PITCAIRN ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 149, 20 December 1929, Page 9

PITCAIRN ISLAND

PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY

THE BOON OF WIKELESS

Boniantie interest attaches to Piteairn Island, that lonely spot in the Pacific which is almost as far removed from the centres of civilisation as any spot, in the world. Its history started in 1789 when it was peopled by mutineers from the Bounty, whose descendants are still the inhabitants. Some aspects of life on this lonely, but by no means desolate, island were described to-day to a "Post" representative by Pastor E. S. Butz, who is at present in Wellington. His knowledge of Pitcairn Island dates back thirty-five years, and he has just spent eight months there, his work as a Seventh Day Adventist missionary taking him all round the islands of the Pacific. He remarked that there were no signs of degeneracy amongst the islanders. It might be expected, ho said, owing to intermarriage, but comparing the islanders now with those of thirtyfive years ago, he could see no degeneration. They were a bright and strong community, little affected by disease. The population was now two hundred, an increase of sixty in the last thirtyfive years. The community was almost self-supporting, but always appreciated sugar and clothing from outside sources. They were an industrious crowd, working in their gardens and building wooden houses and boats. They have constructed whale-boats capable of holding fifty men, and canoes are also skilfully built. Dugouts are no longer possible owing to the lack of suitable trees. Curios are carved in quantity for sale to passing boats. The gardens are on terraces something like "Wellington gardens said Mr. ._ Butz. . Education is by no means neglected. There is a fine wooden building divided into three class-rooms for the forty children of school age. Four teachers are employed. Becreations are many criclcet and other games being indulged in, as well as sports meetings and picnics.' If there is any big function on, like a birthday party, the losing side in a cricket match is s.addled with the chores. Music is not neglected, and some of the violins made on the island have a tone superior to that of imported instruments. In singing a high degree of harmony has been cultivated. "The gramophone ia present on the island in too large numbers," commented Mr. Eutz. Although one hundred miles from the nearest island of the Paumotu group, Pitcairn i 3 no longer isolated as it used to be, thanks to wireless. There' are four sets on the island now, with a range of a few hundred miles. Ships are frequently picked up and talked to, and their arrival off the island is now known twelve to twenty-four hours beforehand. Hitherto no one on the island knew when a ship might be expected, the actual sight of one bein? the first intimation of its arrival.