NORFOLK ISLAND NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20818, 10 March 1931, Page 11

NORFOLK ISLAND NEWS.

BURGLARY AT A STORE. LARGE BANANA SHIPMENT. [from our own correspondent.] NORFOLK ISLAND, Feb. 25. For about, the tenth time the general store of Mr. J. W. Jenkins, of Middlegate, was broken into on Sunday evening. Entrance was gained through the roof of a lean-to, where two sheets of iron overlapped. The burglars evidently had a duplicate key of the safe, as its contents, over £24, mostly in silver, were taken, and the safe locked again. Nothing else had been disturbed. Mr. Jenkins is in Australia on business.

Consequent upon the floods in Queensland curtailing the supply of bananas to the Sydney market, Norfolk Island growers were requested by Sydney merchants to send all the fruit available. A heavy shipment which was sent realised from 14s to 30s a case, according to grading. Another 1500 cases were shipped to-day. Two characteristics of the Norfolk Island boys and girls invariably attract the notice of visitors. They are always courteous to strangers, and the boys are never seen stoning the birds. Birds are plentiful and unusually tame. The most picturesque is the robin redbreast jet black with white markings and a breast of brilliant crimson. The most fascinating singers are the grey bush warbleis, which are very plentiful. When on his recent visit to Canberra, the Administrator, Colonel A. J. Bennett, verified his power to deport undesirables" from the island. Since his return one man has been returned to Sydney. Several others are said to be "skating on very thin ice." Parents and citizens recently extended a welcome to the newly-appointed school headmaster, Mr. C. S. Nichols, Mis. Nichols, the assistant, Mr. Ft. 0. Donnisson, and junior teacher, Miss Olga, Robinson. The Administrator, Colonel A. J. Bennett, presided. The Administrator, Colonel A. J. Bennett, and a jury of seven, investigated a charge of manslaughter against a driver in connection with a recent motor-car fatality. The accused was acquitted.