EMPIRE OUTPOST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 63, 26 December 1935, Page 8

EMPIRE OUTPOST

LIFE ON ST. HELENA. CHANGE DUE TO MOTOR. Life on a mid-ocean outpost of the British Empire Avas described in an interview Avith Mr G. E. Moss, Postmaster of JamestoAvn, St. Helena, to a representative of the “Cape Times” recently. % Mr Moss said that his Avas the only post office on the island. Ascension, 700 miles away, Avas a sub-branch, Avhich had to account to him every month, and which he supplied Avitli stamps and other requisites. A steamer called at each place once a month and the duties of postmaster at Ascension Avere carried out by an official of the Eastern Cable Company. The present population of St. Helena, said Mr Moss, Avas about 4000. It had slightly increased in the past seven years. He thought that the amount of unemployment when lie left, in August, was due partly to the large population, and partly to the loav price of flax in England, which had made it necessary for the mills to discharge some of their hands. He had heard, however, that these mills had since taken on more Avorkers, owing to an increase in the price of flax. There was a time Avhen the island supplied tho Cape Avith servants. Not only did this ease the overcrowding on tho island, hut the relatives at home felt tho benefit of tho remittances that Avere sent to them. But emigration to the Cape in recent years had stopped, and Mr Moss considered that tho island Avas unable to support more than a population of about 3000. About 150 of the inhabitants were Europeans, and these included a small garrison of marines, avlio guarded tlie Government stores. ships from the. Cape Squadron called, and were heartily welcomed. A large American steamer, the City of New York, trading between New York and. Beira, called on every outward voyage, and its passengers' visited the interesting parts of the island. The Union Castle Line intermediate steamers called Regularly c\ r ery month. Mr Moss said that a great change had come over the island during tlie past few years, oiving to the introduction of the motor-car. When he arrived the roads Avere very rough, and the only traffic was animal-drawn. Today there Avere 70 motor-cars on the roads, and some of them Avere plying for hire. The roads, too, had been very much improved, and a nine-hole golf course had been constructed, which Avas much appreciated by the European community. The roads are in some places very steep, and when- Mr Moss leaves his office for his home, three miles away, the baby car has to climb 1800 feet to get there. The main industry of the island is the cultivation of flax and its preparation for the overseas market. A small number of people are also employed in making rope, and others are engaged in fisheries. Mr Moss thought that the fishing industry could he turned to better advantage if the fishermen Avere more industrious and enterprising. He said that the island Avas an angler’s paradise. Both by rod and line from the rocks and from a boat in Jamestown Harbour, lie had made wonderful hauls of albacore, bonito, and rock cod, as well as some fish known locally as soldiers and'bull’s-eyes.

Referring to the Avoik of the post office at St. Helena, Mr Moss said that there Avas no delivery of letters on the island. They Avere called ior at the post office. There Avas, consequently, no sale or stamps, except for letters overseas, and to collectors from all other parts of tlie world. A considerable sum was received every year from stamp collectors, who wrote ‘for Acts of St. Helena stamps. There had been a big demand for. the stamps that were issued last May to celebrate the King’s Silver Jubilee. During recent years subscribers to the telephone exchange had increased, and there Avere iioav about forty in use. . 51 r Moss Avas horn at St. Helena, and when about twenty years of age emigrated to Rhodesia. He was for many years in the Rhodesian Customs Department, On retiring, seven years ago, he was asked to become postmaster at Jamestown. He Avas visiting the Cape for health reasons.