SIGHTS THAT INTRIGUE THE HOLIDAY-MAKER.—-Collecting the mail at Niuafou, or Tin-can Island as it is familiarly known. The island has a history of many volcanic outbursts, the most recent causing a blow-out four miles long with 27 craters, some of which still show steam when vain falls. Landing is so difficult that the four Europeans and 100 natives on Niuafou depend for communication with the world on a mail service which is unique. When the Tofua is sighted several natives plunge through the surf, swimming with a light spar under one shoulder. They carry the outward mail in a tin perched on a stick. With cheery shouts they greet the Tofua a couple of miles from shore and the steamer stops just a few minutes to exchange the mails, those from the outside world being sealed up in a couple of large biscuit tins, supplied with a good J tow-rope, which the swimmers attach to the spar. On the right are two views of Swallows Cave, a retreat reached in launches and lifeboats.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1931, Page 1 (Supplement)

SIGHTS THAT INTRIGUE THE HOLIDAY-MAKER.—-Collecting the mail at Niuafou, or Tin-can Island as it is familiarly known. The island has a history of many volcanic outbursts, the most recent causing a blow-out four miles long with 27 craters, some of which still show steam when vain falls. Landing is so difficult that the four Europeans and 100 natives on Niuafou depend for communication with the world on a mail service which is unique. When the Tofua is sighted several natives plunge through the surf, swimming with a light spar under one shoulder. They carry the outward mail in a tin perched on a stick. With cheery shouts they greet the Tofua a couple of miles from shore and the steamer stops just a few minutes to exchange the mails, those from the outside world being sealed up in a couple of large biscuit tins, supplied with a good J tow-rope, which the swimmers attach to the spar. On the right are two views of Swallows Cave, a retreat reached in launches and lifeboats.