SANDWICH ISLANDS. [From the Melbourne Heraid, October 14.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 861, 2 November 1853, Page 3

SANDWICH ISLANDS. [From the Melbourne Heraid, October 14.]

The following information regarding the ano*e islands is from tbe Sun Francisco Herald of August 1 3tb. It will be oblenred iaat the popu* lation w«s being rapidly decreased by tho'i tearful diseases, small pox, meaalea, and boopiug congb. Vaccination wm resorted to, auJ great success had attended the operation* Free Trade.— Tbe Atgu* is ttnongjf «<ivocauni? free uad« in tbe Island*, by which tt means the removal of all port charge* whatever. It would have Honolulu as perfectly f.ee a p«tt as Tahiti. It gi»et tbe following stattment i-f port charges on tbe schooner Royalist «» H\ Soni, a. a sample :-Harbour M«m« ■ bill, * dollars ; tonnage dues, 15 cents pet ton, 21 Oyi*

ltri 15 cents ; entry itamp, 50 cents; manifest. sump, 1 dollar ; 10 day's wharfage, 22 dollars '00 cen«» J 24 barrels water, 3 dollars ; pilctage Out, 21 dollMS 50 cents ; manifest i tamp, 1 dollar ; clearance stamp, 1 dollar.—Total, 75 dollars 25 cents.

Port Charges in Tahiti.—Pilotage in and out of Papaeti on British schooner Royalist, 141 tons, no other charge made, though the laid along side of the wbarf about seven days discharging and taking in cargo and pastengers, tod took in water from the government water-pipe, than 14 dollars 40 cents. Tbs Fret Traders do not propose to abolish tbe five per cent, import duties. Thiatr* ax th« Islands.—Dramatic-en-

- tertainments are given regularly at the Hawaiian Theatre. Messrs. Bingham, Simpson, (vocalist), Raulowe - (dancer), Mrs. Ray, together with several amateurs, constitute toe company. " Tbe Lady of the Lake" was performed before an audience of 50Q persons. Volunteers.—There are now two volunteer military companies in Honoluln—the Hawaiian ' Guard, and the first Hawaiian Cavalry Corps. Salb ov a Lot in Honolulu.—A corner lot, on Fort and Britannia-streets, in Honolulu, was recently sold as a site for a church for 2100 dollars.

Population oi thi Islands—Thb Natives Falling away.—By the census of the Islands, which was taken in 1850, under tbe direction of tbe Minister of Public Instruction, simultaneously throughout the Islands, and by the best agents that could be employed, it appeared that the total population was 34,165. The deaths during the previous year had been 4320, and the births 1422; an excess of deaths over births of 2898, or three deaths to one birth. Tbe Poly* j fiesian says:—since tbe great mortality among the natives, occasioned by the measles and hooping cough, in 1847-8, it has been observed that the ratio df deaths to births bas been gradually diminishing; and we learn that some of the ' missionaries, at their late annual meeting, reported an excess of births over deaths in some of their parishes. But this favourable indication seems destined to be of temporary duration. A - disease more virulent, though we hope less fatal, bas been introduced here from California, which is rapidly spreading throughout tbe group, and we fear that thousands will fall victims 'to it. The ■■ measles and hooping cough took off, it was believed, 10,000; it can hardly be expected that tbe small pox will take of less than half that number, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts that are making to counteract its influence by vaccination and other means. Another census is to be taken in December next.

Continued Ravages of the Shall Pox. —The number of new cases of small pox increases with fearful iapidity tf cry week. Tbe Commissioner of Public Health report, for tha week ending July 15th, as follows:—The number of new cases of smalt pox which have been reported during the past week are 527; deaths reported are 418. Among foreigners four new cases have been reported, and one death. Total number of cases reported, 1676; deaths reported - 573. No reports have been received from other islands since last report. A-correspondent writ- ~ iagTrom Eabaina, under dwe-of^FtiJy -BA,-mmjm--. -—The town of Labaina is remarkably bealtby at this time. Notwithstanding tbe ravages of the small pox at Honolulu, we have had only one case of small pox and two cases of varicoloid. The population is so well protected by vaccination that 'I, for ont, do not apprehend that we shall have cases anougb here to leave ray infection behind." The Polynesian suggests, however, that its greaters prevalence will not occur at Lahanit until tbe fall season sets in, Referring to tbe report of the Board of Health, the Polynesia* says p— *• The report of new cases for a few days past shows a great diminution in Honolulu city, while it is extending more into the country and valleys, all of which cases are re- ' ported as in Honolulu. It is decidedly diminishing in Honolulu proper." Tbe people and 'merchants of Honolulu are greatly apprehensive that tbe prevalence of the *imall pox will injure their business by driving off the whale fleet this fall. A correspondent writes:*—" We have a right to expect that several ■thousand foreigners will arrive here from September to January, if they can come among us without too much risk to life; but if not they will seek a safer port elsewhere. The prosperity of the islands is seriously threatened, and unless we adopt measures promptly, and execute them speedily, all basinets prospects will be destroyed for at least a year to come. All necessaries of life will become scarce, aod command exorbitant .prices. The country will be drained of money, and instead of a thriving community we shall become a set of bankrupts and beggars." He suggests a plan to mitigate the ravages of the disease, and ensure the whale fleet against infection. A public meeting was to be held on the subject)