Norfolk Is Notes
pp. 50-52 · Read in the full issue
By Vernon Wheatley
SHIPPING. The arrival of the SS “Morinda,” at the beginning of June, ushered in that spell of wet and boisterous weather which is rapidly becoming known as “Morinda weather.”
The ship departed for Vila still carrying some cargo which will be discharged upon her return.
The residents were pleased to see the “Morinda” as local cows have gone dry, and stocks of imported butter have run out.
THE BUTTER FACTORY will shortly be in operation again. A new engine and compressor have been purchased from the Administration to replace the plant which gave up the ghost some time ago.
POLICE AFFAIRS. Popular Sergeant Jimmie Jones has resigned his position, and the job has been taken over by Mr.
T. J. Crommelin, a former member of the NSW Police Department.
We still have no magistrate. Since the last magistrate died some months ago no new appointment has been made and officialdom has made no statement as to when the vacancy will be filled, PROJECTS, The Department of Works and Housing is making good progress, in the face of essential material shortages, with plans to modernise airport facilities here. The programme calls for the erec tion of modern houses for members of the Department of Civil Aviation, a modern terminal building and a licensed accom modation hotel, plus, of course, certain improvements to the strip and the forma tion of a new taxi-way apron. At last we can see the end of the gloomy hut with the dirt floor where passengers are welcomed or farewelled. It is said that, when the hotel is completed, the Liquor Bond Store will move in.
RUMOURS. Sifting the wheat from the chaff, we find that the foregoing state ment explodes the myth that Qantas were planning the erection of a guest house.
BOUNTY DAY. The annual observance of the anniversary of the landing of the Pitcairners on Norfolk Island was cele brated on June 8. The day was fine and clear. The traditional party marched from the pier to the cemetery, placing wreaths at the Memorial, the cemetery gates and also on the headstone of the grave of Mrs. Dinah Quintal, widow of Edward Quintal and eldest daughter of John Adams of the “Bounty.” After the singing of “Gethesemane” by the com pany, the march continued to Govern ment House where the Administrator en tertained them at morning tea. Later, a picnic banquet was held by the Kingston ruins but the gathering could not cope with the food supplied—a credit to the ladies responsible. Marching order was: Colour-bearer (Thornton Quintal), Ad miral of the Fleet (Consett Christian), Captain (Carty Christian). Lieutenants (Messrs. E. Adams, J. Young, Ben Chris tian), Chaplain (Pastor Pat Adams), Doc tor (Fred Quintal), Company of the Fleet (approximately 45 members, with Mid shipmen Evans and Nobbs in the rear), Officer on duty (Ben Christian). (NB. All titles are “courtesy.”) PRESS. A small star has appeared on our horizon, in the shape of NINE (Norfolk Island News Edition).
The last news-sheet published here was the weekly produced by the late Mr. A.
S. Gazzard.
The sponsor of the present service de serves every encouragement.
Mr. W. G. Johnson, managing director of W. R. Carpenter and Co. (Fiji) Ltd., returned to Suva on June 16, after a brief business visit to London.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hall, are severing their connections with Messrs. Hopkins Ltd., Norfolk Island, and are planning to holi day m NZ, after which they will travel to Sydney. They will probably settle in Australia.
The Rev. Kolinio Saukuru, a Fijian who belongs to the Methodist Mission, has been appointed to special deputation work in Australia for a year. He became well known to Servicemen who served in Arnhem Land, and won their high regard.