Isolation Problem For Chatham Is.

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30200, 3 August 1963, Page 13

Isolation Problem For Chatham Is.

Education, communioations, health, and many other problems confronting Chatham Islanders were discussed with the member of Parliament for Lyttelton (Mr N. E. Kirk) during his visit to the islands tois week. Mr Kirk, with Archideacon S. E. Woods, of Chmistohurch, made the trip at the invitation of the Chief of Staff for the Ministry of Defence (Rear-Admiral P. Phipps), in H.M.N.Z.S. Pukaki.

The main impression Mr Kirk gathered was the extreme isolation of this furthermost part of his electorate, and the great potential of the islands if this was overcome.

Mr Kirk said one of the continuing problems was that of the shipping freight charges cn livestock, on which much of the islands’ economy depended. One of the most pleasing features, he said, was that surveys were ab?jut to be made of a site for an airfield on the main island of Whiarekauri.

It was not expected that land aircraft would be brought into service in the immediate future, as the Internal Affairs Department’s report mentioned a figure of T 2500 far a new jetty for the Sunderland flying - boats which serve the island at present. Mr Kjrk said. He could give no indication when land-based aircraft would serve the Chathams, but the Important thing, so far as the islanders were concerned, was that an air service was maintained without interruption, he said “So long as there is an adequate air service, the islanders are not concerned which aircraft serve them."

Mr Kirk said he had been authorised to give an assurance to the islanders that a Labour Government would make payment, as of right, tor the full amount of the return tore of a patient referred to a New Zealand hospital for treatment. At Present the Government paid 'fie islanders’ passage to New Zealand for treatment, but the return fare was paid only after the patient bad been subieoted to a means test, he said. Correspondence Teacher Mr Kirk visited Pitt Island. 15 miles from the main island, and discussed education difficulties The islanders bad been unable to get a sur rv’sor to instruct children with their correspondence lessons “Because of the isolation and limited accommodation, a building was made avail-

able to the islanders in 1959 for children taking correspondence lessons,” he said. “The Education Department has made several attempts to retain a teacher on the island to supervise the children with their correspondence lessons.”

It would be the only correspondence -school with a teacher giving direct supervision. but tlie islanders had to bake bread and help with farming and other tasks which left them no time to supervise their children's lessons. A He said representations would be made to try to have rhe Education Department renew the appointment of a supervisor.

Archdeacon Woods said the islanders looked towards Chnistcliuirch and Lyttelton as their link with the rminland.

He had been amazed at the temfio potential of the islands. Most people bad the wrong impression, he said. They believed it was a bleak, windswept wilderness, whereas it was a rich area which needed no cultivation and on which the grass grew all year round.

He said it waa a greet pity that better transport services were nof provided to help develop the islands to their full potential They contained very rich fishing grounds, and could supply a b g market in meat and other produce. Archdeacon Woods conducted a service of Holy Communion for the Anglican congregation on the island, as tnene has been no vicar stationed there since early ’has year. He said it was hoped that f vicar would be found to fl n the vacancy in the near future. Church services had been organised by Dr R Ayres and Mr 3. S. Hendry ag-'oultural adviser for the islands, since February.