THEY WORK NOW ON LORD HOWE
1 Sydney, Dec. 2G. j The. erection of a sawmill is the ! latest intrusion of modern life upon j the solitude of Lord Howe Island. Now a working unit, the sawmill is treating local timbers, thus creating a new phase in the economic life of the island, as, until recently, all timbers required in Lord Howe were imported from Sydney. After three months, Mr C. E. Ahrens, the administrator of Lord Howe for The Board of Control in Sydney has reported on the result of the efforts he has made towards making the island self-supporting. Islanders Respond As a result, harsh days have come for the Island Paradise of the Pacific, but the islanders are responding to the new order, even if it means less time for fishing. This is what has been done in recent months. Mr Ahrens says: Experimental plots have been planted to develop anything that can be eaten or sold. Flowers are being grown. Potato seeds capable of producing a high quality strain of potatoes have been sown.
The herds are being improved and local cows called upon to give their all in milking tests.
Strict restrictions have been imposed on the introduction of plants and seeds in order that no p«sts inimical to the production of the purest types on Lord Howe, are brought in. Fish are being caught for commercial purposes, instead of as an amateur pastime. During the fish shortage trevalli and kingfish were brought to Sydney and sold on the local market. Bees Do Their Hh-uro ' One shilling an hour has- been fixed as the payment for work performed for islanders. It is not a pincely rate, but the tempo of life is slower than at King's Cross, and cost of living is lower. Beehives have been brought in and the angry swarming of the bees is heard all over the island. Honey is not being sought, but the best Italian bees have been introduced for pollination purposes, \
The problem of soil caused largely by the gambols of wild pigs and goats in the mountains, is being tackled by encouraging islanders to slaughter the pigs and goats for a bonus.
An afforestation policy has been launched by bringing in 1000 trees. This is only the start.
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Bibliographic details
Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13238, 14 January 1941, Page 8
Word Count
380THEY WORK NOW ON LORD HOWE Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13238, 14 January 1941, Page 8
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