Dangerous Atolls

Nassau’s New Settlers Do Well

ONE of the recent migrations of Pacific Islands people was the settling of a number of families from over-populated Pukapuka, Northern Cooks, on the uninhabited 300-acres island of Nassau, 45 miles away.

Nassau was a coconut plantation in full production until the Japs came into the World War, 12 years ago. It remained uncared for until about two years ago, when the people of Pukapuka bought the island for around £2,000.

On a recent visit to Nassau to load about 20 tons of copra, those on board the motor-ship Charlotte Donald learned that there were 85 men, women and children now liv ing there. They had already paid for the island with the copra they exported.

Landing supplies and taking off copra from Nassau is a hard task.

The little island has one of the worst reefs in the Pacific, There is the cost of broken oars and damaged boats to be set against any profit in taking the copra aboard a boat-load at a time, when the reef is workable.

Business firms throughout the Pacific islands which collect copra from such lonely settlements no doubt feel they are under an obligation to render a service to the Islanders in out-of-the-way places.

On the same trip the ship called at Pukapuka (45 miles away) and collected about 40 tons of copra, after staying off the atoll for a week. At Pukapuka the custom of shipmasters is to “tail off” from the t*eef on the lee of the island, with a kedge anchor in a crevice to hold die ship from drifting away. Copra ias to be brought out in canoes ;o the ship. A “bad reef” and vari tble winds can delay a ship for days.

Between Nassau and Pukapuka is he celebrated Tema Reef, which ias been described in some books. big sea breaks over it at all times, md it is a grim sight for seafarers ind passengers. No wonder the irst English navigator to sight hikapuka gave the atoll the name Isles of Danger!”—AJS.

Nukulau Island, Suva’s playground slet which has been closed follow tig the recent tidal wave, has again een opened to visitors.