LITTLE JOURNEYS THROUGH PARADISE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 14, 19 February 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

LITTLE JOURNEYS THROUGH PARADISE.

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By JAS. H. STEVENS.

Why is my title that of the zenith of man's desire? The answer is outwardly told in the surroundings, and inwardly prompted by this Eastern gem: "A man and a woman once lived together—in Fool's Paradise, most folk said. They just lived, and loved, and planned, and wo.'ked, and read. Then they died anl went to Heaven, finding, to their utter surprise, that they had lived in Paradise all their days." To apply the poetry and philosophy of this to our everyday life and work, would dispel many a cloud of' superstition and impart sunshine to many a drab existence. Truly the town of Honolulu is but a great beautiful garden from end to end, intersected by drives. The ceuniry even on th 3 mountain sides covered with sugar r.r.'ie and pineapples, is a succession of "farmlets throus out its 380,000 acres on the one smaller island alone. The buildings aie substantial and plain, many of them constructed in sert'ons with; it a nail, made by the Jap at a very low cost, a dream of comfort and beauty. A chimney is seldom seen, nor is it necessary except in the kitchen. A r presentative mansion is _ that 01 Spreckles, sugar and shipping magnate, of world's fame, one time virtual ruler of the islands, who built a splendid mansion in Honolulu, its good taste and simple beauty not being overshadowed even by its magnificence. When the U.S. Government took over the administration of the islands, this gentleman was hurt because he had not been consulted, and thereupon demanded instant re ment of half a million dollars which he had lent to the local authorities at 8 per cent. To his surprise and disappointment they cut the last thread of his dictatorship by repaying the whole amount and interest to date. Thus summarily deposed from his financial autocracy he left for England, shutting jup the mansion, which remained closed for fourteen ▼ears with the family breakfast dishJHtnWoa the table. The house has just recently been sold. _ In this drowsy land we appreciate the freedom on every hand. There is no dressing bell or breakfast or «1 - ner gong. These things, after all, being for the convenience of the cook, and not for the comfort of the consumer, one wonders why we are still victims to ouFcook, oris it to custom. There are scores of good hotels of all grades. By happy chance we hit upon The Pleasanton, one of the most homely luxuriant retreats it has ever been my fortune to be in. It was built for a private residence at a cost of £15,000. The tariff is 12/6 per day with a reduction for the month, and stilT further for a party. Nine of us got in for 10/- per day. Being on high ground we escape the mosquito and excessive heat of the seashore and city, and In this connection the stranger should be careful. So far, only one drunken man has been seen by us, and he was a, sailor on the loose. The people live healthily without meat or whisky; but the native Hawaiian, like his Maori cousin is a victim to liquor. The people should prohibit the importation of it for the sake of the native race. In this climate no hardship would be felt. The money in liquor is just yet too strong; but prohibition will come. A referendum of the people is anticipated, though not yet provided for by law. . In the narrow streets, fringed with trees of glorious flower, where horses, cabs, autos, and street cars pass on what we call on the wrong side, there appears to be no confusion among the motley crowds of many nations, each kissed by the sun until his colour is that of coffee and good cream. In the hotels, one learns to lock nothing, theft being seldom heard of. Our landlord says no guest of his has missed even a trifle in ten years, then he naively adds, "You see the island is not very large, and we have such excellent cable and wireless communication."

The people are a race of boosters, we would say; but it is artistic in its delicacy, and can, therefore, be openly acknowledged as a thing to be proud of. The Hawaiian Promotion Committee of five is appointed by the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and is supported by the Territory, the Chamber of Commerce, and the"County, who together contribute over £I2OO per annum, which is expended in graceful assistance to the tourist, who himself becomes their most activa booster. Here indeed one sees "the world" of peoples. It is said that every race is represented, a veritable melting pot of ail nations. Many have their own quarters, and most of them remain at the particular callings of their country. In the. restaurants and the theatres, most of the. men enjoy a smoke irrespective of the presence of ladies. Within ten miles, one may almost literally visit China, Japan, Portugal, Phfllipines, India, and other countries.

Cleanliness, except in the poor quarter, is everywhere apparent. That Clod-like virtue has t-ven almost exterminated* the house-fly or shoo-fiv. as the American calls it, and the bluebottle cannot bo rounrl. The mosquito, too, is almost extinct, though Ihe rice and taro fieids are ideal breeding ponds, and the flea is unknown. Tho shops are an example to us. ft would par our traders to come and see or send their foreman to be inoculated with the microbe of beauty, order, cleanlrness and health. The'friendly little grey lizard persistently haunts the ceilings in search of the few remaining flies or the tiny mosquito who wastes no time or gives no warning by singing—he devotes it all to stinging. Spiders and cobwebs are almost unknown. A local doctor says there are no prevalent epidemics or diseases exoe]7t as the result of over-eating, and even that is difficult where all is so dainty and

the menu is only fish and fruit. Seeing so little insect life, one wonders how the Mighty Architect provided for cross fertilisation of fruits and flowers —perhaps by the gentle trade wind which is always moving the air. Did the wise old Priest of Herodotus know our modern (?) secret of the marriage of flowers, and keep it and the shekels accruing therefrom, or did he light upon it by happy chance, when In lean years for current coin he waved the branches and flowers of the wild dates, figs and olives over the gardens of his people, making his incantations the while, to give potency to the performance?

Luther Burbank is in evidence among the sugar cane, by cross fertilising and selection"on a huge scale among millions of seedlings. Rejecting all those which do not yield more sugar than the parent plant, he has raised the output per acre by 50 per cent.

The roads in town and for 30 miles in the country are wonderful. They are made with crushed metal, mixed with crude petroleum imported from California. How we tolerate our expensive ruts, with Taranaki oil at hand, is a mystery. In this uniform sunshine, their daily summer rain, falling in a fine spray, is known as "liquid sunshine." It does not wet even the thinly clad, because the warmth evaporates so rapidly; but it is refreshing. The winter is from September to May, and is said to be even more delightful than summer. Then are seen every Cay those Wondrous opal tinted rainbows coming right down to your feet among the trees and flowers. It is never too cold on the verandati or too hot to sleep, though this sunshine does not prduce drowsiness. Here we realise with the simple, delicate dietary, fresh air, water in abundance, and ideal climate, that American religion may be "Work", play, breathe, bathe, live, laugh, and love." That Honolulu is important as a world's commercial centre and as a strategic position, the very cross road of the Pacific, cannot be doubted if one looks just for a montmt at the shipping. Separate lines of ocean steamers of all nations trade or cross here within about ten days' steam of New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, 'Frisco, Panama, Vancouver, Jamaica, Callao, Manila, Vladivostock, and several other great centres of the world.