ISLAND WEATHER STATION

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27213, 3 December 1953, Page 5

ISLAND WEATHER STATION

NEW ZEALAND STAFF IN KERMADECS

ADVERTISEMENT BRINGS NO RESPONSE

Raoul Island, in the Kermadec group, is 574 miles north-north east of Auckland. Here the Civil Aviation branch of the Air Department maintains a weather station to supply information to New Zealand pilots. In spite of the sub-tropical climate, and all the apparent pleasures of life on the island, and the money which may be earned, it appears that no one is interested in a job there. A recent advertisement for a mechanic for the island did not bring in even an inquiry. Nine men form the normal staff for the island. The officer in charge of the station receives a basic salary of £645 and to it is added an allowance of £l5O a year for a single man and £2OO a year for a married man. Basic salaries for others working on the island are graded down from the chief officer’s, but the allowances given are on the same scale. As well as the officer in charge there are three meteorological observers, a radar technician, a farm manager, a cook, a mechanic and a handyman. There are no shops on the island, a point for those wishing to save all they can, and all goods required by the residents are ordered from Auckland and carried to the island free of charge. Free quarters and rations are also provided. 40-acre Farm To provide fresh vegetables, meat, fruit, milk, b.utter and eggs for the inhabitants a 40 acre farm is maintained on the island. Other supplies are brought from New Zealand by ship. A system of cable ways is used to haul freight and passengers to the cliffbounded island after they have been taken from ship to shore by lighters. Diesel generators serve the living quarters with electric power for lighting and refrigeration and for the radios and other equipment in the station. Daily radio-telephone links are maintained with New Zealand and by this means the residents report their information and make requests. The island staff is conducted on an expedition basis. They. are available for duty 24 hours a day, but only have •to do their work at the required time and then return to the many pastimes available —tennis, shooting, fishing and billiards are some. Leave is given at the rate of two days for every month worked or one month for every year. Normally one ship a year is chartered by the branch and sent to the island with supplies. Urgently needed materials have in the past been dropped by Royal New Zealand Air Force aeroplanes. Shipping companies also co-operate with the staff by advising if they have a vessel sailing from New Zealand and passing the island. The staff can then order goods and have them delivered by these passing ships.