Doldrums
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
Norfolk Is. Emerges from the Doldrums
TRADE on Norfolk Island has im proved, and the exodus of residents has ceased, according to the annual report of the Administrator of Norfolk Island, which was made available in November.
The population on June 30 was 1142, including two survivors of the party of Pitcairn Islanders who landed at Norfolk Island on June 8, 1856.
The lifting by the New Zealand Government of the embargo on citrus fruits resulted in the shipment to the Dominion of 2365 cases of oranges and 43 of grapefruit, and the prospect of the erection of a factory by a Sydney com pany to develop the trade in passion fruit pulp was a source of optimism.
Imports for the year amounted to £28,797, and exports to £9407. The trust fund showed a balance of £9092, after taking into account a Commonwealth grant of £4OOO, as well as grants of £2OOO for rural rehabilitation and £l2OO for flood damage relief.
“The morale of the community is definitely higher than it was a year ago,” states the Administrator (Captain C. R.
Pinney, M.C.). “Pessimism has been replaced by optimism. There is a revival of interest in agriculture, and market prices for the products of the territory are improving.”