NORFOLK ISLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5509, 14 July 1879, Page 6

NORFOLK ISLAND.

[from our own correspondent.] June 23. The Venture, from your port, anxiously expected, ; put in an appearance, after a very boisterous passage, on the 9th iust., via Bay and Mongonui. She has on board two boat - and whaling-gear purchased in the , Bay, and goes to Bampton Shoals humpbacking, first landing a cargo of horses at Noumea. Her " boat hsaders" and " steerers" go from the island, and comprise some of our "crack" men, so that she ought to have a good account to shew at the end of the season. The Ganga, mail steamer, from Sydney to Levuka, called on the evening of the 14tb, to land Dr. P. H. Metcalfe, our new docter, appointed by the Governor in Sydney to succeed Dr. Duke, who resigns through ill-health. The Gunga calls in on her way back. The Marion, from Auckland, arrived on the 18th, and reports a heavy-weather passage. The captain not being able to dispese of his cargo of timber, sailed for Noumea on the 20th. The American whaler Canton, Captain Shermrfn, called on the 21st, but only landed for letters— going right off again. We have had a plethora of festivities lately. First comes a picnic to the doctor on the top of Mount Pit—a joint-stock affair— which was very enjoyable; there being a lovely day, good epread, and a grand view. The road had only just been cleared, and is now made good from " Burnt Pine" over to " Red Road," and out to Cascade. Next came the Queen's Birthday, kept up with much spirit, cricket and picnicing predominating. A semi-official dinner was given at the residence of the reigning magnate, cards being issued but to a few outeide the official circle. Among the guests were noticed his two colleagues in office, the Colonial Surgeon, Metereological Observer, Signals, an ex-official or two, the Rev. Principal and the ladies of the mission, &c. The usual toasts on such occasions were given and responded to, wo hear; but alas, we received no card, consequently can give no details. In the evening, a ball took place in the Court-room, honoured by the presence of the rice-regal party. Anniversary Day, 3th, falttnggSa Sunday, the : following Wednesday was gazetted, and this day the people determined to keep thoroughly. All the youngsters of any size, descendants of the mutineers, . formed a party, called the " Bounty's " crew, having officers, boatswain, and all details complete, —the get-np being -admirable. After parading the town sufficiently, to the great delight of the women-folk, the boatswain marched hiß men to the . cricket ground, where tha great event of the day took place—Mutineers v. All Comers. Of course eo great display of skill was expected, fun being the order of the day, at the same time some of the Mutineers shewed good cricket, the other side being all abroad. ■When the stumps were drawn at sun-down, the "All-comers" had to go in for their second innings. The match, although not concluded, may be credited to the "Tars," as they had considerably the best of it. In a neat speech, at the end of the proceedings, the Magistrate, after thanking the boys for the entertainment, announced the resumption of the match (D.Y.) that day twelvemonths, which was received with cheers and connter-cheers. The musio consisted of a broken-down harmonium, a big fiddle, and three or four little fiddles, which discoursed to admiring juveniles during the day. Of course the inevitable ball took place in the evening. We are passing through an epidemic of cricket —that sport being now the national pastime of the island. Two or three matches have been played, noticeably on* on the 28th ult., which was considered "the" event of the season —Country v. Town. In a previous match the country had given the town quite a drubbing, as they say, and this was supposed to be a " moral" for the same gentlemen. This prognostication was, however not correct, as the Country sustained a most disastrous defeat, being beaten in one innings with 19 runs to spare. The bowling and fielding of the Town eleven (Forty Baffit, captain) was remarkably good, but the country boys did not play up to their "form," and appeared to be out of fettle altogether. A concert by the Longbridge Amateur Singing-class, in honour of the Bampton whaling party, was given on the evening of lie 13th instant/. The Bounty's crew attended bj request, but somewhat marred the evening's entertainment—having „the effect of making the young ladies nervous, and curtailing the programme. It : passed off very well though considering, the class singing being remarkably good. A. boat accident took place on ttie evening of tho 14th. Two boats—Phillip's and Stephen's—that had been round the Island with the doctor, Gn returning in the evening, found it a hard job to get ashore, the water having become tronbled during the day. Phillip got in safely with the.doctor and mission party after a narrow squeak, but poor Stephen caught a " tartar," that sent him, crew, and passengers,, tunnelling. The Burf was very bad, and some of the people had a curious time of it before reaching shore, Norfolk Islanders though they were. The boat, a new Yankee whaleboat, was hopelessly wrecked, and washed up by the " blow-hole," where others of the islanders got it shortly after. The whaling party are beginning to wake up, but are not so enthusiastic as in former yeara. It is a mcot question whether whaling should not be given up altogether, and some other occupation substituted, the low price of oil offering little margin of profit. The weather during May, and to date, has been exceptionally wet, cold, and squally, high winds from N.N. W. to S.W. prevailing, interspersed with occasional days of stormy weather. For the six months ending May, 25 "94 inches of rain fell, and last Tuesday and Wednesday, 24th and 25th, 5 inches. All at the mission are well. The Sonthem Cross is expected next week from the Islands, and, after taking stores to Banks Islands, will go to Sydney to await tho arrival of tho Bishop. Her after movements are uncertain. This j.fternoon (29th) quite a number of people assembled to witness the formal presentation, by the Magistrate, of an address to Dr. Herbert Duke, who leaves to-morrow by the s.b. Gunga (expected). After reading the address, the Magistrate (Mr. F. M. Nobbs) said that he was happy to inform the doctor that tho address was signed by every person in the community, without exception, and that he cordially endorsed the text. The money—a very handsome sum for the island— he was glad to say, would be sent to Sydney, and a suitable present selected and presented to him before his departure for England. Dr. Duke, who was much affected, made a suitable reply. Tho address ran as follows:—"Dr. Herbert . Dnke, colonial surgeon : We, the undersigned, representing the entire community of Norfolk Island, on the eve of your departnre from amongst us, desire to express our high appreciation of your conduct during your professional sojourn on the island. At all times and seasons your courteous manner and genial deportment have gained tho hearts of all, old and young, and all regret the necessity that compels you to retire. Your departure will also leave a blank in the community not easily filled, and the frequenters of,the cricket-field will long miss the cheery presence and kind word that always greeted them. When we bid you farewell you take with you our heartfelt wishes fpryour future welfare; and the accompanying

present—o£ no great value perhapß, but testifying as to our great regard—will serve to remind you of loving friends and kindly well-wishes far away." The health" of the island is good.