For Norfolk's
p. 46 · Read in the full issue
Plenty Of Work
New Council
From a Norfolk Island Correspondent The vital matter of a harbour for Norfolk Island is to be considered by the new Norfolk Island Council.
THE new Administrator, Mr. Reg Marsh, referred to it when he swore in the new councillors at Kings ton on July 20. Norfolk Island, 900 miles east of Sydney, has no harbour —and ships must stand off the island in all weathers.
In July, 1964, the old council re jected plans for the extension of the Kingston pier at a cost of £25,000, or alternatively the construction of a harbour to the east of the pier, inside the lagoon, at a cost of £130,000.
Mr. Marsh told the new council that there had probably been no alternative to rejecting the earlier proposals, be cause of the high estimate of cost.
There had been excessive specifica tions and the investigators had failed to take advantage of features which could produce a more effective and less costly harbour for smallcraft in volved in commercial and sporting game fishing.
In his address to council, Mr.
Marsh said important additions to council work will be establishment of committees for social affairs and economic affairs, in addition to the present ones of works and finance.
The proposed Social Affairs Com mittee would consider the welfare of young people and senior citizens, education, and the foundation of a Norfolk Island Institute to collect and safeguard historical documents and articles. The replacement by a proper museum of the so-called museum at Kingston, which contains a meagre collection of exhibits, would also come within the scope of this com mittee.
The Committee for Economic Affairs would be concerned with the production and marketing of primary produce, the development of the fish ing industry, the reticulation of electricity and tourism.
The new councillors are Albert Bathie, Richard Bataille, Charles Evans, Kenneth Nobbs. Gregory Quintal, John Quintal, Wilfred Ran dall and John Ryves. Five of the eight—Messrs. Bathie, Bataille, Evans, G. Quintal and Randall—have served on previous councils.