ISLAND OF NAURU.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 2 June 1919, Page 5

ISLAND OF NAURU.

TREASURE-TROVE OF THE PACIFIC. BIG SUPPLY OF PHOSPHATE. (By Thomas J. M'Mahon, F.R.G.S.) Nauru is a treasure island of the Central Pacific which has been placed iu the joint possession of Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. It is famous for its high-grade phosphate of lime and from that poiut ox view is tho most important of Germany's late possessions in tho pacific.

Tho discussions of tho Peace Conference, and the many eager claims 'for the ultimate possession of this little island have brought Nauru into especial prominence. It is certainly a treasure island, on account of a high-grade phosphate of-lime, recognised by agriculturists all the world over as a prime fertiliser and plant food when in its refined and soluble form. The island, however, does not hold an inexhaustible quantity of this valuable matter. Experts, Doth British and German,, entitled to attention by thorough investigations, estimate the extent of tho deposits at a little more than 40 millions of tons. A goodly supply, nevertheless, that assures'the world for many years the use of th is in agio product, and which, it has been found, is particularly essential to tho phosphate-lacking soils of Australia. Nauru, with Ocean Island, anxmally exports to tho Commonwealth between 100,000 and 200,000 tons of phosphate, l ock and so that it may be reduced and refined as super-phosphate, ready for invigorating soils, several works, notably at Cockle Creek, outside Newcastle, have been called into being. Nauru, or Pleasant Island, as it is sometimes called is but 12 miles in circumference, a little over throe miles in dia meter, containing in all 5000 acres, 100 miles from Ocean Island, the nearest British settlement, and another very rich phosphate island, 1500 miles from Australia, and about the same distance from America and Japan. Maps show the island a more dot, and when viewed from the deck of a steamer some three miles out at sen it is but xv speck upon the vast Central Pacific waters, set down iu tho deepest part of the great ocean, at a. hundred yards from the shores it is impossible, to find the ocean bod. The shape of the island is quite circular, with low flat foreshores, thickly covered with full-grown coconut trees, and a clean, well-finished white sand road running completely round. High hilts, ranging from 150 to .000 foot, arc clustered prettily in the centre, and it is Here that the phosphate fields lie. An outstanding feature from the hills is the wireless station, with one of the most powerful installations in the world, and capable, it is said, of hearing Berlin.

BRITISH ADMINISTRATION

Nauru was formally surrendered by tho Gormans to the Australian ship Melbourne in September of Jfll-f. A little Inter it. was occupier! by Australian soldiers, nn.l a little later by British officials, headed by Mr. Clias. AVnrkman. ns first Administrator, to carrv out a civil administration in the continuance of ,tho German local laws and conditions, and in agreement with tho terms of capitulation. These arrangements under war conditions have boon eminently satisfactory, and the success gauged in the unanimously signed petition of tho Natives to King George V., asking that in no circumstances the island ho returned to the Germans. The Australian garrison has been effective in its requirements of protection, and the British administration is doing much to promote the happiness and welfare of the Natives and the genera! progress of tho island. The. Natives have b«Mi encouraged to work in the phosphate fields and improve their coconut plantations; a- lino hospital for tlicir especial use has been hniit and equipped, they have been kindly but firmly led on to recognise and adopt commousciiKO _ .sanitary regulations. and to discontinue the unhealthy practice of burying their dead cither inside their huts or at the front or back doors. The whole island has been cleaned uii, and many excellent roads made, while every effort to please tho white settlers and to further the smooth working of the phosphate industry has been advanced successfully. AVilh its mild and healthy climate, although only 33 1-3 miles south of tho equator, and the complete absence of malaria and other tropical ailments, Nauru is one of the most livable islands in the Pacific. Tho trado of the island is in tile hands of the Pacific Phosphate Company and Burns, Philp and Company, and practically every item of goods is brought from Australia—a fact that is worthy the attention and support of all Australians. HOAV INDUSTRY OPENED U,P. Nauru, like Ocean Island, was commercially unknown and neglected until British enterprise made tho discovery and recognised the immense vahio, ami tho likelihood of a world-wide demand for the phosphate of lime. There is nothing whatever on record to show that the Germans contributed to this enterprise, or showed any superior knowledge, or offered any remarkable assistance in the building up of the, phosphate industry. It is an industry on purely British linos, solid and modern in every respect, and with the enterprise worthy of tho best traditions of British pluck and determination. Some hundreds of men, Europeans, Chinese, Natives recruited from various islands round mainly the Carolines, and many Nauruans are employed, and all -work under conditions which are highly satisfactory. AYithin tho phosphate settlement aro fresh and salt water and excellent sewage system, electric light, fresh food supplies, refrigerators, telephones, free ice, and public laundries, wellequipped hospitals, libraries and recreation rooms, indeed, every convenience and comfort calculated to content, tho employees. Many Australians in various capacities are employed, some very old servants and some occupying high, responsible positions., and all highly thought of by the management. Social conditions are delightful, and functions are numerous. Several thousands of pounds have been collected on this tiny island during the war for patriotic purposes. British enterprise in opening up the phosphate fields of Nauru worked under German jurisdiction, and the acquisition of the concession from the Gorman Government, involved compliance with German law and conditions. Never, however, has tho policy of tho enterprise been influenced by German opinion or Gorman authority, or the industry governed on German lines. Two-thirds of the employees have always been British and Australian, and at the present time and since the outbreak of the war,, tho Gorman element of two directors (out of a directorate of 10) and all enemy shareholders have been eliminated. Theearly bistory of Nauru under Gorman officials is not creditable, but it is the best of arguments in dispossessing the, cruel and idle Germans. It is a chap-

ter of debauchery and the oppression of the Natives. An historical event, and one interesting to Australians, in connection noth this island was the visit of .King George V., when with his late brother he voyaged round the world on H.M.S. I’aeci.ante, and on the way from Australia to China. The princes entertained the traders of the island, and showed the wonders of a warship of those days .

TILE NATIVE PEOPLE, The Nauruans are a handsome, intelligent, wfll-si. t-up race, the women being accounted by many travellers the best-figured in the Pacific islands. They are, indeed, veritable giantesses in stature. The people arc very hospitable, friendly, anrl exceedingly well mannered. A stranger is greeted with a smile—the Nauruan smile is distinctive and charming—and a kindly greeting! and they are perhaps one of tiio very few Native peoples maintaining old customs and dress, the litre •'ridi,'” or loin sash, being still popular. Every man possesses a bicycle, and every woman a sewing machine—a suggestion that Europeans fashions are lately to come into vogue. Their dances are graceful, and varied in movements, and not by any means monotonous, as m many other islands, while the singing and chanting of these Nauru folk have real melody. Tilts Catholic or Sacred Heart Mission, and the Boston or American Mission are both very active, and more so since the advent of British administration, they carry on rudimentary schools, and then' worK is most praiseworthy. The whole native'population, Jess than 2000, is civilised and educated, and under the iniluenee oi one or other of the missions. Fill GATE 818 lIS AS PEI'S. Tho Nauruans arc a sport-loving people, their popular sport being the capturing of trigito birds. Every village has innumerable roosts, great frames built up like the uncovered roof of a house to which arc tethered sometimes hundreds of these birds, sleepy, uninteresting creatures, but which the natives delight to feed and pet in every spare moment. Some birds are trained as decoys, and they display a canny instinct in tho way they soar into the clouds and bring down wild birds to the roosts, which arc promptly caught and tethered by smart young Natives, ever on tho

alert. These interesting folks are divided into high and low castes, with a king, chiefs, and chief women, who still hold immense influence, but who no longer treat the common people as slaves, as in olden times. They are law-abiding, and much appreciate the present administration, an indisputable argument for its continuance, the success being duo in no small measure to the capable Administrator, Mr. G. B. AY. Smitb-Uewse. -Small as Nauru is, its rich fields of phosphate, and the splendid phosphate industry give it an unusual value and importance, and, with Ocean Island, brings into distinct prominence the Central Pacific. Geographically, politically, and commercially, this part of the Pacific is of importance to Australia and its commerce.