NORFOLK ISLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 5

NORFOLK ISLAND.

Writing on February 7, our correspondent says:—■

The schooner Orpheus, from Torres Straits, bound your way, pub in this evening to renew her water and get some necessary supplies, and has afforded us an opportunity of sending along a mail. Since the Waiwera left, there is nothing of importance to chronicle. All the whalers have taken their departure either to the French Rock or the East Cape, cruising for gperm, and will not again put in an appearance here before the end of May or beginning of June. The dry weather still continues, and is causing some uneasiness, the unprecedented drought in the early spring months having retarded tho growth of the crops much ; and, besides, the usual January rains were conspicuous this year by their absence. However, I suppose wo will turn right end lissome of these days. A little steamer supposed to be the lona passed here bound north last Friday week, and we. expected she would call in 'on her way back. She has not, however, done so ; neither has the Taupo also partly expected. The latter steamer will call in here, though on her way to Melbourne to pick up the Rev. Mr. Palmer and Mrs. Palmer, who go to Victoria on business, and do not return until the June trip of the Southern Cross. The health of the island is good, but there has been one death through consumption, a young woman named I .aura Evans.