PACIFIC PARADISE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17945, 24 November 1932, Page 10

PACIFIC PARADISE

LORD HOWE ISLAND BEAUTIES OF SIMPLE LIFE The care-free contentment of life on a Pacific island was described tins week by Mr. G. W. Allsap, formerly an architect practising in Auckland. After an absence of 17 months, over 10 of which were spent on beautiful Lord Ilowe island, Mr. and Airs. Ailsop have returned to Auckland to spend the summer travelling with motor car and tent. In July, 1941, they felt on a tour embracing Sydney, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Melbourne, Tasmania, Lord Howe. Island and Norfolk Island. It was their intention to remain at Lord Howe for only three weeks, but so charmed were they with tile beauties of this small Pacific paradise that they decided to winter there, aid remained for 42 weeks. Although only 420 miles from Sydney, or about 40 hours’ run by boat, which calls every three weeks, Mr. Alkop said the lagoon of the island was spanned by ii reef of coral, which was the southernmost coral reef m the world. Its presence was accounted for by a warm ocean stream, in the bright clear water of which tuvnm innumerable tropic fish of brilliant colors. HARE! 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 ft lagoon from 4ft.. to Bft. deep. Among the beautiful fish to lie seen iu the lagoon was the rare butterfly cod. Its fins were Jargo like the wings of a butterfly, and brilliantly colored, with fringed edges that waved gracefully to and fro as it swam. It did not leap like a flying fish, and was not edible. Trevalii, mullet, whiting, cod and a large species of garfish were among the edible fish which abounded. The island itself, which was bordered on both sides by many beaches, was covered with bus'll, all but about three square miles that were cutivated. At one end rose two mountains, Mount Gower, 2840 ft., which could be seen for 70 miles, and Mount Ladgbird, which was not quite so high. Growing among the bush were beautiful decorative kentia 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 tho Board on the island. Motor cars, cinemas and 1 liquor wore not, to be seen. The proceeds of the sale of the .Kentia palm seed, which was indigenous only to Lord Ilowe Island, were invested by the board and tho interest paid to the settlers, so that, in .spite of the economic depression, they wove 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 flown. The porous nature of the soil prevented mud from forming. The temperature was about 85 degrees in the shade in summer and about 50 degrees m 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, said Mr. Ailsop, and much entertaining was done. Guests were always welcomed, and much of tho time was passed in visiting and dancing. Nearly every home had its wireless set and gramophone or piano, and a wireless communications 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 Hie eggs of parasiteeating birds. War had been waged on them and a bounty was paid for their tails. Last year 20,CC0 tails were collected. A profitable industrial side line had been developed bv *a number of the younger settlers. They had formed themselves into a shark fishing company.