THE NAVIGATOR’S ISLANDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4137, 24 June 1874, Page 3

THE NAVIGATOR’S ISLANDS.

Wo find in the columns of a contemporary the following description of the Samoa or Navigator’s group of islands:— Samoa, or Navigator’s Islands, lie between the latitudes of 13£dcg. and Hideg. south, and the longitudes of lCßdeg. and 173 deg. west, and consist of four principal islands and five smaller, reckoning Rose Island to the eastward among the number. They were first seen by Rongainvillo in 1708, and by La Perouae in 1787. In 1839, the “United States Exploring Expedition” paid them a visit, and in the same yoai’, H.M. sloop Favorite called with the remains of the enterprising missionary, Mr. Williams, who was killed at Erroinanga. The islands are evidently of volcanic origin, the remains of extinct craters being visible in many places, more particularly on the ridge of Opolu, whicli is 2570 feet above the level of the sea. During the first four months of the year hurricanes occur, productive occasionally of most destructive results, sweeping everything before them, levelling the fruit trees, and consequently depriving the Natives _ of the means of support. A case of this kind occurred at Mangia, one of Cook's group, in March, 1810. During the winter months a great deal of rain falls, attended at times with high winds and northerly gales ; the climate is variable, and during certain seasons very hot and humid. Tropical fruits grow in great variety, and most luxuriantly ; Nature being a most bountiful parent to the Natives, supplying them most liberally with every necessary

requirement till the white man introduced his civilisation, which has been followed by the usual demoralising results. In tHe absence of the imported article, illicit distillation is extensively indulged in, a liquid called orange beer and spirit extracted from the pineapple, being drunk with avidity, till the inevitable consequences ensue. The area embraces some 2650 square miles, and a population of about thirty thousand. There are a number of Europeans engaged in the culture of sugar, coffee, &c., the great natural product being cocoanut oil. Labor is paid at the rate of ten dollars per month, which is generally represented by trade, money playing a subordinate paid; as a medium of exchange. Anyone desirous of enjoying a holiday, will have an opportunity of feasting his eyes on one of the fairest scenes in nature ; but those going with the view of supporting themselves by their own labor, will return sadder if not wiser men. On the South Sea Islands, a white man must have capital, as the humblest white laborer would not entertain the idea of competing with the native article. In reference to the. existence of gold, which admits scientifically of grave doubts, as none has been discovered in similar localities, it has never been seen among the Natives in any of the Southern Islands, except that which bears the stamp of some foreign potentate. Upolu lies in a northeasterly direction from Kandavau, distant some 650 miles.