GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL The Administrator (President): His Honour Dennis Raleigh Gibbs, CMG, CVO, DSO Attorney-General: The Hon. B. F. Dias Financial Secretary: J. Taylor, CMG Chief Minister, Minister of Finance, Minister of Trade and Minister of Communications and Works: The Hon. W. H. Bramble, JP President: His Honour the Administrator Official Members: The Attorney-General; The Financial Secretary Hon. W. H. Bramble (Windward District); Hon. B. W. Edwards (Eastern District); Clerk of Councils: D. H. Bramble MINISTRIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CHIEF MINISTER'S OFFICE Permanent Secretary, Secretary to Executive MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND LANDS MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SERVICES Permanent Secretary and Education Officer: Senior Medical Officer: Dr C. D. Wooding MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND Permanent Secretary: K. A. Cassell Director of Public Works: I. D. Brown MINISTRY OF FINANCE Financial Secretary: J. Taylor, CMG Acting Permanent Secretary, Establishment Acting Accountant-General and Postmaster: Comptroller of Inland Revenue: C. L. READING LIST Collector of Customs: A. Jacobs ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S OFFICE Attorney-General: B. F. Dias MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE Magistrate, Registrar and Provost Marshal: AUDIT Acting Senior Auditor: S. St A. Meade, OBE Administrative Secretary: J. T. Skerritt Superintendent of Prison: J. H. Greenaway PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Chairman: R. S. Jordan, OBE Members: J. E. Wade; John C. Kelsick JUDICIAL West Indies Associated States Supreme Court Magistrate, Registrar and Provost Marshal: General ASPINALL, Sir A. Pocket Guide to the West Indies. Methuen, 1954. BAKER, E. C. A Guide to Records in the Leeward Islands. Basil Blackwell BURNS, Sir Alan. History of the British West Indies. Allen and Unwin, 1954. O'LOUGHLIN, C. The Economy of Montserrat; a national accounts study, PARRY, J. H. and SHERLOCK, P. M. A short history of the West Indies. 2nd edition, Macmillan, 1963. STARKEY, O. P. Commercial Geography of Montserrat. Bloomington, Indiana University, 1960. The West Indies and Caribbean Year Book. Thomas Skinner. Montserrat: Official report, 1965-66. H.M. Stationery Office, London. T PITCAIRN ISLANDS GROUP (HE small, volcanic island of Pitcairn (1.75 square miles) is situated in the Pacific Ocean (25° 04′ S.; 130° 06′ W.) roughly mid-way between Panama and New Zealand and 1,350 miles east-south-east of Tahiti. It is a rugged island rising to 1,100 feet and even at Bounty Bay, the only landing-place, access from the sea is difficult. The climate is equable. Mean monthly temperatures vary from 19°C (66°F) in August to 24°C (75°F) in February; the average annual rainfall is 80 inches, fairly evenly spread throughout the year. Moderate easterly winds predominate with short east to south-east gales occurring between April and September. The early history of Pitcairn is uncertain but archaeological remains prove it was inhabited by Polynesians some six hundred years ago, at least for short periods. Modern history began with its discovery by Carteret in 1767, and its occupation by Fletcher Christian and nine of the Bounty mutineers, accompanied by twelve Tahitian women and six men, in 1790. Although an American vessel called at the island in 1808 it was not until the visit of H.M.S. Briton and H.M.S. Tagus in 1814 that the story of the Pitcairn settlement became widely known. The first decade had been marked by jealousies and violence and by 1800 the only adult male survivor was John Adams, who guided and led the small community until his death in 1829. In 1814 the population numbered 40; and by 1831 it had increased to 86 of whom 79 were born on the island. Concern for the future led to evacuation to Tahiti in 1831 but within six months the Pitcairners were back home, less seventeen who had died during the absence. In 1856 the population had reached 194 and the island was again abandoned, a new home having been provided by the British Government on Norfolk Island off the east coast of Australia. By 1864, however, forty-three Pitcairners had found their way back and since then the island has been permanently settled, the population reaching a peak of 233 in 1937. In the last twenty years there has been steady emigration to New Zealand and the population is now less than 100. Pitcairn is a British settlement under the British Settlements Act 1887, but the islanders count their recognition as a colony from 1838 when Captain Elliott of H.M.S. Fly gave them a constitution with universal adult suffrage and a code of law. In 1893 a parliamentary form of government was adopted and in 1898 the island was brought under the jurisdiction of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific in Suva, which for the next twenty years was exercised through the British Consul in Tahiti. A further change in the constitution in 1904 restored the simpler pattern of 1838 which was retained as the basis for the wider reforms of 1940. In 1952, the Pitcairn Order in Council transferred responsibility for administration to the person of the Governor of Fiji following the separation of the offices of Governor and High Commissioner. Under the provisions of a new Order adopted on 30 September 1970, Her Majesty appointed Sir Arthur Galsworthy to be Govenor of Pitcairn with effect from 10 October 1970. The Local Government Ordinance of 1964 constitutes a Council of ten members of whom four are elected, five are nominated (three by the elected members and two by the Governor) and one is an ex officio member, the Island Secretary. The Council is presided over by the Island Magistrate who is elected triennially. All other members hold office for one year. Liaison between the Governor and Council is effected by a Commissioner in the British South Pacific Office in Suva. Land is held under a system of family ownership. based upon the original division of the island by Fletcher Christian and his companions. Alienation to foreigners is not forbidden by law but, as a general rule, the only rights to pass are to their descendants by marriage to a Pitcairn Islander. The control of entry for the purposes of settlement further protects the customary tenure of land. New Zealand decimal currency, which was introduced on 10th July 1967, is in everyday use. There is no taxation and revenue is mainly derived from the sale of postage stamps. Revenue in 1969-70 was approximately $NZ87,692, including a development grant of £375 from Britain, and expenditure was approximately $NZ65,023. Development works have largely been concentrated on telecommunications, power supply, improvements to the boat harbour at Bounty Bay and tractors for roadworks and transportation. Free primary education is provided on the island under the direction of a qualified schoolteacher seconded by the New Zealand Department of Education. Scholarships provided by the Pitcairn Island Government are available for children to receive post primary education or specialist training in other fields in Fiji or elsewhere. A trained nurse, usually the wife of the Pastor, looks after the general health of the community, assisted by surgeons of passing ships when necessary. Government meets two-thirds of transport and hospital costs if a patient has to be transferred to New Zealand. The Islanders have been adherents of the Seventh Day Adventist Church since 1887. Pitcairn is on the direct shipping line between the Panama Canal and New Zealand and 44 ships called in 1969. Since mid-1968 passenger ships have ceased to call regularly at Pitcairn Island, and sea communications are now maintained by cargo vessels running between New Zealand and Panama which make scheduled calls at approximately bi-monthly intervals in each direction. Shore-toship communication is by diesel launch. A telecommunications station maintains contact with the outside world via Fiji. The community is essentially farming and fishing in character. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of tropical and sub-tropical crops which are used for subsistence and money income is earned by the sale of postage stamps and handicrafts. An official Souvenir Agency was established in 1964 and a cooperative store in 1967. A re-afforestation scheme was introduced in 1963 with emphasis on the planting of miro trees, which provide the wood used in making handicrafts. The uninhabited islands of Henderson, lying 105 miles east-north-east of Pitcairn, Oeno, 75 miles north-west, and Ducie 293 miles east, form part of the settlement. The first two islands are visited regularly by the Pitcairn Islanders. Governor: Sir Arthur Galsworthy, KCMG, (Resident, Wellington, New Zealand) Pitcairn Island Education Officer: R. S. Henry, Adamstown, Pitcairn Island 539 ST HELENA (WITH ASCENSION AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA) T HELENA lies in the South Atlantic Ocean, latitude 16° S., longitude 50° 45′ W., 700 miles south-east of Ascension and about 1,200 miles from the south-west coast of Africa. It is 10-5 miles long and 6.5 miles broad, covering an area of 47 square miles. St Helena is rugged and mountainous and of volcanic origin. The highest peak, Mount Actaeon, rises to 2,685 feet. The only inland waters are small streams, few of them now perennial, fed by springs in the central hills. These streams and rain-water are sufficient for domestic water supplies and a few small irrigation schemes. The cool South Atlantic trade winds blow throughout the year. The climate is mild and varies little, the temperature in Jamestown, on the sea-coast, ranging in summer between 70°F and 85°F, and in winter between 65°F and 75°F. Inland it is some 10°F cooler. Rainfall figures (in inches) over three years, obtained from stations in the Eastern and Western districts of the country, the higher slopes approaching Jamestown and Jamestown itself, are as follows: The last census was on 24th July 1966, when the total population was 4,649. The estimated population at 31st December 1969 was 4,829. According to the last census the division of the population was as follows: The language of the island has always been English, and the English way of life is firmly established. The majority of the population belong to the Anglican Communion. The total number of births during the year 1969 was 159, and the birth rate per 1,000 was 32.92. The total number of deaths during the year 1969 was 45, and the death rate per 1,000 was 9.31. St Helena has a very mild climate. There is no industrial pollution of the atmosphere. There are no endemic diseases of note but the population is unusually susceptible to epidemic afflctions and minor ailments, both of which may be attributable to the island's isolation. Infestations with ascaris and enterobius are common but cause little serious illness. Prophylactic measures to eradicate this nuisance have so far proved unsuccessful. It has now been established that leptospirosis is the most common cause of pyrexias of uncertain origin on the island. Research continues with the assistance of the Leptospirosis Reference Laboratory in London. The source is suspected of being mainly in the large rat population which was the subject of an extermination campaign in 1969-70. Fortunately the common varieties of leptospirosis encountered are generally amenable to early treatment and have been responsible for only two deaths in seven years. Progress continues on an island-wide immunisation programme against tetanus. Increasing numbers of St Helenians are making use of the facilities offered at the infant and child welfare clinics and are obtaining immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough in addition to smallpox. Three medical officers and a dentist are borne on the territory's establishment; there are no private medical practitioners on the island. A modern hospital of 54 beds provides for the routine and emergency needs of the population. Regular visits by the medical officers and midwife and district nurse to five country clinics supply the out-patient needs of the rural population including the supervision of child welfare and ante-natal care. Jamestown, the capital, is the only town and has a population of some 1,600. The principal categories of salaried and wage-earning persons at the end of 1969 were: |