NORFOLK ISLAND

Southland Times, Issue 21835, 12 October 1932, Page 4

NORFOLK ISLAND

CONTENTED PEOPLE.

LARGE EXPORT OF FRUIT.

Four hundred miles north of Auckland lies a charming islet where the tax collector is unknown and where 900 people lead a happy, contented though unambitious existence, engaged for the most part in fruit growing. In this fortunate isle, Norfolk Island, Mr J. S. Baxter spent a pleasant holiday, from which he has just returned; and yesterday, at the request of a Southland Times reporter, he supplied some interesting facts about this minute possession of Australia.

“The island is only five miles long by three miles broad,” said Mr Baxter. “An administrator and a council of twelve are in charge, the oversight being from Sydney. Six members of the council are appointed by the New South Wales Government and six are elected by popular vote. The inhabitants, numbering close on 900, are practically all Europeans. In some of these there is a slight Tahitian strain, for descendants of those who participated in the mutiny of the Bounty' settled at Norfolk Island The whole community lives on excellent terms, every person being known to the other. There is a magistrate on the island, one constable, two lawyers, a Methodist, an Anglican and a Seventh Day Adventist minister. There is a large school in the centre of the island, with about 300 pupils on the roll, and a kindergarten. At one time the island was a convict station and many gruesome relics of those early days remain. Two gaols are now used as Government offices. There is, however, no taint of convict blood in the inhabitants. Fruit Industry. “The fruit growing industry is the principal source of revenue. A very large quantity of bananas is grown, most of the residents possessing a banana plantation. Passion fruit, oranges and guavas are also grown extensively. as well as early vegetables for the Sydney market. Though there are no particularly wealthy people on the island there are many who are quite comfortably off, their banana plantations having been remunerative before the slump came and reduced the price of a case from £1 or more to 5/i. Living is cheap. There are no taxis. The island has not yet become a great tourist resort owing to the limited steamer service. Nevertheless it is most attractive and restful to visitors, not a few of whom have decided to spend the rest of their days there. “There are no sheep on the island save for a few which are occasionally obtained from Sydney for eating purposes. There are plenty of cattle, many of inferior type, but some splendid beasts. A great number are grazed on a common. A small but hardy type of horse is to be found everywhere. The roads are fairly satisfactory in fine weather, but their clayey surface is very slippery when the rain comes. There must be close on 100 motor cars and trucks on the island. It is unlikely that the roads will ever be first class, for no metal and gravel are obtainable. It is possible to leave the island by steamer only twice a month, on one occasion Sydney being the destination, on the other Auckland. The vessel is quite comfortable and efficient. Absence of Bars. "There are scores of boarding-houses, mostly with a very limited number of rooms, but quite satisfactory in all respects. There is no bar at which alcoholic liquor is sold. Once a week liquor may be obtained for medicinal purposes—with a wide interpretation of the word medicinal. The doctor dispenses cards to applicants who require liquor, these cards being counter-signed by the administrator. The system is fairly sound, though irregularities inevitably occur. However,. I saw only one drunk man while I was there. He had celebrated a football match most unwisely. The islanders were quite keen on football. The hospital is under the control of an ex-Invercargill woman, Matron Hawkes. Flora and Fauna. “English flowers grow luxuriantly on Norfolk Island and there are many beautiful native flowering shrubs, There are dense forests and some very stately trees. The well-known Norfolk Island pine grows up to 200 feet. There are white and yellow oaks, maples, tree ferns, palms, acacias and a bloodwood which when bruised exudes a liquid which is remarkably like blood and which is a fast dye. There are also many wild lemon trees, with fruit in abundance. The birds include a large red parrot, a green parrot, a green-bronze dove, a Guava bird, gannets, a native pigeon and many smaller types seen in New Zealand.

“Altogether the» island is a very pleasant place for a restful holiday in a delightfully mild climate,” concluded Mr Baxter.