AT THE CHATHAMS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 140, 15 June 1908, Page 5

AT THE CHATHAMS.

+ ■■~ ■ EUROPEANS PERTURBED. LEASES ABO~UT~TO EXPIRE. A PLAGUE OF SWANS. [FHOM OUR CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 13. - Mr T. E. Taylor, who returned today from, a visit to the Chatham Islands, states that there appears to be a probability of a diminution in the white population there. It appears that the leases of most of the land belonging to the Maoris will expire in about three years' time, and it is anticipated that th© Maori owners will then require rentals #hich will have the effect of preventing Europeans from taking the land up. The result will probably be that the population of the Chathams in future will consist principally of Maoris and half-castes. The residents of the Chatham Islands are much perturbed by the tremendous increase of black swans, which were introduced there about ten years ago and which now appear in countless numbers. It seems that they threaten the existence of the wild ducks. Though such a nuisance, they are protected by proclamation, and the islanders naturally wish to have the protection removed. , Accordingly'they prevailed upon Mr T. E. Taylor to bring over a petition to the Government, signed by fifty-one persons, praying for the liberty to shoot the swans. Mr Taylor, on _ arrival at Lyttelton, handed the petition to Mr G. Laurenson, M.P., who undertook to forward it to the Colonial Secretary. . •■..-■'.. " ' " ■■' Police-Inspector Gillies also returned from the Chathams to-day. He says that there are two public-houses with accommodation licenses on the is- ! lands, both at WaitangL One of these is patronised chiefly by the European residents, and the other mainly by the Maoris and half-castes. The j Inspector found the little community; j a very orderly one indeed. He is ap- j ■ parently of the opinion that continuj ous residence on the Ohathams r.wouldbe just a trifle monotonous. ' ,