A documentary by Gordon Williams about Pitcairn Island.
An unidentified male announcer introduces the programme and explains that Williams is a New Zealand biologist who recently returned from making a survey of the natural history of the island.
The programme opens with a recording of the 'sail ho' call made by the islanders when a ship approaches. [Actuality recorded by Williams on Pitcairn is heard throughout the recording.]
Gordon Williams describes first seeing the island while passing at sea several years ago and three years later, he decided to visit and make a study of its flora and fauna.
A recording of islanders singing is heard together with actuality of islanders calling while a visiting ship is unloaded. [Williams translates the calls.]
He explains the geography of the island, his arrival and introduction to the islanders, who share only four different surnames.
Recordings of the island dialect are heard and Williams explains some phrases.
He recounts the history of the island's settlement by the "Bounty" mutineers and their Tahitian wives in 1790.
A recording of the 'ghost bird' is heard and evidence of the pre-European Polynesian inhabitants is described.
The "Bounty's" Bible and prayer book were once given away to a passing American ship but are now back on the island. Pastor Lester Hawkes is interviewed about their significance and use by John Adams to convert the islanders to Christianity and educate them. He explains how they later became Seventh Day Adventists after visits by missionaries in 1890.
The move by many mutineer descendants to Norfolk Island is explained
Fred Christian, a great-great-great grandson of Fletcher Christian, is interviewed about the present population of the island and the move by younger people to New Zealand.
Gordon Williams describes Adamstown, the only village and the island's housing. At a church service he records hymn singing - "In the sweet bye and bye". The programme ends with the island band playing the hymn.
The unidentified announcer ends the documentary programme and then an additional item is heard.
It is an excerpt from a talk by Frederick P. Ward who explains the method of electing the Pitcairn Island council. [see ID147820 for the full recording.]