ANNEXATION OF SUWARROW ISLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2136, 16 May 1889, Page 2

ANNEXATION OF SUWARROW ISLAND.

DETAILS OF THE CEREMONY. (PUR PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUOKLAND, May 15. The following In respect to the annexation of Sow arrow Island has been written to the " Herald" by one who witnessed the oeremony : — " Having arrived iv view of the group early on 22ad April, tbe Rapid proceeded slowly and cautiously up to the Island of Suwarrow, and on a near approach one oonld see the flag of the British Mercantile Navy fbatlng oVer the I lighthouse. A newly constructed dwelling, but ot very email s.ze, w*s situated on tbe western side of tbe Inland. On the eastern side of tbe ioiand there was a large shed. There was no sign of life, with the exoeption of a few domestlo fowls and an immense flock of sea birdsTbe group of islands is connected by ratans of large onral reefs, which stretch along tbe horizon as far as the eye oan see, and ara very numerous, hence our oautlonsness m approaohing the place. Arrived nearly opposite the pier, we were boarded by an aged and feeble looking man, who aas evidently a native of Great Britain, aad who told us he bad been on the Island for abont two years I believe be was In tbe service of tbe San Prarclfoo Mall s* earner o. He rendtly p'aoed his knowledge at our disposal by -h'JwlDg the dangerous parts, pointii.gout a reef here and there whioh was not visible to the eye, and offering suggestions as to the best place to anchor. At last we dropped anchor In seventeen fathoms In what proved to be th-) ohanuel. At 2 pm. a party of seamen under the oommind of Lieutenant 0, 0. Djcosta, R.N., iaodod from the ship to aot an guard of honor, followed by a party of carpenter b and exo ivatore to erect a flagstaff on whioh to hoist the flag. A photographer also landed to* take a photo of the group while m the act of performing tho oeremony. Tho usual proclamation, siloed by Oapt. Castle, was fixed to a board, and when the fltg was hoisted the men presented arms, the bugles sounded, and at tha sitae time the ship thundered foi'th the royal salute of 21 guns