NEWS OF THE PITCAIRN ISLANDERS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1916, Page 5

NEWS OF THE PITCAIRN ISLANDERS

WOMAN'S VISIT TO THE PACIFIC . . OUTPOST. From Mrs. Seoresby Routlcdge, who has reached England after a three years' cruise in the Pacific on board the. little schooner Mana, Renter's Agency has received some details of a visit paid to the remote Titcairn Island., wthose inhabitants are the descendants of the mutineers of the Bounty, who colonised the island in 1790.

The place is too remote to be visited bv the small trading vessels which ply among the neighboring groups, and it h only at extremely rare intervals that a warship is detached to call at- this loyal little outpost of the Empire. On the Mana being sight ad a bell was rung, and a boat was filled with sturdy men, European in appearance, but of a ssllow white complexion, who rowed out, and in good English invited Mr. and Mrs. Routledge to land. * They were told that tiha next day would 'be the Sabbath—which was surprising, as the day was then Friday, The visitors landed in a small cove, reached through drenching surf, the boat assuming an almost perpendicular -position.

On clambering up a steep path cut out of tht: rock, the strangers were 'greeted by a group in white Sunday attire. Service was held in accordance with the tenets of the Seventh Day Adventists, and during the sermon the preacher predicted that the' present war was only the beginning of the trouble in store.

Tobacco, alcohbl and pork are forbidden, and the use of tea and coffee is discouraged. The whole atmosphere of the island wns as if a Pacific island were suddenly transported to Puritan England or bygone Scotland. Unstinted hospitality was given to the visitors, and the whole male population worked gratuitously on excavating prehistoric sites for two whole days. Meals of an attractive, but primitive, kind were given in the little wooden houses of the islanders.

Mrs. Routledge says that the standard of life on Pitcairn is distinctly higher than that of an Knglish village. The island is administered by a ''Lower House," comprising a chairman and two members, but subordinate to the "Council," consisting of the chief magistrate, with two assessors and a secretary.

When the Mana left Pitcairn she brought away two islanders, who are now o , i visit to England