Royal Tour, 1953-1954

Coverage of the Royal Tour 1953 to 1954
Presented by William Austin

1) Royal Progress, 26 Dec 1953

Royal Auckland Cup and a royal cinema performance

- Description of the last two furlongs of the Auckland Cup race. Won by Coaltown.
- Dick Gutteridge commentates as the Queen approaches the birdcage. Description of the trophy. Queen and Duke of Edinburgh admire the winner and speak to its owner H.M. Glazebrook and jockey Steve Blackie, then present the cup to Mr. Glazebrook and leaves birdcage.
- Reporter Steve Fleming interviews Mr. Glazebrook.
- Announcer 'Marina' (Joscelyne Parr) commentates on the poor weather at Ellerslie, describing the crowds, umbrellas, plastic raincoats. Describes the Queen's dress.
- Gregory Peck, star of the "Million Pound Note", the royal film.
- Ronald Neame, director of the film.
- Marina at the St. James Theatre. Scene set from the foyer before the Queen's arrival. Governor General and Lady Norrie at the entrance. Describes her gown. Fashions generally.
- Cynthia Dale describes scene inside the theatre. Silks, satins, jewels, etc. Royal box. Decorations.
- Marina in foyer as car arrives. Queen from the car, meets Mr. Kerridge, etc. Queen's gown. Party moves upstairs.
- "Land Of Hope & Glory" (during which a voice says "You only have 1/2 min to go".)
- National Anthem. Orchestra and crowd.
Duration: 24'40"

2) Queen's Day 28 Dec 1953 -

Radio coverage of the beginning of the journey to Northland

- Speech by the Queen at Whenuapai. Presenting a colour to the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
- Ceremony of dedication and consecration, The Lord's Prayer.
- Reply to the Queen by the Chief of Air Staff (David Carnegie)
- Fraser describes the Queen's colour as it is marched past.
- Band marches past.
- Rex Sayers commentates as the royal car moves across airfield to the Dakota for a flight to Northland.
- Sayers as the aircraft takes off.
- Studio script of the air journey from Whenuapai to Kaikohe, describing the landscape of the Kaipara Harbour and hilly Northland countryside.
- Commentator Venning from Whangarei on the story of Ruapekapeka. The Queen is to be greeted at Waitangi by Riri Maihi Kāwiti, the grandson of Kāwiti, who was the first Māori signatory of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Review of details for the Queen's arrival at Waitangi.
Kawiti's oration at Ruapekapeka is read in English by Ulric Williams.
Duration: 14'13"

3) Royal Progress 28 Dec 1953 -

Waitangi, Whenuapai and Northland.

- Haka from Waitangi.
- Māori speech of welcome to the Queen (speaker not identified)
- Irvine commentates as the Queen arrives at Waitangi and steps onto a Māori kiwi mat.
She is accompanied by Mr. Corbett (Minister of Māori Affairs) and Te Riri Maihi Kawiti. Queen walks to the gates. Haka pōwhiri can be heard in the background.
- Alf Sanft commentates as the Queen walks towards the Treaty House. Pōwhiri in the background. Queen's dress and cheers.
- Wero is performed by Māori warrior Hēnare Tonga [?]. Royal Marine Band in the distant background.
- Pōwhiri
- Poi (He putiputi koe)
- Northern chief Hone Heke Rankin's address of welcome. He talks about the Christmas Day Service held nearby in 1814 by Rev. Samuel Marsden. Then the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. He expresses condolences for the loss of King George.
- The Queen replies.
- Waiata during presentations (Me he manu rere, E pari rā)
Alf Sanft commentates on the Queen showing great interest in the proceedings. Queen moves inside the Waitangi Treaty House.
- Irvine interviews Mrs. Pita Heperi of Waitangi on her reaction to the Queen's visit. She calls it 'a great thrill' and another woman also comments.
- Ian Watkins in Kaikohe as royal car approaches and passes under the archway. Queen walks to the hotel for lunch.
- Gutteridge opposite hotel waiting for the Queen to arrive. Crowds. Queen appears and walks into the hotel with the official party of the Mayor and Mayoress and Prime Minister Holland and Mrs Holland.
- Recording ends with a recap of the ceremony at Whenuapai that morning - the 21 gun salute and alert at Whenuapai. Parade slopes arms.
Fraser as Queen and Duke board Land Rover for inspection. [Ends abruptly in mid-sentence.]
Duration: 21'54"