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Norfolk Island - |
Our history of government on Pitcairn Island
Patriarchal government was the order of the early days, presided over by the sole surviving mutineer, John Adams ...
John Adams
Pitcairn's "Constitution" - the Bible and Prayer Book from the HMS Bounty.
John Adams - the pastor and school master - was undisputed ruler in the community.
But time passes and John Adams dies.The community ... now leaderless and faced with the need for a new decision-making process. The rule of law was born.
Our first laws...
1829. The first code of laws was simple. They made provisions for murder, theft, adultery and removing of land marks. Offenders were tried before a bench of three elders.
Internal turmoil was not yet over on Pitcairn Isle. Temporary relocation to Tahiti followed by return to Pitcairn saw the need emerge for a more detailed code of laws and a constitution to regulate the government of the Pitcairners' affairs.
1838. Luck ... or was it Providence ... it matters not; suffice to say it was favourable to the future of Pitcairn that Captain Elliott, Commander of HMS Fly which was passing by in 1838, upon request, drew up their constitution and code of laws. 1838 was the year they were put into writing.
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Codex Pitcairnensis ~ The Pitcairn people's first Constitution. On this particular page are laws and regulations pertaining to the moving of landmarks. |
Our Constitution in 1838 provided for...
Democratic elections on 1 January each year to appoint a Magistrate - the chief authority on the Island. The Magistrate to be assisted by a Council of two other Islanders - one elected, the other appointed by the Magistrate.
Democratic elections by a simple majority vote of all Islanders, both male and female, who had attained the aged of 18 years.
1838. Two very significant firsts in British legislative history. On Pitcairn Island -
Equal voting rights were given to women at least 10 years ahead of any other British constitution.
Education was compulsory for all children - again, well ahead of any other British place.
The 1838 Constitution, though brief, nevertheless was comprehensive in its effect, not the least of which was the acknowledgement by the people of Pitcairn Island of their status as a British possession.
