Places

Date: 1941

By: Hartley, Margaret Joan, active 1987-2001; Scrimgeour, Colin Graham, 1903-1987

Reference: Curios-030-057

Description: The microphone stand was part of the original microphone on which Colin Scrimgeour presented many of his "Friendly Road" broadcasts at 1ZB, from 1935 or 1936. The body of the cylindrical microphone stand is black, and has been cut down from the original length. It is topped with a silver-coloured metal rim and brackets to hold the microphone. It bears a gold plaque dating from 1935/36, inscribed "From Kim and others", and the name "Kim" is inset with diamonds. The silver-coloured base is circular and is inscribed: "Presented to Uncle Scrim by the Friendly Road, Dec 14th, 1941". Extended Title - From Kim and others The circumstances surrounding the plaque are described in "Hello everybody; 'Life is the Friendly Road'", by Uncle Scrim (1936), page 12, and elaborated in a letter from the donor (AT 10/14, 19 November 2001). "The Friendly Road" was initially broadcasting from 1ZR, but when the government purchased the station, the programme was forced off the air, causing a public outcry. The outcome of this was the granting of a special licence by the Cabinet, and public subscriptions were called for the building of a new station. Even though these were the Depression years, the appeal was very successful and in three months allowed 1ZB to open. The first subscriber was an arthritic boy named Kim, whose mother had given him some pennies to polish to increase the flexibility in his fingers, as he crossed each day in the Birkenhead ferry for treatment. He decided to donate the pennies to the cause. Scrim was moved by his story and related it in his next broadcast, whereupon a jeweller offered to make a commemorative plaque for the microphone stand. Another jeweller then offered to inscribe the plaque and pick out the boy's name in diamonds. Quantity: 1 curio(s) in two pieces. Physical Description: Black cylindrical metal stand height 125 mm, diameter 80 mm, surmounted by silver-coloured metal rim, inset with diamonds, and bracket for microphone; on circular detachable swivel base, height 30 mm, diameter 150 mm. Total height 220 mm. Processing information: At the time of presentation in 1941, the stand supported a clock with luminous hands. This was later removed as a possible radiation risk.

Date: 1942

By: Minhinnick, Gordon Edward George (Sir), 1902-1992; Hartley, Margaret Joan, active 1987-2001

Reference: B-100-034

Description: Shows Colin Scrimgeour ("Uncle Scrim") working as a waterside worker, while his employer wonders if he should take his hat off in Scrim's presence. Three seagulls discuss how long it will take him to be promoted to Union Secretary. The cartoon refers to Colin Scrimgeour, the controller of commercial broadcasting, having made an application for membership in the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union (according to the newsclipping pasted at lower right). Extended Title - March 1942 Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - Minhinnick Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink drawing and collaged newsclipping, on sheet 350 x 472 mm.