Norfolk Island /ˈnɔrfək ˈaɪlənd is a small island in the Pacific
Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is
part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of
self-governance. Together with two neighbouring islands, it forms one of
Australia's external territories.
The evergreen Norfolk Island pine is a symbol of the island
and thus pictured on its flag. Native to the island, the pine is a popular
ornamental tree on mainland Australia, where two related species grow.
Early history
Norfolk Island was first settled by East Polynesian
seafarers either from the Kermadec Islands north of New Zealand or from the
North Island of New Zealand. They arrived in the fourteenth or fifteenth
century, and survived for several generations before disappearing.
The first European known to have sighted the island was
Captain James Cook, in 1774, on his second voyage to the South Pacific on HMS
Resolution. He named it after the Duchess of Norfolk, wife of Edward Howard,
9th Duke of Norfolk (1685–1777).
Sir John Call argued the advantages of Norfolk Island in
that it was uninhabited and that flax grew there. In 1786 the British
government included Norfolk Island as an auxiliary settlement, as proposed by
John Call, in its plan for colonization of New South Wales. The decision to
settle Norfolk Island was taken Empress Catherine of Russia's decision to restrict
sales of hemp. Practically all the hemp and flax required by the Royal Navy for
cordage and sailcloth was imported from Russia.
When the First Fleet arrived at Port Jackson in January
1788, Phillip ordered Lieutenant Philip Gidley King to lead a party of 15
convicts and seven free men to take control of Norfolk Island and prepare for
its commercial development. They arrived on 6 March 1788.
During the first year of the settlement, which was also
called "Sydney" like its parent, more convicts and soldiers were sent
to the island from New South Wales.
Nineteenth century
early as 1794, Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales
Francis Grose suggested its closure as a penal settlement as it was too remote
and difficult for shipping, and too costly to maintain. The first group of
people left in February 1805, and by 1808 only about 200 remained, forming a small
settlement until the remnants were removed in 1813. A small party remained to
slaughter stock and destroy all buildings so that there would be no inducement
for anyone, especially from another European power, to visit that place. From
15 February 1814 to 6 June 1825 the island lay abandoned.
In 1824 the British government instructed the Governor of
New South Wales Thomas Brisbane to occupy Norfolk Island as a place to send
“the worst description of convicts”. Its remoteness, seen previously as a disadvantage,
was now viewed as an asset for the detention of the “twice-convicted” men, who
had committed further crimes since arriving in New South Wales.
The second penal settlement began to be wound down by the
British government after 1847 and the last convicts were removed to Tasmania in
May 1855. It was abandoned because transportation to Van Diemen's Land had
ceased in 1853 and was replaced by penal servitude in the United Kingdom.
On 8 June 1856, the next settlement began on Norfolk Island.
These were the descendants of Tahitians and the HMS Bounty mutineers, resettled
from the Pitcairn Islands, which had become too small for their growing
population. The British government had permitted the transfer of the
Pitcairners to Norfolk, which was thus established as a colony separate from
New South Wales but under the administration of that colony's governor. They
left Pitcairn Islands on 3 May 1856 and arrived with 194 persons on 8 June. The
Pitcairners occupied many of the buildings remaining from the penal
settlements, and gradually established their traditional farming and whaling
industries on the island. Although some families decided to return to Pitcairn
in 1858 and 1863, the island's population continued to slowly grow as the
island accepted settlers, often arriving with whaling fleets.
In 1867, the headquarters of the Melanesian Mission of the
Church of England were established on the island. In 1920 the Mission was
relocated from the island to the Solomon Islands to be closer to its target
population.
Twentieth century
After the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901,
Norfolk Island was placed under the authority of the new Commonwealth
government to be administered as an external territory.
During World War II, the island became a key airbase and
refuelling depot between Australia and New Zealand, and New Zealand and the
Solomon Islands. Since Norfolk Island fell within New Zealand's area of
responsibility it was garrisoned by a New Zealand Army unit known as N Force at
a large Army camp which had the capacity to house a 1,500 strong force. N Force
relieved a company of the Second Australian Imperial Force. The island proved
too remote to come under attack during the war and N Force left the island in
February 1944.
In 1979, Norfolk was granted limited self-government by
Australia, under which the island elects a government that runs most of the
island's affairs. As such, residents of Norfolk Island are not represented in
the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia, making them the only group of
residents of an Australian state or territory not represented there.
In 2006, a formal review process took place, in which the
Australian government considered revising this model of government. The review
was completed on 20 December 2006, when it was decided that there would be no
changes in the governance of Norfolk Island.
THINGS TO SEE & DO
KINGSTON area
Commissariat Store
New Military Barracks
Officers Bath
Old Military Barracks
Foreman of Works Quarters
Royal Engineers Quarters
Commissariat Officers Quarters
commissariat Clark's Quarters
Commissariat Storekeepers Quarters
Chief Clerk's Quarters
Superintendent of Convicts Duplex
Stipendiary Magistrates Quarters
Cemetery
Civil Hospital
Surgeon's Quarters
Crank Mill
Settlement Guardhouse
Pier Store
Single Boat Shed
Flag Houses
Royal Engineers Office
Double Boat Shed
Constable's Quarters
Blacksmiths Shop
New Gaol
Prisoners Barracks Including Protestant Chapel
Lime Kilns
Salthouse
Windmill
Government House
