ANNEXED BY THREE COUNTRIES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 12

ANNEXED BY THREE COUNTRIES.

AN ISLAND PLAYING AT HIDE-AND-SEEK. Undoubtedly the most peculiar island in existence - if, indeed, at the time of writing, it be net; hidden beneath the waves —is Fa'.con Inland, one of the Tonga group. The first chapter in its strange career began in 18S'J, when it was annexed to Great Britain by H.M.S. Egeria. At that time the island was observable for miles ; for at its southernmost extremity rose a commanding bluff 153 feet above the sea.

Palm trees grew on the height, find at the north end of the island the land gently sloped down to a beautiful white sand beach, fringed with tropical vegetation. But when, a year later, a transport waa sent to Falcon Island, she found nothing but a low-lying reef against which the sea beat incessantly. The lofty cliff had disappeared, as had the palm trees and the sand beach.

From that time till 1892 little attention was paid to the island, it being believed to have sunk into the sea, as coral islands often do. Nevertheless, the most contradictory reports as to its existence or non-existence were continually received front ships passing the spot. In the latter year the French cruiser Duchaffault was in those waters, and tried to solve the mystery. To their astonishment, instead of rinding a sunken reef whitened with the foam of breakers, the vessel's crew discovered an island almost the exact shape of that found by the Egeria in ISB9. only the southern promontory was but *2."> feet high instead of 153 feet. The palm trees were gone, of course, but the rocks were, covered with a growth of green bushes and ferns, and a p'retty bay invited the longboats of the cruiser to its shelter.

Thereupon the French captain solemnly took possession of the island in the name of France, hoisted the French flag, and sailed home.

Two years later— on April 19th, 1804—a British schooner arrived at the eastern end of the island. To the captain's astonishment, all that remained of it was a strip of sand. He made a note of the fact in his log-book, and later on reported to the Admiralty '-that Falcon Island now haa the appearance of a low streak or reef, and is consequently dangerous to navigation, as it cannot be seen on a dark night. Dangerous reefs and rocks surround it."

French and English naval officers were naturally much taken aback by this report ; but the Tongan Government wasnofc daunted, and sent a party to the island to solve the mystery. The expedition left Tonga last December, and hag only recently returned. Perhaps Englishmen and Frenchmen will smile wdien they read that " the expedition took possession of Falcon Island in the name of King George of Tonga." Futhermore, its appearance was now described as follows : " The island was found to have bold, steep sides, with deep water all around, and no shoal water in the vicinity, though discoloured extends four miles southeastward and three miles northwest. Its highest point is 50 feet above the sea."