Death of Central Pacific Pioneer

MR. James Morgan Ellis, a pioneer of the development of British-owned islands in the Central Pacific, died in Auckland, in August, aged 75 (says “New Zealand Herald”).

In the employ of the London firm of John T. Arundel and Company, Mr.

Ellis and his younger brother (now Sir Albert) went to Hull Island, in the Phoenix Group, in 1887, to take charge of coconut planting operations. “You’re the king of the island,” the captain of the schooner which took them there, Captain W. Ross, said to Mr. Ellis when he deposited the brothers on the island; and, to Sir Albert, “You’re the prime minister.”

Captain Ross called at the island on subsequent occasions with stores and with coconuts for planting. After a few months, Sir Albert left for Baker Island, and henceforth devoted his attention to the phosphate side of development in the islands but his brother remained chiefly in the coconut industry.

During most of his stay at Hull Island, Mr. Ellis was the only white man in the group, the importance of which has been realised in recent years. Three of the islands have now been colonised by natives from the over-crowded south ern Gilbert Islands, while Canton Island has sprung into prominence as an air base.

Mr. Ellis engaged in similar pioneer ing work elsewhere in the Central Paci fic, chiefly as manager of Flint Island, near Tahiti. He was also associated with the phosphate operations at Makatea, in the Eastern Pacific.

For some years Mr. Ellis lived in England, but had been visiting Auckland since early last year.

Mr. J. T. McEvoy, who was in Rabaul for some weeks supervising the recondi tioning of the new vessel he purchased in Australia recently, has now returned to his home at Maron in the Western Islands Group, T.N.G.

Miss Joan Constance Highfield was married to Mr. Ronald Henry Biffin at St, George’s Church, Rabaul, recently.