A DWINDLING BAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 18 September 1929, Page 8

A DWINDLING BAND.

JHE OLD " BOUNTYNEERS."ONLY EIGHT SURVIVORS. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.! NORFOLK ISLAND, Sept. 11. Death is steadily depleting the rapidly dwindling band of "Bountyneers" whom 1110 British Government transferred from I'itcairn Island to Norfolk Island in 1856. On August 26 Mrs. Isabella Christian (Aunt "Issy") died. Sho was tho last of a family of thirteen and had reached tho age of 76 years. Tho funeral, conducted by the Rev. T. E. Adams, was a very largo one. The flags on Government House and elsewhere were lowered to half-mast in token of tho respect in which tiio deceased was held. The death of another "Bountyneer," Mrs. Abigail Qiiintall ("Aunt Tabor") occurred on September 1, at tho age of 76. Her funeral, which took placo tho siiino afternoon, was very largely attended. Tho Rev. J. W. Robertson conducted tho service. StilJ another "Bountyneer" passed away on September 7, Mrs. Dinah Adams. "Aunt Dinah," as sho was known to all islanders, was in her 92nd year; Tho deceased was a fine strapping young woman of 19 years when sho landed from the Morayshire, which brought tho wholo party from Pitcairn Island. Sho had vivid memories of the years spent on her island birthplace and of tho early days in tho now home. Tho funeral took place on tho following day, a largo number of tho islanders attending. Tho Rev. J. W. Robertson (Anglican) was assisted at tho gravosido by tho Rev. T. E. Adams (Methodist). On September 8, influenza, followed by pneumonia, claimed another victim, when Mr. Fisher McCoy ("Sprong"), a very popular islander, died at the ago of 46. Mr. McCoy was a inan of splendid physique and constitution and for somo eight days battled with his grim adversary. Ho leaves a widow and two grownup'sons. Tho funeral, which was largely attended, was conducted by tho Revs. T. E. Adams and B. L. Webb (Methodists) and Pastor S. Nobbs, of tho Seventh Day Adventist Church. Tho cortege was a veiy large one and the coffin was piled high with wreaths. Tho Revs. Adams and Webb conducted tho service at the graveside. Deceased was a prominont member of tho Methodist Church. The littlo band of 182 original Pifcc;tirners is now reduced to five women and threo men. /