Centennial roundabout. 1951-06-12. No. 43.

A round-up of recordings made at a variety of events marking the end of the Canterbury Centennial year 1950-1951.

A ceremony at which a totara slab hut at "The Levels" station is gifted to South Canterbury Historical Society by W.H. Orbell. Opening speech by Mr. Percy Rule, president of the society. Restoration of the hut was carried out by the family of George and Elizabeth Rhodes, who built the hut. Mr W.H. Orbell speaks.

Girls from Craighead School perform a pageant of early South Canterbury history, with commentary by the headmistress, Miss Oakeley.
Mr. Tamaio Paiki [Kāti Huirapa, Arowhenua] speaks on behalf of tangata whenua, thanking the Rhodes family.

Other items include: a waiata by girls of Te Waipounamu College from a Centennial Concert in the Civic Theatre, Christchurch.

Coverage of the opening of an exhibition of paintings "Canterbury Art in Retrospect", held at the Durham Street art gallery. This is the last of the major Canterbury Centennial celebrations. Mr. Flower speaks at the opening, disputing those who say New Zealand does not have an art of its own. He says he knows many of the artists personally and talks of those he knew in his boyhood, such as Owen Merton, Mr McIntyre, Mrs Kelly.
An excerpt of Mr McGibbon's speech opening the exhibition is then heard. He says for many years now Canterbury has been the cultural centre of New Zealand.

A musical performance from the Grand Variety Concert which opened the Blind Institute Appeal. Speeches from the opening of Blind Institute Appeal in Christchurch. Mayor R.M. MacFarlane introduces speakers, Mr John Seabrook speaks about the work of the institute.

[There are also what appears to be an unedited recordings of the speeches at the Centennial art exhibition - some of which were used in the finished programme.]