THE DECAY OF ST. HELENA.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17411, 23 March 1922, Page 12

THE DECAY OF ST. HELENA.

JAMESTOWN A DESERTED VILLAGE. (From our South African Correspondent.) It is sad to o hear that St. Helena, made historic by Napoleon's exile and burial in the island, should in these present days he in a condition of decay and dilapidation. St. Helena still, however, possesses a -weekly newspaper, tho "Guardian," a tiny threepenny sheet. The "Guardian" shortly before last Christmas contained tho following leaderette:—"The Island of St. Helena must.appear to be very changed to a visitor returning after a lapse of forty years. Probably the change would not be so noticeable in the country districts, except for the fact that many of the houses which were inhabited in those days are now merely ruins. In Jamestown, however, the difference is very striking. What was a busy and prosperous little town forty years ago now consists of empty streets and dilapidated houses, the only sign of life being games of crickot indulged in by small boys in the deserted streets. A deserted Village, indeed, waiting in vain for a return of prosperity, which it will never experienced The present Governor of St. Helena is Col. Robert F. Peel, until not very Ion" ago Unionist M.j.-. for the Woodbridge Division of Suffolk. Col. Peel, who is a grand-nephew of Sir Robert Peel, of Corn Law fame, is a popular Governor, but his position is naturally a very difficult one. Through his Jfecelleney's instrumentality some 250 men, women, and children of Jamestown were entertained to a Christmas dinner in the Baptist Church Schoolroom on December 22nd, and on Cnristmas Eve 200 women and children were entertained to tea. The Governor was careful to tell the guests that both repasts were provided not from his own pocket, but from a sum of money received somo time back from Natal to be disposed of at his discretion. Under the present distressing circumstances of tho island, it is interesting to note that the inhabitants of St. Helena sent through the Governor a cablegram to the Secretary of Scate for tho Colonies, conveying their congratulations to H.R.H. Princess Mary on her betrothal.

Suggested Scrapping of Ascension. The "St. Helena Guardian" of December 31st says:—"The Admiralty appears to be in a scrapping mood in its literal and not figurative sense, So why not 'scrap' Ascension, and concentrate on St. Helena, thus making one naval baso in the South Atlantic instead of two? This would be a considerable saving'to the Exchequer, and would not weaken our defences, as in times of war a portion of St. Helena Garrison could be easily drafted to the neighbouring island. Thjis policy would also go a lon S way towa »"ds making St. Helena self-supporting, which would bo an additional saving to the Lords of the Treasury. We cannot help thinking that if these and other important arguments for the proper upkeep of the St. Helena Garrison were strongly urged by influential parties, some good would come of it, and we would not be doomed to oblivion ia the civilised world to-day."