CHATHAM ISLANDS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21085, 9 February 1934, Page 10

CHATHAM ISLANDS

SIGNS OF RETURNING PROSPERITY CANON PARR'S RETURN TO CHRISTCHURCH The people of the Chatham Islands, after a period of economic depression comparable with Ihat of the farming community of New Zealand, are beaming to adopt a more cheerful out- ; look, according to Canon Stephen ; Pari*, of Christchurch, who returned yesterday by the Tees after a fortnight in the island 3. Canon Parr, who. has been supplementing the work of Mr F. O. B. Lane in the island church service, said yesterday that he and Mrs Parr had thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the group, and that they liad noticed many signs of returning prosperity among the population. The island fisheries were again coming into their own, and the two companies operating in the trade wera carrying on again after two years of greatly-curtailed business. During the canon's stay on the island there had been phenomenal catches. The launches working in conjunction with the South Seas trawler and the Tees had been having remarkable success. Four men. working in one launch, had recently caught two and a half tons of blue cod in a day. Those encaged in the fishing industry were finding the outlook decidedly promising, and their recent success haa proved a great boon to the whole island. Wool and Stock. The better wool prices had of course, given the farmers something 1o work on, and it was expected that farming generally would continue 1 improve. It was now profitable toship stock to New Zealand where last year the shippers had bee forced to pay out on some of their consignments. Canon Parr said that there was very little unemployment irt the islands—in fact, he had not noticed any signs of rncn 11 = h mnnently out of work. The cheese factory at Teonc, however, which maintained a very high standard in its produce, had been hampered in its oocrations bv the exceptionally dry season There was a decided shortage of water on the Chatham* even water for domestic was l rn ited after the driest spell the people had experienced for years. The handling of cargo for shipment would be greatly facintated the new wharf at Waitangi was completed, a job which was now well underway. The workmen were waiting 10 other small shipment of timber, and it was hoped that the wharf would be completed by the end month. Previously all shipping at xi island was hampered by kick of adequate wharf, and produce and "> ward cargo had to be transported to and from the ship in surf boats.

Unproductive Land a Inrcc Dart of the island was at present unproductive, most of it being covered with bracken. Whethei tne lind could be made productive by draining and treatment was a question Canon Parr did not feel qualified to answer. In any case, such work would ■probably be too expensive. Tneie vas not a great deal of agricultural cultivation-most of the farmers cor. tct-ited themselves with cattle ana .sheep raising-but there were a few j,ood crops of oats and wheal, and some areas under turnips and mangolds. Vegetables and flowers giew well if they were encouraged, but the people did not take a great mtei est in their cultivation. Again, there was very little fruit grown. Canon Parr noted that the island was well supplied with primary schools. At least one of these possessed a large area of ground set aside for agricultural experimental work, which should be of groat value to the boys, besides showing the residents exactly what could be grown to the best advantage on the land. Children attending the schools had long distances to go. and it was no uncommon ..iglit to see four or five of them mounted on one horse on the way to school. Indeed, transport was perhaps the main problem of the Chatham Islanders. Owing to the peaty nature of the soil, formed roads were out ot the question, and all transport depended on drays, sledges and packhorses. There was great profusion and great variety of horses and dogs on the islands. It was quite a feature on boat day at Waitangi to see the many horses hitched to every available post and fence in the settlement. Healthy Church Life. The canon was naturally most .interested in the church life on the island, and he found it particularly healthy. Services were held regularly in the churches at Teone and Owenga, and also at other centres. The people travelled long distances to attend the services, often eight or nine miles on horseback over rough country. Mr F. O. B. Lane, a Christchurch student who has been on the island since last October, finds plenty 1.0 do in visiting his scattered congregation and in organising Sunday school work. Canon Parr expects that Mr Lane will be replaced shortly and that he will return to Christchurch in about a fortnight's time. Canon Parr said that the Chathams was an excellent place for a holiday, and that he and Mrs Parr had enjoyed themselves. Everything on the island was different from New Zealand, and there was a peaceful quiet undisturbed by telephones and motor traffic. The fishing was excellent. Two men whom Mr Parr knew had caught four hundred-weight on the :ine in two hours' fishing off Kainga;oa recently. There were wild swans, pigs, ancl goats for those who liked .shooting, and there was plenty to interest the botanist —the Chathams in fact had a flora of their own. The hospitality of Ihe people was traditional, and they lived up to (hat tradition. WAITANGI WHARF COMPLETION THIS MONTH The new wharf at Waitangi, Chatham Islands, is rapidly Hearing completion and it will be ready for an opening ceremony at the end of this month, according to the contractor, Mr B. V. Rope, who was in Lyttelton yesterday, and who left for the Chathams by the Tees last evening. Mr Rope informed a representative of "The Press" yesterday that practically all the material was now on ihe site. All the piles had been dnven and only the kerbings and a little of the cattle-race had to bo placed in position. Tarring and painting would constitute the finishing touches. It is Mr Rope's intention to stay at the Chathams until the job is completed, and he stated that probably Mr F\ Langbein, resident Public Works engineer at Christehurch, would make Ihe final inspection. Exposed to Open Sea The job had been difficult, as the outside tee of the wharf was fully exposed to the Pacific ocean. Mr Rope was well pleased with the job, however, and expressed the opinion that the structure would withstand any weather. Mr Rope said that it had been suggested that the Waitangi wharf would be little used. From personal experience, however, he was confident in stating that it would be a valuable asset. Sheep would not suffer bruis- ! ing through handling by . slings* fo*j

fhey would be able to walk aboard the steamer. Their value would be increased from Is to 2s a headRope added that the construction firm had secured the contract l'or the construction of a new jetty at Pitt Island, and the job, which would last about six weeks, would commence :if. the end of February. ft had also recently secured contracts for the building of three new bridges near Dargaville and a new wharf at the Great Barrier Island..