Mystery Of Christmas
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
Island
Rougier Interests Apparently Taken Over By Britain
THERE is in circulation in the Central Pacific a circumstantial story to the effect that the British Government —presumably through the High Com mission for the Western Pacific—has purchased, from the heirs of the late Father Rougier, all that famous mis sionary-merchant’s interests in Christmas Island, and has entered into possession of same.
There is evidently something in it.
Father Rougier’s nephew visited Suva last year, and remained for a long time at the Grand Pacific Hotel, while discus sions proceeded with high officials. Early this year, the WPHC’s vessel Nimanoa proceeded from the Gilberts to Canton Island, with a new manager and a score of Gilbertese labourers for Christmas Island, under the orders of the High Commissioner.
Some reports say that the British Gov ernment paid £25,000 for the Rougier in terests in Christmas. Others say the sum was nearer £500,000. The Government says nothing. The critics say that it was not necessary to pay anything much —the lease owned by the Rougier in terests would presently have expired.
The Rougier interests owned very large plantations on Christmas and the copra produced from same, under present con ditions, must be worth a lot of money.
There always has been mystery about the Rougier set-up in the South Pacific —ever since the days when Father Rougier succoured in Fiji, the ex-New Caledonia convict, Cecille, and got pos session of his fortune; broke away from
his church; acquired interests in the Washington-Fanning-Christmas area; and settled down in Tahiti as a wealthy operator of plantations, with a reputa tion for good works and charity. Later, Kougier interests were somehow con cerned with the Kong Ah scandals of Tahiti; and there were strange events and developments—never yet explained— during the Vichy Government phase of World War 11.
Maybe the Christmas Island purchase by Britain ends a situation that both the British and French Governments considered undesirable. A British Colonial Office statement, explaining what has occurred, would not be out of place.