H.M.S. LEITH.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 368, 24 February 1937, Page 2

H.M.S. LEITH.

MYSTERY VOYAGE.

Now Returned from Unknown Destination.

The mystery surrounding the mission of the sloop Leith, which sailed from Suva oh January 25 for an undisblo’sed destination, has been partly lifted. The Leith returned to Suva on Saturday afternoon, and a Press Association message from that port states that the ship had come from Gardner Inland, in the Phoenix Group, ;.nd that she had also visited Christmas Island. Mr Oscar Barrack, a Fiji Government Wireless operator, Was left, on Christmas Inland, and a complete wireless plant was landed.

Ihte only .fact known when th Leith left Suva in January was that MT Barrack was on board, and that he had sailed at short notice, after collecting six months’ provisions. The Phoenix Group and Christmas Island w re mentioned as being posble destinations at the time. It was thought that Mr Barrack was to be landed on an island, possibly accompanied by a naval party from the Leith, in order to establish possesion The object of this was thought in Suva to have some connection with islands which might be used in a possible route for Imperial Airways, or for research in weather forecasting.

The message from Suva does not disclote the purpose of the wireless plant or whether Mr Barrack is accompanied by a naval party. The sole residents of Christmas Islai<l, the message advises, are a French couple. An article published in Fiji last month, however, said the island was occupied by three Europeans and at least 20 Tahitians.

Christmas Island is comparatively close to Fanning Island, the cable station, and, it is claimed by Britain, is governed by the British Resident on the latter island. Gardner Island is very fertile, and has several large coconut plantations. All the islands

in the Phoenix Group, except McKean and Enderbury, were leased to the Samoa Shipping and Trading Company for 87 years from January, 1914. Official Reticence. A Press Association message received from Suva on Monday states that officials in Fiji decline to give

any information concerning the Leith’s voyage. Christmas Island is held under occupation by a licence granted by the Crown to the Parcentral Pacific Coconut Company, a French concern with headquarters at Tahiti. There is a French manager and native labour on the island.