LONG GOOD-BYE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 129, 3 June 1930, Page 7

LONG GOOD-BYE.

STAYED TOO LATE.

CARRIED TO PITCAIRN.

AN INVOLUNTARY ADVENTURE

TWO WELLINGTON MEN RETURN,

Loud in their praise of the. hospitality of their hosts and hostesses, Messrs. C. Denman and B. Murray, Public Works Department employees, of Wellington, who were carried out to set on the Coiihthic on April 9, because they tarried too long in saying good-bye, returned on the Tainui to-day from Pitcairn Island, who were carried out to sea on the Corinthic left Wellington at 8 p.m., and when Messrs. Denman and Murray realised that she was bearing them away, tlie vessel was several miles from the wharf. Pitcairn was the first stop, and Captain Freeman landed the two New Zealanders there, in the belief that they would be picked up by a passing boat within a few days. Wife Left Behind.

"I left my motor car on the Wellington wharf," said Mr. Murray, when the Tainui arrived this morning; "and Mr. Dgnman left his wife and two-year-old daughter among the crowd of people who were waving farewell to the passengers. Of course, no time was lost in sending a radio message to those whom we had left in Wellington, assuring them that we would return at the first opportunity. Our involuntary absence has provided us with a great adventure, and everyone has been the soul of kindness. Especially must we mention the officers of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, who have been very good to us. "When we found that the Corinthie was at sea we were in great distress," continued Mr. Murray." "We had only the clothes we stocfd up in, and very little money—only a little silver. Fortunately we had our overcoats. Why we did not hear the warning bell I can't say, except that we were down on one of thS lower decks, and a party of us were talking loudly. Mr. Denman and myself had been employed by the Public Works Department on the Tawa Flat deviation work, and had gone down to Wellington to say good-bye to a mate who was returning to Scotland on the Corinthie. Originally the vessel was scheduled to sail at 5 p.m., but the time was changed to 8 o'clock, and', when we went on board one of the *crew told us not to bother about hurrying off, as he did not expect that the boat would sail till 10 p.m. As a result, we were rather careless.

Hospitality at Pitcairn. "As soon as we knew that there was no chance of getting back to Wellington, we sent off radiograms, and settled down to make the most of our lot. The purser gave US' a cabin to ourselves, and we were well treated. The Corinthic arrived at Pitcairn on April 19, and we were landed. The passengers gave us a great farewell, putting out streamers, and' the ship's syren was sounded. Arrived on the island, we were greeted by a large company of the residents, who conducted us to the home of the chief magistrate, Mr. Arthur Herbert Young. He is the head man on the island, which is governed by a council. -Magistrate and council are elected by the islanders. Mr. Young made us most welcome, giving us the freedom of his home "ana' the island generally.

"Naturally, we were most anxious to return to New Zealand, and we made inquiries concerning the probable date of the arrival of the next ship boufid for New Zealand. The Mataroa was due within a few days, but she did not call at Pitcairn, as her skipper was bent on making a record voyage. The Rangitata went by at 2 a.m., about April 2S. We could see her mastheads. In a. little launch owned' by the Pitcairn people we chased a freight boat, the Coptic, about three days later. After going .about three miles off the coast, we realised that it was hopeless to attempt catching her, so we turned back. The Pitcairn people do not smoke, and, of course, there were no supplies of tobacco on the island. However, there was green tobacco growing luxuriantly, so we got some, bagged it on the fire, and tried to get a smoke that way. You may imagine how delighted we were when the lonic put in, on her voyage to England. We went on board and got a. thousand cigarettes—the best smokes we have ever enjoyed."

Bell of the Bounty. Men of Pitcairn tako it in turns to watch for passing steamers. The bell Of the Bounty, one of the few relics of the British ship on which the famous mutiny occurred, is hung from a beam between two uprights, and when a ship is sighted from Lookout Ridge the ci y "Sail-O!" is heard, and live peak of the historic bell ring out over the island. It is scarcely necessary to add that there is no radio equipment on the island. Except for the few who have been to New Zealand, the lonelv island folk have never seen a cinematograph film, and they showed by their demeanour that they did not credit the statement of their guests that pictures now talk and sing. _ On the eastern side of the island, where the current is set a certain the remains of the Bounty may still be seen at low tide. Mr. Murray has,- as a souvenir of his.adventure, a copper nail from the Bounty. On the island there are only four surnames, Christian, Warren, Young, and Coffin. All these families -are, of coursc, closely related owing to intermarriage for several generations.

Not for thirteen years have strangers been so long at Pitcairn. The High Commissioner of Fiji is empowered to give landing permits to travellers, but these permits are of no avail unless the Pitcairn islanders consent to receive the intending visitors. Both the New Zealanders who had such a long sojourn on the island say that the Pitcairn people are simple mannered and really kind hearted. They are not simple-minded, as some people imagine, the standard of intelligence being high. c

"In the Sweet Bye and Bye." "We were so well treated at Pitcairn that we were spoiled," said Mr. Denman. "If we chanced to sleep in, our hosts would defer breakfast and wait till we woke up rather than disturb us. The food was wonderfully good, the Pitcairn women being great cooks and very clean. When we left on the Taiiwi practically the whole population -farewelled us. "''Pitcairn be sad to-night/ was their final assurance. As the Tinnui sailed away, the islanders who hart taken us so warmly to their hea sang their well-known hym , "Till Wo Meet in the Sweat Bye and iB Mr" Murray, who is unmarried, goes South to-night ivith Mr. Penman, who is looking forward to hnppy reunion vith his wife and little daughter.