the National Orchestra with their first concert in 1946. Dvorak's "Carnival Overture" - performance by the NZBS National Orchestra in 1946.

The work of the post-war Mobile Recording Unit is recalled by Geoff Haggett. He describes the recording truck and the disc recorders it carried. An excerpt of a Mobile Unit music recording is heard.
Radio advertising grew due to demand. There was criticism of the number of overseas serials played on the commercial network - mostly from America and Australia.

Selwyn Toogood 06 Feb 1947 broadcast watching the stranded vessel 'Wanganella' float free from Barrett's Reef in Wellington Harbour. An excerpt of his first quiz show, 'Posers, Penalties and Profits' is played. Jack Maybury was the other quiz show host and an excerpt of one of his shows is played - Dorothy Jean his assistant introduces contestants Mrs Mary Mackie and Mr John Williams of Opotiki. Other quiz shows proliferated and for the first time one show could be played on all commercial stations simultaneously.

Portable tape recorders were introduced, opening up a completely new field for broadcasters. David Delaney explains the impact of the Uher recorder and directional microphone. Field recordings of a Wellington street preacher and a Glen Massey coal miner.

Dominion Day September 1948 the international shortwave division 'Radio New Zealand' went on air, introduced by Prime Minister Peter Fraser.
1948 also saw the launch of TANZA Recording. Pixie Williams with Ruru Karaitiana's "Blue Smoke" and Ken Avery's "Paekakariki" are played.
Other record labels followed meaning New Zealand artists were more easily able to be played on air.

Richard Farrell and Colin Hasley both toured New Zealand giving recitals with the National Orchestra which were broadcast. (An excerpt of Farrell playing a Brahms Intermezzo is heard). Popular music groups also toured. The Knaves from Auckland toured the South Island. The tour by the Old Vic Company, headed by Laurence Olivier and Vivenne Lee was an exciting theatrical event (An excerpt of them in School for Scandal is heard.) A production of Bizet's 'Carmen' was staged by the NZBS. Bernard Beeby was producer with Andersen Tyrer musical director. Local casts were involved throughout the country, although the two leads came from Britain. (An excerpt is played.)

James Shelley retired in 1949, succeeded by William Yates. X-class stations began to open in regional towns. The commercial stations deliberately tried to capture YA listeners by broadcasting attractive Sunday evening programmes, such as Sunday Showcase, as Brian Salkeld recalls. Oscar Natzka recorded a long series of recitals for the commercial division. An excerpt of Kenneth Melvin's 'Tusitala' programme is played. Christmas Pantomimes were popular, written for many years by Arthur Jones. Excerpt - Selwyn Toogood introducing 'Christmas Crackers'.

Winston McCarthy rose to fame in this era, starting as a commentator with the 2NZEF becoming Head Office sports officer in 1951.
Other very well-known voices were Aunt Daisy and racing commentator Dave Clarkson. All three were innovators who developed completely new styles of broadcasting. The 1950 Empire Games were held in Auckland, the largest outside broadcasting event ever attempted by the NZBS. Joe King and Winston McCarthy were commentators in chief. (An excerpt of Joe King covering the opening march past.) In the winter of 1950 floods in Westland and Poverty Bay saw radio play a vital role as local stations stayed on air. The YC network began and on the commercial network the serial 'Dr Paul' began its 22 year run.

A broadcast by Prime Minister Sidney Hollard introducing the 1951 waterfront dispute emergency measures. In 1952 the NZBS sent a concert party to Korea to entertain troops - giving a concert at Papakura Camp before they departed - Johnny Grainger and a chorus number is heard. In 1952 Jean Coombes became supervisor of Broadcasts to Schools and children's programmes in general. Kindergarten of the Air and Correspondence School also had weekly shows.

In 1953 the Queen's visit to New Zealand and Edmund Hillary's success on Mt Everest are recalled in several recordings of Hillary, George Lowe and Royal Tour commentators.

Part 5: "The Talking Years": Presented by Marama Martin. Marama Martin, Prudence Gregory and Barbara Basham discuss the start of talkback radio in New Zealand with 'Person to Person' hosted by Jessica Weddell on 2ZD in Masterton; they recall female announcers of the early 1960s and women's programming; Kiri Te Kanawa sings at 1965 Mobil Song contest; licensing of private stations and Radio Hauraki in 1970; actuality of the visit of President Lyndon Johnson to Wellington in 1966 and its impact on how broadcasters covered such events; Ken Funnell recalls the beginning of the Current Affairs division in May 1967 and the launch of "Checkpoint"; Alwyn Owen talks about documentaries starting with "Aspect" and "Spectrum" in 1972; excerpt of an early Spectrum: George Davies remembers his grandmother.

Light entertainment: excerpt of "The Prickly Thistle Club" from the Burns Hall, Dunedin, started in 1968. Lead by Peter Fleming, Vincent Major.
The introduction of decimal currency, (commercial) "Family Favourites" programme of requests between NZBC, BBC and Australia.

Sinking of the 'Wahine', 10 April 1968 (actuality of voice reports)
Apollo Moon landing in 1969 (actuality of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the Moon's surface). Expo '70 in Japan and the large number of New Zealanders who went there to entertain, including many NZBC staff, such as Oswald Cheesman."Three Little Maids" from The Mikado.

Princess Alexandra's visit to Auckland in 1971 (actuality)
The advent of transistor radios and the impact on radio listening.
"Black-eyed Susie" by William Clausen. 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch (actuality of Dick Tayler's 10,000 metre race)
Radio drama by Tony Grosser. Visiting artists to New Zealand, 1972 Harry Secombe sings an item.

Henry Rudolph of Wellington recalls performing on radio in Wellington through the years, starting in 1924; was musical director of 2YA during WWII; still performing on radio now with female choirs (musical excerpt by The Henry Rudolph Singers). Clive Drummond recalls announcer's names were not used on air.

Asquith Thompson, Chief Archivist recalls the history of Sound Archives. In 1934 the Broadcasting Board acquired its first recording machine. By 1936, acetates had become widely used and some began to be saved as the "Historical Library". Acetates were used until the early 1950s.
In 1955 a decision was made to set up a separate Sound Archives.
1 March 1975 NZBC ceased to exist (parody of 'Hamlet").

Excerpts from this programme appear in the book "Voices in the Air" by Peter Downes and Peter Harcourt, 1976.