Scenes from Buea, Southern Cameroons, as new House of Assembly set to open.
UPDATE: Click here to watch video on youtube (Video embed no longer working)
Description of video
1.
Inside Secretariat, Buea - "Berlin" nameplate on safe door
2.
Bismarck on Buea fountain. Shots 1 & 2 to emphasise remnants of German influence still remain (Cameroons was German colony until First World War). Shot 7 also.
3.
Victoria, picturesque small port of Cameroons - pan along islands in bay.
4.
Cut-in, kids bathing.
5.
LS Victoria sea front.
6.
Cameroons mountain, 15,555 ft., dominates southern part of British Cameroons; 5 degrees north of Equator, but snow-capped for part of year. Buen, administrative capital (Boo-ya) is 3000 ft. high on side of mountain.
7.
Commissioner's residence, still known as the Schloss. Built by first German governor as replica of Bavarian royal hunting-lodge.
8.
Dr. E.M.L. Endeley, (End-all-ey) Leader of Government Business in Southern Cameroons and new Prime Minister, enters car.
9.
Endeley's car drives off from his house to give Commissioner names of his new cabinet.
ROLL TWO - Tri-X
1.
Endeley arrives at Schloss, ushered in by steward.
2.
Int. study in Schloss, Endeley and Commissioner, Mr. J.O. Field; endeley hands over list of new Ministers
3.
CS Commissioner.
4.
CS Endeley.
5.
Endeley and Commissioner talk in Schloss garden (2 shots).
6,7.
CS Endeley, Commissioner (shot 7 brief - motor ran dawn).
8.
Endeley broadcasts from Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation studio in Buca; 1st take, he looked at camera; 2nd take; end of roll' so both takes inconveniently short.
ROLL THREE -- Plus-X
To 51 ft. - Loading of bananas on to train; bananas are chief export of Cameroons, which is relatively poor territory otherwise. Banana plantations run by Government- sponsored Cameroons Development Corp.
51 to end -- Endeley speaks to supporters (his party - Kamerun National Congress. Stresses need for European help for long time to come, but mentions obstructive attitude of some British Govt. officials. Old man fires off antiquated muzzle-loader to salute Endeley.
The British Southern Cameroons nation.
A promise broken.
A promise postponed.
A promise to be fulfilled.
Thank you Scribbles!
Posted by: SJ | June 24, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Another historical masterpiece! I wish it had sound!!! In any case, can anyone tell us what exactly happened in May 1958 in Southern Cameroons? I know this video has a historical significance. Also, who is the white colonialist who forced Endeley to sit on such a low chair?
Posted by: Ambe Johnson | June 25, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Endeley was quite a tall man, especially for his generation and would have dwarfed that Resident. The person who lived there was called a Resident, and the Governor was in Nigeria. I think he was a little man, and could not stand the thought of this African towering over him. Games that people play!
Posted by: Emil I Mondoa | June 25, 2009 at 01:19 PM
When British Cameroons became an autominous region (1954)the resident was called the Commissioner.
Posted by: Ronald Hickman | July 29, 2009 at 11:33 AM