CONTRASTS OF ROTUMAH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 17

CONTRASTS OF ROTUMAH

OUTLYING FIJI ISLAND.

RECENT MEDICAL INSPECTION. MANY NATIVES DISEASED. [from our own correspondent.] SUVA. Oct. 5. Away 300 miles north-north-west of Fiji lies tho little 14 square milo island of Rotumah. Far off tho beaten track of steamers, it is visited only now and again by Burns, Philp's steamer, tho Malake, an occasional schooner and about onco a year by the Fiji Government yacht, tho Pioneer. It is, of course, included in the Fiji group. It is ono of the richest gems of tho South Pacific, but thore are many clouds on its horizon. It has a dreadful climate, hot and "sticky," except for two or threo months in the year. It is credited with having more flies than the rest of tho Fiji group put together; they are the most aggressive flies possible, and the mosquitoes aro most insistent. This was how Dr. Lambert, of tho Rockefeller Foundation. stationed in Suva, described it after an official visit there by tho Pioneer somo weeks ago. It is a picture full of contradiction, but that is how the island appealed to him. Idle Natives. The Rotuinan toils not, neither does ho spin. In consequence, the health of tho 2366 inhabitants of tho island is not all it should bo. Tho greatest apparent need in Rotumah to-day, said Dr. Lambert, is something which will either compel tho natives to do some steady work, or take somo regular exercise. During muc days there ho inspected 2020 of the inhabitants, which was considered to bo the, best percentage ever vet inspected. Village by villago was taken and all tho people examined, particularly for skin diseases and yaws. Tho natives fell in very willingly with the operations. Fully 60 per cent .of the people suffer from tertiary yaws, while about one-third of them have elephantiasis. About 18 per cent, of the islanders aro affected in some way with eye trouble. Little or no tuberculosis was found, but more than half the population is affected with scabies. About 13 lepers were ail that were to bo found on the island, and they will shortly be taken to.Makogai. Dr. Lambert was very much struck with the economic side of the food problem in Rotumah. Pork is very popular, but he believes that it would bo a sound proposition for tho Rotumans to do away with every pig they have and import them when they are required. His reason for this extraordinary statement is that tho pigs are fed almost entirely on copra, which accounts foi something liko 2000 tons of copra per annum, according to rough estimates. Another trouble which the Rotumans have to put up with, and which hits a verv serious effect on the copra output, is the fact that, drinking water is very scarce and consequently cocoanut milk is used very largely to quench thirst, and thus much more copra is lost. The presence of the pigs everywhere m the island is responsible for a most objectionable stench, from which it is difficult to get away. Roading and Motors. Mm-li mtv tine road work has been earned out recently and whereas, in 1924, when the doctor was there before, there were onlv two or three, motor-cars, thero are now' 23 or 24 round the island. The natives are very proud of their roadways, particularly that portion connecting up one of the townships on a peninsula which could only be reached by whaleboats previously. Tho portion is not yet finished, but is being solidly constructed of coral and represents much sacrifice on the part of the natives, who do not. as a rule, do any work at all. One native who conducted Prolessor Henderson, a member of tho party, said off-handedlv that bo never worked for less than £1 a day, but that he did not wish to take any money from the professor. This was no idlo boast, I-ijians who go there get as much as 8s r 10s a day in addition to their food. Even a cirl to look after children requires £4 a month and all her food- The natives do not work their own copra, but leaso their plantations out at a good figure. In tho few years which have elapsed since his previous visit. Dr. Lambert savs that a wonderful change for tho better has como over tho whito population of the island and there is now quite a social spirit abroad. Golf and tennis clubs havo been organised, in which there is no social distinction, or colour line either. Many of tho chiefs play golf and even the popular French priest tucks up his skirts and does his round reguLambert could not speak highly enough of the fine work being done by Dr. Carew in Rotumah. He is held in tho greatest respect by both Europeans and natives alike.