It combines profit with pastime, and to that fact it is no doubt indebted for its continuity.
Being recurrent, it makes a welcome break on the monotony of life, with the further incentive of a needful supply of ready cash, in which members of the papu or household participate individually.
The current year's operations have only just ended, and in relation thereto the following particulars are adduced.
In round numbers 100,000 birds have been trapped, which at current rates are worth 4d each, or say, a total of 1600.
Adults engaged in the work are set down at 100, or, including women and children, 400 - the latter ranging from a baby in arms upwards.
The length of the season may, according to the weather, be anything from six to 10 weeks. Eight is about an average.
Allocating the foregoing on a uniform basis we get a sum of 16 to each family.
Out of that; 1 or so has to be taken for conveyance to and from the island, and, say, another 1 per head for victuals.
Altogether they make from 12 to 14 clear profit, after defraying incidental expenses.
Each family party, or papu, has got its own island, or, in the case of large islands, its separate allotment.
These they hold by traditionary right, title, and interest, and such a thing as poaching is not permissible.
Despite the circumstances of their case neighbours' quarrels are of rare occurrence, and the utmost harmony and good-nature prevails.
• In dealing with a case of truancy at Hastings, Mr McCarthy, S. M., stated that his experience had been that criminals who had come before him owed their first downfall in life to truancy in their school days.
Parents should see that children attend regularly to their school, for much of the good that education was doing was being lost through parents' neglect.
• Most fishermen on the French coast avoid going to sea on the first two days of November, owing to a superstitious fear of the "death-wind," and the belief that drowned fishermen at that time rise and capsize the boats. - ODT, 11.6.1908.
