Royal Honour For Pitcairn Leader

Pitcairn Leader

11/’HEN Acting Lieutenant Fletcher ** Christian rose up against Cap tain Blight aboard His Majesty’s Ship Bounty on April 28, 1789, he not only put himself offside with the British Crown, but he brought dis honour on the whole of the Christian family.

The sins of the arch-mutineer have hung vaguely over the Christian family—particularly the Christians of Pitcairn Island—ever since. But now, it seems, all has been forgiven, In the Birthday Honours List this

year, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was graciously pleased to make one of Fletcher Christian’s direct descendants, John Lorenzo Christian, a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Mr. Christian, MBE, has been magistrate at Pitcairn Island for 11 of the past 15 years.

His citation says: “Shortly after Mr. Christian’s second term of office began in 1959, the way of life on Pitcairn changed completely. The passenger vessels on the run from London to New Zealand, which had been calling regularly at the island for 40 years, were re-routed and the social and economic consequences caused much emigration from Pitcairn to New Zealand, “In the six years from 1959 to 1965, the natural population of Pitcairn fell from about 140 to only 80. The loss was most severe in able-bodied men and women.

“The remaining members of the community responded to the threat of extinction by successfully embark ing on successive programmes of de velopment and by adopting reform of the local government structure and other measures to strengthen them selves and help advancement.

“This response, which amounted to a minor social revolution, could not have been made so quickly and pain lessly without patient and tactful leadership, which was supplied by Mr.

Christian.

“It is a measure of Mr. Christian’s love of his home and recognition as a leader that the response was made to the leader of Pitcairn.”

Mr. Christian, bv the way, is ex pected to retire from public service at the end of this year. Since 1918, he has held the posts of court assessor, chairman of the Internal Committee, constable, and chief magistrate (now called island magis trate).

John Christian, MBE