[Auckland harbour bridge opening day 1959].

Rights Information
Year
1959
Reference
145669
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1959
Reference
145669
Media type
Audio
Categories
Interviews (Sound recordings)
Nonfiction radio programs
Radio actualities
Radio interviews
Radio news programs
Radio programs
Sound recordings
Special events radio coverage
Sports radio news programs
Duration
00:33:25
Credits
RNZ Collection
New Zealand Broadcasting Service (estab. 1946, closed 1962)
McELREA, William
Gutteridge, Dick
Davis, Ernest Hyam, 1872-1962

A compilation of seven audio cuts.

1. Final part of a broadcast from the opening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge on 30 May 1959. Commentary on vehicles crossing and paying tolls as they pass through the toll plaza in Northcote.
2. Mr. Walter Reid of Auckland, aged 99, is interviewed by Dick Gutteridge about driving over the new bridge. He was believed to be the oldest licensed car driver in the Commonwealth and possibly the world. He first obtained his drivers licence in 1912 and has driven over 250,000 miles since then. He lists the cars he has owned since then.
3. A radio talk on the public walk across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, prior to it opening in May 1959. 100,000 people turned out for the bridge walk.
4. Actuality describing Jimmy the bridge horse, who helped build the bridge. He took part in the opening ceremony.
5. A radio documentary on the end of the Auckland-Devonport vehicular ferry service which ended with the opening of the Harbour Bridge [some speed fluctuation throughout] Actuality recorded on board the last vehicular ferry from Devonport to Auckland, with comments from: Captain McArran [?] of the last ferry who says it is a sad day. Ernest Davis, the chairman of the Devonport Steam Ferry Co, agrees it is a sad day; Fred Ellison [?], whose father and uncle founded the ferry service; actuality from the engine room, Trevor Brown of Milford was the driver of the last car to be transported by the ferry and is interviewed. An unidentified man says it is a sad day for the North Shore. He has been associated with harbour transport since 1916. Captain E. Jackson, another former ferry captain is interviewd about the ferry service's history.
6. British Lions manager, A.W.Wilson in an interview held in Timaru.
7. William McElrea, in his 103rd year, recalls early education in Otago.