Pitcairn’S Hectic Morn

The Rush For a New Stamp Issue

From Our Own Correspondent

Pitcairn Is., Aug. 2.

IT was a hectic day in Pitcairn Island’s little Post Office on August 1. On that day we released our special issue of postage stamps, commemorating the Silver wedding of our King and Queen.

It evidently was an event of import ance in the philatelic world. Orders for stamps had come in overwhelmingly, from all over the world.

Although there were ten times more lid. than 10/- stamps, these lid. ones were far too few; while of the 10/variety there are thousands still left in stock. So we had to be rationed on the smaller denomination.

The number of lid. stamps sold was 22,400, and the 10/- stamps brought in cash to the value of more than £l,lOO.

It is generally felt that a less costly set of stamps would have been more practi cal. But these may be very valuable for philatelists.

Some of us had received orders from people who desired stamps. It was in teresting to note some of the different wishes of these folk, such as: “Please have the stamps cancelled lightly.”

“Be sure to have the date showing plainly.”

“Don’t forget to backstamp the cover.”

“Have the cancellation well over the stamp. Pick out certain stamps. Use certain sized envelopes.”

Some provided their own envelopes; and it was fortunate that we had a few spare envelopes, else some people might have been left without. It is evidently thought by some that we have a shop

here on the island, but there is no such convenient arrangement!

Our acting Postmistress (Mr. Clark is in New Zealand for medical treatment) has been working at top speed. In fact, so strenuous has she found it that she “would be glad if she never saw another stamp!’* Some would-be purchasers will be dis appointed. Although their orders were written as far back as March, they were not received here until July 27.

It was in March that we were all re quired to put in our orders. This gave opportunity for the Post Office to ration the stamps in proportion to the orders received.

Many were disappointed, too, because no registration was allowed merely for the sake of the stamps. Numbers of covers were ruled ready for registra tion, and many had valuable stamps be sides those just issued; but they could not be registered.

It will be a source of satisfaction to those interested to know that drders going Panama way will be despatched immediately. The Rimutaka is calling on August 4 on her way to England. We do not know just when a ship will call to take the mail to New Zealand. No doubt many of the passengers on the Rimutaka will be glad to have the First Day Covers while they are “still warm”!

A new motor launch was brought to the island on board the Port Lyttelton, July 27. It has been estimated that the money received for the stamps will be more than sufficient to provide the cost of this launch.

It was thought that the launch would be useful in taking the island longboats quickly to and from the ships that call here. She is a trim little vessel, but rather heavy for the islanders to handle.