BIOGRAPH PIONEERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2374, 15 December 1908, Page 5

BIOGRAPH PIONEERS.

SOLOMON ISLANDS SCENES. A party of three biograph operators, representing Pathe Freres. of London and Paris, have just reached Sydnev (saA-s a recent “Sydney Morning Herald”) after a tour of the Solomon Islands and Noav Guinea to secure pictures representative of scenery and life in those islands. At Guadalcanal’, in the Solomons, tne party penetrated further into the interior than any white man had yet done. The natives Avere always a factor to be reckoned AA-ith. Eight years ago an Austrian Baron and his exploring party were all massacred on this isTand. Must before the biograph party arrived the bushmen from the interior made a raid on the coastal natives, and killed three men. The scrub and undergroAvth on Guadalcanal’ ivas almost impassable, and the picture people found tlie streams tne best pathways. They waded for hours up the rivers, and secured some striking pictures of Avaterfalls and rapids, with a- background of tropical jungle. A lot of films were secured, the subjects being chiefly connected with native life in the islands and the coeoanut industrv, though perhaps not the least interesting picture will prove on reproducing a specially acted scene in Avliich Jack London is killed —“speared” as he gallantly faces a murderous horde of blacks. Leaving Guadalcanal’, the party voyaged to Papua, where they secured" some fine views, of the wild country inland, and a good series or pictures of the mission settlements.