A visit by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1956 after the Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia. The was described as a "working visit" as there were few official functions; broadcast coverage was not as comprehensive as the 1952-53 Royal Tour.
This collection consists of 13 x 10.5 inch reels and are representative of the visit and cover the important aspects of the tour. According to The Listener from this period there were daily broadcasts about the progress of the Duke's tour of New Zealand.
Auditioned by H.C. Trian (?) in 1956 and catalogued as follows:-
"The tapes were telescoped to make unmodulated tape available for recording so the events here described are not always in this correct sequence". (Quoted from a hand written log book).
TX737 - Royal Visit, 11/12/1956.
Tk 1 -
* The first day's recap programme.
* Landing at Ohakea and the description of plane and the landing.
* Landed and about to disembark from plane, can hear the crowd.
* NAC Heron warming up to take HRH to Paraparaumu.
* Names of the crew from the flight.
NOTE: the above is recorded at 15ips and now changes to 7 1/2 ips.
Tk 2 -
* Arrival of flight at Paraparaumu.
* Description of the Guard of Honour, the band, dignitaries and the official party.
* Scene set and plane touches down. 200-300 people in the grandstand.
* Royal salute, the Guard is inspected.
* Duke is in full dress as Admiral of the Fleet.
* Band plays 'Inspection music".
* Duke to the royal car for the journey to Wellington.
* Royal standard flying from the royal Daimler.
Tk 3 - Arrival at Ohakea - (more comprehensive audio from above)
* Wally Chamberlain and Norman Allen at Ohakea. Setting the scene for the arrival of the Duke.
* The NAC Heron is warming up on the tarmac.
* Public standing up as far as Number 3 hangar.
* A backup Dakota is at the ready in case something untoward happens to the Heron.
* Plane in sight and just visible. Gangway brought in from Auckland.
* DC6 touches down, can hear the crowds.
* Description of the scene and crowds, SFX.
* Duke alights and farewells the crew.
* Enters the Heron and takes off for Paraparaumu.
* Luggage being transferred to trucks to be rushed to Wellington before the Duke arrives.
TK 4 - Wellington
* Part of the description of the Duke's visit the Wellington Town Hall.
* Peter Latham at the Cuba and Manner Streets corner as the car moves towards him up Manners Street.
* Car arrives at the corner. Duke welcomed by the Mayor. They then walk to the Town Hall.
* Layton Dickson at the Town Hall describes the scene, the Duke and Mayor.
* The crowds and police.
* Maurice Turner at Civic Square. The Duke and party enter the Civic building.
* Duke appears on the balcony for the crowds.
* Party returns inside the building.