ST. HELENA IN DESPAIR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2050, 10 April 1907, Page 4

ST. HELENA IN DESPAIR.

The Tribune prints an interesting article on the history and present condition of St. Helena, which shows clearly how may ups and down there have boon in the history of the island. Napoleon brought tlio island prosperity, and liis death plunged it into despair. The application of steam to ocean-going vessels was another blow, for there was less need to call tlioro on the way to India. Then the island was the base, between 1840 and 1865, of the operations against the West Coast slave trade, and prosperity returned. But tho palmiest days of the island were when 6000 Boers wore prisoners there. When they departed St. Helena was again thought to bo on tho. brink of ruin. The laying of a cable there and the completion of the Jamestown drainage works gave a final impetus to trade, but now that those are completed and the garrison has gone, there are lamentations from the islanders. It seems as if the permanent inhabitants had so long been dependent on foreigners that they have lost tho power of shifting for themselves. The Governor, in his report for 1905, reported that it was most difficult to get anyone in St. Helena to interest himself in such matters as flax and cotton-growing. The Government had distributed seed free, but in few cases had they been able to get reports from those to whom the seed was issued. The fact is the St. Helenian prefers taking things easy, and trusts to Providence that everything will turn out right in the long run.” Writing of the depredations of the fruit fly in the orchards, he says;— (! The poorer classes of St. Helonians consider that it is useless to fight againt any visitation caused by the hand of God. They argue that the peach fly was sent by the Almighty, and that therefore it is not likely that any human offorts will get rid of the pest. This is not encouraging, but is very typical of the spirit in which a large number of tlie'community accept adversity.” The need of the moment is a “Mark Tnploy with capital,” who will establish a local industry. It is said that the soil is naturally reproductive, and it is recalled that the island won first prize for coffee at the Exhibition of 1851. . The climate is very healthy, and the conclusion of tho writer is that there is really no need for the islanders to despair. No mention is made of the termites and tlie other pests which were referred to in these columns the other day as contributing to the decay of the island.—Press.