Longboat brings Pitcairn trial officials ashore

By KATHY MARKS

PITCAIRN ISLAND - The final preparations are in place for a historic sex abuse trial that will determine the future of tiny Pitcairn Island, founded by the mutineers from HMS Bounty more than two centuries ago.

The population of the volcanic rock about 5000km from New Zealand has nearly doubled for the seven-week trial, which begins on Thursday. Yesterday the islanders sent out their longboat to fetch the last arrivals: 12 diplomats, police and journalists.

Seven men living on the British overseas territory have been charged with 55 counts of rape, sexual abuse and indecent assault of children aged between 5 and 15. At previous court hearings they have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which date back to 1969.

The men are free on bail, and some manned the longboat bringing in visitors for court proceedings that could see them incarcerated in the island's new six-cell jail. Another six defendants - four living in New Zealand and two in Australia - will go on trial on similar charges next year.

Despite the trial, life on Pitcairn appears to be continuing as normal.

Most of the population of 47 are direct descendants of Fletcher Christian and the other Bounty mutineers. They turned in force at Bounty Bay wharf yesterday to greet the visitors. From the jetty, where a sign says "Welcome to Pitcairn Island" and another points to the "final resting-place of the Bounty", a steep road called the Hill of Difficulty winds up to Adamstown.

The village square is the site of the Seventh Day Adventist church, and the weatherboard public hall where the trial will be held.

Pitcairn is surprisingly lush, thickly coated with coconut palms and Norfolk Island pines.

On the island, emotions are raging.

Many Pitcairners resent the intrusion of outsiders to deal with problems they believe should be kept in "the family".

Others welcome the trial as necessary to safeguard Pitcairn's future.

Tom Christian, a Pitcairn elder and member of the island's governing council, said yesterday: "We need to get this whole mess behind us and look to the future. In a small island community like this, everything that happens affects everyone."