NORFOLK ISLAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 September 1926, Page 5

NORFOLK ISLAND.

HAWERA TRAVELLERS’ I'MPR'EtS SIGNS.

Mr and Mrs A. G. /Barley, of Hawcra, returned yesterday from a month’s holiday to Norfolk Island. In conversation with a representative of this paper, Mr (Barley gave, his impressions of the island. The -weather, he said, was splendid throughout their stay, being like warm spring days in New Zealand. The ,accommodation in some places was good, and in others fair. There were no hotels or public lodging houses. Visitors stayed at private houses and paid from 30s to £2 2s per week for board.

The island itself, continued Mr Barley, is fifteen square miles in extent. Very little of it is under cultivation—probably less than 500 acres. Most of the land is wooded with the wellknown Norfolk Island pine. Wild lemons grow in profusion, with guavas and wild tobacco. In the valleys, oranges and bananas are cultivated together with Lisbon lemons. The flats are devoted to kumaras, maize and garden produce. Norfolk Island attracts many more visitors than is generally supposed. They are to be found there all the year round. It is a great holiday place for people who do not wafit to know the latest news.. Nobody worries about the outside world, but just drifts easily along. There are no telephones. Transport is by walking, rid iug, or by horse and gig. Visitors find the climate so mild that they can bathe all the year round. The best bathing is at Kingston, the old'convict headquarters.

The island is situated 600 miles north-west of Auckland. The highest point is 1100 feet above sea level. Most of the island is hilly, with deen valleys. There are a few creeks, but most of the water supply is obtained from tanks and -Wells.

The islanders are expert boatmen, and it is a treat to -watch them handling their craft in the heavy surf. .Two in particular, Tom Quintall and Louis Bataille, are considered the most expert on the island. A Burns Philip boat from .Sydney calls every five weeks, and the New Zealand Government steamer Hinemon makes a visit about every four weeks. The islanders themselves are a very line, hospitable people, and. courteous.