VISIT TO PITCAIRN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16459, 8 February 1917, Page 9

VISIT TO PITCAIRN.

1 JLVJ-J. J.V/ JLJ.XVaXJUU.iI - » ' GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS AMERICAN GENEROSITY. An interesting story of a Christmas campaign, conducted in America on behalf of i the Pitcairn Islanders, was told yesterday by Mr. Claude Hirsee, second officer of an overseas trading vessel at present in port. As is well known, Pitcairn Island, previous t0. % the opening of the Panama Canal, lay out of the ordinary trade route of the Pacific, and it was but rarely that the inhabitants come in contact with ships as they passed on«their way to and'from the outside world. 1 The vessel in question made a brief call at Pitcairn Island about six months ago, and the inhabitants made request [or some oil, articles of clothing, and, particularly, | any garments that could be utilised lor I dresses for the women, who were barei loot, and but poorly clad. .Naturally, the ! limitations of a trader in the latter re- ' spect were well denned, and although I lmeral donations of wearing apparel and i other articles were made by oiucers and ' crew, the women and children were dia- ; appointed. Captain U. Griffiths, in charge 01 the vessel, therefore determined that if I opportunity offered their wants should be liberally supplied' on the next trip. A Sympathetic Response. Accordingly, when in New York last December, the story of the Pitcairn Islanders was made known through the press, and an appeal, made for clothing, writing-paper, pencils, oil; soap, nails, and various other articles, to take the form of a Christinas gift from the people of America. So generous, was. the response, that when the vessel left again on her long voyage she carried with her a cargo of no less than 10 tons of goods for the islanders. 'Pitcairn Island was sighted on January 27, at half-past three in the morning, and permission to stop having been obtained from the ship's owners, she slowed, down, eager signals being made from the watchful dwellers ashore. At daybreak; a number of the islanders pushed off in the two' whale boats left with them . years ago by a passing vessel, and, as usual, offered island fruit and curios in exchange for anything that could be spared them. Unexpected Treasure. But the response this time was utterly unexpected, and the news that there'was 10 tons of gifts aboard for them passed through the little community as the most exciting bit of news that had ever flashed into their quiet lives. Some of the islanders helped with the unloading, others transferred the cases and barrels of goods to the shore, where practically i the whole population of 160 stood to watch these most unusual proceedings. When it was realised what this generosity from a far-off and unknown country meant in the way of toys for the little children, many of whom had never seen a toy, pretty dresses for the women and girls, clothes for the men, and numerous . other acceptable gifts, their gratitude , knew no bounds. ! Before the vessel left, the Governor of . the island, Mr. Gerard Bromley Christian, 1 great-grandson of Fletcher Christian, i leader of the mutiny, went on board, .and expressed to Captain Griffiths and his -officers the warm thanks of all the people. In token of appreciation, he presented the captain with a very valuable souvenir in the shape of a piece of metal work from the Bounty, obtained in 1913, from the submerged remains, while the second officer, who performed the secretarial work in connection with the gift-scheme, was presented . with a small slate chisel, one of those made and used by Christian and Adams when they first settled on the island. As the vessel moved out again to the open sea, the islanders gathered on the beach, and sang farewell' songs to those who had brought into their quiet lives tangible proof of the meaning of Christmas and the goodwill of the people of a great, unknown nation across the sea.