Several recordings about fireworks displays in Dunedin by the Brock's Crystal Palace Fireworks company of London. The first track relates to the planned fireworks display in Dunedin to mark the visit on 26-27 Jan 1954 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. Opens with sound effects of fireworks.
At 9.15 tonight the two Royal visitors to Dunedin will be welcomed by a fireworks display on the foreshore, provided by the English firm of Brock's. Mr Davis and Mr Ron Thaxter, who have come from Brock's to run the display, are interviewed about their work..
Mr Davis is a rocket maker and Mr Thaxter works in the 'odd job shop' making specialised fireworks for film or maritime purposes.
Mr Davis explains the process of making a rocket which is done by hand. Mr Thaxter explains the different 'stars' which he adds to the rockets and the chemicals involved in producing the different effects.
Brock's is a family business and the families of both men worked at the plant also. They leave New Zealand in early February to return to Britain.
They explain how the staff all work in separate small buildings with blast screens between them to prevent explosions. There is extensive fire prevention equipment and a hospital on site. About 500 staff are employed at Brock's. They detail some of the major displays they have been involved in around the world, including the victory celebrations at the end of the war and the Coronation, as well as film work.
For this trip the fireworks were sent out from Britain by ship. They have put on shows in Auckland and Wellington so far, and there will be one further display in Invercargill. The fireworks are all still lit manually. They give some details of what Dunedin can expect to see and here in the show.
The announcer says stations 4ZB and 4YA will be broadcasting the sounds of the display tonight.
In the second interview, an unidentified male announcer interviews Mr C.T. Brock who is in New Zealand to oversee 'the greatest display of pyrotechnics ever seen in the Southern Hemisphere.' [This was for the Otago Centennial in February 1948] Mr Brock is interviewed about the difference between the types of fireworks, including 'set pieces', 'devices and mechanicals' and an 'aerial display.'
He previews what is expected in the Centennial display and compares it with the fireworks seen in the Peace celebrations in London, which New Zealanders have seen on film. He has two assistants arriving to help him in January.
This is followed by recordings of the live broadcast from the Otago Centennial fireworks display at Hancock Park, on February 28, 1948 with two male announcers 'Alf'and 'Ross' describing the display with fireworks and crowd sound effects in the background. The naval Battle of Matapan, a fireworks 'set piece' depicting fighting battle ships is described in a cross to a third announcer 'Rex', who is reporting via a telephone line.
Further set pieces, including a 'waterfall of fire' 100 yards long are heard and described, representing the Sutherland Falls of New Zealand and two battling serpents. The display ends with set-piece portraits in fireworks of HM The King and HM Queen Elizabeth, to great cheering from the crowd.
Some members of the crowd of 130-150,000 people comment on the fireworks and the announcers sign off.
Side 2 consists of two cuts about Larnach's Castle, which is the first part of a two-part programme from a series called 'Centennial Survey.'
It includes a description of the castle and an interview with the "Laird" [owner Mr Stedman] at the castle. He describes the Larnach coat of arms and other features of the building.