Views of Apia, its harbour, gardens and the Union Steamship Company’s hotel. [Views of Apia harbour depict shipwrecks which are probably warships hit during 1889 typhoon].
Men climb palms and drop coconuts to the ground, others split the pods and remove the beans.
Shows Samoan women and children and a “Taupou”. Taupou are selected in childhood to officiate at all ceremonies and dances. They fulfil this function until their marriage to a chief. Europeans bathe at the Papaloloa Falls and a house is built.
“Samoa”
“Presented by The New Zealand Government Publicity Office”
“The Islands of Samoa, the Mandate for which New Zealand holds and administers, comprised the first enemy territory, occupied in the late war. They are veritably, 'Isles of Bounty and Romance''
“At Apia, Capital of Samoa”
View of Apia Harbour, 5-masted ships at anchor. View of church and waterfront.
“There is much that is new, interesting and quaint; but the tropical gardens are of unparalleled beauty”
Formal gardens, palms, trees.
“The Travellers' Palm' has proved the saviour of many explorers in tropical regions”
Palm examined by two women and one man. Waterlily pad. Pass dwelling, fountain, palms.
“Adjoining the gardens is the Union Steam Ship Company's luxurious hotel”
Hotel. Tall palms blown by wind. Harbour and boats.
“This coconut plantation is the second largest in the world. It produces the finest kiln-dried copra”
Coconut plantation, car coming towards camera.
“Getting at the kernel”
Two men (Solomon Islanders) getting copra from coconut.
“Cocoa-pods on the trees”
Cocoa pods picked from tree.
“The pods are opened and the beans removed”
Pods split, beans removed.
“The coconut robber-crab. Climbing the palm, he drops nuts to the ground, tears off the husk, and devours the kernel”
Crab held up by claws.
“Samoan women and children”
Women washing, children swimming in river. CU girl in lavalava.
“A 'Taupo' Girl. 'Taupos' are selected in childhood to officiate at all ceremonies and dances. This function they fulfil until their marriage with a chief”
Girl in local dress with elaborate headdress.
“Bathing at the beautiful Papaloloa Falls”
At waterfalls, party of European people.
“A Native house in different stages of construction”
House under construction, roof half completed.
“In Samoa all functions are an excuse for a Siva-Siva”
Dance, Samoan men seated in rows.
“Not an 'aspiring' politician but a 'perspiring' community-sing conductor”
Solomon Island men dance with spears in costumes.
“Pacific clouds”
Cloud formation behind palms.
NZ Government Publicity (end badge ).
End.