The Working Island

Niue Island—300 miles east of Tonga is not called Savage Island for nothing. Since it is virtually all rock, the Niueans always have had to work hard to live. Certainly, these days, life is much more comfortable than it was, but the tradition of hard work remains, as can be seen on any "boat day". The anchorage is open to the elements and everything must be

brought ashore by lighter—quickly,

before the weather changes. The July "Tofua", seen here, had to handle a total of 331 tons of cargo for Niue.

A small gang of Niueans, in their lighters, moved the lot in 10 back breaking hours—or 33 tons an hour.