ISLAND SETTLEMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1930, Page 20

ISLAND SETTLEMENT

ONE OF KERMADEG GROUP. MANY ATTRACTIONS OF LIFE. Prospects of life on a tropical island, accompanied by many of the amenities of civilisation, and with a properly regulated system of law and order, are held out by a scheme which lias been launched in Auckland, states the New Zealand Herald, for the settlement of Sunday Island, the chief island of the Kermadec Group. This island lies 642 miles to the north-east of 'Auckland, a distance of two and a-lialf days’ steaming, and its extreme fertility and genial climate oiler many attractions to those who deeire to make a-home where hard work and pleasure can easily be combined. Details of the scheme' which have been described by the promoters reveal a business-like thoroughness of preparation which should commend the project to those who desire something more than the mere prospect of adventure in tropical seas. A carefully planned system of social regulation and administration will ensure the. settlement being founded on a basis of permanency, and, as a further assistance to this end, it is proposed that the island should be settled by families and not by single men. The key to the scheme is the provision of a , regular and dependable system of conununication with Auckland, and this aspect of the project is being given earnest consideration. Sunday Island, which is about seven miles long and four miles broad, is a hilly broken island of wonderful fertility. It has level stretches of land which are well suited to cultivation, and it is one of these areas which the promoters propose to acquire for settlement. On the north-east 'coast of the island there is a fine sandy beach where landings can be effected in normal weather.-' At other times a good landing can be obtained at Fishing Rock, a small promontory to the south of the beach, which extends well out beyond the breaker line.: The island was first settled about 60 years ago by the Bell family, who cultivated a portion of the level .land very assiduously and established some very fine gardens. The family subsequently sold their property in the island and an option over the freehold has been acquired by the promoters •of the present scheme. ■ The project was stated by the promoters yesterday to be arousing intense . interest from people in various parts of the North Island, and numbers of inquiries had been received. Although the business details of the scheme have not at present been disclosed, it was ascertained yesterday that the proposal is to select ten families to form the nucleus of the little settlement.

The land will be surveyed as equitably as' possible, and each family will receive the freehold of an area of about 27 acreri, leaving an area of five acres which will be vested in the community as common land. As women will be members of the party, and the settlement will thus acquire a character of permanency, a nurse will also be one of the members of the settlement. The social system will be based on the principle of mutual help. Of the small capital required from the settlers a certain sum will be reserved for a common fund for the purchase of such implements as can bo shared by all members, and which could not feasibly be purchased by individuals. For the maintenance of law and order it is proposed that any disputes which yuay arise should be settled by an elected council. The promoters of the scheme are confident that the business-like basis on which it has been undertaken will ensure its smooth operation. Extreme care will be used in the selection of families for settling the island, aud when the has left New Zealand there will be interested parties in Auckland to watch over their welfare, and to represent them in their trading activities. . The farming of produce for the New Zealand market will be the chief occupation of the settlers. Fruits and vegetables of the’ temperate zone can be grown in abundance in the climate of Sunday Island, and it is anticipated that supplies will be available so as not to clash with the local seasons. There is also a scheme for the construction of a road from the north-east beach to Fishing Rock, to facilitate the shipping of produce, and the conformation of the rock renders possible and desirable the establishment of a crane for the handling of cargo. Wireless communication will be maintained with New Zealand and for the purpose .of signalling ships should the need arise. The type of settlor required by the promoters will be hard-working men and women, of steady cltaracter, and with sufficient education to adapt themselves to the conditions of life on a' small island away from civilisation.