Atolls Of The Line Islands
p. 61 · Read in the full issue
THE three principal islands of the newly-constituted Line Islands Dis trict of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony are Fanning, Washington and Christmas —three large atolls.
Both Fanning (34 miles of coastline) and Washington (five miles by four miles) are practically covered with rich coconut plantations, all the property of Fanning Island Plantations, Ltd. (Burns Philp & Co., Ltd.). The plantations are worked mostly with Gilbert Islands lab our. On Fannins: there are about nine Europeans, in addition to the District Officer (Mr. Robert Major) and the staff of the cable station. On Washington, there are onlv the plantation workers.
Christmas Island plantation is now run by officials of the Gilbert and Ellice Colony. It is a very big atoll—probably the second largest in the Pacific—but the soil is poor, and the coconuts do not flourish. Major Sinclair is in charge.