LAST TIN-CAN MAIL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 70, 8 January 1947, Page 4

LAST TIN-CAN MAIL

UNIQUE SERVICE CLOSES ISLAND POPULATION EVACUATED The last tin-can mail has been dispatched. The tiny volcanic island of Niuafoou, in the Tongan group, more popularly known as Tin-Can Island has been evacuated. The evacuation was ordered bythe volcanic eruption this year, and was carried out by the Union Cornpan’s motor-ship Matua, which has now returned to Auckland.

Tin Can Island’s native population —nearly 1300—is now camped in Nukualofa, capital of the group, ; pending transfer to a new island home. The natives are happy at the thought of having found freedom from the fear of another upheaval, but at the same time they did not find it easy to leave the island, which has been their home for generations. Because the Matua is not a large ship—only 2100 tons —the natives were allowed to take only their closest personal possessions. They came aboard clutching small parcels wrapped in matting, each fam-' ily refusing to be parted from its precious kerosene lamp. Some of the’ natives who were' ferried out from the north-west side of the island, scene of the 1929 eruption, had never been aboard a ship of any size before. To them it was a fearsome experience, but they tried to hide their fear. The embarkation started at 7.30 a.m. on December 21, and continued all day until the last boat load left the island at 6 p.m. A light swell was running and a few natives fell into the water with their prized possessions while embarking, but no serious incidents marred the operation. Natives Travel Well Accommodation between decks and on deck, the natives travelled well, only a few suffering from seasickness. When the Matua reached Nukualofa at 5 p.m. the following day, they were taken in lorries to a camp which had been prepared for them some eight miles from the wharf. To look after cattle and other animals on Tin-Can Island, 48 natives were left behind by the Matua, but these are to be evacuated shortly by the Tongan Government vessel Hifofua, which assisted in the main embarkation. Dogs on the island will probably be destroyed. It is expected that other animals will be left to fend for themselves. Final plans for the evacuation were carried out so swiftly that philatelists had little opportunity to obtain Tin-Can Island “last covei’s.” About half a bag of mail was made up by residents of Suva, Vavau and Nukualofa and these letters will gain additional value from the unique method of their handling. The stamp of each letter in the bag was cancelled by the postmaster John Malekamu M., who wrote his. name and appointment and the date across each in turn. He was forced to do this because all the equipment - in his post office was lost in the September eruption. He may not have realised it, but as he laboriously cancelled each stamp, John Malekamu M. was writing the end to a chapter of Pacific Islands history. Barring further spectacular eruptions, Tin-Can Island, famed for its unusual mail service, must now slowly be forgotten.