Transplantations

Gilbertese in the Phoenix Atolls

IN an article in the June, 1952, iss of the Journal of the Polynesi Society, Mr. H. E. Maude, OBE, the South Pacific Commission, te the fascinating story of how, just I fore the Pacific War, the totally i inhabited atolls of the Phoenix Gro were settled by the transfer of si plus people from the over-populat Gilbert Islands.

There are now in those islands especially Gardner, Sydney and Hi or, to give them their new nati names, Nikumaroro, Manra a Orona—over 1,000 people, settled a series of happy and content village communities.

Mr. Maude did much of t pioneering work; and then the esfi lishment of the new settlements v taken over with great enthusiasm a young Colonial Office cadet, ft G. B. Gallagher. It will be membered that he died on Gardi Island, in September, 1941, at 1 early age of 29.

Another interesting transplantati carried out by the G and E Admin tration was the removal of the Bai bans from Ocean Island, after 1 war, to Rabi Island, off the coi of Vanua Levu, Fiji. This co munity also is flourishing.

Mr. Ted Atkinson, of Madai New Guinea, was on holiday in Br bane in January.