SUNDAY ISLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21893, 31 August 1934, Page 14

SUNDAY ISLAND

SETTLEMENT SCHEME AUCKLANDERS' INTERESTS MOVE TO PURCHASE VESSEL A further attempt at settlement on one of No v Zealand's tropical possessions, Sunday Island, the largest of tho Kermadec Group, may shortly be made if plans which are at present being formulated come to fruition. An area of nearly 300 acres on tho island is already owned by would-be settlers, and a company is being formed to purchase a vessel which would ensure communication with Auckland. The island lies 612 miles to tho north-cast of Auckland. The present scheme is a continuation of a plan which was advanced toward tho end of 1930. At that time, the privately-owned land on the island was secured for subdivision into nine lots, and a very comprehensive "constitution" for the communal life of the island was drawn up. It was intended that each family should have an area of nearly 30 acres, and that a further five acres should be reserved as common land. The subdivisions were all sold, principally to Aucklanders. Difficulty over arranging steamer communication, however, prevented the colony from being started. Although some transfers of tho property have since been effected, it is believed that most of the original owners of the subdivisions still retain their interests in the land, and inquiries have shown that in nearly all cases their original intentions to settle on the island are still held. The company being formed ia to have a capital of £3OOO, and it is stated that negotiations have been entered into with tho owner of tlio Aratapu, a New Zealand-built auxiliary schooner, now at Tahiti. Sunday Island has had almost a lifelong fascination for one of the principal organisers of the present scheme, Mr. Alfred Bacon, of Devonport. Ho first saw tho island 45 years ago when, as a boy, he went with his parents to live there. Ho was one of tho three New Zealanders who were concerned in the last tragic attempt to settle tho island. In 1926, after the island had been unoccupied for many years, the Crown gave them permission to settle on a portion of tho island, and Mr. Bacon, Mr. C. H. Parker and Mr. J. Ashworth wore landed from the Government steamer Hinemoa. For some mouths a lifo of simplicity was led, but tragedy came when, as the result of a slight cut on one hand, Mr. Parker developed tetanus and died within two days. Tho two survivors were brought back to Auckland on the next visit of tho Government steamer. The island is about seven miles long and four miles broad. It is dominated ■by a great volcanic cone, but there are large areas of flat land of great fertility. Tho intention of the settlers is to grow tropical fruits and farm produce, principally for their own use, but also for export as circumstances permit.