HONOLULU.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 744, 1 December 1870, Page 2

HONOLULU.

The following extracts are from a letter received by a resident of Caledonia Terrace, from Mr P. Sorenson, who recontly left Westport for the Sandwich. Islands.October 24. The mail steamer from New Zealand arrived at. Honolulu yesterday at 2 p.m. As promised I will endeavor to furnish a few particulars relative to this place—its population—its climate —trade—industry, <fcc. The kingdom of Hawai is composed of six inhabited andseveral uninhabited islands, of which former Oaku, with the town and harbor of Honolulu, is the principal ono For commerce, Mani for plantations, and Hawai, the largest of all the islands, for native produce. The population consists of about 3000 whiten, the majority of whom reside

here in Honolulu ; 10,000 Chinese, chiefly employed on the plantations; and about 60,000 Kanakas or Blacks. The latter are-a fine race of people (all christians,) and, considering that it is only 50 years since the mission. Aries first came among them, highly civilized.

Honolulu is a pleasant little city of rather more than half the size of Duncdiu, with a good harbor, and has a considerable trade. You will always find more vessels in harbor here than at Duucdin or Port Chalmers. Timber is one of the main articles of import, and the timber trade aloue employs a little fleet of vessels. Every week cargoes of timber arrive from North California, Puget Sound, and twothirds of it are re-shipped to the other islands. As an article of export sugar takes the first place. I can buy sugar at £25 per ton, quality—dark brown crystal. Eice and coffee are cultivated hut are exported to an inconsiderable extent. Cotton planting has been attempted but has proved a failure on account of its generally being carried away by the trade-winds as it ripens An important trade, and what more than anything else has been the foundation and support of this place, is the trade with American whalers. The number of these vessels that used to come in here twice a year with their oil, and repair and provision was upwards of 400, which number now, however, has been reduced to 50 or 60. They come in from the north in October, tranship their oil and whalebone, which are sent home, and go out again in January down towards New Zealand, returning in April, and go up north in May or June. These people when they come ashore take care to spend their money before they go away and in that respect [they would successfully compete with even the lavish digger of the Australian Colonies.

Everything here is Yankeefied, from religion to a button, and our trade ia nearly exclusively with America. His Majesty, the King of Hawaii, is a Kanaka, and is sovereign ruler of whites and blacks. His ministers are whites, and experts in one Avay, namely in keeping their own pockets, as well as those of the King's, well lined. Queen Dowager Emma is not above 30 years of age, half white, and very good looking; they say she has rejected several offers of marriage with white men of standing.

Slavery is here in full swing, only instead of calling it slavery, it is termed " Cooley labor," or contract labor—all rubbish. It is buying and selling just the same, and the only difference between the old and the new slavery Is in tne name. ou»,*,ships have discharged here at Honolulu since I came, and three others have called in on their way to Callao and Peru, with their cargoes of living freights. There is one in harbor now with 500 miserable devils on board. Nobody is permitted to go on board, and of course none of the slaves are -allowed to go ashore. The vessel is lying about a cable's length from the wharf, and you can see the barricaded cannons on the poop, pointed forward, without doubt charged to the muzzle, ■and all other usual slave gear. The Hawaiian Government and planters are staunch advocates of Cooley labor, but the people in general, ;both whites and blacks, are averse to lit, and it is to be hoped that America and some of the European powers will |put a stop to this vile and degrading traffic.

Honolulu is a quiet and sober place. jOf hotels, the whole city contains but Isix, and it* is deemed no recommendaItion to be seen lounging about the ibars. All sorts of fruits are cheap and 'plentiful ; the climate is rather hot in summer, and we have had it 96 in the shade at dinner, but as the season now advances, the weather becomes more agreeable, and the heat less oppressive. I would recommend no poor man to come here, except he has learned a trade, and of such, shipwrights, shoemakers, bakers, and painters will find the best opening.