THE LEITH’S MISSION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 72, 24 February 1937, Page 11

THE LEITH’S MISSION

IN PACIFIC GROUP. MAN LEFT ON ISLAND. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 23. The Navy Office advises that H.M.S. Leith is returning to Auckland, as the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific does not require the service of the Vessel any longer. The ship is due to arrive at Auckland about March 2. An earlier message stated that the warship returned to Suva at three o’clock on Saturday afternoon from Gardner lslaijjl, in the Phoenix Group, -and that she also visited Christinas Isluiid, where she left behind Mr Oscar Barrack, a Fiji Government wireless ojierator, and a comjilete wireless plant. It was known when the Leith left Suva flint Mr Barrack was on board and that he sa.iled at short notice, alter collecting six months’ provisions. It was conjectured that he was to be placed on an island, jiossibly accohilianied by a naval party from the ]>ith, in order to establish possession. Tne object of this was thought in Suva to have some connection with islands which might figure ill a possible route for Imperial Airways, in the event of that organisation undertaking a service across the Pacific, and to jirovide a means of rejiorting bv radio on any developments made by other countries. The Phoenix Group and Christmas Island were mentioned at the time as being jiosible destinations of the Leith, and it is now evident that calls were made at both jilaces, although the purpose of tlie visits still is not officially stated. While the message seiit on Saturday states that Mr Barrack was left at Christmas Island, it does not indicate the nature of the task oil which lie will use his wireless plant, or whether be is accompanied by a naval party. The only residents of Christmas Island, according to the cablegram, are a French couple. An article which appeared in a Fiji neW-spajier last month stated that tlie island was occupied by three Europeans and 20 or more Tahitians.

Christmas Island is coni jin ratively close to Fanning Island, the cable station. It is not only more nearly on the direct air route between tile United States, New Zealand and Australia, but also is much larger that Howland, Baker, and Jarvis Islands, which were recently appropriated by the United States of America.. It is 45 miles long and has a land area of more than 200 square miles. There is a big lagoon which might jirovide a harbour for naval ships ns well as aircraft. It is claimed by Britain that the island was taken over in Queen Victoria’s reign, and that it is governed by the British Resident at Fanning Island. It was discovered by Captain Cook in the ship Resolution on Christmas Day. 1777. Admiral Wiseman, of H.M.S. Caroline hoisted the Union Jack there in 1888.

The Phoenix Islands, about 12 in number, and totalling only about 19 square miles, lie on the air route between Honolulu and Fiji. They are

potential stopjiing places, and in any ease, are helpful to air navigators in giving them a fixed position.

Gardner Island, which is over two milej) long, is very fertile, and carries several large coconut plantations. All the islands of the Pliochix Gl'otij), except McKean and Eiiderbury, are leased to the Samoa Shipping alut Trad ing Company for 87 years from January, 1914. The company maintains upon them a Eurojiean overseer and a gang of native labourers. Coj>ra is the only jirodiict.