VISIT TO A GUANO ISLAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 2588, 8 January 1874, Page 3

VISIT TO A GUANO ISLAND.

A correspondent of the "Hawaiian Gazette" gives the following amusing account of a visit to Howland's Islands: — On my visit ashore I was kindly welcomed by Captain Briggs and his lady, and by an assistant, Mr Young ; the latter producing several ill-conditioned mules out of which I selected one for my own u-e on a tour of inspection. In the nia'tcr of saddles the island is sadly behind the a^e, so we used a couple of guano sacks thrown loosely over the backs of our impatient steeds. Once mounted ,on " Jennie" I felt reckless, and thought my wife at home would have the chance of collecting that insurance which had so often bothered me. However, we made a fair

slart, arid saw ihe fhtidus oji&randi of collecting and'shijipißg tbe. renowned fertiI liser. My docile steed- having a will of her own, and! being .fgpuble^ with a lite, impediment io' balroan happi^es'sTond ,cpnten|ment, was the cause of several liye|y . disputes which generally ended, to h^ ; complete satisfaction and my proportionate amazement, heir qualities as a. steeplechaser constantly showing in her wild attempts at every convenient and inconvenient heap of broken shelhi and coral on the route. Assistant Young constantly assured me of the harmle^sness ot the birds, but as yet I have been unable to bring myself to believe that they mean no harm when they make energetic sweeps at one's eyes. There are now about 700 tons of guano awaiting shipment, and tracks are lnid from several piles to the wharf. In some places wells are dug, which accumulate the water during the rains. On lasting the water I was suprised to find it exceedingly palatabll closely resembling spring water. A noteable feature is the perfect harmony in which everything connected with the working of the island is conducted. The laborers, always treated with the utmost consideration by Captain Ciiggs and his assistants, enjoy themselves on all proper occasions in whatever manner it best suits them.