New Setting For Pitcairn Treasure

When the people of Pitcairn Island left their original home and landed on Norfolk Island one of the treasured possessions they brought with them was a small collection of hymns.

They are all part of the history of Pitcairn and Norfolk but there was a danger of their being lost. The old manuscripts were tattered, many almost illegible and some had disappeared. The task of gathering up the fragments and collating them was begun by the late Arthur Morris, of Norfolk Island, husband of Grace Gabbutt, but he died before he could complete the job.

The Rev. Roger Gregson and Tom Lloyd, the island’s printer/ publisher (Greenways Press), continued the project and the result is the slimmest of hymn books Hymns of Norfolk Island containing eight of the islanders’ favourites with the original music. One, Gethsemane, was written by Driver Christian and the Rev. G. H. Nobbs, and another, Oakleigh, was written by Gustav Quintal. Of course, the Pitcairn Anthem, which is sung on June 8, Anniversary Day, is included.