Bad Drought In Tokelaus

THE Rev. Father A. McDonald, SM, only European resident In the Fokelaus—those three small atolls lying iorth of Samoa—reports on events of 1953 while waiting in expectation of a ship from Apia in October. He says;— “The Tokelaus have really been the •Isles of Isolation’ with a vengance this year. We’ve had only one boat and one plane since December. 1951. The last mall was in May—the next in early October—if we’re lucky! The reason—a bad year for coconuts due to drought.

Thank God, there have been enough for food, but the surplus for export has becrr very little. Usually we export about 2,400 sacks of copra—this year we’ve shipped 300. Needless to say, it’s been a hard year for the people.

“At present the water ration per person per day is about two quarts for all purposes— though that’s hardly enough for drinking— and In fact it’s touching to see much of that small ration used for bathing the babies. Imagine the difficulty of doing the weekly washing under present conditions, not to mention a

dally shower, so necessary in this climate.”

Father McDonald says that Nukunono. the middle atoll, is the worst off. the other two each having a small well which provides water suitable for washing.

Father McDonald, a New Zealander, went to Nukunono In 1948, and has been there ever since. For the past two years he has been able to make occasional visits to his flock on Fakaofu, to the south-east, by means of a small launch presented to him by well-wishers In Napier, NZ. Apart from that, his only contact with outsiders is the welcome visit of the Trade Scheme officials from Apia to exchange the copra, woodcarving, fans and mats produced in the Group for flour, canned meat, kerosene, textiles and other necessities.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs.

Ken Williams of Rabaul, NG, on

December 26.