LORD HOWE ISLANDERS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17102, 24 March 1921, Page 2

LORD HOWE ISLANDERS.

-• —. —» —. —. THREATENED BY PLAGUE OF EATS. (FBOll OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) SYDNEY, March 15. Some' four hundred odd miles from this coast lies the peaceful community of Lord tlowo Island, first_colonised in 1853 by, a party of Maoris, and now tho home of about one hundred Europeans, who live on _ their own fertile farms And supply their simple needs by exporting tha seeds of the ornamental Kentia palm. The island is a dependency of New South Wales. Until now, it has never given the Chief Secretary's Department any worty. It is a most charming spot, with a mild climate'and a most luxuriant vegetation. Somp few years ago, a storm battered ?hip limped up to the island, and, being in practically a sinking condition, was run ashore. No one thought anything about- it'at tho time, but it was. a£ towards remembered that the ship had rats aboard, and these pests escaped ashore. 'Lord Howe, up to then, had" no rats. Tht-re is no berthing place there for ships, which have to lie out in tho bay. , The newcomers found the island ft veritable rat paradise, and they multiplied at a most.amazing rate. In tho ■Jew years that have since elapsed, they rt.ivo practically taken possession of the island. • Formerly, without interference from any pest, the people garnered bounteous crops of grain, fruit, and yegetables. To-day, their crops nru being almost wholly destroyed by the rats. The position is so serious that the community has urgently applied to the Governmont for relief, declaring that the pesfmust either be checked or the. people will be driven off the island. A most serious feature of'the case is that the rats have found the Kentia palm 'seeds a pleasing food. They are attacking the seeds everywhere, and tliey threaten not only to wipe out this unique industry, but to wipe out the Kentia palms as well. Th<+ Government is giving! lie matter attention, and a party, will probably be sent down to the island to sec what can .be done.