Silent Talkies.

Cook Is. Showman’s Difficulties.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, April 24.

A NUMBER of talkie pictures have been exhibited at Rarotonga lately; but, owing to the absence of the necessary equipment, have appeared as ordinary silent films. Several such pic tures have been difficult to follow, as they are devoid of captions. Occasion ally, very old topical gazettes have ap peared featuring such items as the launching of ships which have long since been scrapped, thus pointing to diffi culty for the proprietor of a “silent” picture-house in procuring suitable films.

Mr. W. Browne, the owner of the local cinema, has decided to install a talkie plant and the appearance of the first sound picture is being awaited with the greatest interest by the native people.