(Entertainment  continued)

1910 Films.  16 March.  New Zealand's first purpose built picture theatre, the King's Theatre, Wellington opened.

1921 Radio.  November 17.  The first radio programs heard in New Zealand were twice-weekly broadcasts by Professor Robert Jack of Otago University broadcasting from his laboratory.  Continuing for four months they were heard all over the country.

1922  Radio.  February.  Charles Forrest a radio parts dealer in Wellington initiated a series of broadcasts to promote sales.
...August.  Messrs McLay, Apperley and Simpson started regular broadcasts from a backyard shed in Newtown, Wellington. The supervisor of the nearby local post office, Clive Drummond, possessing a good speaking voice and clear enunciation was invited to join the group as an announcer.  He became New Zealand's first radio celebrity.

1926 Radio.  Station 1YA in Auckland began broadcasting.  Registered licence holders were increasing at a rate of 1500 a month and by September numbered more than 30,000.

1927 Radio.  The first Talkback.  5 May.  Station 1YA arranged a program whereby telephone callers discussed International affairs with the announcer.  This was the principle of what was to become known in the 1970's as "talkback radio".
...9 July.  Station 2YA Wellington was opened by the Prime Minister J.G. Coates.

1929 Films.  8 March.  The Paramount Theatre, Wellington became the first New Zealand picture theatre to change to "talkies" with the screening of the feature film "Street Anger" which starred Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell.

1930's Radio.  With the development of slow-speed extended duration recordings (15 minutes a side) radio listeners began enjoying a wide variety of series and serials.  Dad and Dave from Snake Gully and Chuckles with Jerry, a ventriloquist show featuring George Tollerton and Dudley Wrathall very popular.

1935  Radio. 24 November.  As broadcast by the Rev. C.G. Scirmgeour (Uncle Scrim) was jammed in an effort to prevent what the Government feared would be comment that might prejudice its chances at the forthcoming election.  In the event, the United-Reform coalition was defeated by the Labour Party.

1936 Radio.  26 March.  First broadcast of proceedings in the House of Representatives took place.
...April.  First Director of Broadcasting appointed to the newly created National Broadcasting Service (non-commercial) a department of Government.
...30 October.  Station 1ZB opened as the first station in the new government-owned commercial network. This was followed by the opening of 2ZB Wellington in April 1937.  3ZB Christchurch in September and 4ZB Dunedin in O October 1937.

1960 Television. TV first introduced into New Zealand in 1960. with the broadcast of Princess Margaret's Wedding.  People carried chairs to seat themselves in front of shop windows to watch the broadcast.

Environment

1790 onwards, sealing, whaling, timber and flax trades begin, sheep, cattle, horses poultry and new plants introduced.

1814 Horses.  It is believed the first horses imported into New Zealand were three landed from the brig Active at Rangihoua in the Bay of Islands on December 23 1814. by the Rev. Samuel Marsden.

1843  The first large Sheep Station for extensive grazing was set up in the Wairarapa.  The success of this type of land use led to the stations being established on the widespread open tussock grasslands in the South Island.

1850-1860 The first pinus radiata were planted in this decade.

1850-1860s. Rapid occupation of the entire South Island hill country by runholders setting up large leasehold properties under the auspices of Provincial Government schemes.

1851 Deer.  The first deer introduced to New Zealand were released at Nelson.

1857  Australian Possums were introduced by releasing them in Southland, ostensibly to develop a trade in their skins.  They are now regarded as a noxious animal.

1887 New Zealand's first National Park was set up following the Maori gift to Government of Mt. Tongariro in the central North Island.

Firsts

1806 First white settler
1814  First horses imported from the brig "Fancy" at Bay of Islands.
1816 First School.  First Mission School opened  in Bay of Islands by Thos. Kendall
1830 The First Sewing machine was patented, but did not  reach New Zealand till the 1860s.
1841  First Roman Catholic English School
...First Tax imposed.
1842 First traces of gold found in New Zealand
1844 First coal discovered in New Zealand
1851  First deer introduced.
1856.  First Premier. Henry Sewell .
1863 First steam railway, Christchurch to Ferrymead.
1871 Wellington streets first lit with gaslight.
1877  First woman to graduate from a University. Kate Edgar B.A. Otago University.
1887 Reefton first place in New Zealand to have electricity.
...First National Park set up.
1889  First Free Kindergarten
1892  First women Exchange Operators appointed
1893.  First Women's Voting rights.  September 9.  New Zealand first country to grant Women
the right to vote.

(Firsts continued)