“NATURE’S PARADISE.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1715, 22 May 1917, Page 3

“NATURE’S PARADISE.”

IMPRESSIONS OF. PITCAIRN,

Some years ago a British steamer caught fire in the Pacific, and, despite all the efforts of the crew, the outbreak assumed such serious proportions that, to save .the ship, tiie captain decided to make for the nearest land. This happened to be the lonely, but romantic, island of Pitcairn. The inhabitants of the island proved so hospitable, and rendered such willing service in saving the ship and its cargo that the grateful captain promised, just before his departure, that he would do bis utmost to help the islanders and to bring their case before the notice of the civilised world. A short time ago his chance arrived. The vessel he had command of Avas loading at New York tor Ncav Zealand, and he conceived the idea of making an appeal to the American people for help. The New York papers took up the cause of the Pitcairners, and the appeal Avas published in nearly every paper in the Stales. Gifts of every variety imaginable began to pour in from sympathisers Blankets,, (dollies, safety razors, hats, boots, socks, clocks, AvalciiCs, cutlery, silverware, mirrors, a handsome organ, and a hundred and one things calculated to he useful to the islanders. A passenger on the A’essel Avas Mr Selwyn .Joyce, son of the late Mr .lohu Joyce, 1M.11.K, for Lyttelton. Mr Joyce gave it Post reporter some impressions of Pitcairn Island and its inhabitants. “A GARDEN OF EDEN.”

“Words :ibsolutely Inil to convey any idea of (lie beauty of Pitcairn island,” said Mr Joyce, it lias been called a (iarden of Eden, but even that hardly describes it. Erom the sea it lii'st appears as a huge rock, covered with waving green vegetation, but it is in reality two miles long and one mile wide. The island rises sheer out of (he sea, and the water, even at the base of the cliffs, is live miles deep. There are no reptiles or wild animals of any kind, and the climate is temperate and cool by reason of a continuous gentle breeze which blows off the sea. Every fruit that grows in the South Seas may be found growing luxuriantly on Pitcairn, and there is really no necessity for (he inhabitants to work. After landing on (he beautiful coral beach we commenced the climb to Adamstown, the settlement, which is 2,000 feet above sea level. The whole of the inhabitants were on the beach, of course, to greet us, and (hey were deeply interested in any news we had to tell (hem about the outside world, and especially about the war. Two of their young men went to England to enlist. We were introduced to the Christians, the Youngs, the Neilds, and the M'Coys —all descendants of ' the mutineers of 11..M.5. Bounty, and were surprised to (hid many of (hem almost as fair as Scandinavians. Some were brown-skinned, but very few showed traces of native blood. There are altogether KkS people on the island, In front of Adamstown the British Hag was (lying at the (lagstaff, and it is indeed very doubtful if there are any more loyal subjects of King Ceorge than the Pitcairners." THE SIMPLE LIFE, "There is no better example of the simple life than that which exists on Pitcairn Island," Mr Joyce went on. “Three days a week the people work for themselves, days for the community, and on Saturdays ( being Seventh Day .Adventists) they spend the day at prayer. They an* very religious, and Ilnur huts, which, by the way, are scrupulously clean, are plentifully hung with texts. There is, of course, no meat, but the fruit which grows wild is sufficient to feed the. islanders without any exertion on their part, beyond that of gathering it. As there is nothing to buy or sell, there is no coinage on the island, which naturally simplifies things. Pitcairn Island is ruled over by Mr 0. R. B. Christian (the Chief Magistrate), who is elected by I lie people. All over 17 years of age have a vole. The gifts of clothing we took down were greatly appreciated, as some of the women were gelling about in two old sheets sewn together." The ship Mr Joyce •was on look the Hrsl regular mail to Pitcairn Island from New York, consisting of To letters. Needless to say, the inhabitants simply devoured these. In one comer of the island the visitors were shown the grave of John Adams, one of the mutineers —the only one known. “Other relics of the mutiny,’' said Mr Joyce, “are the Bounty’s vice and ship's bell, which are, of course, highly prized by their owners. The bell is now used to summon the islanders, to prayers or when a ship is in sight.”