Not Leaving Pitcairn Is.

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 17

Not Leaving Pitcairn Is.

(N.Z Press Assn. —Copyright) SUVA, FIJI, May 16. Pitcairn Island, home of the descendants of the H.M.S. Bounty mutineers, will not be abandoned this year after all, the South Pacific Commission announced, according to the United Press International. Two years ago, the commission began a programme to resettle the 100 or so residents to less distant parts of the Pacific by the end of 1966. Younger islanders had been leaving Pitcairn but, while

the older residents wanted to remain, there were not enough able-bodied men to keep up the rugged existence. Forefathers of today’s residents settled on the island on January 23, 1790, after the mutineer, Fletcher Christian, burned and sank the Bounty. The crewmen married Polynesian women and began raising families on the desolate island, about 2800 miles south of Honolulu. Renewed Confidence The commission said that in recent months, the emigration of young residents had slowed because of an upswing in the economy of the island. The islanders had renewed their confidence in the future, it said. The economy had been re-

vived by the issue of a much-sought-after Pitcairn postage stamp, and by the launching of a souvenir agency to market handicrafts overseas. The Government of New Zealand is providing pensions for the elderly, medical treatment and scholarships, U.P.L said. Shipping companies were co-operating in an effort to improve communications with the outside world. The commission report also said that a library has just been established and that a broadcasting service will soon be inaugurated The last attempt at resettling the islanders came in May, 1956, but after 32 months, most of the emigres had returned to Pitcairn.