Bounty Memories

The Pitcairners’

Anniversary

Celebrated On

Norfolk Island

From Our Own Correspondent

Norfolk Is., June 20.

JUNE 8 was a great day on our is land. For the first time for 26 years we celebrated Anniversary Day that is, the anniversary of the land ing of the Pitcairn Islanders on Nor folk 75 years ago.

For many years after their arrival the Islanders made a special celebra tion of the event and acted a pageant which embodied the outstanding inci dents of the famous mutiny on the King’s ship Bounty, in which their forefathers participated. But with an increasing influx of “outsiders” as we are still called when the kindlier name “mainlanders” is withheld —the custom fell into disuse; and those of us interested in old things of the past had to be content with stories told by the elders of the community.

This year, however, convinced at last, we hope, of our real interest and sympathy, the leading Islanders con sented to re-enact their historic play, and did so before a thronged and ap preciative audience, which gathered in Kingston at an early hour, ready for every entertainment the day might offer.

The quarter deck of the Bounty had been reconstructed, and it was walked by Commander Bligh and his First Lieutenant Christian, who led the mutiny 150 years ago. Scenes also took place within the big courtyard that surrounds our administrative offices.

Remarkable costumes were improvised and no one took part who was not an actual descendant of the original mu tineers. They were reviewed by Col onel Bennett, our present administra tor, who was accompanied by Mrs.

Bennett and Captain Stopp, acting private secretary, while the rest of us stood around or accompanied them from place to place as the exigencies of the play demanded.

The official proceedings terminated with a visit to our cenotaph and the laying of a wreath by “Commander Bligh” in memory of those who left this peaceful little land to fight and die far overseas in the Great war.

While the Islanders played the main landers at cricket on the village green the womenfolk were busy assembling a feast that will long live in the memories of those lucky enough to take part in it. On acres of table cloths laid end to end beneath the old grey prison walls every delicacy the island could furnish was laid out.

There were turkeys and ducks and geese and sucking pigs and growmup pork and whole hams and every kind of vegetable, including the island dish, “pilhai,” which is composed of ban anas, green or ripe, or else sweet potato mashed and packed and baked just like a Yorkshire pudding in a big dish and cut and served in slices, with hot or cold meat. And there were plum puddings, rich with fruit, reeking with brandy and served with cream or custard; tarts and jellies and pies; all washed down with cups of strong, sweet tea.

And we sat in rows and rows upon the ground Islanders and settlers side by side, with visitors and the lone stranger sandwiched in between.

For if there is anything the Islander understands, it is hospitality and the art of making everybody at home and one with the rest. No one was forgot ten, no one was neglected; all were welcome, and all were at ease.

The day came to a close with an old-time dance, held in the Rawson Hall, where all our public entertain ments take place.