BIBLES AND EPSOM SALTS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1929, Page 7

BIBLES AND EPSOM SALTS

LONELIEST ISLE’S GLUT. LONDON, December 4. Tristan da Ctmlia, the “world’s loneliest :'sle,” in the South Atlantic, does not want any more Bibles or Epsom salts. The. llev. It. A. C. Pooley, the missionary who is doing three years’ voluntary work there, writes: “We do not want any more Bibles • lor several years, as well-disposed folk have inundated us with copies. Some houses possess six Bibles already. Wo still have many copies lying idle.' “Also we shall not require any more Epsom salts for a long time, as we have 2001 b. waiting to be taken when required !’> -Mr Pooler's letter was written in April of this year. It is not surprising that it has been so long in transit, as the .1.50 islanders, descendants of the British garrison in the days when Napoleon was on St. Helena, arc lucky il a vessel calls more than once a year. BBAVE EFFORTS AT FOX-TROT. Alter describing the excitement caused by the visit of the Canadian Pacific liner Empress of France (the first vessel to call for more Than 12 -mouths) early this year, Air Fooley gives a vivid deesription of an island dance. He says: We have just completed the erection of our new school. This means that we now have a place for meetings of all kinds, including dancing, games, and parties. On Easter Monday the opening ceremony took place in the shape of a tendance, with fancy dress for the children and a dance at night for adults. We had paper hats, fans, balloons, and streamers given by the tourists. All was gaiety. All so thoroughly enjoyed themselves that they wanted the whole business repeated! Me had a distinguished company present. There was the Duchess of Tristan, the Nut of Da Chunha, the Emperor of Ahnuc and Natsirt (Tristan siielt backwards!) A new accordion delighted the noble assembly. It did not matter in the least if a. man smoked while dancing. No one complained if a heavy boot crushed a tender corn. The brave attempts at the fox-trot were admirable in the extreme. 'The pa.ee at which they all danced was nerve racking! PLEA TO SHIPS. It it had not been for missionary work those poor isolated 150 folk would have been utterly hopeless, degraded, and lost. Apart from church work one has to he teacher, doctor, magistrate, surveyor, meteorologist, ornithologist, and viceroy! 1 cannot attain to such heights. Please to try to get ships to call. It is very trying indeed being isolated for months on end. We do not expect stores by all ships, simply, “How are you?” Some folks wrote us registered letters in 1923. They got the answer in 1920. Is this a record? ’ Wc need a dentist to examine the splendid teeth oF the islanders and to repair mine.