Now They Move AND Talk!

Talk!

Talkies for Rotuma

JN December, last year, due to m enterprise of Mr. Harold Gibsoc a talkie theatre was opened c

Rotuma, dependency of Fiji. TIA

theatre shows the new 16 millimetre films which have more or less re volutionised entertainment on iso\ lated Pacific Islands since the war.

The establishment of this theatre was a great event in the lives of m Rotumans. In his own words, Josef, ;

Tora, of the Meteorological Section o

Rotuma, describes how they fes

about it.

IT was a long- time before the people o Rotuma saw a picture that move and talked. They only heard storiei about the progress that was being mao in moving pictures in Fiji. A few people visited the island with pictures but thai was away back—maybe 1910 or 1920. I re' member a friend told me about visitors t our island who had a picture show TH first was brought by a Methodist misi sionary, Mr. Lelean. That was a pioi ture that did not move.

The second was brought by Mr. Gram a well-known Indian in Fiji. His shoe differed from the one brought previous!!

And this time it moved.

Rotumans thought that picture show surely are improving little by little-* maybe, some day there will be one thsi moves and talks coming to the island During 1949 an Indian named MI Sharma brought his picture show to tH island. And this time it moved am talked. People from every district hir©' trucks and some of them rode bicyclel to go to see the show. Night after nigh the hall was packed with men, worn© and children, just to see the pictuu move and talk. They were very sorn* that Mr. Sharma did not stay long. Afte: only two months he went back to Fiji But soon after his departure MI Harold Gibson, an estate owner on Ro, tuma, went to Fiji and brought bao. with him a precious movie machine simir lar to those used in other parts of’thf Pacific. He quickly built a hall witt. thatched roof similar to the one own© by Mr. Parr of Savusavu (there was picture of it in PIM).

The hall is situated between two wea populated districts, Malhaha and Itutiii The main entrance faces the governmerr road and the other end overlooks thl sea where you can hear the waves beat* ing on the reef. It is very beautiful s night, especially on a moonlight nighti The hall is 72 feet long and 27 feee wide. The seats are well cushioned ann comfortable and prices range from om shilling to three shillings. The hall holo 200.

Ventilation on all sides gives a cooc breeze from the sea. There is also room for selling tickets and another whem soft-drinks, peanuts, etc., can be boughd The 16 mm films come from Metror Goldwyn-Mayer, Republic and Britisa.

Films by ship every three months. The 9 are screened every night except Sunday and on Saturday afternoon.

We are very proud of this theatm We are grateful to Mr. Gibson for brings ing such good entertainment to thf people of Rotuma.

The Resident Commissioner of thf BSIP, Mr. H. G. Gregory Smith; thf Treasurer of the Protectorate. Mr. R. K Rankin, and the acting Director of Eduj cation, Mr. H. W. Gaudin, left Honiara fcf: Suva via Sydney on July 25 by air. Th©j will confer with other WPHC officials qo Protectorate Administration.