The morning call., 1894-03-31
THE BRIG PITCAIRN.

At about 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon
the Pitcairn doeked at Green-street pier to
discharge few packages of cargo then
she proceeded to Oakland Creek. where
she will remain at anchor until such time
as the Pacific Press, an organization of the
SeVenth-day Adyen lists, see fit to dispatch
her TO her customary sailing ground on the
Southeastern seas.
President Mccoy of Pitcairn Island is
chief executive of the little colony OF de-
scendants of the Bounty's crew. and is
aided In the governing Of his small domain
by a council of six. who stayed at home TO
look after the interests of the 123 inhabi-
tauts that constitute the population of the
island.
Sixteen passengers came TO San Fran
cisco on the Pitcairn, number OF whom
will return with the vessel.
Several of the travellers were New Zea-
landers, who had visited among the islands
of the group TO which Pitcairn belongs,
and one was a seaman of the wrecked
British ship B9wdeD, which went ashore
on Oeno Island on the 26th of last April.
The mans name is Hans Steffens, and
he is one of the party of fifteen from the
Bowden who remained al Pitcairn when
the ship Alexander Gibson offered to take
the shipwrecked crew back to ENGLAND.
The Gibson picked the Bowden's crew up
from Oeno, then touched with them at
Pitcairn as has been published heretofore.
During President McCoy's absence
ashore Captain Christensen kindly vol
unteered The CALL reporter some infor-
nation regarding the island.
"To begin with" he said. 81 must con-
tradict the rumor that the Pitcairners are
short of provisions.
when the Somali touched at the island
It must have been at a season when our
crops are low and food rather scarce, but
as to any suffering from starvation that is
impossible.
"a new system Of government has been
established, over which Mccoy presides.
We call him our president, and our laws
are made so as to conform to the simple
requirements of our people.
"a school system has been in vogue for
many years, but of late it has been greatly
improved.
1--WE are going to take two teachers back
with us when we return, and expect to
educate our children up to high degree
Of learning.
when the Pitcairn sailed from here last
January she took as passenger printer
from tho Pacific Press establishment in
Oakland. a prin.ing-offiee has been set
up, books and tracts are printed and all
necessary school forms struck off by
CORPS of practical printers and pressmen.
"The health of our colony is perfect.
Everybody is contented and happy, and
none express any desire to leave the
island"
According TO = passenger on the brig, a
man from New Zealand, the island is one
Of the most productive spots on earth.
When the question Of the food supply was
raised he spoke up and said:
''The colony will never be short of food,
as all manner of fruit is plentiful. The
most deliciousy favored oranges l have
ever tast ted are raised there. Large crops
of sweet potatoes are raised, and plantains
are oyer-abundant."
Captain Christensen then proceeded to
tell of the vast amount Of coed done by
the missionaries in the South Seas.
'sThis is a great work the Seventh-day
Adventists have undertaken" he contin-
ued. "It is great work and they are not
backward In pushing 1t.
''Our iabors are not confined to Pitcairn.
but we cruise about among the neighbor-
ing islands distributing our books, healing
this sick and lending our help to organizing
the native governments.
"Do you do any trading ?' was asked.
"Oh, no." replied the captain quickly.
You must remember that this is mis-
sionary work we Iare engaged in; not
business undertaking."
The Pitcairn may stay but short while
in Oakland Creek, and when she is ready
will sail direct for Pitcairn Island again.
She was forty-eigh. days in coming up
from the island on account of calms and
head winds, but expects to make the re-
turn trip in much less time.
Captain Christlansen's vessel is a pretty
little craft. She Is scarcely larger than a
eood-sized bay schoor and instead OF
being arranged for the ,eception of cargo
between decks is fitted with accommoda-
tiops for passengers.
The early history of "The Mutineers of
the Bounty" is too we'll known to need
repetition.