This item is part of the Tauranga Libraries Norman Blackie Collection. Norman Blackie (1899-1993) was a keen amateur filmmaker who captured civic events around Tauranga using a modified Keystone Model A7 16mm camera.
This actuality shows scenes of constructing the coloured fountain at Memorial Park and the royal visit to Tauranga in 1963. Fountain footage shows cranes positioning heavy components and day-time and night-time shots completed fountain [the fountain project was led by John Harden and funded by the Junior Chamber of Commerce and community donations].
Scenes from the royal visit include: the Britannia berths at the Mount Maunganui wharf; the royal party is barged to shore and met by Tauranga Mayor, Mr D Mitchell; Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride by open top car in a motorcade; an official ceremony at the Domain sound stage where the Queen is presented with gifts and speeches are made; crowds line the streets as the Royal motocade travels to Mauao, Mount Maunganui; several clubs of beach lifeguards parade and perform displays on the beach as the royals watch from a grandstand; crowds wave from the beach as the Queens sails out of Tauranga.