Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
NIKUMARORO (GARDNER)
After the departure of the Americans, the islanders became discontent (Anon. 1952). Most
wanted to return to the Gilbert Islands. After discussions and meeting with P.B. Laxton
settlers agreed to stay (Laxton 1951).
In 1947, there were 79 people living on Nikumaroro (Gardner) (Freeman 1951; Maude
1953a; Pusinelli 1948; Robson 1956).
By 1948, there were 84 persons on Nikumaroro (Gardner) (Bryan 1951).
In 1949, Manra (Sydney) colonists were moved to Nikumaroro (Gardner) (Clune 1951). A
number of families on Manra (Sydney) had to be moved to Nikumaroro due to the difficult
living conditions there (Robson 1956). There were a total of about 125 people living on
Nikumaroro (Gardner).
In 1955, there was a complete LORAN radio station with several diesel generators and other
equipment that had been left on Nikumaroro (Gardner) since World War II (Anon. 1955c).
The building was no longer weather-proof and this equipment was deteriorating.
In the 1960s, the Pacific Ocean Biological Survey Programme visited Nikumaroro (Gardner)
several times (Garnett 1983a).
In 1963, there were 112 people in Ritiati, 118 in Noriti, for a total of 230 people on
Nikumaroro (Gardner) (McArthur and McCaig 1963).
When the Phoenix Islands were hit with another drought in 1963, relief measures were
needed (MacDonald 1982). In 1963, 210 settlers of Nikumaroro (Gardner) were evacuated
because of a drought (King 1973; see also Garnett 1983a). Settlers on Orona (Hull) and
Nikumaroro (Gardner) were evacuated to the Solomon Islands, even though by January 1964
the islands had clearly recovered from the drought (MacDonald 1982). The primary factor
for the relocation was the cost and inconvenience of administration. All settlers were taken to
Wagina Island in the Solomon Islands (Douglas and Douglas 1994).
The settlement on Nikumaroro lasted until 1964 (Gilbert Islands 1978).
In 1967, the island was uninhabited (Hydrographer of the Navy 1969). Flying boats had
landed in the lagoon successfully.
In 1968, there were no residents on Abariringa (Canton), Orona (Hull), and Nikumaroro
(Gardner) (Zwart and Groenewegen 1968).
By 1969, the wreck of the Norwich City was reported to be breaking up (Hydrographer of the
Navy 1969).
According to King (1973), the USAF leased Birnie, Nikumaroro (Gardner), and Manra
(Sydney) from the U.K. Preconstruction environmental surveys were carried out on Manra,
Nikumaroro, McKean, and Birnie (King et al 2001).
83