ST. HELENA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 221, 12 May 1932, Page 2

ST. HELENA

ONE OF CHEAPEST PLACES IN THE WORLD TO LIYE IN. ISLANDERS VERY POOR. ' The Bishop of St. Helena, who was formerly the Rev. Charles C. Watts, curate of St. Mark's, Noel Park, London, declared that St. Helena is one of the cheapest places in the world for people with fixed incomes. "Ever since the Suqz Canal was opened and St. Helena ceased to he a port of call, the islanders have been poverty-stricken," says the bishop. "The British Covemment is helping, for £3000 has been granted for roads, on which the island's thirty motorcars now run about the scene of Napoleon's exile. "A British agricultural expert from Kew Gardens is trying to restore the cultivation which existed in the old East India Company's days, when crops of all kinds were grown. There are fine pasture lands for cattle, and bee culture has been introduced. "St. Helena has much to offer for people who do not mind comparative solitude. Fine old country houses may be hired tarnished for £5 a month. Servants are plentital for 15s a month with board. The people are attractive folk, with good manners, well-behaved, and law-abiding. Meat costs Is a poiind; it is too expensive for most of the islanders, who live on fish, rice and vegetables. Customs duties are very low, and taxation negligible. "Other advantages of St. Helena life are the healthy climate, golf, tennis, cricket, shooting, fishing, and riding. Gardening and fruit-growing ara hobbies which can be indulged in. There is no reason why St. Helena should not become a flourishing holiday resort."