A SOUTH SEA PARADISE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2130, 20 December 1894, Page 49

A SOUTH SEA PARADISE.

FOUNDING A NATION. (Fhom Odb Own Corbespondent.)

Auckland, December 15.

On her passage from Rarotonga to this port tbe brigantine Linda Weber called in at Palm erst on Island. Palmerston Island is one of a group, of 13 small islands situated on the outer edge of a largo lagoon enclosed by a coral reef, the lagoon being about 12 miles long and the same in width. 16 appears to have a second Pitcairn liland community. About 35 yeari ago a man, springing into tbe prime of life, held an engagement on board one of the

nuaitrou9 whalers that frequented the Bay ot Islands, and while his vessel was lying there he became restless with his lot and longed for fresh fields and pastures new. With this object in view he left his vessel and, after various upa and downs, reached Tahiti, and there entered into trading relations with some of the traders. He started away, and eventually reached the group of islands which bears the name mentioned above. He found no signß of natives or that there had been any there for many a long day, and, taking a fancy to the place, determined to settle down on it. This was tome 32 years ago. William Marsters, the name of this adventurous young man, proceeded back to Tahiti and made arrangements according to his preconceived

ideas. Marrying a native girl, he lt'fc with some of her relatives for his new home, and since that time has resided on the island, never leaving it except to board vessels visiting there. Although so isolated, he has witnessed many strange scenes. Three vessels have been wrecked on the dominioa (he holds a lease of the place from the Imperial Goverumeut), the crew of one of the vessels being »11 lost. From the wreckage (one was a timber-laden vessel) he has built several substantial houses. At tbe time he first settled there were a few cocoanut trees on some of the islands, but now all these are covered. Mr Marsters having most industriously planted new trees from time to time, is at the present day reaping the benefit of his foresight and industry.

A laige family baa sprung up uroun<! the old gentleman, and to tbe elder of them he has relegated many of the duties that formerly were borno on his own shoulders. At the present time there is a population of 22 toula, and all appear to be happy, healthy, and contented on their island home. Strict laws have been framed by Marsters for the good government of the island, and a judge is appointed from among themselves to settle any dispute. H's office turns out to be an nppointmpnt in name only, as no trouble has ever arisen to call for his interference. The spiritual welfare of the family has not been forgotten. A house is specially set aside as a church, and there every Sunday and on stated week days Marsters conducts religious sarvioes. Altogether, this strange but industrioun handful of colonists away in the midst of the Southern Pacific are said to be a model from which many who are seeking new homes might take a few leisons.