Election Day on Pitcairn Island
pp. 84-85 · Read in the full issue
Pitcairn Island
L IF R„ is much simpler when only 200 -odd folk live on an isolated island in mid-Pacific. Mrs. Myrtle Ward, Seventh Day Adventist Mis sionary on Pitcairn Island, tells us something of election day there when Islanders got going at 5 a.m. to re cord their votes and finished up the whole business, without fuss, by 10 a.m.
Apparently, voting is not compul sory, as only about 80 people recorded their votes.
PITCAIRN ISLAND has a new Chief Magistrate for 1950—Mr. Warren C, Christian, who took up his duties on New Year’s Day.
He is the son of the late Mr. Edgar R.
Christian, who, between 1923 and 1940, was our Chief Magistrate and held other positions in the Island Government. He died while still in office. Warren Chris tian’s mother —now also dead —was well known as a writer usually under the name of Ada M. Christian.
The retiring officer is Mr. Parkin Chris tian, an uncle of the new Chief Magis trate. It is likely that Mr. Parkin Christian will be returning shortly to Australia, where his son resides.
NOMINATIONS having been received on December 14," the voting was timed for 5 a.m. on December 21.
Notwithstanding the heavy rain and the muddy roads, the people turned out and the voting was carried through briskly.
Pitcairn Islanders may vote when they reach the age of eighteen. When the
voting for the Chief Magistrate was finished, results were announced from the verandah of the tiny Post Office. For the three candidates the figures were, 44, 19 and 6. There are always several informal votes.
From the waiting company in the pub lic square shouts of acclamation mingle with banter. The defeated candidates join in the general pleasantry.
But soon more papers are obtained from the Government Secretary. This time the vote is for the election of two Assessors.
Then follows quickly the voting for Chairman of the Internal Committee. In each case results are announced imme diately.
Electors and others do not wait about long once voting is over, for preparations for Christmas are afoot. The voting, counting and the announcing of results were all over by about 10 a.m., when the weather cleared wonderfully and all were soon at their gardens, curios or house work.
As with other countries where new Government officials are taking up their duties, we are all hoping that 1950 will be a very Happy New Year,