ISLAND NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9264, 18 January 1889, Page 5

ISLAND NEWS.

[FROM OTTB OWN CORRESrOXDEST.]

Rarotoxoa, December 29, 1888. Ib wa9 quito understood—in fact, so expressed in the letter road at the hoisting of the flag at each island and district by Captain Bourke—that tho islands of fcho group were open to European settlement and trade, but the worthy natives of tho Island of Mangaia appear to think differently, and to not only think, but act, and in this foolish position they are strongly backed up by the missionary residing there. If any benefit is to bo derived by thcso islands from England's acb of protection cast over them, it is patent that Europeans must be allowed to settle on them, and with tho capital and energy that would follow in their footsteps, utilise tho large tracts of land now lying idle, and so bring to tho places prosperity and some chance of their being of some use to the world at large, instead of being, as they now are, simply the dwelling place of a kind-hearted but a lazy race of people, who are quito contented to live on what nature alone will provide for them, withont giving the slightest thought towards tho bettering of their condition or that of their follow beings. Tho work of planting is being proceeded with here with a great amount of vigour, and ib is anticipated that the coming season will be a very successful ono, and upon every hand one can recognise tho benefit that is coming over the place from the recent Protection Act.

On Christmas night the worthy acting British Consul gave a dinner to the European sottlers here, and for bountifulness, variety, and excellence of the good things provided, it compared most favourably with some of Host Cairns' Star spreads as prepared for those Royal Highnesses and Dukes that are such common visitors at that noted hostelry in Albert-street. The dinner passed off most pleasantly. Queen Makea graced the assemblage with her presonce, and entered heartily into tho fun of tho younger peoplo. On Now Year's Day Makea aives a dinner to tho European settlere, and great preparations are being made by tho natives for that day, which ie their holiday, and the great day of the year with them. The Agnes Donald roturned from her cruise in the group on Christmas morning. She is going again to-day, Atiu being her destination. She will load up there if possible, and return here, and then on to Auckland. She will be leaving here in about a fortnight's time for your port. Tho schooner Sandfly spoke the German barque Hanover on the 23rd instant off this island. She was 20 days out from Sydney bound to San Diego, and wished to be reported all well. Tho movements of tho brigantine Ada C. Owen appear to be somewhat uncertain, it boing thought here that she will go from Auckland to Tahiti with coal, and from there come on here, and so back to Auckland.