The Press., 1891-04-16
PARADISE ISLAND.


 In the year 1859 an Englishman who had been a resident of New Zealand for ten years suddenly blossomed out as an in- spired leader of men. His name was Ben jamin Marks, and he was anything but educated and refined. His idea was to se- cure power and place for himself, but he was so good at Assembling that no one mistrust~d this until too late. By visions. prophecies and downright lying he induced sixty-five people to set out with him in search of a paradise on earth. A brig called the True Blue carried the crowd away, and was an apprentice on the brig. She had come out from England several years before, and had been sailing between New Zealand and some of the islands to the north. The day we left Poverty bay was 15 years old, and 8 stout lad for my age.
 The first stop we made was at Sunday Island, which then had about 500 inhabit- ants. There was neither law, order nor decency among them, but Marks managed to keep this fact from his people. From trading schooner there he got such infor- nation as induced him to change the course to the northeast, and we bore away for the
 
 large and small, about 2,OO0 islands, and includes the Marquesa, Society and Cook islands. It is on direct east and west line between Brazil and Australia, and is from to 30 degs. south of the equator.
 We had six weeks sailing after leaving Sunday Island, and there were frequent quarrels among the elect. Many would have returned If possible, and had not Marks possessed a peculiar personal mag netism the troubles would have been more disastrous. One morning we sighted land dead ahead, and before noon the people had forgotten all their differences and were happy again. The island is down on the newer charts as Tubai, but for many years was known as Paradise. We came up with it at about 9 o'clock, and Marks and others were rowed ashore for visit of inspection. The island is thirteen miles long by seven broad, but mile or so at either end is low and swampy and covered at high water. There is also a large marsh on the eastern shore. After day and half spent in prospecting Marks decided that the island would do. It was finely wooded, had many springs and creeks, and the land gradually rose to plateau high and dry. Lying SO near the equator there was scarce need of clothing, and winter would be known only by three or four weeks of rain.
 It took us about a week to discharge cargo and get ready to sail, as some of the sailors lent a hand to help build temporary shelter for the people. When the ship had been cleared and everything was ready for saying good-by the captain of the brig whose name was Dartwood, who had been reasonably kind to me, ordered me into the yawl with another of the crew to pull him ashore to deliver bundle which had been forgotten. l noticed that the boat had her mast and sail lying in her, but this fact had no significance to me just then. The people had settled on the rising ground a mile from the landing, and as we reached the shore l was instructed to carry the bundle to the settlement. started off very briskly, and in the course of twenty minutes placed the bundle in Marks hands No sooner had turned to go than was roughly seized, thrown down and my ankles and hands securely lashed. Upon demanding an explanation Marks replied:
 "I gave the captain e5 for you, and you belong to me. It is no use to raise row. If you behave yourself you shall be well treated; if not. you will get badly han dled."
 I at once proceeded to raise row with my voice, reviling the whole band after fo'castle fashion, but they turned to and beat me until l was forced to cry for mercy.
 The only object Marks could have had in buying me was to make me his slave and drudge The captain did actually sell me for a E5 note, as alleged, and in after years when I got him into court in Wellington it cost him a5OO to settle matters. After being licked into silence I realized that my best way was to endure what could not cure. The brig had gone, and if did not take hold with some show of spirit Marks would make life unendurable. expressed sorrow at my conduct, promised to do bet ter, and was united and put to work.
 All the houses were to be erected on one line, facing the south. That of Marks had already been begun. It was the summer season there, and one could lie out at night without the least inconvenience. A certain number were to work at the houses while others cleared land and planted crops, and even the children 6 years old had tasks al lotted them. While all were busy no one had time for regrets, and think it was fully six weeks before received hint that all was not satisfactory. Every hut was now completed and the crops planted, but the people had come to see that they were simply to make an easy living. They had no use for manners, dress, education or money. While they had no taxes to pay or laws to oppress them. they had no deeds to the land, and whatever Marks said must be obeyed. He did not take on autocratic powers until all necessary work had been accomplished. Then he proceeded to show himself in his true spirit. He was to be boss and idler, while all others worked and obeyed. His arguments were to go with out dispute. r.
 Had he not descended to trifles the people would have borne with him, but by and by he wanted to dictate in even the smallest things, and one day there was an awful row between all hands. Fists and clubs were used and many were injured, and the result was secession. Thirty persons with drew from the Marks government, and set up for themselves under the leadership of man named Baker. They demanded half of everything, and the Marks faction had to grant it or bring on another fight. Thus in three months from landing in "Para- disc" we had 8 state of affairs which would have disgraced an African village.
 Marks had treated me fairly we'll up to the time of the split. My sympathies were with the other party. and learning of this he tied me to tree and whipped mo until l fainted away. He then chained me to a log for a week, and when I was released he forced me to drudge from daylight to dark. One day l ran away to the north end of the island, and for two weeks kept clear of the men who were hunting for me lived on wild fruits and roots, and was enjoying myself immensely when caught Marks gave me another beating, and l was now set to work with chain and clog attached to my right leg. There had been AnztrA G<k~- after the first clash, but the truce was full of anxiety. Marks was determined not to divide the throne with anybody, and after waiting about a month in homes to sec tha