1944 Is A Lean Year In
p. 18 · Read in the full issue
Mangaia
From Our Own Correspondent
Mangaia, June.
THE effects of the January cyclone are still to be seen on the island, in ver andah-less houses leaning askew, or propped-up; and in reduced food supplies.
The native chestnut crop, a standby between February and June, was totally obliterated, as was the breadfruit crop.
Neither is taro plentiful.
The “pupu”-bread money is carrying the natives on, but in spite of that, 1944 is a Spartan year.
The damage done by sea-water to recent imports of rice and flour has resulted in a new (and stringent) series of rules on lightering in boats. The old canoes very rarely damaged their freight; but with the boats (introduced in ’4l-’42) soaked foodstuffs seem more the rule than the exception! Boats are entirely unsuited to local reef-conditions. But they hold more, and, at 4/- per cwt., pay better dividends, than canoes that are too nar row to carry anything but “deck-cargo.”
There seems no answer to this problem that will suit both traders and native boatmen.