SUNDAY ISLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17083, 15 August 1917, Page 7

SUNDAY ISLAND

CLAIM FOR OWNERSHIP. PETITION BY MR BELL. (Fbom Oxjb Own Coeeespondent.) WELLINGTON, August 14. A demand for the possession of an island in the Pacific formed the basis of an unusual petition presented to tho House of Representatives by Mr Massey this afternoon. The petitioner was Thomas Bell, of Sunday Island, and he asked for the title in fee simple of that place. The history of this tiny outpost of the Empire and of tho Bell family's connection with it is somewhat romantic. In his petition Mr Bell stated that, with his family (12 in all), he occupied Sunday Island for 23 years, during which period he imported live stock from New Zealand and native labour from Savage Island, and invested tho labour and savings of half a century thereon. The supposed annexation of the island, however, by the Government of New Zealand and the occupation of his cleared lands by other settlers were the direct cause of the entire loss of his family's sheep, and—what was perhaps of even more consequence—the scattering of the adult portion of the family over the colonies and ultimately the family's complete ruin. He was hnally informed that the Government had been pleased to grant him 100 acres as a freehold, with the option of leasing an inaccessible part of the island, composed of high cliffs and broken gorges, which he had pointed out was utterly worthless. He claimed that at the time this wholesale confiscation ,and outrage were perpetrated the New Zealand Government had acquired no legal rights or claim whatever on Sunday Island. It was not till after his ruin had been, effected and his family scattered abroad that tho annexation of the island was legally effected by an Act of the Imperial Parliament. Tho petitioner says in conclusion: " I would state that I retained Sunday Island for the British flag for many years, and I lay this petition before you, relying on the justice of that flag bein" sufficient to secure me my rights —the title in fee simple by virtue of my occupancy, or compensation, as you may decide. My prayer for a title in fee simple to Sunday Island is requesting no more than has been granted to. occupants of other small islands in the Pacific after a few years' occupancy, Fanning Island being an instance well known in New Zealand."