Sogeri S[?]

Remote Tikopia

Suffers

Serious Epidemic

WHEN the Acting High Commis sioner for the Western Pacific (Mr. R. J. Minnitt) visited re mote little Tikopia on September 1, he found that there had recently been 124 deaths from sickness and that many of the people were still ill.

Tikopia, one of Melanesia’s “Poly nesian islands,” is south-east of the Santa Cruz Group. The population in 1952 totalled about 1,750.

The British Solomon Islands Pro tectorate News Sheet states that during the outbreak the principal chief of Tikopia, Te Ariki Kafika, who is believed to have been about 90 years old, had died and been succeeded by his grandson. Another chief who had died had been suc ceeded by his son.

The News Sheet states that im mediate steps were taken by AMP David Dawea, who accompanied the Acting High Commissioner, to treat the casualties, and arrange ments were made for the Acting Senior Medical Officer (Dr. R. F.

Payne) to go to the island with further medical and relief supplies and assistance.

The outbreak was thought to be either malaria or influenza, but it was stated at Honiara in mid-Sep tember that a final diagnosis and full reports from Dr. Payne had not yet been received.

The Acting High Commissioner, who was touring the Eastern Dis trict of the British Solomons with the District Commissioner, visited the Tikopia villages and discussed with the chiefs what should be done.

The resettlement of part of the island’s people in order to reduce population pressure was one of the subjects discussed.

Resettlement had been proposed previously, but it was not favoured by the Tikopia people, who are re luctant to leave their remote home permanently, although they gladly go away for short periods.

There are indications, however, that the islanders are gradually be coming used to the idea of starting a new settlement in the Protector ate, and the possibilities are again being studied at Honiara.

Sogeri S[?]

Event[?]

B. Fisher [?] winner of the Gift event at the agricultural [?]

Papua, wit[?]

runners-up aft[?] race. —Photo by Prints.