ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23055, 4 December 1936, Page 10

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

' Osman," Dunedin.—Miss Helen Keller is carrying on her usual activities. " Tapanui."—The half holiday is fixed at a special meeting of the local authority held in the month of January in each

year. Hermit," Central Otago.—Sunday Island, the largest of the Kermadec group, is 600 sea miles from Auckland, 20 miles in circumference, and 7200 acres in extent. It was an " ocean post office " of early whalers, and many efforts have been made to.establish a settlement. The latest attempt was made last year. A writer pointed oul recently that despite its history of failure, earthquake, and pestilence, intrepid and fearless men, fully aware of Sunday Island's other disadvantages, are still found ready to venture all, willing to go out and strive to overcome the difficulties and dangers. There are tropical fruits on the island and possibly some of the plantations of previous settlers remain in a more or less wild state. We have no record of the insects which infest the island, but it is certain that it has its share of all pests. Rats are numerous, and some prospective settlers last year took with them two Alsatian dogs in the hope of overcoming them.