OFFER TO SWEDEN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 194, 30 May 1938, Page 5

OFFER TO SWEDEN.

ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC. STOCKHOLM, Alay 4. Sweden will become a Pacific Power if she accepts an offer from Air Frederick Petterson, a former New Zealand medical student. Air Petterson has offered the Swedish Government a protectorate over the island of Tabar, situated north-east of New Ireland, New Guinea. In 1908 the Swedish freighter Oakhaven, which sailed from Sydney, was wrecked on reefs near the island. The crew were saved and some of them remained in the South Seas. These included Karl Petterson, of Sollentrana, a suburb of Stockholm. With three partners Petterson went fishing and bonchcoming, and landed on the island of Tabar. They were attacked by natives, reputed to be cannibals, who. captured Petterson. A month later the Swede married the chief’s daughter, Singdo. When a. schooner called at the island some years later, the old chief was dead. Karl reigned in his place. Karl died while visiting Sydney, ancf his sou, Frederick, ceasing studying medicine in New Zealand, assumed sovereignty.. He has written stating that lie proposes to offer half his personal fortune of £40,000 to Sweden ill addition to a protectorate over the island. Sollentrana awaits the benefactor.