GLORIOUS NEW ZEALAND

Feilding Star, Volume 4, Issue 742, 26 March 1926, Page 5

GLORIOUS NEW ZEALAND

SEEN FROM AN ARMCHAIR” PICTORIAL PROPAGANDA i Yes(efay afternoon the . Tivoili Theatre was crowded in every part by a most enthusiastic gathering of school children, who for two hours were enthralled and moved repeatedly to express themselves vociferously in bursts of applause as the really great scenic masterpiece, “Glorious New Zealand,” was screened to. their Wondering gaze. The sub-title to this exceptionally superfine cinema should lie: “Seeing New Zealand from an Armchair.” For' ns the spectators sit in comfort the uttermost parts of the land he arid she are forVinate enough tu be living in are passed in very reality ■ before their eves. Even more than New Zealand—for there is ft .swift transition to ou r mandated islands, Samoa, with animated snapshots .of inative lif© over there. As lor New -Zealand itself, there is scarce a phase of it, that has not been captured in its .most beautiful or unique mood. Apropos of the ]Vice-regal visit to Feilding to-day, it is an interesting coincidence that “Glorious New Zealand” practically opens with a snapshot of the first Yieoregal wedding in the Dominion, that of the daughter of Sir Charles and. Lady Alice Fergusson. This animated snapshot may surprise, as it will surely delight, their Excellencies as they s?o the private screening of the film this afternoon—their first opportunity of seeing the great picture on its tour.

It is impossibe within the space available to-daV to even enumerate the sights and scenes recorded in this two-hour lightning tour of our two islands. One moment the spectator is gazing at geysers, and the

next- the t rani ears are seen running through the streets of Wellington. A snapshot of Zane Grey landing in Zealand suggests swerdfishing, anti, later on a splendid picture is seen of this great fighting fisliG in action. There ai'e snaps of angling for and capturing salmon and trout and Tuipiflca ,a lovely, close-up of myriads of gannets .nesting, and some •other rare snapshots of our native birds in their habitats. The armchair tourists “do” the “finest walk in the world,”, passing Sutherland Falls, voyages into and out of the Sounds, and dwells for a while in. marvellous Milford Sound. Oil to .the; magic carpet of .the cinema, and there are the Shu them Alps spread out to the gaze, with nierry misadventures slci-ing. at the- Hermitage, with towering Mount- Cook ioverlooking things with dignity. 1 he revelations of Rotorua are not k overdone, yet justice is achieved iu showing the Maori in his sports and pastimes, with’ his magical backgrounds.' 'fhe unique voyage along the Wanganui River is cleverly demonstrated. and- Mon n't Egmont •stands out in its turn most imp'res..siv'ely, a,s also scenes from Tongariro’s national park. The list could he icontinued indefinitely, but- “Glori--ous .Vow Zealand,” like our beauty .sports themselves, must be seen' to be appreciated fully. There are two wonderful hours of wandering in wonderland. The screen is greatly enhanced' by little hits of travelogue dropped along the way very informa- •' tide I y and imoU'irusiveJy by Air Tano Faina, who tolls now a little • legend, now gives a suggestion in statistics, and then a 'few words of wit. Not in any way a. lecturejust the apt word bv the way and the little knowledge that is helpful. ’.Mr Clark filled in' other gaps with appropriate musical items on the pinna. “Glorious New Zealand” gets its final screening at tne Tivoli tonight, and there should he. a buniper attendance of aIF who desire a foretaste of what they will travel lor when they adopt the personal policy of Seeing New Zealand First.