48

A. —4d

Gilbert Islands : Maraki, Nanouti, Makui. Marshall Islands : Ebou, laluit, Killi, Namerick, Milli, Aono, Mejuro, Molwoulap, Bigar. Garolinas : Ujilong, Bonape, Lukunor, Losap, Nukuor, Lamotrick, Vlutio, Yap, Oelew ('?). New Britain: Hermit Island, Duke of York, New Britain (Blanche Bay, Port Weber, &c), Mioko, Utuan. Solomon Islands : Ongtong Java. New Hebrides : Sandwich Island (Havana Harbour).

No. 3. Establishments of Messrs. Heensheim and Co. in the Pacific, 1883. The house maintains two independent branches, one with its head-quarters on laluit (one of the Marshall Islands), and the other with head-quarters at Matupi (New Britain). The title-deeds have been registered in the German Consulate at laluit. Marshall Islands : laluit (German Consulate, Coal depot), Ebon, Narnmrik, Majura, Arnoh, Milli: together, eight factories. In 1884, various islands in the Eadack Chain have been occupied. Eingsinill (Gilbert) and Ellica Islands, with Pleasant Island (Nowoda). These are regularly visited. There are a few stations. Carolinas : Ponape (two factories), Ant's Islands, Kiti Harbour. Duke of York: Niata (Port Hunter), Uruputput (Makado Island; German Harbour, 1878: Captain Werner, of the " Ariadne "). New Britain: Eolavio (Matupi Island, residence of Consular Secretary yon Oertzenj, Baa (Nodup), Korokakoe (Kabakada), Ulu-lu-hi (Kabakoal), Ylavollo (Rat-a-vul), Raulai (Matupi), Lagumgum (Kinigunav), Rakunai (Kabakada), Birara (New Britain), Euluana (New Britain), Tavanu (Blanche Bay), Kabaira (Port Weber). Neiu Ireland : Nusa (New Ireland), Kabatheron (Staffen Strait), Kablamau, Butbut, Navangi and Pakail, Banye Lagoon, Kapou and Lainaru (on North coast). Hermit Islands : Carcome, Loof, Maccau, Peme. Anchorite Island : A factory. Laughlan Island : Ovurak (1883, destroyed by the Queensland labour-vessel " Stanley "). Carolinas : Tap (stations at Bui and Nil, with coal depot), Ouleai.

No. i. Wbstebn Melanesia, with special reference to the Supply of Labourers to Samoa : By G. yon Oeetzbn. Dated H.M.S. " Carola," February, 1883. This momoir records " impressions " during a cruise in the Western Pacific. The future of the German plantations depends upon a supply of foreign labour. Chinese labour would be too expensive, Indian coolies can be exported only to English colonies, and the supply of labourers from the nearer islands has almost ceased. Hence, the larger and more populous islands of the Western Pacific, including the New Hebrides, New Britain, and the Solomon Islands, have become the principal recruiting ground. The Melanesian labourers introduced into Samoa are much praised, and quite equal to the work demanded of them. The people of New Britain are quite equal to the New Hebridans; the Soloman Islanders are even larger and more powerful; and the New Irelanders are " the finest lot of all." The population of these islands is comparatively dense, amounting, for the Solomon Islands and New Britain, to about 400,000 souls. The German trading firms have not hitherto met with any difficulty in engaging such labourers as they required, and larger numbers would be forthcoming with a proper organization of the labour traffic. The keen competition among the employers insures the good treatment of the labourers. A regular supply can only be insured by honest dealings, good treatment, punctual payment of wages, and restoration to the labourers' native island when promised. The German Trading Company may have committed a few injudicious acts; but, upon the whole, its conduct is above reproach. Macleay's assertion that the position of the labourers in Samoa is worse than in the English colonies is not justified by facts. The contrary is the case. They are better off than in Queensand, and planters in Fiji have repeatedly told me that the treatment there is only in a few instances as good as is the case in Samoa. The proposed establishment of labour depots would insure a regular supply. The existing regulations as to hire, transport, and treatment of labourers can be applied only to those who are actually in Samoa. It is therefore desirable that a Consular official should be appointed to watch over the embarkation of the labourers. Mioko or Matupi would be suitable head-quarters for such an official, whose supervision would, in the end, be equally conducive to the interests of labourer and employers. At the same time, a gunboat should be permanently stationed in these waters, so as to be at hand in the case of excesses committed by labourers or islanders. Punishment ought to be prompt and severe. Messrs. Hernsheim, who have no plantations, and only employ a limited number of natives, most earnestly desire the presence of such an official, and of a man-of-war, in order that life and property may be protected. On Hermit Island, the agent of this firm was buried alive, and nine Solomon Islanders in his employ were murdered. When H.M.S. " Carola" meted out punishment to these islanders, they were found in possession of remains of the German ship " Elise." A few years before, they had plundered an English vessel, and murdered its crew. Although no means should be neglected for winning the confidence and goodwill of the islanders, it must never be forgotten that " fear, " with them, is still the most effective deterrent. The commercial interests of England in the New Britain Archipelago, and in the Solomon Islands, are, at present, of little importance. The only Englishman who has acquired a large piece of land there is a Mr. Farrel, who owns several thousand acres at the Gazelle Cape (New Britain), and has begun its cultivation.