A lively look at Thorndon’s history, focussing on the people, places, and events that have occurred in Thorndon over the  last century. These include happenings at Parliament, the opening of Broadcasting House in 1963, the construction of the Motorway and the workings of the old Turnbull Library. All this along with a home movie documenting the 1939 fire of the Wellington Social Security building in Aitken Street, and a film of Wellington Girls College pupils in 1921 performing calisthenics and much more.

With live piano accompaniment by Susan Alexander

 For the past decade the Film Archive has taken films from the collections to small towns and communities around New Zealand. We’re delighted to continue the Traveling Film Show series for 2012 where, for three nights each month, we come 'home' to Wellington with our touring programmes. 

Download the 2012 programme here 

Thorndon on Film programme details:

Funeral Procession of Premier RJ Seddon, 1906 (excerpt)
On June 28 1906, the funeral cortege of Richard John Seddon makes its way through the crowded streets of Wellington. Led by a parade of military police and a brass band, the horse-drawn casket is followed by a procession of horse-drawn carriages, dignitaries and government officials. The funeral was held at St Pauls Cathedral. Filmed by Franklyn Barrett and was shown as part of the Corricks (itinerant showmen) collection. This film was repatriated from the National Film & Sound Archive, Australia.

Sir Joseph & Lady Ward, 1909
The Prime Minister and his wife in the garden of Premier House. They are joined by their daughter and son in law.

Proclamation of King George V, Wellington, 1910
A crowd in formal dress and top hats gather outside the General Assembly, June 1910. Horse and carriages pass in the foreground. Uniformed soldiers with rifles march past the steps.

Wellington New Zealand: The Funeral of the Late Father Venning, 1912
Crowds watch the funeral cortege passing through Thorndon. The Marist priest, Charles Venning, died in a motorcycle accident in Hill Street, Thorndon on 21 November 1912. This film was repatriated from the National Film & Sound Archive, Australia.

Wellington Girls College Calisthenics, 1921
A group of girls in college uniform perform a series of exercises in formation, balancing on benches and so on. Filmed in the Wellington Girls’ College grounds.

Parliament Opens, 1931
The Governor General, Lord Bledisloe inspects the guard at the opening of Parliament. Lady Bledisloe is also present. Early Trucolor film.

Impressive Catholic Gathering: Archbishop Redwood’s Golden Jubilee, 1934 (excerpt)
“The enthusiastic celebration of the golden jubilee of His Grace Archbishop Redwood by the Roman Catholic community of Wellington, NZ largely assisted by an influx of eminent religious representatives from Australia. The occasion was marked by the largest and most spectacular demonstration by any one section of the Wellington public ever seen… Every vantage point in the Parliamentary Buildings grounds was crowded with eager spectators as 3 o’clock approached, and the route to St. Patrick’s College was deeply lined throughout to view the procession.” This film was repatriated from the National Film & Sound Archive, Australia.

Government Social Security Building, 1939
Wellington’s Social Security building on fire, February 3rd 1939. The fire was in Aitken St. near Parliament Buildings, it was suspected arson, as there was much opposition to Labour’s Social Security Scheme. Fletchers constructed a new building in just 7 weeks, with men working 2 / 10 hour shifts.
The film maker, Stan Smith lived nearby in Mulgrave St. Smith filmed the fire, the construction process and the opening on his 8mm camera.

Weekly Review 232, Maori Battalion Returns, 1946 (excerpt)
On 23 January 1946, the 28th Maori Battalion returned to New Zealand on board the Dominion Monarch. A powhiri for the men was held on Pipitea Wharf in Wellington, a marae for the occasion. Acting Prime Minister, Mr Walter Nash, Members of Parliament, and former commanders of the Battalion were present. Ngati Poneke performed, haka, the poi and action songs during the happy occasion.

Crown Of The City, 1946
The Mayor (Mr. Appleton) and Bishop Holland discuss the plans for Wellington’s new Cathedral in Molesworth Street. Shows the city centre, architecture, trams and street scenes.

Pictorial Parade 68, Election Fever, 1957
Electioneering is underway for the Mayor of Thorndon campaign. Candidates rally around local pubs asking for donations of a penny. All the money will go to aiding blind children. Max McGlochlan is the present Mayor.

Broadcasting House Opening, NZBC, 1963 (excerpt)
The official opening ceremony of Broadcasting House, Wellington, in October 1963. Staff including the glamorous Relda Familton, mingle as they wait for the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson and Lady Laura Fergusson to arrive. This early live broadcast, was played simultaneously on television and radio.

The Head and Heart, Pacific Films, 1964 (excerpt)
This excerpt examines the architecture of Molesworth Street, prior to the building of the Cathedral.

Pictorial Parade 184, New Zealand’s Day With LBJ, 1966 (excerpt)
President and Mrs Lyndon Johnson arrive, the first ever visit to New Zealand by an American President. The Prime Minister and MPs greet the Johnsons for the State Luncheon at Parliament where the President speaks about peace, democracy, Vietnam and the friendship between New Zealand and the US. Anti-war protesters wait outside.

Notes On A New Zealand City, NFU for the Ministry of Works, 1971 (excerpt)
Economist, Bill Sutch talks about the motorway “It is an indication of the influence of the motor vehicle, that it makes us take stock of things, even to the extent of asking what sort of lives we want to lead.” Written and directed by Paul Maunder

Alexander Turnbull’s Library, NFU, 1972 (excerpt)
A day at the original Alexander Turnbull Library in Bowen Street. Re-enactments and dramatic commentary cover topics such as the collection, the staff and the library’s users, the history of the library and its special functions. Staff shown include Jeavons Bailey, Ellen Ellis, Janet Paul, Tony Murray-Oliver, Graham Bagnall, Ray Grover and more... Written and Directed by Paul Maunder. Assistant editor: Sam Neill

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