NORFOLK ISLAND

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 415, 23 April 1937, Page 5

NORFOLK ISLAND

STRATFORD INTERESTS REVIVAL IN FRUIT INDUSTRY Life Goes On Pleasantly. An -account of life on Norfolk Leluuu given the “Central Press*’ by Mr. A; j. Healy, who is at present visiting 6 ira<tford, is of particular interest to local residents, as numbers nave visi.■eidi the. Island and there are sevenai wno have taken up permanent resilience there. Mr. Healy, who is engaged in fruit farming, said there was plenty of worn io do, jnsu as in any other farming, m past Lun as were grown •exveasiveij, out there had lately been a enunge lo passion fruit, and with Jie establishment of a pulping factory prospects were very much brighter. Although a boat did not call until intervals, of about three weeks, the residents With their home radio sets were kept in touch with the n-ws of the outside world. There was plenty of sport, cricket, football, tennis, and golf, and the sea provided good fishing as? well as bathing. Once a week there was a talkie screening, ‘and dances were regularly held. “Norfolk Island Weekly.” Among the'Stratford people on the Island are Mr. and Mrs. T. Grubb, v.'ho lived in Stratford ‘for many years, and Mrs. Lusk, who, as Nurse Bu-ttars, was well known during the time she was u nurse at the Str | ford Hospital Brian Grubb has established a small newspaper, the “Norfolk Island Weekly.’ The miatt-er is typewritten, and the copies are taken off on a duplicator. It contains local news, advertisements, Government announcemin s, and a resume of the radio

nev-'s. Before the newspaper, the islanders had to rely upon the “Tree of Knowledge,” a large pine -tres -at the corner of four cross roads where notices am! lis.. s of m.n who were required L work on the public works were displayed. There are no rates for the upkeep of roads, every male adult being required to work for nine days yearly on the roads, or else intake a payment tn lieu of wdork. The roads are of day, but they quickly dry aft. r rain, and are n.ever im.passabM In -the area of SOOQ acres which comprises the Island 45 miles of roads have been formed. Among the population of be--w\en 1100 and 1200 there are nearly 100 cars. Tourist traffic to the Island is growing again, bat it was felt that this would be augmented wi h a New Zealand steamer connection.