92 ST. HELENA 



Solomon were destroyed. A robbery took place of over 

 £1,000, but much of this was recovered, the thief having 

 lost coins as he ran off. How the fire occurred is a mystery 

 which has never been cleared up. 



In the church of St. James will be seen the colours of the 

 late St. Helena regiment delivered over to the Vicar (the 

 Rev. Stephen Johnson Ellis) and the churchwardens for 

 safe keeping in October 1887. 



Up to this time, although there were many charitable 

 and provident societies for the inhabitants, there was not 

 one whereby sick children might benefit ; but now Mr. 

 Edward J. Watson brought forward a scheme, which was 

 readily put into action by the workers in the parish of St. 

 James. The St. Helena Guardian of December 15 says : — 



A crowd of children may be seen on Saturday mornings at the 

 Mess House (then the residence of Colonel Woodward, R.E.) to pay 

 their small subscriptions of halfpenny per week to the hon. treasurer 

 (Mrs. Woodward). 



This Society is still in a most nourishing condition: it 

 affords weekly relief to sick children ; gives a burial 

 allowance; and when the members are too old for their 

 rules, pays the entrance fee to any one of the adult 

 societies chosen. Its present good standing is greatly 

 due to the assiduity with which its originator, Mr. Watson, 

 has worked. 



In March 1888 lamps were erected between the lower 

 burial ground and the hospital. Before this time, that 

 part of the town had been in total darkness after nightfall, 

 and the inhabitants carried lanterns to guide their foot- 

 steps when they had occasion to be out of doors after dark. 



Robbery is not of frequent occurrence on the island, but 

 in this year the Court House at the Castle was broken into, 

 and a safe containing Government money was stolen. 

 The remains of the safe, with a part of the money, were 

 found at Sampson's battery. No trace of the culprit could 

 be discovered for some time, but the Governor having 

 his suspicions, had the lock of the door examined, and in 

 it was found a minute piece from the pointof a blade of a 

 knife. He ^suspected a man who had just left the island 

 for the Cape, and the police sergeant (Mr. Harrison) was 

 shipped off to arrest him. When the arrest was made 



