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CHAPTER IX.

Privations of the Pitcairn Colony.-Remarkable Whaling-adventure.— Progress of the Melanesian Mission and College on Norfolk Island.— Account of the Families who returned to Pitcairn Island, by Captain Montresor, R.N., and Sir Wentworth Dilke.

COMMUNICATION with Norfolk Island had now been uncertain for several years, causing the islanders to suffer both privation and anxiety. The American war had prevented many of the whalers from prosecuting the fishery in the South Seas, and touching at Norfolk for their usual supplies of vegetables; and in the year 1865 not more than thirty pounds' worth of produce had been exported. Under these circumstances the islanders were reduced to great difficulties, as will be seen by the extract from a letter written by Mr. Nobbs, and dated—

"Norfolk Island, September 12th, 1865. "Your box arrived most opportunely, and you may thoroughly admit the assertion, for never during the last thirty years have my own family, or the community generally, been so badly off for wearing-apparel. I do not include myself, for, thanks to the admiral, Sir Thomas Acland, and other friends, my rigging is still pretty good; but for the rest of the community-especially the women and children—a great want of clothing has been experienced for more than two years. Window-curtains, and other vestiges of improving civilization, have been converted into wearing-apparel during the winter just gone by. Another reason why such destitution prevails is, that the plant which produces the material for manufacturing the tappa, or island cloth, will not thrive here, so that the women can not manufacture the comfortable

bed-clothing so necessary in such isolated places as this. I repeat, it is not from indolence or want of care that these privations are at the present moment so general, but the poverty of demand for the island produce."

REV. MR. NOBBS to ADM'L SIR FAIRFAX MORESBY, K.C.B. (Extract.)

"Norfolk Island, December 23d, 1867. "December 26th.-A tranquil Christmas, with some of your loved ones beneath your roof-tree, is the wish of your humble and grateful friends in this our pleasant home, and may you be gratified to know that we cherish with unabated love and respect our memories of the 'good old admiral.'

"We had a cheerful Christmas, very similar to those of years gone by, but I was so fatigued by the services of the day (three) that I was glad to go to bed at six o'clock an hour before sunset.

"I am fast drifting towards death's bay. You will believe me, I am sure, when I say I will not quit my post till body or mind gives way; but the fact can not be concealed from others, as well as myself, that I am rapidly becoming a very old man. My good wife is also frequently an invalid. She sends her Christian greeting, and New Year's best wishes to Lady Moresby and yourself, and earnestly assures you both that, while life lasts, she will never cease to remember with gratitude your labor of love and Christian sympathy for the Pitcairn people in general, and her own family in particular.

"January 1st, 1868.-A happy New Year to you, dear Sir Fairfax and Lady Moresby. Ever gratefully yours, "G. R. F. (NOBBS)."

REV. G. H. NOBBS to the REV. G. D. GLENNIE, Secretary to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

"Norfolk Island, January 29th, 1868. "We are going on in our usual quiet way, increasing in numbers, but not greatly improving our long-sustained

position in worldly matters; having at all times a good supply of food, but not of other domestic requirements, by reason that ships rarely visit us, and the island produce is not demanded in the colonies of New Zealand and Australia, they having in general sufficient for their own consumption. Nevertheless, we may not complain, being in better circumstances than thousands even in dear Old England. We at this moment number exactly three hundred persons, and, somewhat singular, are one hundred and fifty of either sex. The births last year were eighteen; deaths four, from whooping-cough. At this time the community is in good health. I am just now, and have been for the last twelve months, very fully employed, having, besides the clerical and medical duties, to attend the school daily, the Government grant being rescinded.

"There are ninety children being educated, and the parents pay one pound a year for each child, which is divided among the teachers, four in number, in this manner -forty pounds for the principal, who is a son of mine, twenty-five pounds for the next in rank, which is myself, until the arrival of another son, whom I am daily expecting from Sydney, and the two pupil teachers at twelve pounds and six pounds respectively. The few surplus pounds are expended in paper, ink, etc. These stipends are far too small. However, the school may not, must not, be neglected, although I must be school-teacher until the arrival of my son to relieve me of my somewhat onerous duties in this department; for my threescore years and ten are beginning to weigh heavily, my hearing being especially impaired, the result of an attack of influenza last year.

"Bishop Patteson is making great progress in building, fencing, cultivating, etc. His present establishment consists of two clergymen in full orders, two deacons, and two students from St. Augustine's College (England). His neophytes from the islands amount to seventy, several of whom are females. I am free to say the improvement

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of these hitherto unmitigated savages is really surprising. 'St. Barnabas College' is about three miles from KingThe native boys' seldom come among us, but the bishop, Mr. Codrington (his lordship's chaplain), and others of the clerical party, are frequently in our midst, and generally on Sunday afternoon take a portion of the service in our church, but not at all interfering with my arrangements. Of course, we are not slow to proffer them our hospitality, nor they backward in accepting it, and in return invitations to St. Barnabas are frequently and as promptly acceded to. I am most desirous this kindly feeling should continue, and will do all I can to promote it. An ordination took place on St. Thomas's Day of one priest and two deacons-all English-belonging to the bishop's establishment; it was solemnized in our church, and the first ever witnessed by our people. I read prayers, Mr. Codrington preached, and we then took our appointed stations on each side of the bishop, within the communion-rails. Afterwards, assisted by the newly ordained, the holy communion was administered to one hundred and twenty persons, several of whom were Melanesians of either sex.

"A long drought has rendered food somewhat more scarce than usual, but we have recently had a gracious rain, and are able now to plant as much as is necessary. Another difficulty of the past year is nearly, if not quite, surmounted. The governor offered all the sheep and cattle termed public or Government property to the community at a stated price per head, which was agreed to, and with what little money they had on hand, the wool of last shearing, and the oil taken (one hundred and forty barrels), the obligation is met, or nearly so; and now all the stock on the island, except what Bishop Patteson may introduce, is communal property, and will, I think, be of great benefit. Sir John Young's reason for thus disposing of the sheep and cattle was that he might form a permanent revenue, which is to be applied to such purposes as shall from time to time be considered beneficial to the

community. In this matter His Excellency has shown an earnest desire for the general welfare.

"I should be most grateful for a few school-maps for the instruction of the elder classes; in short, for any thing available for school purposes. May I ask you, my respected friend, to interest yourself in this, to us a matter of primary importance. It is rarely I get a letter from England; my respected friends of 1852 have nearly all passed away. Admiral Moresby, Sir Thomas Acland, Mr. Mills, and yourself, are all that remain of that goodly number.

"I have yet three unmarried children, and a widowed daughter with one child dwelling with me, and twentyfive grandchildren frequently, almost daily, visiting me, so that there is little probability of my becoming lonesome; besides, my dear old rib is as much enamored of a nursery now, as when our own little ones were tumbling about beneath the banyan-trees at Pitcairn. The worthy woman, with her daughters, send their Christian regards to Mrs. Glennie, and your household generally. That the Father of mercies, and God of all grace, may have you His holy keeping, is the earnest prayer of yours very sincerely, GEORGE H. NOBBS.

"REV. J. DAVID GLENNIE, M.A."

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In the following extract from a letter to Admiral Moresby, John Adams, an old and respected member of the Pitcairn community, bears testimony to the zeal of Mr. Nobbs in fulfilling his ministerial duties. The writer seems, like most of the islanders, to have felt an undue alarm at the establishment of the Melanesian college.

The people happily found in Bishop Patteson the high principles of a Christian and a gentleman, and he has most strictly adhered to the condition that the Pitcairn colony should in no way be interfered with by the clergy of the missionary establishment or by the pupils. At the same time, whenever they applied for assistance or advice, the

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