The SS Matua was a ship of the Union Steam Ship Company which served as a freight trade vessel travelling between the ports of Suva, Nuku’alofa, Vavau, Nuie, Apia and Auckland. The ships last voyage was in 1968 after she had become part of Pacific Island life and culture, carrying many Polynesians throughout the Pacific ocean. She was rumoured to the favourite ship of Queen Salote Tupou of Tonga.
GV SS Matua underway at sea - smokestacks, lifeboats hanging from davits.
[Captain] posing for camera on deck.
Women playing quoits on ship’s deck.
Couple posing for camera at ships railing.
INTER TITLE: TONGA
GV Couple standing at ships railing - Coast of Nuku’alofa in BG.
LS GV Royal Palace of Tonga seen from ship sailing near shoreline.
[Captain] standing in ships bridge.
TRACKING SHOT From car driving through Copra plantation.
GV Waves crashing into rocks and water spouting out of Houma Blowholes.
People on beach posing for camera.
GV Tongan people sitting in shade of tree beating tapa cloth.
Man and two boys posing for camera outside thatched dwelling.
People seated under palm trees outside Fale.
Fruit bats roosting in tree.
Large fale near road.
Young boy and girl sitting near cannon half buried in ground.
Large numbers of fruit bats roosting in trees.
INTER TITLE: TONGA TO APIA SAMOA
GV Brass band and well-wishers standing on wharf waving to ship.
WS Jetty, seawall and warehouse.
GV Moderate swell and waves off side of ship.
GV Pilot vessel coming alongside ship.
INTER TITLE: A MORNING IN APIA
Ship moored in the harbour.
GV WS Apia township, boats and ships in harbour, Mount Vaea in BG.
GV Small boats filled with people alongside ship, Samoans in outrigger canoes full of produce alongside ship.
GV Samoan men rowing ships officer ashore in small boat.
GV Palm trees and vegetation lining road.
GV Tourists walking outside large colonial building [Tusitala Hotel]. TRACKING SHOT From car driving towards large colonial building [Tusitala Hotel] with trellis awning.
GV Samoan man walking near large fale.
PAN L Across series of large fale in cleared area.
2 Samoan men posing for camera and swinging arms.
Samoan children scrambling for sweets in hand of female tourist.
Samoan woman smiling for camera in front of bure.
GV Market tents in field - Indian men standing near tents.
TRACKING SHOT From vehicle travelling through Nausori township - People walking on roadside.
GV Indian people walking on roadside near cane plantation - carrying sacks on head.
GV Hillside in Viti Levu including coconut palms.
Couple standing on driveway of Grand Pacific Hotel.
LS GV Crowds standing on sidelines of Albert Park, people playing tennis at Suva Lawn Tennis Club.
Tourist Bure at Grand Pacific Hotel.
GV Tourists walking outside Grand Pacific Hotel.
INTER TITLE: SPORTS AT SUVA
Fijian people standing on sidelines of rugby field.
GV Rugby being played on field at Albert Park, Suva.
LS Grand Pacific Hotel from Albert Park.
Fijian policeman walking near fence.
Small boats at sea in Suva Bay.
LS GV [Beqa Island] (home of the firewalkers) i