R.N Spiers, who feature in other MAVtech cinema slides as a timber merchant, have been recorded on Foxton's Main Street as far back as 1905 and as recently as the early 1960s. It seems that they also sold ovens as well!

The 'Champion Commodore' was named after a senior navy rank (the former Holden car having the same background). A navy officer is seen, slightly out of focus, behind the women in this slide. 

'Radiation (N.Z.) Ltd' made whiteware goods  and a 'Champion' range of kitchen appliances  was in stores from the 1920s up until the 1970s according to online records. A price list for Champion stoves from 1961 has been recorded. 

The allure of automatic cooking was front and centre with this ad- 'just set it and forget it!'

Cooking with gas became popular in New Zealand from the 1880s, with local Councils often providing the infrastructure and service. To make sure the service remained profitable, Councils advertised the benefits of gas to those still using coal ranges.

The Levin Borough Council used this advertising slide in cinemas to spread the word about the benefits of gas cooking. Other slides in the series (available to view on Kete) talk about the virtues of gas for hot water supply.

Local Government lost control of gas (and electricity) supply during government reforms in 1989.

The passage of time changes how we view images from the past. At the time (probably the 1960s) the Levin Borough Council was encouraging residents to use their gas services. Councils managed the majority of New Zealand's gas supply until the 1989 local government reforms, with many managing electricity too.

In many respects this slide has not aged well. Asides from the sexism of 'Smart Women Cook With Gas' there is the somewhat awkward image of a lady dressed up for a social evening having a quick fry up on the gas stove! But it must have appeared 'natural' at the time.....

Although many cinema advertising slides were taken out by businesses, this form of promotion was also used by charities, clubs, government departments and the cinemas themselves. This one is part advertisement, part public service announcement.