The Coral Route, Skyway to Oceania presented by Bryan O'Brien. This programme is a six-part travel feature following the Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) "Coral Route" across the Pacific.
It consists of opening and closing music, interviews, commentary, some studio dramatisations and actuality.
[Exact date of recording is unknown but possibly 1953-1954.]
Prog. 1 pt 1 of 2 Suva to Samoa
Bryan O'Brien introduces the programme which begins in Suva, Fiji. He visits the local Grammar School and interviews several boys about hunting: Richard Jacob talks about the mongoose; Alan Snowsill does an imitation of the call of the flying fox; Ian Thompson talks about cooking the flying fox; Karl Bey talks about how to trap bush pigeon.
O'Brien then describes a visit to the Grand Pacific Hotel lounge, where a seven year old boy John Dicker caused a stir among guests by bringing a four-foot long sea snake into the lounge.
He interviews John about his new pet, whom he calls "Henry".
The next day he boards the T.E.A.L. Solent flying boat on the Coral Route to Tahiti, with the first stop Samoa.
Possible actuality of on-board announcements by a female cabin crew member, sound effects of the plane engine and a description of the view flying over the Fiji Islands. [On-board 'conversations' may have been recreated in the studio]
Prog 1 pt 2 of 2. Arrival in Samoa. Bryan O'Brien describes the view of small islands and atolls from the air as the plane reaches cruising altitude.
Actuality of Captain Shepherd explaining to passengers about crossing the International Date Line.
Scripted 'conversation' about village life on Samoa and the bird and animal life found there.
Actuality of a female cabin crew member who describes passing over Niuafo'ou or Tincan Island, part of the Tonga group, which was evacuated after a volcanic eruption in 1946. Further conversation about the evacuation.
The seaplane lands at Satupuala Airport, about twenty miles from Apia.
Bryan O'Brien describes Apia.
Actuality of a fish drive in the harbour at Apia and he interviews a local twelve year old boy, Leiite Setefano who talks about his life and sends a greeting in Samoan to his sister who lives in Nelson.
Prog. 2 pt 1 of 2. The plane departs Samoa for Aitutaki.
Scripted conversation about the similarities between New Zealand Māori and the languages spoken in the Cook Islands and Tahiti, the influence of missionaries strict 'Blue Laws' on local people and the history of Palmerston Island.
The seaplane lands at Akaiami lagoon, at Aitutaki where passengers can disembark to swim. There is a description of the lagoon and Bryan O'Brien interviews Elizabeth and Peter Dickson, the children of the airport manager.
They talk about what they enjoy about life on Aitutaki, including fishing and sailing an outrigger canoe.
Some Cook Islands passengers sing a song with ukulele accompaniment and there is actuality of cabin crew offering drinks and lunch before arrival in Pape'ete.
Prog. 2 pt 2 of 2. Arrival in Tahiti. Scripted conversation about the persistence of the myth of the "noble savage" and the allure Tahiti has had for Europeans over several centuries.
Actuality of the plane's arrival over Moorea followed by a description of Moorea from the air.
Actuality of arrival at customs, crowds and all visitors are greeted with a kiss on both cheeks, a lei and floral headdress.
Description of the waterfront at Pape'ete where ships are being unloaded.
Actuality of wharf workers, pigs squealing etc. Mr O'Brien interviews the crew of a New Zealand-bound fishing vessel, the 'Richard and John'. Captain Hyam of Gisborne talks about buying the boat in England and his crew: Graham Sinnell from Devonport, Laurence Carey, Laurence Duncan, Geoff Cooper. Mr Gain, the navigator, is from Sydney. He is interviewed about sailing through the Caribbean in hurricane season. Mr Sinnell talks about the send-off they got from the fishing community of New Lynn in Cornwall. Laurie Carey, an Australian, is the main cook and speaks briefly about the experience. Laurie Duncan the engineer, from Napier talks about only catching three fish en route to Tahiti. Mr Cooper, the bosun from Newcastle Australia, also speaks about fishing.
Prog 3. pt 1 of 2 Pape'ete. Bryan O'Brien describes Pape'ete and the appearance of the Tahitian people. Actuality from downtown Pape'ete: traffic noise and descriptions of the power-assisted cycles ridden by locals. Women sit on the streets making floral leis and garlands. He describes the population of Chinese descent and the local Chinatown. Siesta lasts from 11am to 2pm.
Actuality from Pape'ete Market - Bryan O'Brien walks through the market with an unidentified woman who explains local flowers, fruit and vegetables to him. He visits the fish section and remarks on the lack of flies in Tahiti.
Prog 3 pt 2 of 2. Bryan O'Brien and an unidentified woman continue their tour of the Pape'ete market. They describe the tropical fish on sale, along with turtle meat and eggs. She explains how to catch a whitebait-type fish called "ina". Most of the fish on sale is still alive. She explains how shrimp are caught in a coconut husk basket.
A Dutch ship, the 'Vaterman', carrying immigrants to Australia and New Zealand berths at Pape'ete. O'Brien interviews a young unidentified Dutchman who is headed to Australia. He says about 200 passengers are heading to New Zealand. They go to the market to buy fruit.
Actuality of the market where they discuss the use of limes and how the juice is used to 'cook' raw fish. O'Brien says there are no oranges on Tahiti. They discuss the types of bananas on sale.
O'Brien talks about the various well-known bars in Tahiti, including Quinn's Tahitian Hut. He describes night-life which is multi-racial - 'the colour bar does not exist in Tahiti'.
Prog 4 pt 1 of 2. Pape'ete. Bryan O'Brien interviews Mr T. St H. Acland, a New Zealander who has sailed from England to Tahiti on the yacht 'Happy Return'. O'Brien explains the yacht was wrecked on the reef at Pape'ete soon after the interview, while on its way to New Zealand. Mr Acland talks about his equipment onboard the yacht, navigating, his crew, American Paul Linwall and two Tahitians Bernard Teroa and Irvine Walker.
He talks about the cost of sailing a yacht across the world. He hopes to be home in Hokitika by Christmas.
O'Brien then talks about imported food in Tahiti, including meat and butter. There is no fresh milk. Red wine is imported from France. He describes the hotels in Pape'ete including one which has Tahitian-style bungalow accommodation. He describes local people are switching to western food which is easier to obtain but not as healthy. He speaks to a local dentist.
Prog 4 pt 2 of 2. Bryan O'Brien continues his interview with Stan Phillips, an American dentist in Pape'ete. He talks about the poor oral health of the local people and the reasons for it. A public education programme has been started to care for the teeth of school children.
O'Brien interviews Mr Porcelano [?], an Italian-American who has lived in Tahiti for forty years. They head up the Fautaua Valley en route to The Cascades waterfall.
O'Brien describes the rugged landscape. He and Mr Porcelano talk about various plants they find, including candlenuts, vanilla and coffee Mr Porcelano calls to his young grandson Tama, in Tahitian, which O'Brien notes is similar to Māori. He interviews Mr Porcelano about the lack of bird-life on the island. Pineapple and pandanus plants are compared.
Mr Porcelano can still run up the steep mountain track, despite being 76 years old and having no toes which he lost to frostbite in America.
They discuss whether the mountainous land in Tahiti could ever be developed. They reach the lip of the volcanic crater, with the cascade waterfall on the opposite side, which they agree is one of the 'wonders of the world'.
Prog 5 pt 1 of 2. Bryan O'Brien visits the home of author William Stone, near Pape'ete. He describes the house and garden and interviews Mr Stone, an American. He lists some of his more successful books, including 'Two Came by Sea' and 'Tahitian Landfall'. He came to Tahiti for his health for a couple of months and has now been there for twenty years. He describes the changes he has seen in the island.
O'Brien meets a Wellingtonian, Dave Stoddart in the Royal Tahiti Hotel. Actuality of a Tahitian barmaid who is singing behind the bar with guitar accompaniment. She invites them to dance.
On the beach O'Brien meets a group of small Tahitian children. He talks to them in French and invites them to sing. A seven year old boy sings a commercial about Tahiti's biggest store. Other children ask him how several French words are said in English.
Prog 5 pt 2 of 2. Three Tahitian children follow O'Brien around and he invites them to sing the only song they know in English: "God Save the Queen".
He visits Mamao School where children sing a song in French.
A girl, Marguerite, and two boys Alexander and Robert, recite poems in French, which are translated by the teacher. Three older girls sing a song in French.
That evening, O'Brien attends the ceremonial blessing of the tombs at Faa'a. Actuality of hymn singing underneath his description of the scene.
An excerpt of a sermon in Tahitian and more hymn singing.
He describes how families assemble at the tombs of their relatives which are decorated and lit with candles.
Prog 6 pt 1 of 2. Bryan O'Brien interviews Connie Hitchcock, an international yachting writer, on board her ketch the "Makai". She describes sailing from San Francisco in July with her three crew, via the Marquesas Islands. She learnt to navigate in San Francisco during the war.
The liner 'Southern Cross' arrives at Pape'ete and O'Brien records vox pops from New Zealand passengers' who delight in the Tahitian welcome they are given. He joins an excursion to Mo'orea and speaks briefly to some New Zealanders on board: two men from Palmerston North, 'Cathy from Carterton', Mrs Trethaway from Lake Te Anau, a woman from Miramar and Mrs and Mrs John Birch from Thames Street, Morrinsville.
A Tahitian feast is prepared and is described by some of the New Zealanders: raw fish, coconut juice, suckling pig, tropical fruit.
Prog 6 pt 2 of 2. Bryan O'Brien describes travelling to a village at Cook's Bay, Mo'orea, to see traditional Tahitian dancing on a marae. Actuality of drumming and singing in Tahitian.
He interviews Mr Gatia Palatios [?], a former resident of Geneva and New York, who explains why he moved to Tahiti and why he wants to stay for the rest of his life.