A TRIP TO HONOLULU.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 81, 25 July 1876, Page 2

A TRIP TO HONOLULU.

On board the s.s. Australia. -A correspondent, signing himself. "Nisi," writes to the Dunedin " Star" as follows: We left Auckland on the sth June,; [ with cloudy weather, which continued foi\ some days. On the 9th we sighted Mount Washington, and coming round the reef anchored alongside the sTs. San Francisco, passing the M'Gregor buoy, so called from the wreck of a steamer on this spot. We were boarded by two crews from the Kanda vu station, and had permission from Captain Cargill to go ashore for a few hours. From the deck the land did not look particularly inviting, and but for the palms and some very bright green patches on the hills, we might have doubted being in the tropics. In a boat manned by six natives we were rowed about a mile, and then finding we should have to walk through water about six inches deep to dry land, we mounted on the backs of these men, and were then in Fiji. We expected to find a small settlement, but not quite so small as it turned out to be on inspection—one store and two cottages containing Europeans, and some few hundred yards off a Native village with about 200 inhabitants. ' They were all commotion, crowding round us with a few shells to sell—everything was a shilling ; but a biscuit, knife, or anything in that line, would secure a rush of attention and curiosity. Among them were some fine-looking fellows ; and the young women were not bad looking. One, a light-haired princess, attracted a good deal of notice. Her ignorance of what was said to her made her very shy, and she appeared as modest as any young lady ought to be. Leaving the village, we had time to walk about a mile and a-half along the shore, and struck into the bush, thus coming on to one or two palm groves. Cocoanuts were either not abundant or not in season, for those on the trees were very small. There were several enclosures of young trees, the leaves of which looked very beautiful and healthy. Birds I saw none, but could hear numbers chattering in the bush. We passed several native graves, simple in the extreme, generally a small mound, with a few shells marking the spot. The atmosphere was damp,'warm, and oppressive, and on this day no sun. We did not know we should be delayed in getting away till late on in the night, or we should have remained on the land longer and induced the natives to get up a corrobory. Returning to the vessel we found her deck covered with natives selling shells, and satisfying their curiosity by looking everywhere. Some of the younger ones were diving for coins—any you like to throw in they overtake long before they reach the bottom. They were very clever at it, and all swim expertly. Being well rubbed with cocoa oil, the water runs off them directly, and, I daresay, enables them to bear more of that kind of thing than they otherwise could. We left at midnight, the moon Twiner up we steamed into the open sea without any risk. All the way the prevailing wind was a-head, and the heat at no time particularly oppressive—not even crossing the line. I have felt it much hotter . inWanganui. Thegoodopinionlpreviously expressed of the Fcaptain, officers, and aiTangements.generally for the comfort of the passengers, have been more than maintained/ " Td'vtiry the monotony of evening ' life, cards, -music, friendly nips, and the everlasting weed, each played their part. The first concert was given by the passengers, which went off with eclat. The

second entertainment was by a professional, conjuring tricks, second sight, &c., being the nature of it. Then the stewards gave a negro concert, "with recitations and illustrations, of Scottish character, the latter being very original, and the whole a success. One day a pre-arranged" alarm, of fire was given. If a muster on such an occasion would be carried out as quickly, there can be no doubt that this boat could not be burned, unless there was panic. The men were at their posts, pumps in order in a very few minutes, and in less than twenty minutes the crews for each boat were ready to leave the ship. In case of anything happening passengers would feel pretty recure if they would keep their presence of mind. All Vessels should have fire practice. To give you an idea how we live I enclose a bill of fare, which are all strictly carried out, and as good as any hotel on shore (except Wain's), and you can have a go in at everytlnng if you like. There are 240 souls in the vessel. Freedom from the risk of fire, good living and sleeping accommodation, a cheerful route, the attraction of seeing the Pacific Islands, a good ship and captain, are sufficiently to make me strongly recommend anyone to take this route for the Old Country. "We We arrived at the wharf at Honolulu at six o'clock to-day, 20th June, and a more charming little spot I have not seen since I left New Zealand —I may well add that. Time will not permit me to add or describe the place by-this post, as we leave at two o'clock to-day.