THE NAVIGATOR ISLANDS.

Southland Times, Issue 1642, 1 October 1872, Page 5

THE NAVIGATOR ISLANDS.

A correspondent recently arrived at Apia sends to the Alta California an enthusiastic description of the Navigator Islands. He says that there are, perhaps, 60 European houses at Apia. That town is regarded as neutral ground ; but a long war has been raging between the son and the brother of the late King, and is still not finally closed. Tbe President of the Central Polynesia Land and Commercial Company, however, has persuaded both parties to acknowledge the absolute authority of the United States with regard to all matters whatsoever, and to bind themselves to adopt tbe common laws of America. The writer says : — " This agreement is signed by the two Kings and 120 chiefs, and the British and American Consuls attach their signatures and seals. It is somewhat singular to see so many English people favor the establishment of an American colony in the South Sea Islands, more particularly so on such an island as this is, covering an area of 1057 square miles of perhaps the most fertile land in the world. Tbe group contains an area of 2600 square miles, but this island is not to be surpassed for its beautiful climate, luxuriant foliage, and richness of the soil. The highest ridge is at an elevation of not more than 2000 feet above the level of the sea, and more than three-fourths of the island is suitable for cultivation. The very rocks seem to bring forth vegetation ; the eye cannot discover anything but the beautiful tropical verdure. Spices of all kinds are growing spontaneously. The valley abounds with nutmegs, ginger, curri plant, &c. In some parts, the ground is covered with pine-apples, while the breadfruit, guava, and other trees, lend a perfect and delightful shade to the traveller. Upolo is like no other place on our globe, and the stranger is forced to exclaim that it was the last place created. Tbe Creator, beholding all the most beautiful things in nature, centred them on the Samoan group. Sunrise on this lovely spot is splendid beyond conception ; thousands of birds sing forth the joy of returning day ; everything is filled with life, and nature seems to have bestowed more than their share of beauty on the inhabitants. The central position of these islands, right in the track of the United States, New Zealand, and Australian mail steamers, about 1600 miles from Auckland, 2000 from Honolulu, 1100 from Tahiti, 300 from Fiji, and 1000 from New Caledonia, points toward them in the future as being the great depot of commerce in Polynesia. The coaling depot for steamers is to be at Samoa City, in the harbor of Pango Pango, and our Government has already taken possession of the magnificent land-locked bay as a naval station. It was taken just in time, for 14 days afterwards a Germau man-of-war arrived there for the same purpose, and when the captain was told by the pilot that the Narraganset had been there and had taken possession, he said, 'It cannot be so,' but, being assured of the fact, at once sent for tbe Consul, who told him it was quite true."