PROPOSED REMOVAL TO NORFOLK ISLAND. 247 
of the waves, is absolutely terrific, so that 
few Europeans washed off have been able to 
make the land again. However, the Pitcairners 
must have been accustomed from their infancy 
to fish in such dangerous waters, so they would 
feel quite at home. The whole island teems 
with life. Parrots and parroquets, of various 
kinds, swarm in your path* Pigeons (originally 
the common English pigeon let loose) are in 
innumerable flocks; and magnificent wood- 
guests, plovers, and sandpipers are often to be 
had. No venomous reptile of any kind is on 
the island ; and it is very rarely indeed that 
you ever feel or see the mosquito, which seems 
indigenous to all other warm localities." 
The first mention of Norfolk Island as a fit 
place for the reception of the Pitcairn com- 
munity, occurs in a despatch from the lit. Hon. 
Sir John S. Pakington, Bart., to Lieut.-Governor 
Sir W. Denison, dated Downing-street, Dec. 15, 
1852. In this despatch Sir W. Denison was 
requested to transmit a report respecting the 
management requisite for the evacuation of the 
Island, and as to its resources, buildings, &c, 
and its suitableness to the people of Pitcairn. 
An official communication, respecting the 
necessity of such a removal, was made by 
B. Toup Nicolas, Esq., Her Majesty's Consul 
at Eaiatea, Society Islands, in a letter dated the 
3rd of April, 1853, addressed to the Earl of- 
Malmesbury. 
In that year it was determined by the British 
Government to accede to the request of the 
people, and to transfer to Norfolk Island such 
