VISIT TO A GUANO ISLAND.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7476, 25 November 1889, Page 4

VISIT TO A GUANO ISLAND.

Many people ■who take more than an ordinary interest in nautical matters have not the remotest idea as to the Maiden Island, a place from which for many years past we nave been supplied with large quantities of that fertilising agent known asguano. The B.s. Titus, now at Dunedin, is the first vessel of her class which has visited this "rock in midoeean," and we (the Otago Daily Times) are indebted to the courtesy of her chief officer for the following information respecting the island and its residents:—Maiden island, which is little better than a coral reef, is six miles long and five miles broad at the middle. It T» situated in lat. 4S. and long. 134 W. The population are engaged in engaged in digging guano for export, and consist of some 200 South Sea natives, under Mr Strickland as managing halfcaste, and six European officers, namely, the manager, Mr M'Culloch; surgeon, Mr Nash; harbormaster, Mr Howard; carpenter, Mr Petersen ; eailmaker, Mr M'Kenna; and last, but not least, the worthy steward, Mr McAllister. The whole of the residents speak well of the island, which is exceedingly healthy, and very few cases of sickness occur, although the place is so close to the equator. All the inhabitants are staunch disciples of temperance, and the officers of the Titua speak favorably of the impromptu concerts got up for their amusement. The band consisted of a concertina, two banjos, a penny whistle, and a pair of bones, and the players acquitted themselves exceedingly well. A fishing excursion was also carried out, a dark night having been chosen for the occasion. A boat was manned and pulled out to sea; a brilliant torch was then lit, at which thousands of flying fish darted, only to be netted by a man stationed in , the bows of the boat; and so successful were the party that a large potato sack was filled with fish as the result of the night's .fishing. In addition to the othsr amusements, the natives got up a dance for their visitors. All these men are engaged for a year, and from their appearance live well, and are kindly treated. There are no places of worship in the island, but a native missionary holds service every Sunday morning In the native quarters. Owing to the soil not being good, and the extreme heat, no vegetables can be grown. There are a few shrubs to be seen, and a sort of bush two feet high is very plentiful. On this the goats (of which there are about 300, nearly all tame) live. Poultry is plentiful, and Dr. Nash has some six pigeons bred from a pair imported by him. Mr McKenna is also expecting some rabbits by the barque Delmlra; and with these little' animals acclimatised, the people may hope to live without using preserved provisions. They have also a number of pigs, which seem to thrive. Although the island is coral, it is of a very inferior sort, and a nice piece is rarely to be found. The natives endeavored to procure some for the Titus, but it was black and unsightly. The chief officer adds the gentlemen on the island were pleased to see the Titus arrive, but sad hearts existed when she left for New Zealand. All the islanders went off to say farewell. •