PITCAIRN: BACKGROUND NOTE
Early History
1. 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. Carteret found it in 1767 and in 1790 it was occupied by Fletcher Christian and nine" Bounty" mutineers, accompanied by twelve Tahitian women and six men. The community has always been quite small, its peak being 233 in 1937. There have been two evacuations, to Tahiti in 1831 and to Norfolk Island in 1856, but in both cases some at least of the community decided to return. Since 1937 the population has declined steadily to the present level of about 50.
Government
2, Pitcairn was annexed as a British Colony in 1838 and given a simple constitution, a code of laws for the Pitcairners and
an elected native-born magistrate to govern the island with a council of two. The present system of government was introduced in 1940. The Governor (also the High Commissioner to New Zealand) is resident at Wellington and his Commissioner at Auckland. Internal affairs are managed by an Island Council composed of the Magistrate (Chairman), 3 elected Councillors,
one Member chosen by the Governor and 2 Members chosen by the elected Members, plus 2 non-voting Members.
Economy
3.
The economy is at subsistence level; the islanders satisfy their basic needs from food-gardens and the sea. Their limited monetary requirements are satisfied by allowances and wages gained from part-time work for the Administration and the sale of handicrafts. However, Pitcairn derives income from sale of postage stamps and investments from this totalled £758,197 on 31 January 1982. Their portfolio is handled by the Crown Agents.
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