Weekly Review No. 459 - The Final Issue

This was the very last edition of the National Film Unit’s Weekly Review, a magazine-style film series which screened in New Zealand cinemas from 1942 until 1950. The first item is winter sports fun (ice skating, ice hockey) on a high country lake; the second report examines prototype newsprint made in Texas, from New Zealand-grown pine; the last slot covers the touring British Lions rugby team’s match against the NZ Māori, at a chilly Athletic Park. The Māori play the second half one man down, after losing a player to injury (this was before injury substitutions were allowed in rugby).

As the surrounding hills shield the valley from the low winter sun, the ice is always in first class condition.

– From the narration