HAPPY ISLE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1931, Page 8

HAPPY ISLE

LIFE ON RAROTONGA

CONTENTED NATIVES

“A glorious climate, with a perpetual ‘week-end’ life,” is how Mr E. L. Hurdie, nine years postmaster at Rarotonga, sums up his opinion ol the island. Mr Dariiie returned to New Zealand by the Monowai on Monday, accompanied by Mrs HardH, his term of appointment, having been completed.

Concerning the life in Rarotonga, Mr Hiirdie yesterday had several interesting observations to make. Hie natives on the island, he said, were a very likeable race, very easy-going, and extremely clean. The nature of the climate was conducive to cleanliness. When, for instance, a day’s work on a plantation was finished, the natives simply ran down to the waterfront and plunged into the sea-—clothes and all.

The natives appeared to lie very happy and contented, although they were, in common with folk in New Zealand, feeling some effects of the present world-wide depression. Howevei, they could, if need be, produce, nearly aii their wants from the soil, and it was only the desire for the goods of civilisation that could, really cause a depression on the island. The island had not yet recovered from the great storm ol 1926, when much damage was done.

The freedom of dress and the ease with which everyone seemed to take things “far from the madding crowd” was one of the most deiigbtiul leatures of the island, said Mr Hardie. There were no trains, trams, or buses to catch, nor any- set time-tables to adhere to. “An open-shirt life” or a “week-end life” would aptly describe it. Bathing could be indulged in throughout the year, the temperature in the so-called winter months being delightfully warm.

Healthy Climate. “The climate is very healthy,” continued Mr Hardie. “The island is not vitied by malaria or any other serious tropical disease, although ialaria (a form of elephaotitis) is occasionally encountered. “On the island there is no fresh meat procurable—only frozen imported from New Zealand. This is because the cattle are fattened on water grass, and as a consequence the meat lacks ‘body’ and has flabby fat. It never sets firmly. Mutton is also of little use when produced on the island as it is always very stringy. One eats more meatthere though than is usually expected in a hot climate. “The cultivation of vegetables also is not very successful as generally they tend to grow only on the top. This especially applies to potatoes and onions, which all have to he imported. Tomatoes, beans, lettuces and cabbages have been cultivated with success during recent years. The natives themselves are great meat-eaters, though, curiously enough, they do not greatly relish fresh fish. To procure fish they have to go outside of the reef, and if they have big c-ntch the'village is compelled to live on nothing but fish for some days. Recently, however, a large fish kmvon

ns the ‘aai’ has become fairly popular. The natives seem to prefer tinned fish to the freshly caught.”

Popular Administrator. Mr Hardie said that the white population was at present in the vicinity of 200, mostly engaged in stores, planting, Government or teaching positions. Unemployment was unknown. If a man could not find a job be usually left the island. Judge Ay son. the Administrator, was extremely popitlar. and things were progressing well and harmoniously. Rather a curious custom, as it might almost be called, lie said, was the way the island altered its holidays to suit the arrival of the mail steamer. If the boat should arrive on Christmas Day. the holiday was shifted forward, say, a week, so as it could be enjoyed to the full. It was quite common for the King’s Birthday. Good Friday or Christmas Day to lie celebrated a week after the proper date. “T thoroughly enjoyed my nine years on the island.” addeil Mr Hardie. “and am really sorry to leave sueli a delightful place.”