“OLD TIMERS” BROADCAST

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1932, Page 7

“OLD TIMERS” BROADCAST

PROGRAMME FROM STATION 2YB. FAMOUS SONGS AND RECITATIONS A popular innovation that roused considerable interest last year amongst listeners of station 2YB New Plymouth was a programme of songs, other musical items and recitations provided by a partv of “old-timers” organised 'by Mr. J. R“. Hill. Last night a similar programme was giveh, and memory was carried back into the past by airs and melodies that were once popular favourites. The programme was opened by Archdeacon F. G. Evans, who said he. was very pleased to introduced his party of old-timers once again. They were trying to grow old gracefully,, and he was sure they would succeed, for they always bad a smile on their faces. One of the entertainers was 81 years old on Tuesday, and he was sure they, would all join in wishing him many happy returns of the day. There was another member of the party —the tallest man of the company, who had composed a short poem appropriate to the occasion. The Archdeacon proceeded to recite a cmplimentary verse written by Mr. F. J. Hill in honour of Mr. R. Cock. There was one, thing about old-age that was very splendid and remarkable, continued Archdeacon Evans. It was memory. Though the old people might forget the telephone numbers, they could vividly recall, the old times. Before giving his vocal item, the Arichdeacon told his audience the tale of the man who ©aid he had an electric voice —-because it always gave people a shock. Archbishop Julius had once said that his voice would be most useful in case of fire, because he knew of nothing else that could dear a room so quickly. ’. / • . Archdeacon Evans then sang the old song, “Oh, Fair Dove, Oh, Fond Dove,” and Mrs. Evans recited an extract from the “Sentimental Bloke.” Mrs. F. Watson sang “Oh, Fairest Child,” and Mr. H. Dempsey recited a poem of his own composition about the performers. Mrs. J.. C. Morey sang “The Song That Reached My Heart,” and Mr. J. R. Hill recited poems, ancient and modern (original), about bowling to-day and 20 years ago, cleverly introducing the names of well-known bowlers of the Fitzroy and New Plymouth Bowling Clubs. ‘‘The Lung Tester,” was the title of an unusual song somewhat like “Ten Men Went to Mow, Went to Mow the Meadow,” sung by Mr. Duncan McAllum, and it certainly was a lung-tester. In fact the singer was not equal to the task and broke down near the end through sheer exhaustion, but recovered sufficiently to complete. Mr. G. Marsh (Mangorei) gave a very lively recital on the piano, and Mr. R. Dunn recited “Auction Extraordinary,” Mr. W. W. Thomson following with a song “Over the Hills to Argen tinny.” The first poi-tion of the programme was concluded with some reminiscences by Mr. R. Cock.

After an interlude Mrs. F. Watson sang “Rothesay Bay,” Mrs. Morey sang “Alice, Where Art Thou,” Mr. Dunn recited “Sheridan’s Ride,” and Mr. Hill sang an unaccompanied song “Tenflaherty. in New York.” It was mentioned by the announcer at the beginning of the programme that the ages of th© performers varied between 70 and a little over 80.