BLENHEIM'S "MOST POPULAR CHILD" COMPETITION IN AID OF PLUNKET FUND

Rights Information
Year
1926
Reference
F9862
Media type
Moving image
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Rights Information
Year
1926
Reference
F9862
Media type
Moving image
Place of production
New Zealand/Aotearoa
Categories
Actuality
Duration
0:06:20
Credits
Photography: Len Scott

In conjunction with the management of the Palace Theatre, Blenheim, this competition was promoted with the aim of raising 60 pounds for the local Plunket Society. Each child represented a local society. These societies, together with the number of their representative child, were as follows: No. 1 – Defence Rifle Club; No. 2 – The Outsiders; No. 3 – Fire Brigade; No. 4 – Anglican Tennis Club; No. 5 – Football Clubs; No. 6 – Methodist Tennis Club; No. 7 – Returned Soldiers’ Association; No. 8 – Plunket Committee Nominee; No. 9 – Bowling Clubs; No. 10 – Hibernian Society; No. 11 – Rowing Clubs.

The winner was selected by public vote. A voting paper was issued with each admission ticket purchased by patrons of the Palace Theatre, and after seeing the children screened, the voter placed the vote in the box at the theatre entrance bearing the number of the preferred candidate. The day before voting closed it was reported that No. 6 (Methodist Tennis) candidate was in first place, with No. 5 (Football Clubs) a very close second. Regrettably no record can be found of the ultimate winner.

References: “Marlborough Express”, 25 Nov 1926, p.1, 15 Dec 1926, p.2

Intertitle: “Who is it to be, Miss or Master Blenheim? Vote for your fancy, but VOTE!”.
Child with tricycle (no. 1).
Boy on rocking horse (no. 2).
Small girl (no. 3).
Boy on trolley (no. 4).
Small girl (no. 5).
Small boy (no. 6).
Child who tips over the board with the number on (no. 7).
Girl comes down steps into frame, holding flowers (no. 8).
Girl on lawn with bowls (no. 9) .
Chubby child (no. 10).
Boy on tricycle (no. 11).

Intertitle: “Scenes in Blenheim”
Shop frontage. Hannahs, Water Isles, High Class Tailor, W-J Martyn. Footpath - Mother with pram; pedestrians pass by. Shopkeeper & hammer. Two men posing & sign. Laurel Kerosene. Woman holding a book, joined by a man. Cake shop attendant emerges, carrying rack of cakes. Postman and his bike in the street. Pan of same street - signs 'W-J Martyn, The Leading Jeweller'. Wide shot of Main St.

Intertitle: “The Rotunda Club”
Rotunda - 2 men outside it.

Intertitle: “Discussing the White Lines”
Car - four men outside it. (outside 'Hall of Commerce').

Intertitle: “Anyone seen the water-cert?”
Elderly shopkeeper outside shop. Postman & another man arrive; as do two women.

Clive Sowry, Dec 2007