NORFOLK ISLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11534, 20 November 1900, Page 6

NORFOLK ISLAND.

[from otje own correspondent.] October 24. Burns, Philp and Co., the owners of the subsidised steamer, have now inaugurated a monthly service between Sydney and the Islands, calling at Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, for which they receive an increased subsidy, and it is stated that the contract is for a term of years. The new arrangements were begun on September 1 by the Ysabel, and thereafter the two steamers, Mambaro and Ysabel, -will leave Sydney alternately on the first of each month. As far as the produce trade of the islands is concerned, this service is of little use to growers; indeed, it is stated that the last two orange crops were lost on account of the poor facilities for shipping, and for which the steamer people are partly blamed. The ketch Dewdrop arrived from Sydney a few days ago, and returns to that port, fully laden with oil and other produce, this afternoon. The whaling is nearly over, no additions have been made to the score since last reported, when the "take" was eight whales, 26 tuns. October is the best month for the cows and calves, but unfortunately for the whalemen the weather the last two weeks has been uncommonly boisterous, presenting the boats going out, and thereby cutting off their last chance of making a good cut. The end of the month will finish the season, and the prospect of taking more oil is very glim. An epidemic of influenza and pneumonia has been very rife the last two months, but is now Blacking off. All the new cases of late are developing neuralgic symptoms. Three deaths occurred last week, Wednesday, 17th, Captain William M. Champion, aged 84-, pneumonia; 18th, Thomas Buffett, sen, aged 77, pneumonia; 19th, Michael McNamara, aged 67, misadventure. Captain Wm. Champion was a retired mariner, and an esteemed resident of many years' standing. He was contemporary with the elder Bishop Selwyn, of New Zealand, and, indeed, accompanied him in his early voyages to the Islands in the Undine, and other vessels as master, and he was also the cherished friend of Bishop Selwyn the younger. Mr. Thomas Buffett was an old Pitcairner, and a respected elder. He has a son in South Africa at the front, in the Imperial Bushmen. Poor Michael McNamara's death was very sad. He was employed at Government House, and early on the morning of Friday, the 17th, he went as usual into the paddock close by to drive a cow up to be milked. While doing this he is supposed to have been attacked by the imported bull sent here by the Government two or three months ago. Nobody appears to have seen the first contact, but almost immediately afterwards the accident was observed, when the bull was seen trampling and butting 'the man on the ground. Help was soon there, but it was too late, as the man's breast was almost a jelly, and death must have been very rapid. The magistrate held an inquest on the body at noon, but nothing beyond what has already been said was elicited. The bull is to bo returned to Sydney by the first opportunity, which will be a great satisfaction to the great majority of the people. The missionary vessel Southern Cross sailed for the Islands on the 19th ult., taking as passengers the Revs. O'Ferrall, Edgell, Adams, Mr. Nind, and several natives. The vessel is expected to return about the end of November, and will then go on to Auckland. . Archdeacon Palmer, of the Melanesian Mission, proceeded to Sydney on the 13th inst., by the Ysabel, on business, leaving the Rev. T. C. Cullwick in charge at StBarnabas'. The weather the last two or three weeks has been uncommonly boisterous, and cold was unusual at this time of year, but at present there is every indication of a change for the better. Weather notes for September : —Barometer : Highest on Bth, 29.886; lowest on 27th, 29.470. Thermometer: Maximum, 68; minimum, 58. Rain on 14 days, 3.78 in; winds westerly 24, easterly 6 days.