Pitcairn gets population boost

By Red Harrison
BBC correspondent in Sydney

One of the world's most isolated communities is reporting a boom in population.

Pitcairn was colonised by the Bounty mutineers

Pitcairn Island, halfway between New Zealand and Peru, says the birth of a child last Sunday is the first on the island for 17 years and brings the island's population to a total of 48.

The newcomer is a girl called Emily Rose Christian and she is the ninth generation descendant of one of Britain's most infamous sailors.

In 1789, Lieutenant Fletcher Christian led a mutiny against Captain William Bligh aboard HMS Bounty, giving rise to hundreds of books, articles and Hollywood films about the cruelty of the British navy.

Most of the mutineers fled to Tahiti, but Fletcher Christian settled with eight of his shipmates and a few Polynesian women on the uncharted island of Pitcairn.

Pitcairn Home to 48 residents Lies halfway between New Zealand and Peru Language is mix of 18th century English and Polynesian Alcohol is still technically banned

They adopted a form of religion in which dancing and drinking were forbidden.

And after 200 years in 1937, Pitcairn's population reached its peak of 233.

They survived, speaking a mixture of 18th century English and Polynesian, by selling handicrafts and postage stamps to passing ships.

Now the islanders fear the life of Pitcairn might be coming to an end.

Thirteen of the few remaining men are facing prosecution over multiple counts of rape and indecent assault against women and children.