CHATHAM ISLANDS NOTES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18013, 4 March 1924, Page 4

CHATHAM ISLANDS NOTES.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) With the re-opening of the fishing industry in the north of the island at Kaingaroa last year, comes the inevitable necessity for the provision of education for tue children of tne hsliermen and other employees. At present there are soine lv cmldren of sciiooi age unprovided tor, with, the nearest suiool some IS miles distant. A petition has been forwarded to the JirUucation Board expressing the needs of this young community, present provision can be supplieu by tie appointment of a teacner, as the owner of the adjoining estate has offered the use of the men's dining-room as a schoolroom. This would supply the need admirably until the erection of the new school.

Building for educational purposes seems to be in the air. The material has just arrived for the residence of the assistant teacher at Te One School, and the building will be gone on with immediately. There is some talk of an opposition company commencing operations in another part of the island. I understand that a company is in the process of formation, and that there is a good deal of Island money in it. The new company proposes to erect works at \Ylia,ngaroa, oil the eas-tern coast. Whangaroa has, perhaps, the best natural harbour on the Island and is close to some of the best fishing grounds. It is readily accessible by sea to Waitangi, the principal port, but rather inaccesibie by land. The present fishing company is well-establish-ed, the works at Owenga having been built for some 16 years, and last year the works at Kaingaroa were rebuilt and opened. The present season has opened exceedingly well and the big catches secured should hurry on the formation of the new company. The sudden death of Mr Munu Hereto at the early age of 20 was rather a 6hock to the Island. Mr Eereti was the son of Mrs Goombes, of Murarua, and a nephew of the Hon. Sir Maui Pomare, of Wellington. A large number of relatives and friends from all parts of the Island atended the funeral.

AVith the advent of a permanent chaplain; the Rev. A. Tj. Canter, the need of Church buildings is more evident than ever. At the fishing village of Owenga there is a large congregation without a home. I understand that the trustees of the Owenga estate, through the manager, Mr J. Renwick, have offered a suitable section for a church site. The church, if built on the proposed site, will not only be a church home, but will also be a beacon for the fishermen returning to harbour, as it is situated right at the entrance.