THE EXCURSION TO THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5885, 24 July 1884, Page 3

THE EXCURSION TO THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

From the report famished by our special correspondent on board the Wairarapa we take the following extracts, the report having been held over in consequence of the pressure on oar space caused by election news: — ASBOHB AT LETUKA. But it should be noted, and I mast retrace my steps a little, to enlighten the uninitiated as to the character of the native kava and the way in which it is made. It has been recorded, that two large shallow bowls, with three legs (all cut out of one log of wood by patient industry), not unlike a large English three-legged pot sawn off all round some six inches from its bottom, had been brought in and placed upon the floor, into each was put so much, say three pounds of the kava, in this instance ready bruised, and fit for immediate manipulation. The usual and national method of preparing the kara is for the women to chew and spit out each mouthful into a bowl, and this delicate process is repeated until a sufficient quantity has been ejected into the bowl is this most approved fashion, then water is added, in quantity to suit the taste. Kava prepared in the orthodox and time-honored method is preferred by the natives, and admitted even by Europeans to posses a richer flavor and more body. But in the present instance, in deference to English sensibilities, pounding in a mortar had been substituted for mastication, much to our satisfaction. Fresh cold water was brought in, and so much of it poured into each I kava bowl. Then the two women proceeded | -to mix and squeeze the stuff, more water being added as needed, and this went on until a quantity sufficient for the present purpose was prepared. Then the straining process began. What appeared to be a handful of fine cocoanut fibre, or else the j inner bark of the hibiscus, was used for the purpose. Spread out to the extent of the *«jd. i*rap3W#illy slowly drawn through the jajqßML&ihen folded up to keep thej~kavo> from again mixing with 3&ejw&S&fle¥Jffil £BAwrong out in true traced. "XjcocoanuEshell was used as a itt&m§Ktiesm&M!seem&B who chose taaix&ittf The etiquette is to drain the Sbwlgbffi; n ?*M *f* B uestß had tke hardihood to attempt Jffc. Some made a sartjt iaawpwi aaamedb&asa44i&Bsd to spit it out thaasto^swallow it. But to do the former be thought of, and so, w4fiN&9iflksiߣo|£waß gulped down somebravely swallows his Kava is simply an in'fusionjgf the root quina. Like the tea of *"China or the mati of Paraguay, it has no time to ferment. It cannot therefore contain alcohol, and cannot be classed with intoxicants. If taken to excess, that is by the quart, it produces a numbness in the feet and legs, and ultimately affects the head. But so with many other infused drinks. Kava should be distinguished from the toddy drink of the natives of the Marshall and Kingsmill groups, which is made from the juice of the cocoannt or Sandanus palm. An incision is made in the tree, from which the fluid flows into calabashes or bamboos. When a sufficient quantity has been collected, it is : *4i|fc : : to ferment; when cleared it is fit foSluee, a strong alcoholic drink, which, if in, I quickly excessive ih'toxication, bordering on delirium... ~ ,„, After the" women had concl3ised-their performances, for song after song or chant chant followed each other in rapid succession, they seemed blown and ex , "*™***. ■ And no >«»« moswunar exertion was i Violent, rapid, uninterrupted; the tune continued to accelerate, the voices to become - louder, harsher, and more vociferous. They filed out, and the male performers entered, squatted down, with their legs, folded up, and the feet tucked closely in under them. Everything was Boon arranged, a3 with the women before, and off they go, swaying, contorting, bending the body forward, gesticulating, Opening and closing the palm of the hand, slapping, rapping, pounding, ever and anon stopping instantaneously, as if one instinct, one volition, animated them all. It was hard work, but this they heeded not; no sooaer was one dirge concluded than the precentor led off another, unt'l their repertoire had become exhausted, and then steaming with odorous perspiration, exeunt gratified with the repeated applause of their guests. . Refreshments were then presented, and it was announced that the next exhibition would take place in the open air. It was to be a representation of a Fijian war dance, now happily a thing of the past. The scene outside was most picturesque and unique. Moon full, shining out from a clear sky, blinking through the leaves of the trees, as they fluttered in the strengthening land breeze, now coming down from beetling crags and ridges, so cooling, so grateful. The Chinese lanterns, as they hung from the boughe of the trees, swayed to and fro, adding their more sombre light to the brighter silvery moonbeams. THE WAB DANCE. The quondam combatants took their stand four deep, leaving sufficient space for individual action. The chanters and tomtom beaters took up their position, and at a given signal all were instinct with i energy, and seemed to be absorbed in a deadly straggle. They writhe, bend forward and backward, swing their bodies round, their two hands extended over their heads, following the motions of the bodies, as if grasping a club, and dashing out the brains of their enemies. Again and again, in the midst of the excitement, they all dropped to the earth, dead, motionless. In a minute or two they leaped to their feet, recommenced the struggle, shouted morevociferously, fought more desperately, the perspiration chased down their backs, at length the climax was reached, down they fell, motionless, dead. This closed the al fresco performance— probably the first and only one for many of the guests. The marvel was how it could be accomplished without jostling or thumping against each other! How, whilst every muscle and faculty in tumultuous emotion seemed strained to its utmost tension, they could so far control themselves to keep within the allotted space, leaping forward, springing backwards, and rushing hither, retreating thither, panting, screaming, shouting, and yet at the close each was found in his place as at the commencement. The whole seemed almost real, exciting, bewildering, indescribable. Some of the guests began now to retire, to get quickly on board before the breakup of the party took place. The rest remained to enjoy some European music and dancing. In raking leave of the German consul, the Bey. Dr. Tayler, in the spontaneity of the moment, undertook to give expression to the feelings of grateful appreciation entertained by himself and travelling companions for the very interesting and unique evening's amusement, which would long be remembered. In the flow of eloquence the learned doctor perorated with the hope that the illustrious ConsoJ-General would emulate the example of the illustrious Crown Prince of Prussia, eon and heir of the illustrious Emperor, who sought a wife among the fair and beautiful of England's Boyal Family, and one in the Princess Boyal, daughter of the most illustrious Englishwoman, her Majesty Victoria, Qneen of England, Empress of India, and select for himself a wife from among the daughters of Albion. To this impromptu and wellmeant advice the Consul-General listened patiently, and managed to preserve his gravity. He replied that lie was sensible of the honour which the distinguished cosmopolitan tourists had done him in expressing their gratification at the evening's entertainment- He regretted that their visit had not been longer, that-he might have assemble! a greater nember of the native chiefs and cbieftaineseee to wel-

coee and entertain thea. As it was, he eouM only improvise the very imperfect representation of native Fijian customs which they had witnessed. He could not invite them, a hundred strong, to dine with him, for the simple reason that he possessed neither crockery nor cutlery in sufficient quantity to meet the demand. That as to the advice and the pious hope to which the Eev. Dr. Taylor had given expression, and had so eloquently enforced, he could only say that he aspired not to an honor so illustrious; he was too contented •with his present position and domestic surronndinga to entertain the remotest idea of acting upon it. In bidding adieu to his illustrious guests, he would wish bon voyage. All then took their leave, and slowly retracwd their etep3 down the gully, and were quickly and safely rowed on board the Wairarapa, which shone out a galaxy of light from the reflection of her lamps on the unruffled surface of the bay. "Notice up to sail to-morrow at six a.m. for the Island of Taviuna. HOLMHUKST SX7GAS COMPANY'S MILL. Boats for the shore were soon at the gangways and quickly filled, and presently all were on terrafirma, and began to spread i cut like a flock of sheep just liberated from a fold. Some hied themselves to the Methodist Mission Station, distant a mile and a half. Some more venturesome, reeelutely struck out a line of exploration for themselves. Mr Burton, the photographist, shouldered his portable stand, and, attended by a wandering native, stepped out straight away in search of the phenomenal, the picturesque, the unknown. The wiee majority betook thtim to the Holmhurst Sugar Mill,and were very courteously shown over it by the manager, who afforded the party information, in reply to their enquiries. About .£120,000 have been expended in developing this property. As yet only 600 acres are planted with canes. Each acre, on an average, yields two tons of sugar, hence the crops wonld be 1200 tons of sugar. The market value varies, with the quality and color of the sugar, aud the supply upon the market. Present quotations from £25 to .£32 per ton. Thus 1200 -tons, at an average of, say £28, would bring out the gross revenue as £33,600. Deduct from thie say £15,000 for current working expenses, and there remains a net revenue of .£18,600 equal to a dividend at the rate of 15 j per cent, on the outlay of .£120,000. This property is still in its earliest of development. Every year the cane acreage will be increased, with but a very slight addition to the current expenditure; hence the ratio increase of dividend will probably double that of the increase ef acreage. If 600 acres of canes will produce a net dividend of 15i per cent, on an outlay of .£120,000, 900 acres, or an increase of 50 per cent, in the acreage, will very nearly double the dividend, hence the profitable return of the speculation, and the rush of capital thrown into it. This sugar production has been, is now, and will continue to be, a highly remunerative industry, until competitive over-production depresses the market value of sugar, that the dividend, will diminish pro rata until a five per cent, will be held to be better than nothing. Such has ever been the case in the history of all productive industries.