STEPHEN’S ISLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 7 December 1940, Page 9

STEPHEN’S ISLAND

(Original) Stephen’s Island is an island off D’Urville Island, of 360 acres, and it rises 1,000 feet above sea level. On this island is situated the lighthouse which guards all shipping, also they have a radio beacon for ships’ planes. On the island there are four men with their families who are lighthouse keepers. Their duty is ti watch the shipping, send weather reports, etc. Their only means of communication with the outside world is by radio to Wellington, and the mail boat which comes every Friday from the French Pass. The families between them have six cows, a few hundred sheep, and good vegetable gardens. They all have radio and electric light. The children do their school work by correspondence. On the island live some large lizards called tuataras. They are up to two feet long and live in the ground. They are quite harmless. Sea pigeons also live here. They are like*a small pigeon, and every year at a certain time they come to Stephen’s Island to lay eggs, and hatch their young. They come in millions, and live in the ground all day. and come out at night and make a terrific noise. Stephen’s Island is a very nice place in fine weather when you can get a good view of the North Island, but when it is rough, the best place is inside by the fire. Catherine Reynish (10 years), Nelson.