PALMERSTON ISLAND.

Shannon News, 21 November 1924, Page 4

PALMERSTON ISLAND.

RENEWAL OF liEASE. COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The' Government of New Zealand has under consideration the question of renewing the lease of Palmerston Island to the Masters' family, in con. nection Avith which they have received an-interesting report from the Resident Commissioner. The most interesting of New Zealand's scattered dependencies in the Pacific is Palmerston Island an atoll, with a land area of one square mile, lying to the north-west of Raratonga, some 273 miles distant. The reef carries a number of .small islets, which are in the occupation of the descendr ants of the late William Marsters, who settled there in 1862. He had a numerous family, and > the population, according to a report now to hand from the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands (Mr. H. F. Ayson) is about 100. The lagoon, which is about eight miles- in diameter, does not carry peai-lshell, but the matter of introducing spawn from other islands ia under consideration by the Government.

The island has an interesting history. It was discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, on his second voyage, although it is said by some authorities to be the "San Pablo" of Magellan,, the first island discovered, in the South Seas. On Captain Cook's third and last voyage !the great navigator landed there to' get fodder for, his perishing cattle. Later on the mutineers of the Bounty touched at the island, but did not care to mafce it their home after their pleasant experiences at Tahiti. William Marsters,, the elder, went to Palmerston in 1862, and managed the island for one Brander, who, however, did not return, and Marsters stayed on, although without title. In 1892 he was granted a lease for 21 years. He died in 189,9. By deed, dated October 18, 1913, made between .His Majesty the King and Joel Marsters, a renewal of the lease was granted to the latter in trust for all the issue of William Marsters, the elder, for ten years from January ■ 1, 1913. A renewal of the lease for a further period of x ten years * has now been arranged. *■> The Resident ; Commissioner reports that with one exception he found all the people on Palmerston Island healthy and strong, showing no signs, so far as a layman was, able to judge, of degeneracy.. All the inhabitants speak English. The output of copra last year was 60 tons, compared with 50 tons in.tha previous year.