CHATHAM ISLAND NOTES.

Press, Issue 16678, 12 November 1919, Page 7

CHATHAM ISLAND NOTES.

(FROM buß owx COBBKSPOSnWT.) November 4. The Peace celebrations took place on April' 19th, 20th, and 21st, in fine weather. On Saturday a procession, headed by .the returned soldiers, marched from Waitangi to Teone,. where : .the celebrations wefo held. " The King's Proclamation was read by, the S.M., Dr. Gibson. A- native '"hangi," or feast, was then held iii the. Teone Institute Hall. The food, consisting of a bullock, several sheep, pigs, fish, and potatoes, was cooked in native style. This was done by heating stones and then placing the foodstuffs in the ground surrounded by the hot boulders, the whole being covered with earth and left for about 20 hours.. The food had a flavour quite different from oven-cooked meats. - In the evening a dance was held, at which there was a very large attendance. On Sunday a thanksgiving service was held at Teone, at which an appropriate address was delivered by Dr.: Gibson. On , Jloiiday. the : celebrations were' con•tinued. Children's sports were held-and) the "hangi'' continued, followed by another successful dance in the evening. Messrs Grennell and' Pomare were m charge of the "hangi," and Mr Guest (secretary) and Mr J. H. Prendeville (chairman), Patriotic Committee, superintended the celebrations. - The Chatham Island returned soldiers held a very successful reunion and dinner at Otiman's Hotel on' Saturday, April 19th. Mr J. Sullivan occupied the chair. The usual -toasts were honoured, interspersed with musical items. In reply to a request that H.M.S. New Zealand should visit this island, the Prime Minister stated that owing to tbe shortage* of coal it had been found impossible to include £hatham Islands in the. itinerary of the cruiser. The following was the rainfall at Waitangi for the months mentioned: June, 4.7 in ((1918/4.19in); July, 3.37 in (1918, 5.83 in); Augusf. 3.10 in (1918, 3.11 in); September,. 3.&4 m (1918. 4.27 in). Arrangements have been made for the Ngahere to make a trip to Waitangi about November loth for sheep and wool. This-will probably be followed by a trio to Pitt Island. Very heavy gales have been experienced on the island during the last two or three weeks, and considerable damage has been done to early vegetables, especially _ potatoes. Up till the arrival of the Kahu the food shortage on the island'was rather arute. At Owenga flour had been unprocurable for some weeks. Several forms of war memorial have been suggested! A number of residents favour the erection of a cottage hospital as a war memorial. The fishing season, which closed at the end of October, was not so good as :n previous years on account of the rough weather experienced' during the last six months. Shearing operations are now in progress. $