“BOUNTY” DESCENDANTS

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 91, 19 November 1936, Page 4

“BOUNTY” DESCENDANTS

CALLERS AT PLACEMENT OFFICE “WANTED TO SEE THE BIG CITY ’ ’ Three descendants of the ‘‘Bounty,’ Bligh’s famous ship, which was seized by mutinous members of the crew, led by Fletcher Christian, in April, 1789, were callers at the Wellington placement office last week. They were Joseph Christian, sixth descendant of Fletcher Christian, and two brothers, who are descendants of p midshipman who joined the mutineers. 'These mon recently arrived from Pitcairn Island, and when asked why they left their island homo they declared that they had a keen desire to see the “Big City,” and to earn a little money to buy things which they cannot obtain on the island. According to Joseph Christian, who is 31 years of age, it takes about five years to save sufficient money to pay the steamer fare to Wellington, and this is done by the sale of fruit and curios to tourists who visit the island. From that source one would earn about 15/- a fortnight, said Christian. The latter had been in Wellington several weeks before he called at the placement office in an endeavour to obtain work, which the Department was able to find for him within a day or so of his visit. Probably it was the roving spirit of their forefathers which prompted these mon to make the trip to New Zealand, but as they naturally have no opportunity at Pitcairn of learning a trade they took a. considerable risk in 'making the long journey to New Zealand in the expectation of finding employment. The placement officers expect that suitable work will soon be provided for the brothers.