PACIFIC MAGAZINE 31. REPORT ON THE KING COUNTRY.

Rights Information
Year
1957
Reference
F12234
Media type
Moving image
Ask about this item

Ask to use material, get more information or tell us about an item

Rights Information
Year
1957
Reference
F12234
Media type
Moving image
Series
PACIFIC MAGAZINE
Place of production
New Zealand/Aotearoa
Categories
Newsreel
Duration
0:07:43
Production company
PACIFIC FILMS
Credits
Script: John O'Shea
Photography: Don Montgomerie
Commentator: Denis Hurley

Report on the King Country - promoting the future prosperity of the region, new industry, tourism, development of agriculture etc. Black & white film with music and commentary.

The native forests of the region were cleared for timber leaving sawmill ruins and stump laden pasture land. The main trunk railway line passes through, known for its winding curves, hill climbs and choking tunnels.

Farming gained a good foothold in north Te Kuiti, in part thanks to the fertiliser supply from the local limeworks. Benneydale has a coal mine and coal miners enjoy a beer at their local hotel.
Fishing parties come to the Kawhia Hotel and visitors also visit the hot water beach.
A rugby game is held in Te Kuiti, refereed by Charlie Tait, King Country beats Otago 16 - 9. Cattle trucks serve as a grandstand.

New hotels, including one at Raetihi ([investors] Les Beard and Tom Shout appear), attract increasing visitor numbers. A bus unloads skiers at Ohakune who are bound for the snowy slopes of Mount Ruapehu.
At an Ohakune meeting Max Gould, Frank Martin and Bob Pearson support plans to develop more roads to access more skiing areas.
Highway earthworks are improving road infrastructure.

Piopio based drover Mart O’Malley and [Box Wright] a pioneer Māori bushman and farmer have worked in this ‘dark heart’ of the North Island.

Prosperity and the spirit of progress is shown by sheep and cattle at the weekly stock sales in Taumaranui with auctioneer Derek Brown. Topdressing aeroplanes spread fertiliser to maintain the pastureland. Field workers fill sacks in an Ohakune market garden. New industries including a cement works and a 40-bed hotel construction at Taumaranui. Machinery makes light work of clearing tree stumps.

RUGBY REFERENCE INFORMATION:
King Country v Otago at Rugby Park, Te Kuiti on 4th September 1957.