[Pitcairn Island - working life and the economy.]

Rights Information
Year
1957
Reference
156781
Media type
Audio
Item unavailable online

This content is for private viewing only. The material may not always be available for supply.
Click for more information on rights and requesting.

Ask about this item

Ask to use material, get more information or tell us about an item

Rights Information
Year
1957
Reference
156781
Media type
Audio
Item unavailable online

This content is for private viewing only. The material may not always be available for supply.
Click for more information on rights and requesting.

Categories
Documentary radio programs
Nonfiction radio programs
Radio programs
Sound recordings
Duration
00:29:37
Broadcast Date
1957
Credits
RNZ Collection
Williams, Gordon, Producer
Christian, Fred, Speaker/Kaikōrero
Christian, Betty, Speaker/Kaikōrero
Christian, Milly, Speaker/Kaikōrero
Clark, Oscar, Speaker/Kaikōrero
McCoy, Floyd, Speaker/Kaikōrero
Wotherspoon, Alan, Speaker/Kaikōrero
Young, Chester, Speaker/Kaikōrero
Young, Clarence, Speaker/Kaikōrero
Clark, Roy, Speaker/Kaikōrero
Clark, Roger, Speaker/Kaikōrero
Hawkes, Lester, Speaker/Kaikōrero
New Zealand Broadcasting Service (estab. 1946, closed 1962), Broadcaster

The second documentary in a series made by New Zealand biologist Gordon Williams, featuring recordings he made on Pitcairn Island in 1957.

An unidentified announcer introduces the programme, which focuses on government on Pitcairn and how the islanders earn a living.

Gordon Williams describes the unique society established on Pitcairn by the descendants of the "Bounty" mutineers and their Tahitian wives in 1790.
He explains how the island is governed and interviews Fred Christian, an ex-chief magistrate, about role of the island council and how it is elected.

Mrs Milly Christian is interviewed about working life and how all the island men work together on communal projects. Pastor Lester Hawkes explains the building of the church. Roger Clark, who is eight, describes how the boys work with their fathers on the islands and fishing from canoes.

Whale boats are used to go out to visiting ships. Oscar Clark describes one. Chester Young explains what happens when a ship visits and how they are supplied with fruit in exchange for other supplies.
Mrs Christian and Mrs Clark talk about food and drink on the island and housework.

The island earns most of its income from souvenir sales of carvings, baskets, necklaces and postage stamps. Roy Clark, the postmaster, is interviewed. The school was financed by the income from stamp sales.
Alan Wotherspoon, a New Zealander, is the schoolmaster and he is interviewed about education on Pitcairn. Thirteen year old Betty Christian describes a typical school day and the children are recorded singing a hymn.

Floyd McCoy is the Pitcairn policeman. He is interviewed about the lack of serious crime on the island. There has only been one murder since 1795. Mr McCoy is also the island's public relations officer, and answers enquiries from all over the world about Pitcairn.

Two other islands in the group, Henderson and Oeno, are sometimes visited by islanders in whale boats. Clarence Young and Oscar Clark explain that they visit the other islands to collect shells and coral to sell to passing passenger ships and pandanus and miro wood for making souvenirs. Ducie Island is never visited as it is too far to cover in the whale boats.

Medical and dental emergencies are handled by Pastor Hawkes until a passing ship can come to help.

Gordon Williams ends the programme by reading a quote from T.S. Eliot.