Polynesian Adze Heads

Washed Up By Norfolk Island Floods

ONE interesting result of the cyclone which swept Norfolk Island in May was the discovery of a number of Poly nesian adze heads, washed up by the floods.

A local antiquarian believes that they be longed to an extinct line of islanders, and the finds are to be sent to the Australian Museum in Sydney for expert examination.

Also uncovered by the storm were several skeletons, including one of a woman with a silver chain around the neck. The woman, it is believed, was the original of Sylvia, heroine of Marcus Clarke’s story of Norfolk Island, “For the Term of His Natural Life.”

In the story, Sylvia, was the wife of the commandant. She loved the convict, Richard Devine (alias Rufus Dawes).

They fled in the Lady Franklin, but the vessel was wrecked, and Sylvia and Dawes were drowned.

Pitcairners, who are now living at the N.I. town of Kingston, remember an old tomb at Emily Bay, which, according to legend, was named after Emily, the original of Sylvia. The sea destroyed it 80 years ago. Emily’s history is broadly said to be that of Sylvia’s in the novel.

The output of dry rubber in June from the Papuan plantations of Koitaki Para Rubber Estates Ltd. was 38,5891 b.