PERSONAL RECORD. STORY, ALFRED LAWTON. [COOK ISLANDS CELEBRATIONS]

This amateur home movie was originally captured on colour Super 8mm film.

Large number of people gathered outdoors for event. Front row of seated people (opposite dancers) are laden with flower ei kaki. Some men speak to the gathering at a microphone. Some large ships are visiting and many flags are flying.
People are gathered in a room for a party and a woman blows out candles on a cake (a spotlight is used to provide enough lighting for the film exposure).
A woman smashes a swinging bottle over the bow of a ship to ‘christen’ it, numerous people watch from seats in the shade. A man up a ladder tends to a New Zealand Airforce aeroplane. People socialise near several wooden buildings. Two women holding hands with two children walk near the aeroplane. A group of women dance in traditional long fibre skirts. People converse and smile for the camera while standing in the shade of the aeroplane. Special guests, watching dancers, are adorned with so many flowers only their faces can be seen. A New Zealand Airforce aeroplane lands and passengers exit the plane and shake hands with people greeting them.