ST. HELENA AND THE WAR

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4307, 16 March 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

ST. HELENA AND THE WAR

An interesting report by Mr R. A. Sterndale, the Governor of Sfc. Helena, shows how the war has affected the life of that little island. The cost of living, he says, has greatly increased, and during the present year the prices of food have doubled and quadrupled, and milk, butter, eggs, and meat have become luxuries. This is owing to the larger garrison and the number of prisoners of war we now have in the island. The aspect of the place has also greatly changed; instead of the quiet monotony of past years, Jamestown is a scene of noisy activity, and the perils of the roads are considerably increased by four-in-liand mule waggons, driven by reckless Kaffir boys. The new water,works haye been finished as far as the mains are "concerned, but the house connections had to be left under the old system, for a time, as all the lead pipes imported for the purpose had to be used up for the Boer camp. However, the mains were of great use when large transports required water.

“The war,” concludes Governor Sterndale,” was most keenly felt in St. Helena among all classes, for there is hardly a family in the island that had not some members either in Cape Colony and Natal or in those two States. It is estimated that there are about 2000 St. HelenianH' in South Africa. The telegrams were looked for with the greatest anxiety, and there were many volunteers for service among the Sharpshooters who however, could not be spared ; the corps was, however, represented by Captain Deasou (lately a prisoner in the hands of the Boers), Lieutenant Arthur, and' Private H. Thorpe, all of whom have been at the front. During the current year we have had more intimate acquaintance with the Boers, as General Cronje and a large number of his followers have been interned in the island, and still more are expected shortly.”