PACIFIC PARADISE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21345, 21 November 1932, Page 9

PACIFIC PARADISE

LORD HOWE ISLAND

RETURN OF AUCKLANDERS

BEAUTIES OF SIMPLE LIFE

The care-free contentment of life on a Pacific island was described at the weekend by Mr. G. W. Allsop, formerly an architect practising in Auckland. After an absence of 17 months, over ten of which were spent on beautiful Lord Howe Island, Mr. and Mrs. Allsop have returned to Auckland to Spend the summer travelling with motor-car and tent. In July, 1931, they left on a tour embracing Sydney, New Guinea, 'Solomon Islands, Melbourne, Tasmania, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. It wa3 their intention to remain at Lord Howe for only three weeks, but so charmed were they with the beauties of this small Pacific paradise that they decided to winter there, and remained for 42 weeks. Although only 420 miles from Sydney, or about 40 hours' run by boat, which calls every three weeks, Mr. Allsop said the lagoon of the island was spanned by a reef of coral, which was the southernmost coral reef in the world. Its presence was accounted for by a warm ocean stream, in the bright, clear water of which swam innumerable tropic fish of brilliant colours.

Rare Butterfly Fish

The island was crescent shaped, being about seven miles long and one mile wide. The reef ran from point to point of the crescent, enclosing a lagoon from 4ft. to Bft. deep.

Among the beautiful fish to be seen in tho lagoon was the rare butterfly cod. Its fins were large like the wing 3 of a butterfly, and brilliantly coloured, with fringed edges that waved gracefully to and fro as it swam. It did not leap like a flying fish, and was not edible. Trevalli, mullet, whiting, cod and a large species of garfish were among the edible fish which abounded. The cod weighed as much as 1121b. Fishermen were spared the necessity of casting a line and waiting for what might turn up. The water, was so clear that they cruised about until they saw a school of fish below them and then let go their lines. The island itself, which was bordered on both sides by many beaches, was covered with bush, all but about three square miles that were cultivated. At one end rose two mountains, Mount Grower, 2840 ft., which could be seen for 70 miles, and Mount Lidgbird, which was not quite so high. Growing among the bush were beautiful decorative Kentiji palms, the seed of which was collected by the settlers and exported, being their main source of revenue.

No Motors or Cinemas

There were about 120 settlers on the island, the majority being of mixed European and Tahitian descent. No one owned any of the land, which -was administered by a board of control at Sydney. Three of the settlers elected by themselves represented the board on the island. Motor-cars, cinemas and liquor were not to be seen. The proceeds of the sale of the Kentia palm seed, -which was indigenous only to Lord Howe Island, were invested by the board and the interest' paid to the settlers, so that, in spite of the economic depression, they were still receiving income and practically unaffected.

Fruit was abundant, ' and included bananas, oranges, mandarins and strawberries, of which there were two crops a year. The island was free from dust and mud as, although it was volcanic, the rainfall of about 90in. a year was so well scattered that the dust was always kept down. The porous nature of the soil prevented mud from forming. The temperature was about 85 degrees in the shjide in summer and about 50 degrees in winter. The underground streams were not altogether suitable for domestic water supplies, and tank water was used. Many Simple Pleasures

The people were very hospitable, 6aid Mr. Allsop, and much entertaining was done. Guests were always welcomed, and much of the time was passed in visiting and dancing. Nearly every home had its wireless set and gramophone or piano, and a wireless communication service with the mainland was maintained. The steamer from Sydney nearly always brought 40 or 50 tourists. There was no proper provision for golfers on the island, although much tennis was played, and there was a very fine bowling green. Wild pigs and goats were to be found on the island. One form of sport, however, was rat hunting in the bush. The rats had been introduced _ with cargo landed from a steamer which ran temporarily ashore, and they had taken to the bush and multiplied enormously. They attacked the seeds of the Kentia palm and also ate the eggs of' parasiteeating birds. War had been waged on them and a bounty was paid for their tails. Last year 20,000 tails were collected. A profitable industrial side line had been developed by a number of the younger settlers. They had formed themselves into a shark fishing company and built a shed and plant on the .island. They had a whaleboat, in which they went oat for any distance up to ten miles from the island, and caught from 30 to 70 sharks a day. The fish were anything from sft. to 10ft. long. They were skinned and dismembered, the skins being sent to Sydney for the manufacture of leather, and tho fins, tail and flesh being sent to China. Oil was extracted from the liver and the vertabrae were separated and stained, being used for necklaces and playing card counters.