Norfolk Is. Notes

By Vernon Wheatley

/Congratulations: To Mr. And Mrs.

Most of the Island attended either the garden party or the social evening.

The guest-list would fill a “PIM” page The Administrator attended the informal gathering in the evening and many musical items were enjoyed.

PITCAIRN: Mrs. and Miss Warren spent a couple of weeks on the Island visiting friends and relations. They were holidaying in NZ and took the oppor tunity of coming to Norfolk, before re turning to Pitcairn.

ANZAC DAY: Was observed by a gathering of ex-Servicemen, a band of school children and other interested residents. Wreaths were placed on the Memorial by the Administrator, the presi dents of the Advisory Council, RSS and AILA and others. t FORESIGHT: We are to have electric light soon. The generator, diesel-powered, is on order in England. A census shows 90 per cent, of residents in favour.

BACCHUS: The Liquor Bond Store in stead of being open half days on Mon days, Wednesdays and Fridays, will now be open only on Fridays, and will be closed when vessels are in “port.” It is reported that this peculiar arrangement came into being because someone ap proached Canberra and said that an open Bond Store was not conducive to the rapid handling of cargo. The change has aroused anger and indignation.

TOURISTS from NZ complain that the Socialists there seem to be placing difficul ties in the way of people who desire to spend holidays outside of NZ. The over seas peregrinations of the politicians—at the country’s expense—suggest that over seas travel will shortly become an ex clusive political privilege. But November 1949 (NZ elections) may see a change.

WHISPERED—That Qantas is propos ing the erection of an accommodation house.

ROOFING and tank iron was recently released to the public. It was of a light gauge and salt-corroded, and definitely not cheap. Nevertheless, it was welcome— but there was no flat iron for the tons and bottoms of the tanks!

BLACKMARKET—You can get all the

cement you want from NZ, if you care to pay 17/6 per bag, plus freight. It looks as if my wooden steps will remain wooden for some time.

WOULDN’T IT?—I recently read a contradictory article on “lonely Pitcairn.” In one breath, the author stressed the isolation of Pitcairn (Nor folk’s “Mother Country”). In the next breath he stated that 22 ships visited the Island in 25 weeks. Norfolk’s quota just now is about 22 ships in 4 years. Just as well we have an air service.

The Rev. A. T. Hill, Angli can Mission, Papua, is to spend his leave in the UK.