CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3076, 22 December 1908, Page 3

CHATHAM ISLANDS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) TE ONE ONE, December 8. If "no news is good news," then what I am writing must be labelled excellent, for there certainly is very little news here. We have dragged somehow through the long winter months, and the seemingly interminable two-monthly intervals between mails and nothing extraordinary has happened. The country is now in its spring costume, and the drought that many expect again this year, has not so far put in an appearance. Instead, we have shearing a little interrupted and tanks full of water, that were nearly empty at this time last year. There is no great quantity of rain falling, however, but enough to make the grass grow plentifully; and it does grow considerably here when the weather is favourable. Gardens, too, are doing splendidly, but, unfortunately, three or four fine warm days will be followed by one or two days blizzard from the south, so biting in their nature that they shrivel up the young grass and throw back the early vegetables for days. This year is no exception to the rule, except that the southerly winds are not so frequent or *o lasting as usual.

On October 29th we had a very pleasant surprise in the arrival of an unexpected visitor, the training ship Amokura. As she brought a mail she was doubly welcome, especially as her visit takes place about half way between the regular mails. This may not seem a very great advantage to residents in New Zealand, but to "Robinson Crusoes" like us it is very welcome. The Amokura was engaged searching the coasts of this and Pitt Island for any trace of wreckage. Wreckage has been found recently by the settlers, but as that is not an infrequent occurrence, nothing has been said about it. We have certainly had some rough weather during the winter, and very heavy seas at times, but nothing beyond the usual thing in the winter months. I thins captains give these islands a very wide berth, knowing the nature of the currents and reefs that are to be found in all directions from her 2.

Before we get another mail I expect the General Election will be all over, and we are quite out of it again. Why should we not have a 1 vote? I have asked this question before I know, but one cannot help repeating it at such a time as this. We are under the laws, beneficent or otherwise, of the Parliament that sits at Wellington, but, however, interested we may be, or however much we may be affected by the result of the elections, we have to sit still and abide by what other people do for us. It is hardly fair, and certainly not just. I am prepared to admit that there are difficulties in the way, many and great, but there should be some way of overcoming them. Of course, the rival candidates would find some difficulty also, in visiting us to air their eloquence, etc., but we could dispense with that without gny great detriment to the people or the island. It is a wonder that such a state of things is allowed to exist under the government of a country that prides itself on its liberty. But then, you see, we are few, and our united voices could | hardly reach the ears of those in authority. One of the best known settlers of the island, a lady who has been herp over forty years, has left to reside in New Zealand. She has Had several trips before, but has actually resided h?re during all that long time. People had begun to look upon her as a part of the institution, and really she has been of incalculable assistance to all and sundry in sick ess and trouble of all sorts. For you must know that it, is only of late years that there has been a doctur resident on the island. Now the place seems hardly the same without her, and I suppose j her residence will always be called by her name, though others are living in it. It will be strange to her in New Zealand. The change will be as great as it would be to a New Zealarder visiting London or any great city; evenly more so, for the utter loneliness of the»e islands sometimes "gets you down and worries you." It is the poor communication with civilisation that makes it so lonely. Or.e little steamer every two months! You would be surprised ac the size and stamina of the children of the Chathams. It is evidently the very place for growing children, the sort of place that Lady Plunket and her fellow workers on infant questions must be looking for. When one leaves England and reaches New Zealand, one cannot help noticing the difference in the development of the children. The same is the case when coming from New Zealand to these islands. I suppose it i 3 the ozone they get, or rather that they cannot get away from, for whichever way the wind blows it is a sea-breeze all the time. There is plenty of food to be had, but it is generally plain fare, a»d, be it noted, there is plenty of meat amongst the daily food, more than is the case in New Zealand. I cannot say how their teeih aie affected, but, as for their stamina, it would be hard to beat anywhere. There are boys riding to Te One school every day, and home again at night, who live ten miies from the school. They think nothing of it, and it is a very wet day that keeps them at home. In growth, however, the girls are an easy first. I have never seen such a large number of tall girls, and this is the Cii3e with pakeha, Maori, and half-caste. Children who come to live here from New Zealand improve from the time of their arrival. Measles, whooping--cough, etc., are very seldom heard of. They have, however, at intervales, a disease they call "marimari" here. It is a severe cold, as roach resembling influenza as anything. It affects grown up people worse than it does children, and some of the Natives get it vrey badly. I fancy "la grippe" is its proper name, though the islanders argue that it is nothing of the kind. However, the settlers, old and young, are a remarkably healthy lot.