CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17862, 7 August 1918, Page 5

CHATHAM ISLANDS.

SHIPPING FACILITIES WANTED

NEED FOlt GOVERNMENT ACTION

In respect- to the telegram from Wei iington stating that Mi Zclirab, the manager of the Chatham Islands Fish ing Company, is unable -to arrange foi a- vessel to go 'to tho Chathams and pick up the Himitangi’s crew, Mr A, 'Peveriil, who recently paid a visit to 'the-' islands on Education Board business, thinks that under the circumstances, the Government ought to step in and send a steamer, if possible tho ■tlmemoa, to bring tlie men back. In addition, there was the matter of tile men engaged in the fishing industry there, w.tn' a plant worth £IO,OUO, and in Sir I’cvelill’s opinion something should be done to enable tness men to pursue .their means of livelihood. Jt rom what knowledge he possesses of the position where the Hitmtangi is lying, Mr Peveriil does not. fancy that a south-west g: la would affect the wreck; a north-wester would on the other hand, probably sink tin, ship. His trip through the Island* has caused Mr Peveriil to form a very high opinion of their possibilities, .and ho is "firmly convinced that if there wag a rcguirtr steamer service enough produce could bo grown there to supply die whole of Christchurch, tho land lifting capable of growing.fifty to sixty tons of potatoes to the acre. Hie population tufa is about four hundred,,, rondo up nearly equally of Europeans and Maoris.

The great, lack has always been in regard to shipping facilities, and a considerable handicap exists in the loading of stock on the steamers. The, stock are yarded, roped and driven, into the sea mid towed out by the surfbaa ts to the ship’s side, and there slung,, and lifted into tho steamer by the winch, soaked with sea water and very miserable looking. Sheep are driven into the surf-boats or lifted in.* about fifteen to twenty constituting a load. The establishment of better conditions at Waicangi, which has a rather fine harbour, by the building of a stone jetty running out into deep water, would obviate all this.

“ Now that the Hinntnngi has heart wrecked,” savs Mr PeyeriU, “ a larger steamer should be subsidised by.the Government, and run one trip per month, or in the stock season, say three trips in two months. The beef and mutton killed on the Island are equal to any in Canterbury, and it sufficient inducement were ottered there should be a good market here for all the stock they could raise." Mr Peverill is certain that the Chathams must be a large fishing centre for years to Come, as the sea teams with .fish of all kinds. With reasonable shipping facilities the Islands must become a valuable asset to New Zealand. At present, in Mr Peverjil’s .words, 'they are a" No Man’s Land.” Much could be effected by subdivision of the land, the making of roads and 1 the building of necessary bridges-

TUTANEKAI TO BE SENT.

[Per Pp.fss Association.] WELLINGTON, August 6. The manager of the Chatham Islands Fishing Company has arranged with the Minister of Marine to send the Tutanekai to the Islands to bring the crew of the wrecked Himitangi back to their homes. It is not yet known. when the vessel will leave Wellington.