NORFOLK ISLAND

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 271, 31 October 1932, Page 10

NORFOLK ISLAND

ATTRACTION FOR TOURISTS TONIC FOR JADED NERVES. HASTINGS VISITOR’S ACCOUNT. “Although only 500 miles from New Zealand, and in many respects not unlike it, Norfolk Island seems to form a subject of considerable interest to peoplte in the Dominion,” said Mr Joseph Wilson, of Hastings, in an address to the Hastings Rotary Club on Friday. “It looks beautiful as one approaches rt on the steamer,” Mr Wilson added, “the hills ajid valleys being clothed in green and stately Norfolk Island pines covering precipitous cliffs. The sea striking the cliffs forms a fringe of snow-white surf, almost all round the island, and on the southern end the reef half a mile long gives the island an extra fringe ot surf, and adds great beauty to the scene. In recording his discovery of the island in 1774 Captain Cook remarked upon the absence of human beings, and the luxuriant verdure from the water’s edge to the top of the mountain.

“I found very little change in Norfolk Island since my previous visit about 3J years ago. The natural beauty of the island is the same —the air still exhilarating, the deep azure sky, and striking cloud formations excite the admiration of visitors. Those who havo travelled declare that the surrounding sea, excepting when rough, is as blue as the Mediterranean. The beautiful colour effects of the sett *|id the landscape unless seen could hardly be imagined. The climate is very even, although colder in winter, of course, than in summer. The highest temperature registered has been 89 degrees, and the lowest (which was this year) 54 degrees. Owing to the high altitude of the island, averaging 500 feet above the sea, there is generally a light sea breeze from one side or the other. In the winter months, the wet season, heavy gales sweep across, testing the strength of the tall pines. Nature has provided a foliage for them that allows the wind to pass without resistance, otherwise the high rocky cliffs would not be covered with these stately pines.” VISITORS SORRY TO LEAVE. Mr Wilson continued: “As a health resort, for those suffering from brain fag or nerves, Norfolk Island has proved to be unrivalled. Probably its isolation contributes largely to this, and the absence of noise, speed and conventionality has a soothing effect upon those requiring a rest. Some think it would be monotonous living on the island for a month, without a chance of getting away, but I have found that visitors, generally speaking, enjoy themselves so well that they are sorry when they have to leave. Many, when asked how they spent their time, say that they could not tell. It seemed to pass naturally and pleasantly, and they will all declare that they have benefited both mentally and physically by their stay on the island. “Although as the crow flies it is only 5J by 3J miles, it seems much larger after landing. Being hilly and undulating, and intersected by deep valleys, and with gentle slopes rising up to the top of the mountain, as it is called, the eye sees a great deal from almost any point. The highest point, Mount Pitt, 1080 feet, is easily accessible on one side by motor and on the other side by good bridle tracks through the bush. All the slopes leading up this elevation are covered in dense bush, consisting of large Norfolk pine trees, ironwood, white wood, maple, and many other kinds of large trees. Palm trees not unlike our nikau palm, but much larger, and fern trees like our punga fern, grow to a great height on the mountain slopes. The top of Mount Pitt is cleared of bush and covered with paspalum grass, affording a fin* picnic ground with unparalleled view, showing the whole island surrounded by the sea.

SIGNS OF BAD OLD DAYS. “The island is said to have 70 or 80 miles of roads, made 100 years ago, when the island was a convict settlement. The unfortunate convicts also planted the fine avenue of Norfolk pines, nearly two miles long, in the centre of the island. Some visitors are interested in the ruins of the convict prisons at Kingston, a flat piece of country on the southern side. The walls and many of the cells are still intact, and testify to the hard labour inflicted and cruel treatment of these unfortunates, some of whom had been transported for political offences. “The Pitcairn Islanders, when they came to the island, as a new home in 1856 ,trjed to demolish the prison buildings, considering them a revolting blot on the island, but the stones were so well laid and cemented that their efforts were futile. “There are only four of the Pitcairn Islanders now alive, but their descendants number about 800, and although several generations have passed, the Tahitian strain is still evident in many of them —the females especially. They are called Islanders, and those who nace come to the island since are known as Mainlanders, 75 per cent, of whom are from New Zealand.

“Until the arrival of Mainlanders as planters, less than ten years ago, there was very little grown for export, and the islanders having their own plantations free grew everything they necdwl —their dress was very simple and they did not require much money. The catching of an occasional whale provided ample funds in which they all participated. Whales pass close to the island every year in October and November, on their way to and from the Antarctic Ocean. NOT SAFE FROM SLUMP. “The Mainlanders, who number about 400 now, have plantations producing, along with islanders’ crops, ever 3,000 cases of bananas for export every month, besides shipments of potatoes, beans, oranges and vegetable crops. All these crops are shipped in cases made from the Norfolk pine, cut to standard lengths by the four sawmills on the island. The world depression is making itself felt on the island in the low market prices ruling for produce. The position is being met in a fine spirit by all, and rigid economy is practised, to avoid incurring debts. Fortunately for the community, there are no heavy administrative costs, involving taxation. “Community service keeps the roads, buildings and piers in repair. AH males Irom 18 to 60 y ars of age are compelled to work 15 days each .year <•: roads or public Luihlm-*, ui pay £3-

The men are called out for three day* ? work, in rotation, about 250 at a call, jT and work in gangs near their homes. This community service is helpful, apart from the work done in promoting sociability and friendliness. After * public works call, there is always a better feeling of friendliness noticeable, as there is no distinction made ia placing the men at their work. “Tourists staying over six months on the island and erstwhile business and, professional men who have settled' there work alongside dark-skinned islanders, and sit on the road drinking morning and afternoon tea (provided by the nearest house), enjoying the jokes and stories told during the repast, the birds at the same time fluttering nearby picking up the crumbs.

ISLAND BIRD-LIFE. “The birds of the island are very interesting. Around on the north-west side of the mountain, where there is more natural bush, they are very tameThe Norfolk Island thrush, called the Tamey, is a splendid whistler, and at least one of them will attach itself to a house, and if fed, will come on to one’s hand, and eat butter or sugar. They are generally given a name, such as Charlie or .Dickie, and some people who feed them at set times for a week say they afterwards come to the door and whistte, exactly at the correct time each day. I “The robin red-breast is a beautiful creature, with a white spot like a little helmet on his head. This bird, accompanied by its little reddish brown consort, will generally come close up to one and pick up crumbs. They always keep in pairs. The cock robins do not fight when in competition for a mate, but instead they perform a dance, hopping backwards and forwards in parallel lines, and tossing their little heads, the female robin standing a few feet upart watching the peitorinance. In a few minutes, ona claims its little brown mate, aud the other cock robin makes off in the opposite direction. The large red island parrots have beautiful plumage, and are very noisy. The green bronze dovee and guava birds are quiet birds. The black and white island sparrow » larger than the common sparrow end rather timid. Fantails fly down to the table during meal times catching flies. "Among the sea birds, is tre white tern, which lays its egg on the bare branch of a tree feeds its chick for three months with fish, carrying four or five in its beak at once. There are very few insects, and none except a ’ harmless mosquitoe that causes any annoyance. Bush rats and mice are the only wild animals. They were very much in evidence tost summer, owing to the heavy crops of passion fruit growing wild and. falling on the ground in the bush. ITS OWN HARBOUR PROBLEM. “Owing to the height of the cliffs there are only four or five places where one can safely reach the water’s edge. At Kingston, where the land is flat, there is a beautiful bay (Etnly Bay) whire ladies and children can bathe in safety and comfort, the water in summer being warm owing to the sandy bottom. There are also several beaches where bathing is indulged in, but only good swimmers can venture far from the shore, owing to the heavy breakers. The islanders are expert swimmers, aud seem to have very little fear of the sea. TIPS FOR TOURISTS “Tourists find walking easy, after a week’s stay on the island. There are some delightful walks up the mountain sides, and through the bush, and tourists And the grass tracks pleasant to walk on. Owing to the undulating and winding nature of the roads, the view is continually changing. On the higher parts of the island the deep blue colour of the sea generally gives a fine background. Fishing and boating is indulged in by the residents, some of whom go out in boats and down the sides of the fliffs, and catch .fish off the rocks. There are seven -or eight guest-houses on the island, with very reasonable tariff—so/- a week being the highest. “The s.e. Morinda, a splendid 2,000ton steamer, with three decks, leaves Auckland every sjx weeks for the island, fare £l5 return, and from November to May, Norfolk Island has the most agreeable climate one could wish for. Strange to say, they get more tourists from Sydney, which is a five days’ trip, while from Auckland the island is reached in less than three days. Free from the atmosphere of business and surrounded by nature in all its beauty, and where time hardly counts, after a short time on the island one’s nerves soon become steady. The air is very exhilarating, even in warm weather, and visitors develop great energy after a week or two. “It is a pity,” concluded Mr Wilson, “that it was not included as part of New Zealand and then with a subsidised mail boat, there might be a more frequent steamer service. The majority of the Mainlanders being New Zealanders, naturallv have interests here, and they purchase largely from Auckland. Unfortunately prices for their produce realise far less here than in Australia. This with the exchange at 3/- in the £ against them, is causing most of the trade to drift to Australia.”