Remnera at Pitcalrs.

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 23, Issue 30, 27 July 1923, Page 7

Remnera at Pitcalrs.

♦ ■ ("Auckland Weekly News.") It was the early morning of June 5; the weather was clear; there was a'moon nearly in its last quarter, and Pitcairn Island, although unlighted, had-been seen at a distance of fully 20 miles. At 3 a.m. the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Remuera, en route from London to New Zealand, stopped about a mile off shore. In a few minutes three boats came alongside, and the islanders clambered on board. For some of those .people the' arrival was au eventful one. During the Remuera's previous call off Pitcairn Island iu January a sum of money had been given to Captain Cameron to purchase corrugated iron for roofing the cottages, aud whea the ship was in London the wellknown manufacturers, Johu Lysaght, Ltd., of Bristol, who had heard of the circumstance, generously supplied about three times the quantity that could have been purchased in the ordinary way with the money. Willing hands were soon at work, the ship's crew and the islanders speedily had the iron hoisted overside and stowed iu the boats, which before dawn left for the shore with their precious freight. 'By eight o'clock the boats had returned alongside with many* baskets * ot delicious oranges and> tither fruit for barter with the thirsty voyagers. As. the weather was fine and the sea smooth, the boats brought a number of the women and children, smiling, happy people, pleased to roam over the decks- of the big liner, to see fresh-faces, and hear new. voices, with,, for the time being, only one regret —that the vessel would not tarry there all day. Gifts were exchanged. Passengers, tot(fhed by the romantic history of the island and the isolated situation of the people, gave articles of clothing and such-like receiving in return flowers, fruit, necklaces, and ..other simple curios. The,., transparent honesty and; unaffected friendliness of the - Pftcairn folk created an excellent, impression on boatig.;, '_?-'.' When the boats cast-off at ten o'clock, as the .Remuera commenced to .-forge ahead, their occupants satig in harmony their /parting hymni "God be With You Till W* Meet Again,V and there was fcancjs and fluttering °f handkerchiefs between the two. It was a scene not to be readily forgotten*: Then from the boats three cheers came >y answering cheers Jrom the »ner, |nal salute, fired ; *4oud ipcket. As wjth gathering speed the distance

the sea, and many heartfelt good wishes followed those engaging people to their lonely island home.