LIVING ON COCONUTS
ISLAND CROPS FAIL SEVEN HUNDRED NATIVES IN SORRY PLIGHT. Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 12. Rumours of a shortage of food at Niuatobutabu, tho most northern island of tho Friendlies Group, reached Nukualofa recently. Tho people were reported as living solely on coconuts, the kumara and taro crops having failed on account of the annual rains being late. The Tongan Government considered the matter of sending relief, but, this being the hurricane season, tho owners of cutters large enough to undertake tho trip were not willing to risk their vessels. It is hoped tho jmsition is so serious as was reported. There are about 700 people on Niuatobutabu, which is extensively planted with coconuts. Communication with the island is very irregular.
Niuatobutabu was discovered by Le Mairo and Schouten in May 1616, and named Keppel Island by Wallis in 1767. This island, with Tafahi and Niuafou, forms part of tho kingdom of Tonga. The larger Keppel is about three miles long and one mile broad; tho height in general about 90 feet, with a hill in tho centre 350 feet high. West Island, to the south-west, separated by a narrow strait, is about three-quarters of a mile long and 70 feet high. Most of the natives live at the south-west end of the larger Keppcl.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8680, 13 March 1914, Page 5
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217LIVING ON COCONUTS New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8680, 13 March 1914, Page 5
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