Construction of a building. Man painting beams pink. Welding beams.
“Wilkins & Davies Construction” sign. Building construction [Southward Engineering factory in Port Road, Gracefield, Lower Hutt]. Erection of the frame work. Women riding a [Vespa] motor scooter. Men crawling on frame work.
Royal car passing with a glimpse of Queen Mother - possibly 1958 visit - at Pukerua Bay.
Extensive footage of a fire destroying old large timber “Southward Engineering” building. Somewhat futile efforts of [civilians] putting a hose to the fire. Spectators, views of fire into the night. Fire seems to continue through the next day and night. Fire’s aftermath, staff inspecting equipment, including Len Southward. Fire damaged “Lesco” products. Removal of fire damaged equipment and clearing of site (Building appears to have been completely razed in fire). Sign reads “Fire”, somebody has scribbled “No Kidding” underneath it. Firemen put away hoses. Sifting through old equipment. Elevated view of the site from Wainui hill. Clearing away site.
Small bush fire on eastern hills of Lower Hutt. Policeman walking about site. Young woman holds up burnt painting of a speed boat (The famous Redhead) for the camera. Men laughing in the rain. Men looking at plans for new engineering works.
Arrival of a Hawkes Bay Coaches bus. Workmen walking to fire site. Another fire, this time in scrub alongside the fire site. Arrival of fire engines.
Construction of tunnel shaped corrugated iron building. Len Southward working on an engine. Wilkins and Davies bulldozer at work operated by a large Maori man. Workers lined up, [collecting pay]. Building construction. Southward making adjustments to a large engine. Engine being lowered into “Redhead” speedboat at a domestic location. Southward doing some spot welding. Redhead racing on Wellington Harbour. Man pouring oil from a Mobil can. A group of racing boats lined up. Racing and spectators at unknown location. Various boats such as Sputnik, Gee - Lag, Daine. Building construction. Laying concrete, putting roof on new premises, installing equipment. Calendar showing June 1958 and a ruler pointing to the 4th. Arrival of trucks carrying steel rods. Further construction.