Part 1, shot by Sergeant Brown: McKerron and Major-General Lionel Cox, commander Singapore District, leaving the Municipal Building. McKerron, Cox and others at the salute for the national anthem. Inspecting the guard of honour mounted by 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. A Sikh band playing.

Part 2, shot by Sergeant Haywood: McKerron and Cox descend the steps. Cox saluting. McKerron and Cox. Crossing the road to the padang. Inspecting the guard of honour. View of the Municipal Building with band in the foreground. McKerron shakes hands with the commander of the guard. Band marching off with a large crowd. Guard of honour marching off with milling crowd. People watching.

The new Colonial Secretary of Singapore, Sir Patrick McKerron, is installed at the Municipal Building on the day of the creation of the Malayan Union.

Notes

This film was shot on the day the Malayan Union came into existence with Sir Edward Gent as Governor and answering to the Colonial Office. The Union did away with the previous system of Straits Settlements, and Federated and Unfederated Malay States, and placed British Malaya under a uniform administration. It drastically reduced the power and influence of previous elites. The Union proved deeply unpopular and was replaced with the Federation of Malaya in January 1948.

For footage of the arrival of Sir Edward Gent's arrival in Kuala Lumpur, see related items.