"BACK TO NATURE."

Auckland Star, Volume 304, Issue 304, 23 December 1926, Page 10

"BACK TO NATURE."

SSUNDAY ISLAND S-ETTI-i-RS. ISOLATED, BUT HAPPY. On her outward run to Niue Island the N.Z.G.s. Hinemoa made a call at Sunday Island in the Ivermadec Group for the purpose of ascertaining now Mr. Parker, tbe owner of the original Bell land grant, aud his two companions, who had been landed with their stores at Denham Bay on the previous voyage, were faring. A mail, some newspapers, fresh meat and bread were also landed. These '"back to nature" settlers were found to be in good health and spirits and very fit, notwithstanding that up to the time of the steamer's visit they were still without their supplies and stores and had been, according to Mr. Parker, living principally on goats' meat, bananas and Oranges.- Of these three commodities, as well as limes and lemons, there were, reported to be ample supplies. In addition the landing party found mutton birds nesting on literally every squarer foot of the buffalo grass-covered terraces which abut on the beaches and rocky ledges. These terraces are also thickly dotted with pohutukawas, which were in bloom. The party were landed in Denham Bay on the south side of the island and while they had managed to scramble over the ridge to the old homestead site behind Fleetwood Bluff on the eastern side, they had found the old track to be entirely obliterated and so had been unable to transfer their goods. They had discovered a pulling boat iv a fair condition, except for two holes just about the waterline and thought they would be able to repair it and with a pair of oars which the Hinemoa left with them, use it to get their stores round to their camp when the sea and wind were favourable. It seems incomprehensible that this party should have set forth on this expedition without such an indispensable accessory as a staunch, well-found pulling boat. Mr. Parkei reported that except for the inconvenience caused by the absence of their stores and equipment the party wpre thoroughly enjoying life on the island. Weather conditions had been normal and there had so far been none of the earth tremors or volcanic activity which proved so nerve-racking to earlier settlers. Very fine oranges, bananas, lemons and limes were said to be plentiful. There is not likely to be any further call at Sunday Island until tbe Hinemoa resumes her Niue running after the hurricane season.