NORFOLK ISLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19417, 27 August 1926, Page 16

NORFOLK ISLAND.

RELATION TO NEW ZEALAND. TRADE WITH DOMINION. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS. • Mr. W. C. Burridge, writing from Norfolk Island, says Considerable interest has been manifested lately in Norfolk Island; the Government steamer Hinemoa has been running cargo and passengers from Auckland since last March, and many tourists and passengers have taken the opportunity of seeing for themselves the beauties of this celebrated place. The last trip of the Hinemoa carried 39 passengers, and all appeared delighted with their visit. The Islanders themselves have built a schooner—the Revolution —to trade between Auckland and Norfolk Island, hoping to find a ready market for their produce, which at present consists of bananas, oranges and sweot potatoes. Later on, no doubt, when regular steamer communication is secured, the number of products will be extended, as the island is eminently suitable to produce early potatoes, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, etc. Hitherto Sydney has been the Norfolk Islanders' principal market, but the grow- 1 ing connections with tropical Queensland militate against the Islanders. A market for some of their produce—principally early potatoes—has been secured in the New Hebrides, as Burns, Philp and Company's steamer trades from Sydney to Lord Howes Island, then calls at Norfolk Island en route to Vila, in the New Hebrides. On the return the steamer calls at the same ports. This service takes five weeks. The rough weather encountered by the newly-built Island schooner and the breakdown of her engines has damaged her perishable cargo of fruit and discouraged the producers, but, with better communication, Norfolk Island may yet become a formidable competitor with the other islands in the Pacific, as potatoes, kumaras, etc., can be grown the year around. Some. of last year's tomatoes are bearing even yet, while seedlings are being planted out in mid-winter. Climate and Soil. The Island is celebrated for its salubrious climate, the temperature seldom falling below 64 degrees in winter, and ranging up to 86 degrees in mid-summer, and is perfectly free from the tropical diseases prevalent in most hot countries. The soil is a rich chocolate loam, friable and easily worked, gently undulating, with gullies between, some with water in them, and water everywhere obtainable in shallow wells. The average height of the Island is about four hundred feet, but on Mount Pitt it attains 1050 ft., yet the soil is the same even upon the summit. The parklike appearance of the gently undulating land, interspersed with clumps and single specimens of the stately Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria excelsa) always calls for admiration from overseas visitors. The soil is very rich and the luxuriant growth of trees, plants, vines, etc., testifies to its fertility. » Coffee has been planted in many places, but is not cultivated —most of the trees running wild, with seedlings sprouting and growing up under the trees. It is surprising that coffee has not been grown in larger quantities as the Island coffee has received both commendation and good prices from merchants who have bought the crops. The. Islanders are hoping that their country will be taken over by the New Zealand Government as they realise that New Zealand will be their best market owing to its proximity. They have found that Australia, to which they belong, has tropical lands of its own, and that Queensland and Northern Territory can supply all the tropical products that the Commonwealth requires, and that railway communication with these parts will permit tropical products to be brought to its great cities more cheaply than they can bo brought from the Pacific Islands. Norlolls Island and New Zealand. When Norfolk Island secures dependable and modern rapid' steamer communication it will become to New Zealand what the Channel Islands are to Britain—a source from which supplies of early fruits, vegetables and flowers will be obtained owing to its superb climate,, rich soil and freedom from pests. Quite a number of tourists and healthseekers are already visiting the Island, both from Australia and New Zealand, .and a number of the local, residents are offering their homes as guest houses at a jremarkably'reasonable rate, and, doubtless, someone will shortly supply up-to-date boarding facilities for tourists and others. • . The Government steamer Hinemoa has already made three trips to the Island this "year, and is said to be fully booked up until the New Year. Humours of a fast oil steamer being provided for this trade , ar§ already floating around, and TSurns, Philp and Company are substituting a larger steamer for the Makambo, •which at present is connecting with Sydney and the New Hebrides. Quite an increased area of land is being added to that already in cultivation preparing for the larger export trade. Both Auckland and Sydney merchants are send-ing-agents to Norfolk Island to secure trade, and the reputation of the Norfolk Island oranges ifi- accountable for much of this. A number of the new settlers are eager and willing to try out a number of. new enterprises that the more conservative "Islanders hesitate to attempt. The -laUiich Koa, which was wrecked recently on her way to Norfolk Island, would no doubt have given a fillip to the whaling industry. Whales are still very plentiful around the Island and the season ; is. now beginning, but the crews are not for the work this season.