THE WATERLILY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1933, Page 6

THE WATERLILY

SURVIVOR RETURNING TO N.Z. SUVA, June' 13. The last remaining member-of the crew of the New Zealand ketch Waterlily, which arrived in Suva from Auckland last year on a cruise ox the Islands and which was subsequently wrecked in the Gilbert and Ellice Group, arrived from the Gilbert Islands in the missionary steamer John Williams on Sunday last. He is Mr Stephen Gerard, of Christchurch. When the vessel went on a reef and became a total loss. the other members of the party returned to New Zealand by a phosphate steamer, but Mr Gerald elected to remain in the Gilberts, which arc situated north of Suva and near the Equator.

It was stated on the arrival of the John Williams that Mr Gerard, acting in conjunction with the natives of one of the islands,-was delirious of opening up a trading store on a co-operative basis, through the medium of which the natives would trade their copra for goods.. It was in this connection that Mr Gerard came to Suva to interview the High Comniissiner for the Western Pacific, whose permission for any such .undertaking would first have to he obtained. V

On application being made to the ‘Western High Commissioner this morning, it was officially stated that Mr .Gerard would not he returning to the Gilbert Island, but that facilities would he provided for him to return to New Zealand. It is expected that he will return to Auckland by the Karetu this week.