AWAY TO LEEWARD.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 92, 5 July 1879, Page 2

AWAY TO LEEWARD.

By Cvkil. For the first time during my residence here 1 had the opportunity last week of taking a few day s spoil and visiting some of my friends at leeward—a pleasure trip which, for many reasons, 1 am nut likely to soon forget. When a man requires a thorough change for a few days from his ordinary course of life, what better medicine can he take than a good, hearty reception from his friends, plenty of good fresh food, charming scenery, and lovely weather ! All this, and more 1 received, for which 1 have to thank my hosts and —the clerk of the weather. " Ou Tuesday week last 1 left Apia in Mr. William Cue's five ton schooner, for that gentleman's residence at Lelovai, about thirty miles to leeward. The vessel, of which he is the builder and master,—although only a young half-caste—took us along with a spanking breeze, which with the very pleasant company of some of his relations who were passengers with us, made the time pass speedily along. Early in the afternoon we arrived at our destination ; and after partaking of a refresher strolled about the place and amused ourselves in various ways until supper. On the same evening I went four miles further to leewaul to the plantation called Fatosofia, belonging to Messrs. Godetl'roy and Son, which is under the management of Mr. Peter Rasmissen. There I had a very comfortable night's rest, and at daylight on the following morning rose from my bed like a new man. The plantation is a very extensive one, though not so large as some of tho others on the island belonging to tho same firm, and, like the rest, is worked by Line Islanders—all on Mr. Rasmisson's being Tapitueans, who are perfectly under the control of that gentleman who, through long residence amongst thorn, speaks the language equally as well as they. This, of course, gives him a great advantage, and as he treats his labour well they work willingly and will do almost anything he tells them. In short, they respect him, and he has the fullest confidence in them. Thus the work on the plantati m g< e. on well and quietly. After an early cup of coffee, Mr Rasmissen and 1 went tor a stro.l over the homestead portion. This residence is a large substantially built rather broad house with verandah on tin ee sides. The approach from tho beach road is übout 100 yards long, with a very neat border ofjtiowers. The rooms which are lofty, airy, with plenty of windows and doors, are—a store, two bod-rooms, a dining-room, and a very large sitting-room. Whenever there is tho slightost breeze from any point of the compass the inmates receive the benefit of it. We first waited the Cotton house into which the labourers discharged thoir day's pickiug The now crop is just coming in, but very tender, a heavy shower of rain would spoil the whole crop. Mr. Rusmissen had a good show for a splendid crop in March last when the bad weather, which wo experienced, 'completely destroyed tho whole of it. On tho ground are also a corn house, whero tho corn is stoi-cd, and crushed by machines as required for food; a largo homo for storing copra, or yams, a well arranged fowl-house, ami a boat shed. The house in which tho Tupitouati natives live is built of wood with u matched roof und is amply large enough to accomodate the uuiiibor of people who occupy it. Ventilation is; good, and thtiro is ample sloupiug roonii tor each man who is provided with Hint* fillow , and mosquito curtain. VYhon visited the house, I was quite unex-

pccted, and found everything neat, clean and in capital order. There is a cookhouse at aome distance from this md round about place, which U kept in excellent order, they grow their-own oranges sweet potatoes, mangoes, banuanas, >£e do..

! After breakfast we took a long walk over the plantation, some portions ot which re' minds one of the song—" The rocky road to Dublin " the ground for acres being covered with stones of a lava formation, and stumps of trees which have been felled by this enterprising gentleman fur clearing and eventually planting in corn and cotton. There is under oultivation—irrespective of a large kitchen garden —cucoanuts, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, baiinaiias, corn, and South Sen cotton.

After a long and pleasant walk, over the plantation, the general appearance ot' which reflects great credit upon Mr. Uasmiaaeu, we returned to the homestead where 1 spent a very pleasant day in the company of my hospituble friend, and some members of Mr. Coo's family, hi the evening there was a Tapiteuan daneo which a stranger is " rather peculiar;" after which the performors were rewarded by a stick of tobacco a piece, and retired to their rest quite satisfied. On the following morning Mr. Rasmissen sent me on to the plantation of Cornwall's in hijS boat, on my way to which place 1 made a brief stay at Mr. William Ooe'a to thank him for his fcindness and pay my respects to the lady portLu:; of the household. I shall describe my visit to Mr. Cornwall's, next issue ; and can only conclude this necessarily short nccount of a very enjoyable visit by than! - ing Mr. Rasmvaseu for his hearty hospitality. (To bo continued.)