Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-23
POAGHERS BUSY
in ISLANDS OF
THE SOUTH SEAS
Kestrel Brings News of Japan
csc Removing Warehouse
from Christmas Isle

The presence of Japanese in the
role of poachers in the various I'M
protected islands throughout the
south seas was brought to light with
the return of the British steamer Kes-
Ttrel TO Honolulu this morning follow
ling a three weeks cruise to Tanning
and Washington island copra estates.
/ That large and Observation-Disclosures
warehouse belonging to an extensive
but now abandoned plant operated by
lone of the phosphate companies was
removed from Christmas island by
Japanese is the belief expressed by
Ioffieers I'm that vessel today.
Christmas island lies about 200
miles to the eastward of Washington,
which is now a base of operation for
Armstrong & Armstrong in the har-
resting of copra. Christmas island
has been rich in guano deposits. To
gather the deposit, number of miles
of light railway and several buildings
had been constructed there When
the phosphate beds were found to have
been exhausted. the lahorers and
much OF the machinery we're removed
to Ocean and Makatea. A small trad
ing schooner called at Tanning at the
! time the Kestrel remained there. and
brought the report that a vessel
manned by Japanese had spent some
| days at Christmas island, and before
departing the men had denuded the
islet of practically everything of
value.
Christmas island affords last rest
ing-place for the wreck of the British
lfrefghter Aeon, which six years ago
sailed from Puget Sound with cargo
valued at about 100000 and went
ashore on a reef off the island during
a typhoon. The battered and torn
hulk is yet prominent object as yes
sells near the spot That this wreck
and cargo have proved a. valuable
prize for the poachers is now gener-
ally conceded.
r. M. Fit and Percy Armstrong,
who accompanied the Kestref to the
South Seas when the vessel sailed
from Honolulu on March 2, decided to
remain there awaiting the return of
the British steamer Captain e. L.
Tfndell stated this morning that it is
his intention to sail for flaming about
March %. The usual daily wind and
rain squall prevailed at Tanning and
Washington Fine weather was met
going and returning, the nestrel hav-
ing made a record passage from Ho-
nolulu to Tanning in days and 2
hours.
Speak Judge Cooper and Party.
The Kestrel sighted the schooner
yacht Luka with Judge Henry E.
Cooper and party Saturday morning.
The juristskipper reported all well
oil board The Luka was at that time
hut several hundred mics north of
destination at Palmyra.
"Ths prospect for profitable yield
of phosphate on Farming is exceed
ingly bright" declared Captain Tin
dell. I'VE brought As Gilbert island
ers from Washington island, where
they have completed their labors.
These men will be set to work install
ing Is miles of railway and a plant
for preparing the guano for shipment.
Percy Armstrong, representing the
British syndicate, will make a careful
inspection of the harbor facilities at
Tanning before returning to Honolulu
and thence to London, where he will
report to ithe headquarters of the
company.
The Kestrel will be discharged of
about 100 tons of copra. The con
Segment is to be transhipped to San
Francisco.
4. 4 L \ .s 49, IL d Il