No Yo-Ho-Ho For These

Niue Islanders

By STAFFORD L. K. GUEST on Niue

With further urging from Frank Lawes, the rum was soon “cast upon the .waters” and the captain and his crew were forced to “dry out” on the island until a vessel called several months later.

It was not until the early 19005, with the advent of a New Zealand administration, that intoxicating liquor gradually found its way on to the island.

Niueans were well-known for their skill and expertise in brewing up “bush beer” concoctions some recipes included methylated spirits with marinated coconut and papaw.

Today, after a chequered liquor licensing history which included a strictly-controlled permit and point system for drink distribution in force until 1974, Niueans over the age of 20 can now socialise at the island’s new hotel bar from 4 pm to 7 pm daily and at seven sports clubs which are licensed to sell beer and spirits freely to members.

Last year Niue’s wholesale liquor outlet the government bond store recorded sales totalling $130,000, no small turnover for a small island with a population of 3700 and where offences for drunkenness are few.

One hundred years ago in April the white man’s fire-water was “ accidentally” introduced to Niue Island.

Captain J. Scott, skipper and owner of a slave-trading barque I role, in a drunken stupor, tried to manoeuvre his vessel close in shore to Niue’s rugged and dangerous coastline near the then-capital, Tuapa.

He was seeking young men to sell to the Spaniards who worked Peruvian mines.

The ship dragged its anchor and an on-shore westerly wind smashed the Irole on to the fringing reef at Hio. While the crew and the intoxicated skipper struggled ashore, desperate at tempts were made to salvage bar rels of rum.

A large amount of liquor was recovered before the vessel com pletely broke up and the British missionary, the Rev Frank Lawes, who was the virtual ruler of Niue at that time, turned up at the scene of the wreck.

The Niueans were told to open the barrels and pour the contents into the sea.

Captain Scott demonstrated his anger by producing a rifle and threatening to shoot the first man who laid hands on his cargo.