Evening star., 1903-07-29
A TINY BRITISH COLONY.
Seventeen Households on the Island of
Tristan d'Acunha.
From the London Times.


A Blue Book lust issued in London, con-
tanning further correspondence relating to
the Island Of Tristan TAdlnha." gives some
Information OF interest about the condition
Of this diminutive colony. In January iris
tan dAcunha was visited by H. NJ. s.
Thrush and Lieut.. Watts-Jones and Sur
geon Lobb of that vessel drew up a report
on the island, which was forwarded by the
admiralty to the colonial Office to be laid
before the secretary of state on March 26
The population, says this report, now con-
sists of seventy-six persons. divided into
seventeen fa miles or households. ALI but
four of the inhabitants We're born in the
island, two of the exceptions being Italians
who are described being probably the
best educated persons there. There have
been no marriages in the island for three
years The islanders, though sunburned.
are described as being practically white.
The men are hardy, but not Of fine ply
sique: the women are decidedly finer speci-
mems than the men: their features are reg
ular. pleasing. and of somewhat Semitic
type. The children are clean, fat, healthy
and we'll cared for. and surprisingly we'll
clad
There Is no definite sign Of mental or
physical deterioration arising specifically
from the system Of intermarriage. The
people generally, say the officers, were very
anxious about the education of their chill
dren, and the difficulties attending this
seem largely responsible for the views they
expressed the subject of leaving the is
land. Their staple food Is potatoes milk,
beef mutton and poultry produce and of
these there Is ample supply, but for any
thing beyond the inhabitants are entirely
dependent on passing ships. Rats, which
prevent the growing of any grain, are the
curse of the island Fish are plentiful, but
the islanders chiefly a farming COM
munity.
THE Thrush" says the report took
thirty-three cases to the island, all of which
came from the Cape; this does not include
the mails and some books which came from
England. She brought back forty five pack
ages, addressed to various people in Cape
Colony, as the islanders said that unless
they could send some of their things to
their relations in the colony they would
get no clothing. The schooner trade which
used to be regularly carried on with the
island has come to an end. 1t is pointed
out that the island might in the future have
a value, should q large carrying trade be
established between South America and the
Cape. intermediate station for wire
less telegraphy; but this and the occasional
seem the only imaginable reasons for oc-
cupying it. The great majority of the peo-
pie said they would Ike to quit the island
II they could realize jor receive compensa-
tton for leaving their stock behind them
Admiral Moore. In his dispatch to the ad-
miralty covering the report Of the Thrush
says that the possibility of removal hay
ing been presented to- the islanders. / sub
nit 1t 1s very desirable a decision in the
matter should be. arrived at, and communi.
Gated to them at the first possible oppor-
tunity, in order that'they may remain no
longer than Is necessary in any doubt as
to their future."l 4rh