The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1888. SAVAGE ISLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1973, 18 October 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1888. SAVAGE ISLAND.

Gradually, nay rather we (should perhaps say rapidly, for of late the progress of annexation has been rapid — the islands of the Pacific are passing under the flags of European Powers, and ere long it would seem that all its archipelagoes will havo been parcelled out and appropriated by France, Germany, or England. As m the case of New Guinea, the orthodox order of events appears to be first the proclamation oi a protectorate, and next formal annexation. The former of these steps has already been taken by England m relation to the Cook or Hcrvey group, a description of which we reprinted m Monday's issue from the Auckland " Star," and now we propose to acquaint our readers with the interesting information which we derive from the same source with reference to another island dependency of the Crown, Niue or Savage Island, at which Admiral Fairfax was to call on his way from Tonga to iramoa with a view to establishing a British protectorate there. That has doubtless been donp ere this, and the following is what the "Star" is ahle to tell us about this latest, addition to the ever-widening Empire to which we belong. " Niue is a most interesting island which occupies a lonely position m the South Pacific. It is a type of the raised Coral Island m which the Lagoon has been filled up m the course of ages, and the whole elevated from 100 to 200 feet above the sea. The island is thus all coral and is somewhat stony, but where the coral jg sufficiently decomposed the soil is extremely fertile. The air of Niue is cool, pure, healthy, and pleasant, and tropical fruits of all kinds are produced m large quantities. The other products comprise cotton, copra, fungus, and coffee. Arrowroot, yams, ancj. taro flourish here, as m all the islands, Sugar cane is cultivated for home use, and vanilla, limejuice, and similar tropical products are capable of great increase. The area of this island is about 80,000 acres, it being about Z4 miles long by 9 miles wide. When discovered by Cook, the savage manners of the people induced him to giye the island the name by which it hag been best known. The people are now courteous and pleasant, and both they and the missionaries prefer adhering to the original native name, NiuxJ, The Niue men are m great request on Fijian plantations, and alao earn Urge wages by migrating from year to year to work the guano at Maldon Island. The London Missionary Society has long had Niuo 1 under its care, and the Rev W. G. Lawes left Niue to lake up the station, JB N.e)Y Guinea, m which jje hag become

so well-known. His brother, the Rev Frank Lewes, succeeded him, and has been settled m this charming but isolated island for many years, working successfully among the natives, from whom he has sent out many . excellent trained missionaries to the other islands. Niuo, if more accessible, would be invaluable as a resort for persons with weak lungs, the dry, cool air, and equal temperature being perfection m that respect. There is no good harbor, but every facility exists for making the landing easy. Two roadsteads, Avatele and Alofi, are frequented by shipping. At the latter the Mission Training tchool and mission houses are built. Several European traders are settled at different spots along tue coast, and exports to the value of seven to eight thousand pounds are collected by them, There are no less than eleven mission stations at the native villages scattered over the island, Each has its trained native teacher, church and school and the earnestness of the people may be appreciated from ttieir contribution, m 1886, of nearly £260 towards the purchase of a mission vessel, for the far away New Guinea, m addition to the liberal supportof their own local churches. The natives have a curious practice of burying their dead, at the side of the road near the dwelling of the deceased, and these white tombs —always detached — covered with the coral limestone and wiih rude emblems indicative of the deceased's calling when alive, form con•piiu us objects m the landscape, The coast of the island is rugged, and abounds m great limestone caves and " blow holes," through which the ocean sends lofty columns of water that descend m fountains of rainbow spray of great beauty. 'Jhe people are apparently a mixed race, partly Melanesian and partly Polynesian, and their dialect, through Polynesian m structure, is perculiar to the island. It is known as the " i^iue" language, but tbe translations of the Bible by the Rev i'rank Lawes and others are bringing it into use m other islands."