HAPPY RAROTONGA ISLE

Hawera Star, Volume L, 15 January 1931, Page 7

HAPPY RAROTONGA ISLE

“PERPETUAL WEEK-END.” RETIRED POSTMASTER’S PICTURE “A glorious climate, with a perpetual ‘week-end’ .life,” is how Mr - . E. Cl Hardie, nine years postmaster at Rarotonga. sums up his opinion of the island. Mr. Hardie returned to New Zealand, by the Monowai this wqok, accompanied' by Mrs. Hardie, his term of appointment having been <oinp;etcd. Concerning the life in Rarotonga, Mr Hardie had several interesting observations to make: to a “Dominion” reporter. The natives on the island, he said 1 , were a very likeable race, very casv-goingi, and extremly clean. The nature of the climate was conducive to cleanliness. When, lor instance, a day’s work on a plantation was finished. the natives simply ran down to the waterfront and plunged into the sea—clothes and all. The natives appeared to be very happy and contended 1 , although] they were, in common with folk in New Zealand, feeling some effects of the present world-wide depression. However. they could, if need he, produce nearly all their wants from the soil, and it was only the desire for the goods of civilisation that could really cause a. depi-essioD. on the island. The island had not yet recovered from the great Vtorm of 1926, when niucih, damage was sJone. The freedom of dress and ease with which everyone seemed to take things “far from the madding crowd” was one of the most delightful features, of the island, said Mr. Hardie:. There were no trains, trams or buses to catch, nor any set time-tables to adhere to. “An open-shirt life” or a “week-end life: would aptly describe it. Bathing could he indulged in throughout the year, the temperature in the so-called winter months being delightfully warm.

HEALTHY* CLIMATE.

••The climate is very healthy,” continued Mr, Hardie. “The island iis not visited by malaria or any other serious tropical disease, although •fa lari a (a form of •elophantitis) is oecasionaily encountered. “On the island l there is no fresh meat procurable—only frozen, imported from New Zealand.. This is because the cattle are fattened on water grass, and as a consequence the meat lacks ‘body’ and has liaibby fat. It never sets firmly. Mutton is also of little use when produced on the. island as it is always very stringy. One eats more meat there though than is usually expected in a hot climate. “The cultivation of vegetables also is not very succors.slid as generally they tend to grow only on the top. This especially applies' to potatoes and onions, which all have to he imported. Tomatoes, beans, lettuces and cabbages have been cultivated with success' during recent years. The natives themselves are great moat-eatens, though, curiously enough, they do not greatly relish fresh lish. To procure fish they have to go outside of the. reef, and if they have a big catch the village is compelled to Jive on nothing but fish for some days. Recently, however, a large fish known as the ‘aai’ has become fairly popular. The natives seem to prefer tinned fish to the freshly ra light. ’ ’ POPULAR ADMINISTRATOR,

Mr. Hardie said that the white populution was at present in the vicinity of •Jb’o. mostly engaged l in stores, planting, Government or teaching }mk>] Lions. Unemployment was unknown. If a mail could liot'liiid a job lie usually loft tho island. .Judge Ayisou, the Administrator. was extremely popular, and things were progressing wdil and harmoniously Rather a curious custom, as it might almost lie called, lie said, was the way 1b.,, island altered its holidays to suit the arrival of the mail stoiime. If tho feat should arrive on Christmas Day, the holiday Mas shifted forward, say. a. week, so as it could he enjoyed t? the full It was quite common for the King’s Birthday. Good Friday or Christmas Day to be celebrated a. week after the proper date. “I thoroughly enjoyed my nine years on the Island,” added Mr. Hardie, “and am really sorry to leave such a delightful place.”