NORFOLK ISLAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 71, 23 February 1932, Page 7

NORFOLK ISLAND

FEELING DEPRESSION. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT. THE ORIGINAL PITCAIRNERS. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, Feb. 22. Mr A. J. Bennett, Administrator of Norfolk .Island, in his annual report, says that Norfolk Island has felt the effects of the depression in the loss of tourist traffic from Australia and New Zealand, and the loss of trade in bananas with Australia, where the loc-ally-grown bananas are severely competing. However, there is increased trade with New Zealand, to which 11,812 cases of bananas were exported last year, and this offset the loss with Australia. The Administrator looks forward to increased tourist traffic with New Zealand as the result of the steamer Morinda replacing the Makambo; also the development of the vegetable and fruit trade with the Dominion by reason_ of the-establishment of a regular shipping service. The population of the island is How 992, comprising 545 males and 447 females. The deaths occurred during the year of three of the original Pitcairn Islanders—Henry Buffett, aged 84, Edith Adams, aged 78, and Emily Young, aged 76—while only five survived to celebrate June 8, 1931. which was the 75th anniversary of their landing on Norfolk Island. The five pioneers were: Ann Quintal; aged, 93, Cornelius Quintal, aged 90, Rachel Taylor, aged 82, George Christian, aged 78, and Marianne Buffet, aged 75. The value of the imports' from Australia last year was £43,370 and from New Zealand £11,988. HEALTHY ISLAND. “Norfolk Island is one ' of the healthiest places in the world, and very little demand is made on the hospital,” said Mr R. J. Love, chairman of the Hospitals Commission, on his return to Sydney recently. Dr. A. E. Colvin, another member of the commission, accompanied him on his holiday. Mr Love said that in large countries provision "was made for slightly more than 10 beds for each 1000 people. The hospital at Norfolk Island had about one bed occupied on the average, although there were 1000 residents. This was partly due to the islanders dislike of entering hosiptal, but more to the lack of occupational diseases, accidents from industry, and diseases which always beset large cities;