‘MISS N.Z.’ SHOW COMES TO CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32296, 14 May 1970, Page 9

‘MISS N.Z.’ SHOW COMES TO CHRISTCHURCH

Competition is keener than ever this year as the Miss New Zealand contest enters its second decade with the introduction of another two provincial finalists—Miss Northland and Miss Geyserland.

The “Miss New Zealand” show, now running at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, will go on until Monday, and then move to the Theatre Royal, Timaru, for two nights.

The 13 provincial finalists will parade in the two and a half hour show in ball gowns, everyday wear, and swim suits, exactly as entrants in international beauty contests overseas appear. On this tour, which is climaxed by the crowning of Miss New Zealand arid her runner-up in Dunedin on June 1, the girls are all groomed to be ambassadors for New Zealand.

The girls’ New Zealand tour will give them an opportunity to learn about the geography of the country first hand—on the West Coast they try their hand at gold panning, and also visit a greenstone factory. While in Southland they will try the Bluff oysters, visit Tiwai Point, the site of the aluminium smelter, and also visit the Manapouri power project, Joe Brown Enterprises emphasise that the winner of the contest must be more than a glamour girl. She must be able to represent the country abroad and be able to meet Prime Ministers and other dignitaries with ease and social grace. The internationally acclaimed singers and entertainers John Here and Eddie Low feature in a Miss New Zealand show this year.

Female Vocalist There is also a 17-year-oid female vocalist—Lesley Mettam—said to have one of the sweetest voices in New Zealand show business, and Tui Fox—winner of Joe Brown’s $3OOO search-for-stars contest. He is over six feet tall and weighs in at 15 stone. A completely new group, the Impression Show Band, provides the musical backing for this year’s show. John Hore’s prestige was reflected in his being selected to escort Princess Anne when the Royal Family visited Queenstown. Straight after the Miss New Zealand show he is again going overseas. He is acclaimed as the undisputed country and western singing star of Australasia—his pure unaffected style and his avoidance of sound gimmicks have earned him a huge audience from people of all ages. The partially blind singer Eddie , Low has showed tremendous courage to overcome his handicap and develop what has been accurately described “a voice in a million.” He is the star of this year’s show. Prizes Increased The Miss New Zealand prize this year has been increased to a $3OOO personal appearance contract, a $3OOO Cameo Fiat fastback sports car, and a $lOOO allwoollen wardrobe, plus many other accessories including shoes, swimsuits and ball gowns. The winner gets a trip to the United States to the Miss Universe Contest at Miami Beach, Florida, which carries a first prize of $20,000.

The trip is via Hong Kong and Japan where a 10-day stopover with all expenses paid is scheduled —she also goes to the Miss World Contest in London, where this year’s prizes and personal appearance contracts for the finalists total $60,000. A $5OO cash prize is awarded to the runner-up

of the Miss New Zealand contest and she also wins an all-expenses paid trip to the “Queen of the Pacific Contest” in Australia, which carries a first prize of $4OOO and a tour of many countries. In association with the show, a competition for selecting the first five placed entrants will be held. Entry Forms Entry forms will be available and will include a scorecard. On the card will be blank spaces where points out of a given maximum can be marked in the listed categories: face, figure, personality, speech, and photogenic appeal. These are the same categories used by the official panel of judges. Prizes worth $30,000 will be awarded for those whose ' judging matches closest that of the official judging panel Entry forms will be distributed by sports clubs, social clubs, charitable organisations, and service clubs. The first prize will be a $25,000 decromastic tiled Lockwood dream home complete with fully-automatic central heating—a range, deep freeze and refriger-1 ator, a television, stereogram and mantel radio. Second prize is a fastback car complete with registration, presented by Rothmans and worth $3OOO.

An all • expenses - paid White Heron trip for two to Australia, with $lOO spending money, is the third prize.