PROGRESS OF ISLANDS

Evening Star, Issue 19444, 30 December 1926, Page 12

PROGRESS OF ISLANDS

IMPROVEMENTS AT NIUE interesting impressions of a visit to the Kermadecs and the Niue and Fiji gjoups were given by Mr J. D. Gray, Under-Secretary of the Department of External Affairs, who returned to Auckland by the Hinemoa recently. Speaking of Niue, 'Mr Gray said the improvement and development since his last visit three years ago had exceeded his expectations. Valuable work was being done by the Commissioner, Mr A. A. Lackham, and his officers, who, without any professional assistance or guidance, had carried out some important harbor works with complete success. Much had been done in safeguarding and facilitating the work at the port of Alofi. Previously it had been difficult, if not impossible, for a captain to pick up an anchorage after dark. On this trip, however, the Hinemoa picked up the island about 10 at night, and electric lights were soon visible. The captain was able to bring the vessel to anchorage and to disembark his passengers and land mails before midnight. “ I spent two days ashore, and in addition to conferring with the island council and representatives of the trading community, visited all the principal villages,” stated Mjr Gray. “The island was recovering Irom the effects of a severe drought which had continued for over a year up until the end of November, and caused considerable hardship to the people. Beneficial rains during the past few weeks have had a wonderful effect in reviving vegetation and the young bananas, which have been extensively planted in anticipation of tbe new steamer service, give every promise of good crops.” The island council had recently passed a new planting regulation requiring each native land, owner to extend his cultivation each year. The drought had had the effect of making the natives realise the need for extra energy. Mr Gray stated that the Hinemoa called at Sunday Island, in the Kersnadeo Group, to ascertain how Mr Parker, the owner of the original Bell land grant, and his two companions who had been landed with their stores at Denham Bay on the previous voyage were faring. The men were found to be in good health, in spite of the fact that up to the time of the Hinemoa’s visit they were still without their supplies and stores, and had been living on goat’s meat, bananas, and oranges. “ The party was landed in Denham Bay at the south side of the island, and while they had managed to scramble over the ridge to the old homestead site behind Fleetwood Bluff, they found the old track entirely obliterated, and had been unable to transfer their goods,’* stated Mr Gray. “The men had discovered a pulling boat in fair condition, and thought they would be able to repair it. The Hinemoa left a pair of oars with them, and they will probably he able to transfer the stores by water when the weather is favorable.”