Compilation of footage taken over several years. Original nitrate negative has edge codes indicating stock dates from 1917 to 1922.
Early film of Wellington (except the rugby footage took place in Christchurch).
Schoolboys at play - including piggyback fighting - in grounds of Island Bay primary school. Camera-masking presents some pupils (with caps) in centre of black rimmed circle with one boy in foreground. Fullscreen shots of schoolchildren facing the camera includes girls. Men in white bowling clothes and hats bowl on [Island Bay] bowling green. Camera pans from road (unmetalled) - with two cars parked - over Island Bay foreshore to the diving platform in the sea: A black flag with white lettering flies above a hut on the busy beach, beside dinghies and fishing nets. A close-up of the diving platform, showing both boards in use, with Taputeranga island in the background.
A panorama of Kilbirnie/ Rongotai as the camera (on a Melrose vantage point) pans from Evans Bay to Lyall Bay and Moa Point. (This shows the view before the airport was constructed.)
The camera moves from a Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson) and over the town towards the Botanic Gardens. The camera moves from the Kiosk building down along the cable car track to capture a cable car ascending. (Passengers can be seen seated on the exterior side of the car facing the camera). A steamship glimpsed briefly in the harbour and then at berth. The screen is divided in three to show a steamship, a steam train approaching the camera, and G.P.O vans and a truck. The large wooden Government Buildings with both a tram and a horse and cart on Lambton Quay. New Zealand Railways Head Office in Featherston Street and the Government Printing Office and Parliament Buildings. A bustling Manners Street from an elevated position looking west, with pedestrians, a horse-drawn cart, trams and a motorcycle with sidecar. Signs for the “Prohibition Office” [in] “Cookham House”.
Rugby footage, from notes by researcher Clive Sowry.
Sequences from a rugby match played in the Show Grounds at Addington, Christchurch. Identified as an annual match between Christ’s College and Boys’ High School. Christ’s College (in black and white jersey) and Boys’ High School (in black and blue jersey) were filmed on two occasions by the New Grand Theatre’s cameraman, Frank Stewart. The film was advertised in the daily newspaper (The Press) and was reportedly well-received. It appears most likely that this footage was taken during the annual match of 1919, on Wednesday July 9, which ended in a 3-all draw.