LORD HOWE ISLAND

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LX, Issue LX, 31 December 1910, Page 9

LORD HOWE ISLAND

To those whose geographicafTmowledge is slight, the locality of Lord Howe Ishnd presents v delightful mystery. It may be "just anywhere," and one hazards a guess covering the area where inlands most do congregate. One is sure t? ere will be palm trees and probably dusky cannibals. Thus it was that a correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald, bound for this island, found his Sydney friends* bidding a "tearful adieu," convinced that his fate was "to be tomahawked and eaten." For the )enefit of those who entertain similar ideas it should be explained that Lord Howe Island te less than six hundred miles from Sydney, and it does not po.sse'-s a colored population. This much the traveller knew, but he was not prepared for such beauties as he beheld in his distant view of Lord How© Island. It looked a "oerfect gem of the ocean," and his first impressions were in no way disappointing "The fascination of this land grows upon you day by day and hour by hour as you wander through its mazes of rich and varied flora, linger about the cosy bays set in woody hills, watching the ever-changing hues of the sea ; idly fishing with much success; plunging at early morning in the clear waters of the lagoon ; drinking in r.t every step the infinite phases of delicate beauty, \»hich will be a joy as long as life shall last." Perhaps that is why one old lady who had lived for fortythree years on the island, and then essayed life on the mainland, developed a passionate longing for the palms and the quiet bay.s when she reached Sydney town. Modern civilisation has not tioub ] od Lord Howe's population of 93. There the question is not "can man stand the strain?" but can he endure the monotony? Imagine life in a country whore the only vehicle, barring a sleigh, is a perambulator, and the only postmaster combines the duties of honorary dentist, district registrar, and special constable. What would life be without grocers', butchers', and bakers' bills? There are none in the island, for tlie simple reason that there are no tradesmen. It is worthy of mention that there is one gramaphone and one typewriter, likewise a school teacher, who, with the postmaster, makes up the full complement of public officials. The people are happy and prosperous, and probably would scorn to exchange their solitude for the bustle of Sydney.