PITCAIRN ISLAND

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 51, 23 November 1928, Page 17

PITCAIRN ISLAND

NATIVES’ VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND Living community life <s> Some interesting details of the comtnunlty life lived on Pitcairn Island were given to a “Dominion” representative yesterday by a descendant of the bid mutineers, who is one of a party of four who are spending a few months in the Dominion. His name is Vernon Young, and he, with the others (one a young woman), arrived here in August with the idea of seeing a little of the world outside the island, and with the further objective of earning a few pounds in order to take back with them such food and other commodities as they are unable to produce on the island. This young man has only once before been out of the island, and that was when he made a trip to Tahiti and back on one of the liners, so that this is his first real experience of what civilisation outside of Pitcairn Island is like. He is working in the Education Board’s store. Another of.the party is employed in Tory Street, the young woman is working in a teashop, and the other is working in Nelson. None of them, however, desires to remain away from the Island for an indefinite period, and they all intend to return early in the New Year. A Community Life. The religious observances at Pitcairn are those of the Seventh Day Adventists, the services of a missionary having been made available to them. • The island is only six miles across, and goats and poultry abound. The inhabitants are not big meat-eaters, fruit being one of the main articles of diet. It

is essentially a community life that they lead, each helping the other in any work which is being done. If a house is being built, as many as are required give ahand until it is finished. It is not absolutely impossible for anyone from outside to become a permanent resident there, but there are certain formalities to be gone through with the Fijian Consul, while the people on the island have the last say as to whether any person shall be admitted as a permanent resident. Any such have to conform to the community laws and customs. About three years ago three Auckland women were admitted, and they have since settled down and have recently entered into their own house which was built for them. Visitors are

welcomed and can see all that there Is to be seen on this lonely island of 200 Inhabitants in the Pacific, 3000 miles from New Zealand. They must not, however, expect to find accommodation such as exists along ordinary tourist routes. Election on Christmas Day. The head official on the island is the magistrate, whose word is law. He is elected annually. Nomination day is December 20, the election takes place on December 25, Christmas Day, and the new magistrate takes office on New Year’s Day. This might be said to amount to the island’s general election of a Parliament of one. There is little law-breakng, but any offender is brought before the court, and if found guilty has to pay a fine in kind or do penance in the form of some community task such as road-making or other heavy work. The magistrate has a secretary, two assistants, and an officer who looks after the general welfare of the Islanders. There is only one school, where children attend up to 16 years of age, although they may remain longer if they wish.’ The school hours are from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and they are free for the rest of the day. This would no doubt be regarded as the schoolboys’ paradise by New Zealand children.

Choice Oranges. Fruit-growing is the principal occupation, oranges, bananas, pineapples, alligator pears, peaches, mangoes, etc., being grown in abundance. The oranges are reported to be the finest flavour of any grown in the Pacific, but there is at present no organised export of fruit of any kind, although steps are likely to be taken in this direction shortly. If the winds are not too severe oranges can be produced all the year round, and even under unfavourable condi-

tions an ample supply can be maintained from April to October. Occasional cases have reached the Dominion, and the question of export is being discussed with the four islanders who are now in the Dominion. Information is being supplied to them as to the size of cases, grading and packing of oranges and other fruit. There is a saw-pit on the island, but timber would have to be supplied as there is little growing there. At present most of the fruit is supplied to passing steamers, but a large quantity is lost every year which might be marketed under organised conditions. The fruit is mostly bartered for supplies, although some is sold and the proceeds applied to the necessities of the community procured from overseas. Shipping is another difficulty as at present about one ship a fortnight calls at the island. The Social Side. There are no theatres or picture shows on the island, but the people I

are musical, playing wind or stringed instruments, and they hold social gatherings in which all take part. Cricket is played pretty well all the year round, while athletic events are held, the tug of war being a favourite. Most of the men are handy men, learning various trades from their elders as they grow up. They have a wireless transmitting set, presented by the Marconi Company, by means of which they can get in touch with vessels within aproximately 100 miles range of the island. When the four islanders return they will turn their savings into flour, rice, sugar, clothing and boots, etc., and take these goods with them.