ROYAL TOUR 1953 to 1954 -
RTA14 - Presented by William Austin -
1) Royal Progress 18/01/1954 continued
- Begins in Greymouth as the Mayor presents gift of a greenstone and gold paperknife to the Duke.
- Irvine interviews Chas Gleason, 88 years old. Said it was a "great day for Greymouth" and that he had a chance to have a seat "but I thought I'd be just as well up here". Said he biked there!
- Irvine at station. Crowd getting out of hand. Queen to the train and it moves off.
- Spencer at Darfield. Queen walks along platform, children and elderly people.
- Spencer as train leaves Darfield.
- Arnold Wall as train arrives at Christchurch. Small reception committee on platform.
- Jocelyn Hollis at High Street intersection. Crowds ten deep. Boys in trees. Route lined by troops, step ladders and periscopes in evidence.
- Bernard Kearns in Cathedral Square. Royal emblems visible. Flowers the keynote of decorations. Cars enter the Square.
- Cook opposite Clarendon Hotel. Red carpet rolled out. Car arrives, Queen and Duke to hotel.
- Don Donaldson interviews Mrs. Derbyshire in the Square who has been waiting for hours.
- Donaldson reports on the balcony appearance.
- Tearful Mrs. Phipps after the Queen has gone by.
- Vaughan-Thomas of the BBC describes Christchurch for his listeners.
Duration: 20'28"
2) Royal Progress 19/01/1954.
The Queen in Christchurch
- Cathedral bells.
- Organ preceding Evensong.
- Queen's reply at Christchurch reception in the Square.
- Vaughan-Thomas in the Square as royal car leaves and returns to hotel. Excitement of the crowd. Grey gothic buildings wearing flags. Flowers and decorated tram shelters.
- Leeming describes Public Hospital chapel while the Queen inspects it. Gives historical details.
- Airini Grennell in Ward 9. Every cot occupied. Talks to two ward sisters. Describes the ward. Queen enters the ward. June Starkey presents a bouquet and is interviewed.
- Grennell interviews Mrs. Jarden to whom the Queen spoke.
- Russell Walklin, a patient in the grounds, the Duke posed for his photo.
- Spencer interviews Dr. T Morton, the medical superintendent, after the visit.
- Bernard Kearns in Cashel Street. Describes the decorations as seen by the Queen from her car during the ceremonial drive. Car at Beath's corner.
- Don Donaldson thinks about other ceremonial drives and comments this is the most beautiful. Describes scene from Carlton bridge. Never seen so many chairs, boxes, step ladders and bicycles.
- Cook as Queen passes special stand for elderly folk in Park Avenue.
- Grace Green in Harper Avenue. Children's area Hagley Park for children who have come from all over Canterbury, in summer dresses. 16,000 children from 630 schools. Food assembly and organisation. Royal car approaching. Cheers build up to straight solid noise.
- Kearns interviews Constable Clark on handling the crowds.
- Spencer at the Disabled Servicemen's Centre as the Queen inspects furniture making.
- Hollis interviews Mr. Peterson and Mr. Upjohn (?) who had been spoken to by the Queen. Mr. Upjohn tells the story about his meeting the Duke in Melbourne and says the Duke recognised him today.
- Anthem from Choir at Evensong.
- Duke reads the second lesson, St. Paul's Epistle to the Philippians, Chapter 2 from verse 5.
- Ken Goodman, chef for the Civic dinner, talks about the arrangements.
- Donaldson reports on the Queen's arrival for the Civic dinner, decorations in the dining room. Flowers and frocks. Bishops in full evening dress. Queen in a pink gown complete with tiara. Queen's entry and Bishop A. K. Warren's choice of grace.