LIFE IN THE ISLANDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 21 January 1926, Page 3

LIFE IN THE ISLANDS.

“THE FINEST IN THE WORLD”

ACCOUNT BY POLICE OFFICER

NAURU’S WONDERFUL RE

sources,

Down for three months’ holiday from Nauru, the little atoll, from 32 to 3,5 miles south of the equator, which is the source of the world’s chief supply of phosphates, is Mr. William Knight, the O.C. of Police and Crown Prosecutor on the island. . , “The finest life in the world is to be found on the islands providing you have something of the hermit in you* make up,” he says. He lias spent the whole of the last 18 years there on Nauru and Ocean Islands, which is also rich in phosphates. He .joined the Ocean Island service from the Brit.nn Navy in 1907 as a shift engineer in at the wireless station. Air. Knight tells an interesting story of the life on the islands, of the daily work, the pleasures, sports, and amusements, the customs of the native Nauruans and the imported Chinese labourers, and above all the system of. the Government under the mandate held from the League of Natious fry Britain, Australia, and Now Zealand in conjunction. Tim little community on Nauru consists of about 2100 people, of whom approximately 1200 are Nauruans, 80b Chinese and 80 whites.

CHINESE LABOURERS. The Chinese are Drought from Hongkong where they sign contracts to remain on the island for two years. They range from coolies to specialists suen as mechanics, the latter being excellent craftsmen, while all are good workmen. The wages vary from 32s a month for the lowest forms of coolie labour to Aiß for the best of mechanics. The Chinese live in compounds, and receive their food in addition to the money payment. The present Administrator (General Griffiths) was appointed by Australia, and it is expected that Australia will again be asked to undertake the responsibility of making the appointment when the term of his office expires next June. The work of administration is carried out on strictly businesslike lines, with a leaning towards sympathy for the Nauruans. Absolute prohibition is enforced so far as the natives are concerned, and very heavy pen*'.!lies are provided for supplying then: with liquor. In a general way, the Administrator acts as a father to tee native community, and is so regarded bv the Nauruans.

‘ ‘ STRICT, BUT SYMPATHETIC ’ ’ The system is strict but sympathetic, and the natives were so satisfied wi L it that two years ago, when some complaints were"made to the mandate committee of the League of Nations, the whole of the fourteen chiefs signed a petition asking that the present system should be continued without alteration. The petition was drawn up and signed' aider a meeting called by the natives themselves. The amusements on the islands consist of picture shows and theatricals for whites, and a picture show was purchased by the Government for the Nauruans. In the native cinema only educative films arc shown. Some of the more lurid American productions could not be tolerated for obvious reasons. In other ways, too, the natives are being taught to help themselves. For instance, a co-operative store Las been established for them. It is run by Nauruans under the advice from one of the whiles. The whole of: the profits, with Ihe exception of a small allowance In the white advisor, goes to til, natives. In fin- police force Mr. Knight has 40 men, Nauruans and Gilbert Islanders. Apart from tlieir ordinary duties they do at least one shoot every two weeks at the rifle butts. The men are very keen eyed, and some of them are very good shots. In addition to the police there is a physical training class of 100 men from whom recruits ere drawn. They also are trained in arms. SEOKTS OF THE DEO FEE. The main sport of the white population is cricket, and frequent matches are played against teams from visiting ships. Tennis is also popular, and about half a dozen tournaments are played yearly on illuminated courts. The Nauruans have been taught the Australian game of football. They have taken to it very kindly, playing in their bare feet. Tuev display great vigour ami not a little skill. They are also learning 1 minis, and are proving just as efficient at this sport. Interesting experiments are carried out in the breeding of fish. The spawn is taken from the ocean and cultivated in a lagoon which forms the crater of the atoll. Money is practically unknown on the island. There arc two stores, one conducted by the commis sion, and the other by Burns, Philp ar.d Go, From these ail necessities and most luxuries can he secured by “'chits,’’ the cost, being charged monthly against the employee’s account.