ISLAND OF SARK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 275, 2 September 1939, Page 3

ISLAND OF SARK.

A FRAGMENT OF FEUDALISM. The little island of Sark, one of the Channel Islands, British property off the north-west coast of France, is said to be taking its first important progressive step in 350 years in deciding to improve its harbour, declar es a writer in the “Christian (Science Monitor.” The fact is Sark thrives on remaining a feudal fragment and has not had much need to progress since its last big step forward in 1588, when its first Seigneur, Helier do Carteret, cut through sheer rock to make a harbour haven and give tunnel access to this rock-girt island. Sark earned fame for having the smallest harbour in the world. As far back as 1861, however, the Sarkese felt the need of improving Le Cruex Harbour or of building a new one, for in that year the last of the Sark cutters, the Rival, was dashed bn the rocks at the perilous harbour approach. Side by side with its ambitions new £30,000 haul)our scheme, Sark retains its 1571 windmill, erected by its Seigneur to grind corn, and the present holder of the seignory, Mrs Hathaway La Dame de Serk still holds the monopoly of corn-grinding in the island. Thousands of tons of cement are to bo water-borne from London Thamesside works to tfle island for the harbour extension. It is hoped to meet the cost of the scheme through the existing landing (or poll) tax levied against visitors. At present this produces nearly £IOOO a year. This budgetless island continues to enjoy a feudal government and a kindly dictatorship, and is subject to no income tax of any kind. Moreover, the small local taxes on the island have remained unaltered throughout the centuries; every male on the island contributes two days’ work a year—or pays a substitute. Feudal rights retained by Mrs Hathaway make it possible for. her to order deportation without giving reasons. They also demand her presence at the opening of the island Parliament (composed of forty farm holders, known as Sieurs), but give her the power to veto new taxation or any laws passed by them. The two-roomed prison is rarely needed—tlie lock is too rusty to function anyhow! and one of its last female prisoners was allowed to sit outside in the sunshine to do her knitting! The island’s one constable is elected annually, but does not find his duties too onerous. In the reign of James 11. avool was imported and knitted articles Avere shipped to England in exchange for necessaries. All traces of the industry have noAV disappeared, liOAvever, leaving the 700 islanders dependent on fishing and tourists. At present reached by cross-Channel steamer from Southampton or Weymouth, thence by a service operating betAveen Guernsey and Sark—a 12-hour journey in all—Sark will be brought eight hours nearer avlicu the ucav air service betAveen England and Guernsey opens this year.