AN INTERESTING ISLAND.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 146, 24 July 1880, Page 3

AN INTERESTING ISLAND.

Captain East of H.M.S. Comus, has .sent, to the Admiralty a repent on his visit U.M month to Tristan da Cnntia, one of a little group of islands about ten days' sail from St. Helena. He landed with tho chaplain, the R. :v. Arthur 0. Wright, and Mr. James Clibborn.surgoou.a number of other ofii.-crs following in the (•utter, and he says:—"The islanders, headed by I-Vter Green, their headman, received us cordially as we. landed, having ordered fresh meat and vegetables to be sent. off. We then visite 1 the settlement, going into most of the bouses rind having assembled the people in Feter Green's house, I gave them the .presents Befit by the Piesidaiit of the United States in aeimce.vledgmo'iit of the Fervi.-es rendered by tliein to' '.'he crew of the jfiibol i.'l.ivk i.i ]«"«, for which ihev desire mo to exnress their sincere thanks. William G.eon, son of Peter Green, Seems, by tl.o concurrent testimony fit' all, to have very greatly distin"i;isl!e'd himself on this occasion, nnil i ) Iw.e risk. 1 bis life in sivir.g (ha pcip'e from the wreck. I wo dd; there!" u'e, leg to suggest :hnt, if eligibb-, he mi ;ht be though' a li'.'.i ig r'eipient of cither the Aibe'rt Medal or one of the lioynl liumaue Society's medals for savin,' life, 'i'ho men "f thii island hive, during the last 20 years, saved the crews and rendered assistance to several vessels wrecked and abandoned Ht Tristan d;i Cil'.lha and the neighbouring ixlwuta. After giving the we walked to see their cultivated ground about two miles from the settlement to the west. About '2O acres is under cultivation, principally potatoes; the gardens are surrounded by loose stone wails to pievent the incursion of cattle, which roam at large over the grazing ground that,extends from the settlement right along the west side of the island. The island at present seems t» be in the most flourisning state, both with regard to health, prosperity, and number of the inhabitants, which now amounts to It)!), the largest ever maintained there. There have only been four deaths in 1!) years; the oldest inhabitant is Peter Green, a hale, hearty man, 72 years, and the youngest, his great grandchild of one month. No child has uver died in infancy. There are 500 head of cattle, including cows, 500 sheep all bred on the island ; plenty of pigs, ducks, geese, and fowls. They have begun to export cattle to .St. Helena, a vessel having just left with 27 bullocks, weighing from 700. to 800 lbs. The meat is very.fair; they only charge 4d. a Ib.for it.;'.sheep weighing 50 to 00 lbs., £l. each ; gee«e, ss. pach."