The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3970, 13 May 1870, Page 3

The Daily Southern Cross.

LUCEO, NON UEO. If I have been extingiiished, yet^thero rise A thousand beacons from tho spark I bore.

FIUDA V, MA Y 13, 1870.

"N"ow that we Lave been brought into monthly communication with the Sandwich Islands, by means of the new steam postal service to Europe via Honolulu and San Francisco, it may not prove uninteresting if we review the past and present condition of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The islands, thirteen in number, composing this Kingdom, lie between the parallels of 19 ° and 22 ° north latitude, and 154° and 160° west longitude. Their extent is 6,060 square miles. The largest island, Hawaii, containing 4,000 square miles, has an elevation Oi 13,953 feet. Five are mere islets. All the islands are of volcanic origin, and an eruption of Mauna Loa,in 1868, apeak 13,430 feet above the sea levej, destroyed many lives and a great deal of property. There are several volcanoes, besides the crater of Mauna Loa, in active combustion. Ihe great crater of Kilanea, situated on a, plateau of the southern slope of Manna Loa, which is "always active, is described by Count Strzelecki, a Polish nobleman and j scientific traveller, who visited it in 1838, as of unpai'alleled grandeur. There have been great eruptions of late years, — that of the 11th August, 1858, the lava stream of which, three miles broad, travelled at the rate of forty miles per hour towai'ds Hilo Bay. It stopped short, within eleven miles of Hilo, on the 22nd of November, and the town was saved. Passengers travelling by the new mail route, may gratify their curiosity by visiting the volcanic peaks of Hawaii. The Sandwich Islands were discovered by Captain Cook, oil the 18th January, 1778. On the occasion of his second visit, on the 14th April, 1789, the unhappy misunderstanding arose at ICealakekua Bay, in the island of Maui, which terminated in his death and thit of several of his crew. The second great navigator who visited this group was Vancouver, who introduced horned cattle from the adjacent coast of California. The Sandwich Islanders are members of the Malay family which, as Cook observes, is to be found 'in every quarter of the Pacific." Tlip great discoverer estimated the popula tion of the Hawaiian group at 400*000 but Vancouver says this estimate was excessive. The chiefe possessed all power and property; the common people owned nothing, According to an authority on this, point, the native chieftains succeeded" in effectually maintaining their rank and privileges : "All the shrewd in<l ventions and studied precautions <l ever employed in any nation by a "jealous aristocracy, never succeeded " more effectually in securing augus " respect and an unquestioned sub " mission." The systems of taxation and forced labour were most oppressive. " After the visits of foreign ships, and " the demand had arisen for sandal " wood as an article of commerce, the " people were heavily burdened by the 11 requirements of the chiefs to cut this " wood in the mountains. Such was IC the greed of the chiefs, that it is " estimated, that up to 1843 upwards " of 100,000 piculs were exported from " these islands to China, amounting in " value to a million dollars. If a " common Kanaka sold anything to a " ship, one-half of whatever he re- " ceived went to the King ; and in the " same manner, each chief again taxed " his own particular vassals, extorfcion- " ately and unmercifully," The custom of tapu, of which we hear so much in New Zealand, was quite as oppressive amongst the Sandwich islanders, and tended to maintain the ! authority of the "top -knots" undisputed. The priests, who were a hereditary caste, likewise imposed tabus upholding their influence; and there ■were professional sorcerers, who compassed the death of anyone made the object of their incantations — a practice not quite extinct. Poisoning was likewise much resorted to. Their mythology was a confused mass of traditions. Human sacrifices wei*e common : indeed, it was a convenient way of getting rid of enemies to offer them in sacrifice to the gods. 'I here was a tradition in Cook's time that a cannibal chief resided on one of the islands, but it is not well authenticated. The islanders were extremely licentious ;—; — more so, perhaps, than any other people under ihe sun. Infanticide prevailed. There was neither truth nor virtue to be found in any of them. Such -were the Sandwich Islanders •when Cook visited them ninety-two years ago. On that occasion a secondary chief, Kamehameha, the founder of the present reigning family, spent a night on board the ship. Within sixteen years from this period Kamehameha had conquered the' sovereignty of all the islands, and raised himself to the dignity of, King. This . man had; the j sagacity to attach the priesthood to himself: in short, he 4 effected the com- i plete union of Church and State, and \ became as much sovereign pontiff as autocrat. He was a most sagacious savage, and cherished all the white men ' •who visited him. As a proof of his intelligence, we may state that he built a fleet of small craft r for the collection of sandal- wood, u and was' enter- " prising enongh to"" fit outJarid send to "China, on his own ( lJ

'*' laden with sandal- wood. She re- * turned laden with rum and dry " goods, which the King managed to " sell for hard dollars, the value of (i which he was not slow to learn." This King died, May 8, 1819, and was succeeded by his son, Liholoholo, who crushed a formidable rebellion, instigated by the priests, wlioni he had enraged by destroying the idols and temples, and abolishing tapu. lie is described as singularly irreligious and dissipated. Wesleyan missionaries from America arrived shortly after these events — April 4, 1820— and commenced fcheir labours, which were attended with success. Meanwhile enterprising Europeans were attracted to these fertile islands ; and in a comparatively short period, from groaning under the most oppressive of heathen j tyrannies, in the form of an organised , Government, the Sandwich Islanders now live in peace under a constitutional monarch of their own race, governed by equal and just laws, lightly taxed, and having a voice, through their representatives, in the government of the country. It would be impossible, in the limits of an article of this kind, to trace the growth of the Hawaiian Constitution We shall, however, briefly summarise events. Shortly after establishing himself in power, the young King, Liholoholo, accompanied by his wife, and a few retainers and friends, proceeded to England in a whaler. They were well received, but their Hawaiian Majesties died. The English Government sent back their remains, with their friends, in the ' Blonde/ a frigate commanded by Captain Lord Byron. During the minority of Kaniehamoha 111., who succeeded, the widow of the first of that name governed the kingdom. Civil war broke out during the regency ; the last in these islands. Complications began with foreigners in 182.5, on account of the moral code promulgated at the instigation of the missionaries. The conduct of the European sailors, captains as well as men, was most reprehensible, and their example was followed by the commander and crew of an American ship of war. Violence was resorted to, and property destroyed. Meanwhile, Roman Catholic missionaries lauded, and for several years received full toleration. In 1829, the Queen Regent resolved to suppress the Catholic religion, and persecution was resorted to. This gave a pietexfc for interference by the Catholic Powers ; and when, in 1839, the King issued " An Ordinance [Rejecting the Catholic " Religion," forbidding " the peculiari- " ties of the Pope's religion to be " taught," expelling all Catholics from the kingdom, and forbidding the landing of any Catholic missionary under heavy fine and forfeiture of the ship and cargo, his Most Catholic Majesty the King of the French took the matter in hand, and extorted a treaty, under the guns of a frigate; guai'anteeing full toleration to the members of the proscribed faith, the grant of a site for a church at Honolulu, and " a sum of twenty thousand dollars as " a guarantee of the King's future good " conduct towards France." The lloman Catholics are now as numerous as the Protestants in the islands. The first Bill of Rights and Constitution of the Sandwich Islands was adopted unanimously, by the King and chiefs, October 8, 1840, on which day the Hawaiian nation formally entered the community of civilised Status. Embassies were sent to England, France, and the United States. But the troubles of the young constitutional kingdom were not at an end. Mr Consul Charlton sailed to South America, and made a number of formal complaints to the commander of the British squadron on that station ; and, in consequence, the frigate ' Carysfoot,' commanded by Captain Lord George Paulett, was despatched to inquire into the state of affairs at the islands. The almost immediate issue of the English captain's inquiries, on the .King's declining to give him a private interview, was a series of demands relative to the restoration of property belonging to the Consul, attached by the King's Courts, the recognition of Mr. Simpson as acting British Consul, and guarantees against the oppression of British subjects. Lord George Paulett notified that unless his terms wei'e agreed to "within four hours he would bombard Honolulu. The King's Government agreed to the terms under protest, " reserving the right to (( represent the case more fully to her " Majesty's Government." In consequence of these proceedings, the islands were provisionally ceded to the British Crown ; and on the 25th of February, 1843, Lord George Pauletfc took formal possession of the Kingdom, establishing a " protectorate," pending the receipt of instiuctions from England. A commission, consisting of Lord George Paulett, Mr. Duncan Forbes Mackay, and i ieutenant Frere, R.N\, were nominated to conduct the Government, along with the King, native chiefs, and officers employed by them. All went on smoothly until, in May of the same year, when the statute in regard to morality was so amended as to*become a dead letter, the King's representative withdrew, and thenceforward the entire responsibility rested with the three Commissioners. A regiment called " the '^Queen's Own" was raised amongst the natives, armed and paid out of the ting's treasury, and took the oath of allegiance to the Queen of England. By proclamation the King disowned the acts of the^Cominission, "and charged ''them with having violated the terms of " the compact of cession." ', The XJ.S. frigate 'Constitution,' Commander Kearney, about this time arrived from China. Captain Kearney issued a protest against this cession on the part of the American Government, and also against tvhe acts of the Commission,' wherein American citizens had suffered. Meanwhile, in the midsfc of these complications, Admiral Thomas arrived from Valparaiso, in the ' Dublin/ having been informed of the cession o£, the inlands by Lbrd George - The Admiral, on investigating affairs} deoided oh restoring the Hawaiian flag ; and on }th,e ,315 % pf.JulW it .was hoisted junjdsfj

great rejoicings, and saluted by the 'Dublin,' 'Carysfort,' and 'Hazard' (English) ; and ' Constitution' (American). The officers of " The Queen's " Own'" tendered their submission, and sued for pardon, having foifeited their lives by swearing allegiance to a foreign potentate. Their pardon was geneimisly granted ; and thus " the life of the " kingdom was restored." In 1849 the French made a raid on Hawaii. M Dillon, the French consul, having trumped up a series of demands upon the Hawaiian Government, Admiral de Tromelin, with two war vessels, appeared at Honolulu. The King's Ministers refused to comply with the unreasonable requests of the French Admiral, and war was declared. The French landed, but encountered no opposition. They marched into the empty fort. Governor Kekuanaoa received them politely. ' ' Where are " your soldiei-s V asked the French officer. The Governor replied, ' They " have all been sent to their homes in "the country.' 'Where are their " arms V The reply was, ' Each man " takes his gun with him.' ' I require " you to surrender this fort and all the " munitions of war/ The Governor " answered, with a sly twinkle in his " eye/You have got everything already. " There is nothing left to surrender. " I bid you good morning.' So saying " the Governor bowed, and left the " victorious invaders in possession of a " coral-built forfc, a few old cannons, " and some kegs of powder." The Hawaiian flag was not hauled down, because France was a party to the Tieaty of 1843, guaranteeing the independence of the country. After remaining some time in possession, the French Admiral withdrew, without effecting anything beyond making himself and his nation obnoxious to the Hawaiians. In 1852 the revised Constitution was adopted, which provided for manhood representation on payment of taxes, and vested the legislative power in three Estates — the King, House of .Nobles, and House of Keprosentatives. There was likewise a Council of State, and a Cabinet, consisting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Finance, and the Attorney- General, together with the Governors of the islands. The judicial power was vested in the Supreme Court, consisting of a Chief and two Associate Justices, and four Circuit Courts, besides one petty Justice for each district throughout the islands. The office of Prime Minister, instituted by the founder of the dynasty, was continued by this Constitution, which remained in force until August 20, 1852, when King Kamehameha IV. promulgated the pies>enL Constitution, This Constitution provides for civil and religious liberty as fully and completely as the law of England. Provision is made for the freedom and purity of the judiciary, and the jury system is hedged round by safeguards against abuse Article 11 pi-ovides : — "Involuntary " seivitude, except for crime, is for " ever prohibited in this kingdom ; " whenever a slave shall enter Hawaiian '• territory he shall be free." Article 1-i embodies, to our mind, the true principle of taxation. It enacts that as " each member of society has a right " to be protected by it, in the enjoy- " ment of his life, liberty, and property " according to law, therefore he .shall be " obliged to contribute his proportional " share to the expense of this protcc- " tion, and to give his personal services "or an equivalent when necessary." Again, Article 16 is a provision against Legislative oppression : — "No retro- " spective law .shall ever be enacted." It would be well if the New Zealand Legislature acted on the principle of this article of the Hawaiian Constitution. But we have not space to analyse this admirable Constitution, which owes so much to the late Chief Justice and Chancellor Lee, Mr. Justice Bobeitson, and Dr. Wyllie — the last, but not the least, amongst the great men of the Anglo-Saxon race, who elevated the Sandwich islanders within a quarter of a century to a high rank amongst civilised races. We must likewise pass many interesting facts connected with the charities and educational establishments of the kingdom, and very briefly touch upon its natural productions, and trade and commerce. Situated 2,120 miles from San Francisco, the trade of the Sandwich Islands principally gravitates to that city. Previous to the gold discoveries in California in 1848, the trade of the islands was principally confined to supplying whalers ; but since then the foreign trade has been very considerable. The imports in 1868 were valued at 1,800,0-10 dollars; the value of domestic produce exported being 1,450,269 dollars. The total of sugar exported in 1868 was 18,312,9261b. ; molasses, 492,839 gallons; paddy, 862,9541b. rice, 40,4501b.; coffee, 78,3731b,; salt, 540 tons; fungus, 76,7811b.; woo], 258,9141b.; pulu (silk grass), 342,8821b. There were 113 foreign, vessels at the islands in 1868, of which Q 6 were American, 22 Hawaiian, 16 British, and three Tahitian. The number of whaling vessels recruiting at the islands in 1868 was 143 American, six Hawaiian, two North German, and two Tahitian. The annnal transhipment of oil and bone from whalers to merchant vessels forma a large item in the trade of Honolulu. There were transhipped in 1868 to the United States, 104,920 gallons sperm oil, 733,805 gallons whale oil, and 497,8841b. bone ; to Germany there was transhipped 1,858 gallons sperm, 41,108 gallons whale, and 99,2591b., bone. The Customs reveuue at Honolulu amounted to 210,076 dollars- in 1868, being 10,523 dollars less than in 1867. The consumption of spirits is large. The vessels registered under the Hawaiian flag are — 17 merchant vessels, of 5,569 tons ; nine whalers, of 2,570 tons ; and 37 coasting vessels, of 1,654 tons; being ,a total of 9,793 tons. There is regular steam communication with San Francisco twice a month, and now intercourse is established with. Kew Zealand and ' Australia monthly. The total' population, of the Sandwich Islands in 1866 was 66,959. The .Kanakas '^ro r^pidlt decreasing, from

practices which, it is not necessary to specify here, but which 'also prevail extensively in the most civilised nation of Europe, and in the Great Republic, itself. The Sandwich Islands to day. present a state of society which would have been extremely satisfactory to the mind of Mr. Malthus, philosopher and parson. Such is the country with which Auckland has been brought inbo direct contact. It will be seen that ir\ many respects the Hawaiian Kingdom is a model to older States. If there is much to censure, there is a great deal to commend ; and, at all events, there is not upon record so remarkable an example of the elevating tendencies of Christian civilisation upon a degraded race as that which the Sandwich Islanders present. We cannot conclude without expressing our acknowledgments for many of the facts contained in this article to " Sketches of Hawaiian " History," by C. C. Bennett, Honolulu, forwaided to us by last mail ; also the report of Mr. Consul Kilev, published by the Bureau of Statistics of the United States, December, 1869.

The Hon. Donald McLean, Native Minister, ia at present visiting the Thames, in order to interview the natives of the Piako respecting the stoppage of the telegraph line, now in course of construction to Tauranga. Our Raglan correspondent mentions that the schooner ' Industry' has been seized and detained in the Kawhia harbour by Hauhaus. She was freighted with stores and a flax-mill. Mr, Reader G. Wood was yesterday elected, without opposition, as representative of Parnell in the General Assembly, to occupy the seat vacated by the resignation of Major Heaphy, V.C. The s.s. 'Williams' has been engaged to convey native and other visitors from Auckland to the Native Lands Court, -which opens at Ohinemuri on Monday next. The ' Clyde' will receive the passengers at Grahamstown, and convey them up the Upper Thames. The Court will be held in the large Hauhau moeting-house, opposite Ropata's village, and known as the Pai of Hauraki. It is expected that Te Hira and Mary ICuru will attend in person, be examined, and addre&s the Court regarding their claims. James Mackay, jun., Esq., will, we believe, attend as Te Hiras agent. The sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday was a prolonged one ; and at the end of the day some half-dozen cases were adjourned till next Friday. The majority of the actions were for the recovery of calls. We are glad to learn that the committee appointed a short time ago to report upon the proposed graving dock are actively engaged m collecting the necessary data. This morning a deputation from the committee will wait upon his Honor the Superintendent in coinieclioii with the proposed dock. We believe that Mr. Beckham, E.M., will attend the Police Couit this morning to deliver judgment m the two cases heard before him a few days ago, in which certain persons were charged with illegally exposing hen pheasants for sale. Quite an interesting entertainment was provided last evening at the Parnell Hall for the total abstainers belonging to the ' Rosario.' It is to the credit of some of the Eritne movers in this matter (and to Mr. elloy in particular) that these pleasant meetings are provided. The hall last night was well filled, mostly by children belonging to the Band of Hope ; and the usual banners and teetotal devices were hung up in different parts of the building, which was well lighted up. Mr. Spragg, of Newton, presided. Several of the sailois took an active part in the proceedings. The recitations and speeches were of the usual kind. The applause with which each part of the programme was greeted was of that rapturous nature peculiar to children. The entertainment was brought to a close at a reasonable hour. "A Lady Shareholder, " writing from Cambridge, on May 10, asks us to insert the following : — "Will any of the shareholders of the Shotover Goldminmg Company be kind enough to inform a si&ter shaieholder in the above claim when she is likely to get another dividend ? — as, though the published reports of the crushing? state the monthly returns to be between four and five hundred ounces, it is now four months since the last dividend was paid. Also what the working expenses of said claim are per month. As naming matters are nowTJomparatively free from any great fluctuations, an answer cannot affect the interests of the claim. "' At the Police Courb yesterday three drunkards were punished in the usual manner. A claim for non-payment of wages, brought by a seaman named Archibald Weir, against George Short, master of the 'Fiery Cross,' was dismissed, owing to the conflicting nature of the evidence. A disturbance occurred in Queen-street yesterday afternoon, which caused some excitement. Two half -intoxicated seamen were behaving in a very riotous manner b side the Exchange Hotel, when two of the police interfered, and one of the seamen was collared. His companion made an onslaught upon the police, m the hope of rescuing the prisoner, but did not accomplish his purpose. While the one seaman was conveyed to the lock-up, the other' endeavoured to make the best use of his time by assaulting everyone that came in his way, A gentleman in compa y with a lady had his hat knocked off, and he was otherwise abused. A Mr. William Dalzielalso received a violent blow on the nose. By this time the Sergeant-Major and Constable Halloran confronted the rioter, who was very violent. The Sergeant- Major slipped behind him unobserved, and that officer and the constable closed with the man, who, being a powerful fellow, made desperate efforts to escape ; but in vain. At last, however, by the aid ofjthe handcuffs, he was secured and placed in the lock-up. Both men will be brought before the Bench at the Police Court this morning. We observe that a consignment of sugars from Honolulu, per s.s. 'Wonga Wonga,' will be offered for sale by public auction on Tuesday next. This is the first merchandise received here consequent on the opening of the new line, and it is, no doubt, sent as an experiment. We hope, therefore, that our merchants will take care to attend the sale, so that the goods may not be sacrificed, and a new branch of commerce discouraged for want of healthy competition. , According to the established rota, Messrs. Joseph May and G. M. Mitford are to be the presiding Magistrates at the Police Court this morning. A, public meeting of the ratepayers of the Newton -Highway .District is convened to take place at Edgcomb's Northern Hotel, on Thursday next, .at 6 o'clock in , the evening, to consider the proposed amended Highways Act. .'"■»< i Tenders are invited for the erection of the •first portion of the machinery of the' New Zealand Quartz-crushing . and Goldminmg Company (Limited) at Coromandel. Plans and 1 specifications are on^riew at the office of Messrs: Cruickahank 1 and Smart, by whom tenders will' be 'received up to noon on the 34th instant, f* ■ j . ■: i Courts. for the revision of the electoral r|olT are "announced to be held in the office of the" Registrar, Supreme Court, as follow; -i-City West, June 1 ;, City .East, June 2 ; Newton arid Parnell, June 3 ; and Northern Division, June 4. The hour of meeting in e*ach. caWwill'be lla.in.^and the business to be transacted will be the admissioh of new ' claims to b r e placed. ori-^the' electoral roll, liearing objections, &c, .'' J "''J,~ . ' '

The Right Rev/'Dr. "Cowiep Bishop of Auckland, will officiate in /All' 1 Saints' Church on Sunday morning next, when the Holy Communion will be administered. A number of ladies and gentlemen ' from the choirs of the sister churches have promised their services for the occasion. We understand that a project has at last been set on foot to clear off the debt of £500. We trust that the members of the Church, of England will join heartily in so laudable a cause. The parish is young and struggling, and, with the united efforts of the several parishes, this pretty church will thus be unburdened, and will be a credit to the body it represents. Mr. Troup, writing to us on the subject of the San Francisco mail service, says : — " Wellington claims the laurel from being the political capital of the colony, as well as by her geographical position, being peculiarly adapted for direct communication with Victoria, New South Wales, &c. The first of these may be disposed of in the following question, viz. — Are London and Paris the principal ports of call or termini of their respective countries? It is, I admit, perfectly true that Wellington at first sight appears, by her geographical position, the most suited as the port of call for oceangoing steamers, en route to the other colonies ; but upon closer examination these advantages become more apparent than real. In the first place, from the dangerous character of the West Coast channels, steam proprietors are certain to ask a much larger subsidy than the j,one (£lO,OOO a year) already granted to Mr. Hall's line. Can the colony honestly afford this ? Let us remember, not the Ides of March, but the Panama route subsidy. Then again freights for coal ships fr«m Newcastle and elsewhere are higher to West Coast ports ; this implies an advance of 2s. to 3s. per ton over Auckland prices. Lastly, but not least, the difference of insuiance upon goods, as well as upon the steamers themselves, between running to Wellington or to Auckland will be, at least, 3 to 4 per cent. The question of a saving in time is a simple absurdity. What is to prevent the mails for Southern ports being despatched immediately upon their arrival at Auckland by an auxiliary'steamer in waiting for that purpose ? This plan is certainly preferable to the Auckland portion being sent actually past her very door, and then returned at leisure by the postal authorities in Wellington." The first of an annual course of lectures in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association will be delivered this evening, at the Music Hall, Symonds-street, by the Right Rev. Bishop Cowie. The subject is, "Five Months in Cashmere." The Dedwood Highway Board invite tenders for sundry works m College Road. To those who indulge in and are fond of writing long letters, the following may be useful : " You;have struck exactly the wrong vein, if you wish to become a good writer. Instead of studying how to expand your articles, you should study how to abbreviate and compact them. It is not so difficult to write by the ream as to condense into a few paragraphs that which might be spread over a ream. Many a man can produce a feeble volume, who could not, to save his life, write a vigorous leading article of half a column. Voluminous authors may perhaps retaliate by saying that the converse of the rule is also true. But that is not so certain. We are inclined to think that the writer who can condense a large amount of thought into a small space can indite a more valuable work on any subject with which he is thoroughly conversant than any diffuse author, however bulhant. The best advice we can give to young writers is to cultivate force rather than aim at embellishment, and to shun all temptations to amplify ; for with eveiy revolution of the eaith time becomes more piecious to eveiy intelligent being upon its surface."