TRAVEL IN WAR TIME.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17060, 13 August 1917, Page 7

TRAVEL IN WAR TIME.

(Contributed by C. G. V.)

V.M.C.A

I took the opportunity of looking through the V.M.C.A. while in Honolulu, and introduced myself to Mr. Andrews, the organising secretary, whom I found very courteous and obliging— like so many officials associated with these admirable institutions. The Honolulu Y.M.C-A. is one of the largest, and finest buildings in the city. It was dedicated in 1911, cost 230,000d01, being built with locul money and local labour. It i 3 an up-to-date modern institution in every way, having swimming baths, gymnasium, billiard rooms, bowling and hand-ball courts, cafeteria, and educational and religious departments. Mr. Andrews mentioned that several New Zealanders had recently been through, en route to London, viz., hiv. Hughes of Dunedin,, Mr. Lascelles, Wellington, and others.

MOANALUA GARDENS

One of the sights par excellence of Honolulu- are these beautiful gardens, and accordingly we made our way here per medium of the Electric Car. Of all the glorious spots it has been my pleasure to visit, these gardens stand out pre-eminent. It is indeed a charming locality and it appeared a,s if everything that is rare and beautiful and grand in horticulture—shrubbery, tree, and fragrant foliage—was here. Winding through the .gardens is a streamlet whose banks are enc.ned in verdant tropical plants, which gives an added charm to an already picturesque scene. Moanalua Gardens are grand beyond description. Around this locality is a wonderful plant called "The Night Blooming Cereus." It grows in wildest profusion in certain parts of the city, and particularly during the summer months is covered with innumerable blossoms which appear only during the night. What a splendid asset some of these tropical, pi --.its arid flowers would be to % the * Wanganv.i Beautifying Society, if they could only be transplanted in our fair country. Taken away from their native 'Surroundingsl thoy would doubtless wither and fade away.

MANOA VALLEY

About 3^ miles from the city is another very impressive sighV-Manoa Valley. En route to this locality is to be found some of the most interesting and magnificent shrubbery and foliflge it is possible to conceive. Just imagine giant cocoianut trees, majestic palms, and tropical flowering shrubs of every colour and shape, extending practically throughout the city. Why, you really wonder at times if you are within the precincts of the city or whether you Jiave actually emerged into a fairyland of horticulture. Please do not consider my language either .vild or extravagant. If a doubt exists in your mind please consult the books of the late Mark Twain in his description of tno Hawiian Islands. Deep in the Manoa Valley is a bo acres plot whereon ara seven buildings where the Salvation Army are doing their grand and noble work. These institutions are the habitations of some hundred girls, in a to e from the tiniest babies to girls of sixteen years, and of all nationalities. They are children who have been rescued from wi'etched environments ahd placed amongst congenial conditions of life and happiness, and an improved state of existence. The Salvation Army are to be highly commended for their very splendid work in this far away corner of tLe ..Pacific. These children have been saved from becoming the flotsam and jetsam of the world's highway, and fitted to occupy a nobler place in the world. There aie numerous other scenic wonders in and around .Hawaii "this paradise of the Pacific," but days would be required to visit them, and pages necessary for % full and complete description. Herein ! is given, but a very cursory review ot ! Honolulu and its surroundings, on account of such a limited stay in this charming region. Referring to the Hawaiians, they are' a strong, vigorous race of people, and engage in man,y sports and pursuits that require skill, accuracy, and daring. Their swimming prowess is remarkable, and upon arrival and departure of steamers scores of them encircle the boat, swimming anri diving for coins which the passengers throw from the decks. Seldom, either, do they miss the mark and it is a common sight to see half a dozen boys dive fov a single coin —with the result that one of their number invariably appears on the surface, with the dime, quarter, or half-dollar fastened securely between a glittering set of teeth. One Hawaiian bay, a fine specimen, repeatedly dived from" the upper deck of the with a precision and neatness only capable of achievement by one thoroughly efficient In natatorial art. These waters are large;ly infested by sharks, but it is said that they will seldom, if ever, attack the Islanders, and this is why £he latter are so absolutely fearless of these monsters Possibly on account of their dark skins the sharks are unable to detect them in the water, but there is no doubt whatever that an ordinary man would never dare to risk his life in such a clanger, zone. In one cf the main thoroughfares of Honolulu stands an ancient tree. An inscription is attached thereon with its historical associations which I had not saiffici^nt time to cull. It has stood, however, the heat and burden of tropical life for just on one hundred years, and is evidently a sacred emblem of the natives. It reminds one of that majestic tree in Victoria Avenue that is so much admired. There are many industries in the Hawaiian Islands. Raw sugar is one of the principal products. Pineapples, honey, cotton, bananas, rice, tobacco, and coffee are _yer y large established industries. The * Ineapple Canning industry is a very important one, and in Honolulu is to be found one of the largest fruit preserving plants in the world. The Hawiian principle rea v - turn for 1916 amounted to 2,300,000 cases—a fairly respectable total eh? They talk in big figures in Uncle Sam's

territory. The Island pastimes are fishing, shooting, bathing, surfing, and there are golf links, tennis courts, bowling greens—and everything that tends to make life charming, versatile and interesting. It is a happy hunting ground for visitors, as the Islands abound in beaut y spoto and scetr.c wonders of a glory all their own. But. •all these are for the holiday maker and the man of leisure. We poor mortals could only touch the fringe of it all, and conjure up the balance in_ our mind's eye. To the tourist in search of health, • to the overwrought business man looking for reposeful calm and quiet, to the sufferer from neurasthenia, _ Hawaii, the " G-arden of the Pacific" offers rest, joy, peace, and contentment probably unexcelled in anj part of the globe. And so we leav<y fair Hawaii, the land of perpetual summer, and embark en route for San Franscisco. Some day it may be om. fortune again to visit these shores; and a,s the glides past; Diamond Head, the ©harm of Herbert Helton Ayees linees "Trade Wind Lyrics of Aloho Land" are gently wafted back to vs — "Over the seas of sunset, over the water blue, Come to Hawaii's golden isles—we long to welcome you; For you the fairest garlands, for ,you' the sweetest song, For you the best aloha are waiting— come along!"

Farewell Hawaii!