RADIO STATION HOAX

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25769, 2 April 1949, Page 8

RADIO STATION HOAX

WARNING OF APPROACH OF WASPS BROADCAST STOPPED BY POLICE (New Zealand Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 1. An unfortunate radio broadcast intended as an April Fool’s Day joke, caused considerable alarm and inconvenience to hundreds of listeners in Auckland and its suburbs this morning. From 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m., Station IZB broadcast announcements that a swarm of wasps “a mile in depth” and 150 feet above the ground was flying in the direction of Sandringham, through St. Heliers Bay and Green Lane. The station announced that a police patrol car in the area was reporting the flight of the wasps and that residents had telephoped the station saying they were being attacked by wasps. Listeners were advised to close their doors and windows, to smear jam and honey on pieces of paper outside the windows, and if proceeding outside to tie string round their trouser cuffs and to wear gauntlet gloves and hoods over their heads. Although no one was seen clothed in the attire suggested by the radio station, other directions of the station were followed. In some cases persons who were told of the announcements after they had left their homes, returned to close the doors and windows. In other cases, parents became concerned about their children’s safety in getting to school, and alternative methods were devised. When the broadcasts ceased at about 8.30 a.m. and no sign of the swarm was seen, children proceeded to school. Hundreds of listeners decided to inquire further about the swarm, and from 7.30 a.m. to 10 a.m., many agitated parents and children asked for instructions from the central and other police stations. Their fears were soon dispelled by a police denial of the hoax, and a reminder that it was April 1. At 8.15 a.ffi. the police asked IZB to discontinue the broadcasts, as their telephone lines were being jammed. It was announced later that the swarm had settled on a house at 35 Argyle street, Herne Bay. According to the Post Office directory, there is no house at that number. The station manager at 1Z 1 (Mr J. W. Griffiths) lives, at 45 Argyle street. The announcements ceased at 8.30 a.m,. and later in the day an apology was broadcast. The Department of Agriculture also received numbers of inquiries from listeners. Mr Griffiths said the broadcast was not stopped by the police. As soon as it was explained to the station that the Colice telephones were being jammed y inquiries being received, the announcer took immediate action and closed the broadcast by explaining that the wasps had settled on a house. Asked if the broadcast was made with his authority. Mr Griffiths said he was not answering that question. Naturally. however, he was responsible for all broadcasts made by the station.