Canton Island
pp. 15-16 · Read in the full issue
Now Under PAA Administration
THE Department of the Interior of the United States, in November last, transferred the administration of Canton Island from the USA Government to Pan American Airways.
Canton, as one of the Phoenix group, was British from 1890. In 1899, Britain leased the group to Pacific Islands Com nany, Sydney, for guano exploitation.
The Co. withdrew about 1909. Then the group, including Canton but not Ender bury, was leased, for 87 years from Jan uary 1, 1914. to Samoa Shipping and Trading Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd. Attempts to plant coconuts on Canton Island failed.
By 1935, American trans-Pacific airways interests were giving marked attention to Canton Island, on the direct track be tween Honolulu and Fiji, and claiming it as American. In 1936, Britain re-ahnexed Canton, just to make sure. In 1937, Bri tish and American scientific parties visited the island to observe an eclipse, and each planted there its national flag.
In August, 1938, a British party occupied the island, and they were followed by an American party of occupation in November, 1938.
The argument was amicably settled in April, 1939, by the two nations agreeing to joint occupation. The Burns, Philp in terests. so as to remove any embarrass ment for Britain, formally withdrew from the group, which became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony. Within a year, Pan American Airways had con structed there a fine, modern, sea-plane base, complete with hotel for travellers, and it is now in regular use.
Mr. F. R. and Mrs. Isom, of the Melan esian Mission Press, Guadalcanal, Solo mon Islands, are at present in Sydney
on furlough.
Now in the Polynesian islands is the Marie, a yawl-rigged yacht of 9i tons, owned and captained by Mr. Frank Dona, a Dutchman. His companion on the yacht is Mr. Cyril Bowen, of Auck land. They are lazing round the Paci fic, and sailing from one port to another just as the urge takes them. The Marie is out of Auckland (says “Samoa Her ald”) and has called at Niue. The travel lers will remain in Samoan waters for a few weeks, then proceed to Suva, where they will remain over the hurri cane season.