This movie was originally captured on colour 8mm film by renowned seismologist and skilled amateur filmmaker George Eiby.
Title ‘UNESCO Seismological Mission to S.E. Asia.’ ‘Volcanoes of Rabaul’.
Views of volcanoes of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. Intertitle ‘New Britain lies N.E. of New Guinea, only 5 degrees from the Equator...’ Locals including women and children. Views of local dwellings. Close up of local children. Large pipe lying on ground. Intertitle ‘The invaders have gone but hostile mountain Gods still lie await...’ View of large volcano. Intertitle ‘The harbour of Rabaul is a great caldera surrounded by active volcanoes...’ Views of township and harbour. Intertitle ‘Copra and cocoa are the chief exports...’ Locals loading sacks of cocoa and copra onto ship.
Views of volcano and harbour. Locals at market. Subtitle ‘Gala Day in Rabaul...’ Tourists trading at market. Intertitle ‘The Mission meets Australian geologists...’ Men on boat. Intertitle ‘A trip to the Beehives...’ Islands in Simpson Harbour, local young men lie on deck. Geologists inspect ‘beehive islands’. Geologist looks at rocks on the boat. Local children. Village. Local holds large pawpaw. Flowers on trees. Locals swimming in sea. POV of sea from boat. ‘The End’.