Royal Progress. 1954-01-21.

Rights Information
Year
1954
Reference
320774
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1954
Reference
320774
Media type
Audio
Duration
00:18:33
Credits
RNZ Collection
Austin, William Semmens, 1915-1974, Presenter
Leeming, Owen (b.1930), Commentator
Gracie, Joan, Commentator
COOK, Cyril, Commentator
Kearns, Bernard, Commentator
Hollis, Jocelyn, Commentator
Canterbury Caledonian Society Pipe Band, Performer
Devine, Cecil, 1915-1990, Interviewee

An episode of the radio programme "Royal Progress", covering the tour of New Zealand by H.M. Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in December 1953- January 1954.

21 Jan 1954 - The Queen at Addington and a command cinema performance.

- Owen Leeming commentates in Cashel Street waiting for Queen on her way to the Regent Theatre, to see the film "The Love Lottery." Crowds on homemade grandstands. General crowd reactions, royal car appears.

- Joan Gracie describes the scene in the Regent Theatre foyer. Royal car draws up outside. Prime Minister meets the Queen. The Queen comes into view and Gracie describes her gown and jewellery in detail. A small girl Ruth Cations [?] presents a bouquet.

- Cyril Cook commentates inside the theatre. All eyes are on the royal box. Fanfare as Queen arrives in theatre.

Earlier in the day she spent several hours at the trotting meeting at Addington, one of the first trotting meetings she has attended.

- Bernard Kearns commentates from the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting at Addington racecourse as car enters the course. He describes the flowers, crowds, Woolston Brass Band. Royal standard flies from a mast in the Birdcage. The royal car comes into view and stops.

- Canterbury Caledonian Society's Highland Pipe Band plays in front of the royal box, playing "The Queen Elizabeth March".

- Kearns commentates as band marches out of the Birdcage.
- Jocelyn Hollis describes the Queen's and Duke's attire in detail.
- Kearns continues: "Today we are at the races with the Queen". He describes the view of the Southern Alps are visible from the Members' Stand. Picnickers are sitting inside the track on rugs.

- Clarkson commentates as the Metropolitan Cup field swings for home. Includes some commentary - Van Dieman wins.
- Clarkson as winner is decorated in the Birdcage. Queen presents the Royal Metropolitan Cup to Cecil Devine, owner, trainer and driver of the winner.
- Kearns interviews Mr. Devine about the horse and his encounter with the Queen and Duke.
- Clarkson commentates as the Duke is about to start the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. HRH on starting stand with the club's starter, Mr. A. J. Hastings.
- Race starts. Commentary fades.