GOOD IMPRESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 238, 7 October 1932, Page 5

GOOD IMPRESSION.

ISLAND ADMINISTRATOR. CONDITIONS AT NORFOLK. | An excellent impression has already been created by the new Administrator of Norfolk Island, Captain C. R. Pinney, according to Mr. Roy H. Collins, who returned to Auckland by the Morinda this ifiorning. Mr. Collins spent 18 months on the island. The new Administrator, said Mr. Collins, was making a drive to clear the island of noxious weeds, and was also interesting himself in the elimination of poor and diseased stock. The depression was being acutely felt by the islanders, Mr. Collins said. Until recently they had been optimistic, but the failure of the potato crop, much of which was ruined by blight, had come as a severe blow. He instanced the case of one grower who had hoped to export 200 cases of potatoes, but actually had sent away less than a dozen. A number of people living on the island were anxious to try their luck elsewhere, but were unable to sell their properties. No form of unemployment relief was provided, and those who were out of work had to depend chiefly on bananas and kumaras. In order that there should be no increase in the unemployment figures anyone landing at the island now had to take out a return steamer ticket. Growers were depending on their bean crop, which was their main standby. If anything went wrong with that the island would be in real trouble.

"Norfolk's main hope is the tourist traffic, and it does not seem that the trade is properly catered for," said Mr. Collins.