NORFOLK'S NEED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 204, 29 August 1928, Page 7

NORFOLK'S NEED.

REGULAR STEAMER SERVICE PLANTERS DISSATISFIED. UNCERTAIN MARKET PROSPECTS. "The crying need of Norfolk Island is for a regular steamer service," said Colonel J. P. Stevenson, of Auckland, today upon his return by the Maui Pom a re. Colonel Stevenson made the round trip and was on the island for two days. His opinion as to the unsatisfactory position at present prevailing was supported by Mr. Thomas Todd, of Gisborne, who had been at Norfolk for a month and also returned this morning.

"It is a wonderful island, and the possibilities are unlimited," continued Colonel Stevenson. "The place is like a beautiful English park, except for the grass, which is rather poor. If a regular service were established with Auckland it would be of great- benefit to the people, and New Zealand would soon have the bulk of the trade."

Referring to the voyage wliieh had just been completed Colonel Stevenson said that the islanders had only two days' notice in which to prepare a general cargo of 1000 cases of fruit and

produce for shipment to Auckland; and the "Maui Pomare's call had clashed with the Macamba from Sydney, which arrived on the evening of the departure. If the voyage was delaye'd or cancelled much fruit that had been packed was lost, and dissatisfaction had resulted. Tourist traffic was also uncertain, and numerous visitors had been compelled to put in a prolonged holiday.

Under Judge Herbert, the new administrator. said Colonel Stevenson, the prospects for Norfolk Island appeared bright; but it -was essential that a system of taxes should be instituted to replace the communal labour at present required on the roads. Communal service amounted to 15 days a year. With the introduction of motor transport to replace the decrepit horses Norfolk would probably be faced with an acute roading problem.

"If Norfolk Island continues to develop it will very likely become a <rreat market garden,'" said Mr. Todd, "but everything depends on a regular steamer service/'

An arrangement should be made, lie suggested, for boats to arrive at the island turn about instead of clashing as at present. If that could be done K would be a god-send to the planters. Mutton and milk, he said, were also badly needed, though the people had apparently adapted Themselves to a diet in which these did not figure prominentlv.