THE CHATHAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2063, 25 April 1907, Page 4

THE CHATHAMS.

A CHAT ABOUT THE ISLANDS. Mr. A. Shand, wlio has lived on the Chatham Islands for over half a century,and who was in Christchurch lately, states that the islanders have had a very good grass season, and the prospects in regard to stockare very bright at present. On the better class of land, good crops of potatoes arc expected, and if prices keep up. fairly large quantities will be exported to New Zealand. The recent attempts made by Mr. Daldvorg to establish a fishing industry at the islands have not been successful, and he has abandoned them. Mr Shand is confident, however, that there are immense supplies -of fish at the Chathams which might be drawn upon for the New Zealand market. “It is a splendid place for fish." are the words he. used to a reporter recently, “and the only difficulty, apparently,’’/lie added, “is to find some means or bringing the supplies to New Zealand.’’ He has 'been informed by the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Marine, that the Government intends to make use of a trawler brought out from England and equipped with freezing apparatus, presumably with the object .oL testing the possibility of establisliiiSt the industry.

The progress -of the islands is retarded by the legislation passed some time ago dealing with Maori lands. The natives on the islands •have large reserves. They wish to enter into transactions in regard to some of these lands, but their operations are restricted by the law. Judge Johnston, of the. Native Land Court, has enquired into the position, and will report to the Government. Speaking of the Morioris, the interesting inhabitants of tile islands. Mr. Shand confirms the report that

fclio race will die nut soon. Tommy -Solomon, the youngest purebred Joriori mail, could find no purebred woman of his own race to marry Tint it is likely tint he will he t.h< ;i.:t of the Morions. He married i half-caste woman. Another pure-u-ed Morion. Keivai, also married n half-caste, and lias several children, md :i third Moriori married a halfbred or t.hreequartor-brod woman, and has a family. The birds of tho Chnthams, Mr. Shnnd states, are accompanying tho Morions in their race of death. The Chatham Island bell-bird, which is a clifforeiit species from the New Zealand bird, is almost extinct. It is Found only in tho “upper country” of the south, and is seldom seen. Attempts are made by the settlers to protect the Native wood-pigeon, vhioh is seen occasionally. The rails and other land birds peculiar to the islands are very rare. There is very little destruction now at the hands of Europeans, Mr. Sliand says, hut rats, cats and dogs carry on the evil work, and wherever they are numerous, the birds have little chance of increasing. Even the pigs take part in the work of destruction, 'inking the young of the birds that nest in holes near the shore. At ■>ne time, the the islands had a fairly large avifauna of their own. It •ipems that it is possible now to save anlv a remnant of it.. Some of the individual species are protected by the law. and Mr. Shaml suggests that nrntoction should bo extended to them all. ...