A FAMILY ON SUNDAY ISLAND

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22243, 6 November 1937, Page 21

A FAMILY ON SUNDAY ISLAND

The Venture Ended: Reunion in New Zealand

(SPECIALLY WRITTEN FOR THE PRESS BY A. M. ROBSON.)

'We had some quite hair-raising experiences on our tramps, on which I loved to go whenever I was able to accompany my husband and my sisters. One tramp was round the green lake and the track in some places was only wide enough for one person to walk. We had to be very careful there. One false step would have meant a fall into the lake of 3° or 40 feet below, and deep water, too.

went there. The grave was right beside the track that led to and from my parents’ house, and we always had to pass it. I have always felt pleased that my father made a copy of the brass plaQue that stands at the head of that lonely grave. , _ Fourteen months after my firs*, son was bom mv second son arrived, on October 19, 1891. Life had gone on in the same way (to me rather monotonous); there was no prosperof anything else, and when the Hinemoa came on her usual yearly trip, in December, 1891, I persuaded rry husband to return to New Zealand. My next eldest sister decided to return too.

Another track we used to traverse, from the bay to the crater basin, was over steam holes and round the hillsides. We had to pass along a narrow track more than 400 feet up, and in one particular place my husband and brother used to help the women folk along with a rope, one holding each end while we sidled along this part of the track. When we* had got across safely the. rope would be hauled in and we would proceed on our way, very thrilled with our adventure.

Back to New Zealand My father, mother, and my youngest brother and sister decided to remain another year; and as I was still not very strong and had to take my baby of six weeks, my people persuaded me to leave my eldest little chap with them, which I did. My people all returned to New Zealand in the following December, when we were once more united. My people had a beautiful garden on the island, which they were very loath to leave. I believe the strawberries they grew were a wonderful sight, and after giving the crew of the Hinemoa as much as they could eat, a large clothes basketful! was picked to take on board the vessel—but unfortunately the cargo of fruit was lost when the boat capsized in the surf. I may add that we all enjoyed excellent health on the island, and certainly if we had carried out our first intention we would never have left so soon. I still say that if means of going to and from the island were found, it would be a splendid health resort. In these days of wireless communication it would not be so isolated a place. There is no doubt about the quality of the climate, and if people are determined to cultivate the different fertile spots, and not to miss any of the seasons for obtaining supplies of food such as mutton-birds and eggs, there is no fear of a food shortage. B-1 I would not advise any woman to go there unless communication were established with New Zealand. (The End.)

I do not think I have said • anything about our slush lamps. When we realised that we would not have a vessel going to and from New Zealand to replenish our stores, we naturally became very careful indeed. Materials for lighting were, of course, a big item, so with the oil that exuded from the preserved mutton-birds we filled empty meattins, and inserted a piece of thick cotton material about an inch or so wide. When this “wick” was thoroughly soaked it provided us with light when our candles and kerosene were finished. The lamps were like tallow candles, in that the wicks had to be snuffed every now and then to keep the light bright.

A Lonely Grave The water which we obtained from wells dug at the side of the lake in the bay was good for both washing and drinking. But we ran out of blue, and as our sheets and linen began to look yellow we had to refrain from using our best white things until our return to New Zealand.

There was a little spot in the bay which always gave us a saddened feeling whenever we passed it. That was the lonely grave of a boy, the son of a sea captain who had died 01 board ship and had been buried on the island long years before we