Pioneer Of N.Z. Cinema 96 Today

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 16

Pioneer Of N.Z. Cinema 96 Today

The belief that future survival depends on people living more co-operatively with each other was expressed by Mr D. Ellwood, of 21 Totara street, who will celebrate his ninety-sixth birthday today. Mr Ellwood, who arrived in Wellington on September 23, 1900, was a pioneer of cinema shows in New Zealand as well as one of the first to manufacture ice cream in the Dominion. Born in Barton, near Cambridge, Mr Ellwood spent

some years with the railways until dissatisfaction with low wages sent him into business on his own account. He opened a fish shop at Ossett, about 10 miles from Leeds. Shortly after the arrival of his wife and three children, who followed him to New Zealand in 1901, Mr Ellwood decided to popularise moving pictures. “There were, no talking pictures then, of course. The projector, one of the first three silent movie projectors in the country, was a moveable plant, and we showed films in different Hawkes Bay towns,” he said. The children, who studied music in Europe before returning to form the Ellwood Trio (’cello, violin and piano), became well known throughout New Zealand and provided musical accompaniment for the shows. Primitive Movies Mr Ellwood decided to extend his circuit to include Australia. “Movies were very primitive then, and the Australians were not at that stage enthusiastic, so the company did a freeze,” he said. The family returned to New Zealand where Mr Ellwood started the commercial manufacture of ice-cream in Dannevirke. This was before

he opened a second-hand shop in Christchurch in 1906. The latter business, combined with fruit growing at Loburn. kept Mr Ellwood occupied for about 30 years until his retirement. Since then he has grown most of his own food. “I believe that the test food is what you grow yourself. I spend up to eight hours most days in the garden.” Of all the changes that have taken place during his 96 years, Mr Ellwood considers Social Security one of the best. “It looks after people when they need it most. That is when they are young and when they grow old. Youngsters today are not forced through economic need to go out to work at eight, as I was," he said. Mr Ellwood. who enjoys extremely good health, plans to spend a quiet day with his family and a few friends. “I hope there won’t be anj’ celebrations.” he said.