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This Was 1955: the year in retrospect.
A radio review of voices and events of 1955, [probably presented by David Kohn of station 2YA]
Brief comments are heard from the following visitors to New Zealand in 1955:
Roger Duveau, Secretary of State for French Territories Overseas
General Sir Gerald Templer, Chief of the Imperial Staff
Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, American Antarctic explorer
Dr Jonkers, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Dame Flora MacLeod of Clan MacLeod
Reverend Ivor Powell, Welsh minister and photographer
Lord Brookeborough, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
Actuality of a new migrant to New Zealand taking the citizenship oath [Vladis Kerdelitas?]
Entertainers of 1955:
An excerpt of a music recording by Jean Sablon, French cabaret singer who toured New Zealand
Excerpt of an interview with Dame Sybil Thorndike recalling famous actresses she worked with
Excerpt of performance by Anna Russell, concert comedienne
Excerpts of interviews with Larry Adler, harmonica player; Julius Katchen, American pianist who talks about table tennis; Ted Heath, British dance band leader.
The first professional New Zealand Opera Company was launched and performed a season of three productions. Founder Donald Munro talks about founding the company.
The National Orchestra conductor James Robertson talks about a performance of 'Belshazzar's Feast'
Brass band competitions of the year are reviewed. An excerpt of winners St Kilda of Dunedin's performance is heard
Armed forces:
The 40th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in World War I was held with a reunion in Wellington attended by nearly 1300 veterans. Recordings are heard from the reunion dinner at Wellington Town Hall:
John Allums [?] from Petone, who enlisted in Tasmania and served with the 15th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force is interviewed. He is probably the youngest veteran present, having enlisted at 16.
The oldest veteran present and the only surviving padre of the Gallipoli campaign, the Reverend H.L. Blamires, speaks about the reunion and thanks the organisers.
A reporter joins in with naval manoeuvres in Cook Strait, including actuality of a jackstay transfer between the Royal New Zealand Navy cruiser "Black Prince" and the frigate "Hawea." [considerable wind noise]
The official farewell for the New Zealand Special Air Service Squadron before they left for Malay, including an excerpt from the speech by Prime Minister Sidney Holland.
Civil works:
The Rimutaka Tunnel was opened. Reportage from the first passenger train to go through the tunnel, and bidding farewell to the fell engine which previously pulled trains over the hills.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge plans are underway. Mr W. Cartenout [?] the agent for the builders, talks about the project to date. Report from the carpenter's workshop and interview with a carpenter Mr Cassidy, who has come from Middlesborough, England to work on the project.
Sporting events of the year are briefly reviewed [no actuality of these items]:
Visiting sports teams included MCC Cricket, Chinese soccer team, Indian Hockey team, Australian rugby team and French rugby league, British junior women's golf team, and a New Zealand horse won the Melbourne Cup.