Pitcairn's Isolation Is

Broken

THE following letter by Mrs. F. P.

Ward, of Pitcairn Island, was writ ten in September, and has been kindlv made available for publication by the headquarters of the Seventh Day Adventists.

“We have actually received a mail— after waiting for more than 14 months!

Though the wait was twice as long as for the previous mail, we received but very few letters this time —only about a dozen, mostly from America.

“I received one nleasant surnrise in the return of my little watch. In October, 1941. we sent it to Australia for repairs; so it took just ten months to comnlete the round trip. That was good time comnared with a letter from America, which was 16 months in reaching us.

And then think of the goods we ordered more than 2i years ago—and they are not here yet!

“There were several orders that arrived in the mail for stamps and covers. It took lots of time fixing these up. One interesting letter, containing a request for stamns. was from Captain Winter- Cooke. of Melbourne, who was ADC to Maior-General Sir Ivan Mackay, He sent as a Uttle curio a half dinar note issued bv the Government of Iraq. His letter is dated a year ago to-day.

“Earlv on a recent Friday morning, one of the island men climbed up the hill and over to the other side, and to his ereat surprise he saw a shin, close in.

He ran back to the village, pausing, pant ing. on the brow of the nearest hill to call ‘Sail —o —o! Wait for me!’

“Then followed a hectic half-hour.

People were rushing about, getting fruit and curios, and running quickly to the Landing. Soon we heard the siren, while the ship was still out of sight around the point. A little later came the rattle of the chain as the anchor was dropped.

Everyone was excited. It is such a rare thing for ships to anchor.

“ ‘What ship is it?’ ‘Who can be com ing ashore?’ ‘Perhaps it is the High Commissioner! He said he would pay us a visit if he possibly could on his wav home.’ ‘The ship is from Australia; it will have all our back mail and our goods.’ Such remarks were shouted from one to another, as they hurried about making all sorts of preparations.

“From the Edge, below the cemetery, we could see, with binoculars, that a number of people were coming ashore in a small boat. Some time later the Chief Magistrate brought the captain and the doctor to met us in our home. A num ber of officers and men called in, also, as they passed.

“They had an exciting experience at the Landing. The small boat was heav ily laden with timber obtained at the ship, and there were a number of men coming ashore. As a result, the boat scraped along on the rocks and stopped.

Unable to move it, the men had to jump out, including the captain, and wade ashore. The water was in most cases up to their chests. Although they were wet and uncomfortable the men were all cheerful and enjoyed their stay of a few hours on the island.

“The Chief Magistrate allowed them to take the old ‘Bounty’ rudder out of the Post Office, and they had their photograph taken, standing beside it.

“The ship brought us no mail. She carried but a light load, but even then parted with several boatloads of boards,

of which the island is very much in need.

“Having been about three months without fresh supplies, they were glad of oranges and vegetables. In return, they gave us flour, sugar, rice, milk, and prunes.”