An Isolated Community.

Manawatu Herald, 27 May 1897, Page 3

An Isolated Community.

A Blue-book has been issued con-. t lining a number of communications that have passed during the last nine y«ars relating to the little island of Tristan d'Acunbain the South Atlantic. A man«of-war visits the islands once a year for mails and to report on the condition of the inhabitants who *t present Dumber just over 60 Last year the Queen Bent her portrait to Mr Peter Green, " the so called governor of the island," who is, how•ver, reported to be " very old and deaf and to have little or no authority." He received the gift with deep gratitude.' It appears that the 61 families who compose the population are organised upon a communiatio baflis, every thing being " shared" oat proportionately amongst them," no doubt upon the " to each accord-. ing to bis need " principle. The people do not care to tak6 from the men-of-war any commodity which they cannot have in sufficient quantities to go round. Some time ago a very unfavourable report was made upon the physical and mental condition of the islanders, and the race l?as said to be rapidly deteriorating for want of infusion of fresh blood. Now, however, their health is excellent, and, indeed, appears to have become proverbial. Neither spirits nor tobacco are used by any of the inhabitants, the majority of whom, by the Wfty, are either descended from or oonneoted with Mr Green, thus forming a patriarchal community of the earliest type. Education is imparted to children by a widow named Swain, a native of St. Helena ; but a minister of religion wbo could also act as doctor and schoolmaster is badly wanted.— Post.