NORFOLK ISLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11562, 28 January 1901, Page 3

NORFOLK ISLAND.

[FROM OUK own oorbespondent.] January 12. The mail steamer Ysabel, Captain Bibbing, arrived off town from Sydney on the afternoon of the 7th inst. The mails and part of the cargo were taken ashore the same afternoon, the remainder of the cargo being] landed early the next morning, the steamer proceeding on her way to the Islands soon after. The steamer Mambare arrived from the Islands this morning, bound to Sydney, taking everyone by surprise, and consequently unprepared. The steamer was not expected before the 18th or 19th. The influenza epidemic is abating. There has been no fresh case for 10 days and the Government .medical officer (Dr. Metcalfe) reports the island as clean. There is, however, an epidemic of lawn tennis just now raging. A challenge cup has been subscribed for and procured, and is to be played for by the two competing clubs, Waveney and Longridgo, among whom a good deal of rivalry exists; consequently, now tho one topic of conversation is tennis. The cup matches begin next week. The election of three members of the Council of Elders, in place of Messrs. 0. M. Quintal. Seymour Buffett, and F. M. Quintal, who retire by rotation, took place on January 2, Mr. Isaac Robinson being the returning officer. Messrs. 0. M. Quintal, Eustace Christian, and F. M. Quintal were the suecessful candidates, and were declared duly elected. A young son of Leonard Christian, Henry Montague, aged nine years, was drowned on the afternoon of the 22nd ult. while fishing at Rocky Point. A surf larger than usual carried him off the rock. The body was not recovered until the next morning, and a magisterial inquiry was held on the following Monday, resulting in a verdict of accidental death being recorded. The Christmas festivities passed over very quietly indeed— nothing like old times; indeed, all the old animation and vim which characterised the older Pitcairners appears to have completely died out of the younger generation. Two deaths have occurred from influenza— Edward Quintal, aged 57, a Pitcairner, and a respected elder, and a little girl of three years. --.'-' . Vv :' , '■-■ .. , , People were beginning to get anxious about the continued dry weather, but now, for the present, their fears are allayed, as there was a good downpour of rain on the evening and night of the Bth inat., 2|in falling. Mr F- M. Nobbs, the Collector of Customs,' who has been very unwell, is better and returns to duty next Monday.