The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-11
Interesting from the Society Islands.
DESCRIPTION OF HUAHlHE-THE FRENCH FLEET AT
TAHITI.
From the San Franci, co Advertiser Dat I

From the San Francis Advertiser, Oct. Is.
The schooner Emma Packer, Captain Latham lately
arrived from Huahne Of the Society Islands after
passage Of thirty days. brings many interesting
par ticuars of this distant but important group. She
also has fine assortment Of the luscious fruits common
TO that genial climate Huahine is in lon 16l deg min
E. and lat 16 deg 43 min. 81 and is consequently distant
The group consisting six islands, was discovered by
Cock in 1862 and has until lately been under in
Of the Erglsh Missionaries but the policy of the
French government to extend s foreign possessions has
led them to usurp and claim the principal leland aht
where they are now forming q naval rendezvous.
description Of island would for any of the
others Hush is about forty miles each way, and ts
coast is ndened with small harbors receiving
the Of several small s'eams-almost The
principal OF these and the moot secure for shipping, s
that called Owherre Bay where the Emma Packer received
her cargo The islanders, in number some 500 have
several little settlements the coast but the princi
pal ere is at the bay above mentioned The interior
abouncs in beautiful valleys exquisite spots of woodland,
waving with All the uxurant verdare of the tropics and
smiled upon by perpetual summer. rhe gentle ). W.
trades preserve delicious coo and ia this in the
Poly nesan slsncs there but to tbs benefits Of
constant uncaon with the civilized world to
make it a most delightful residence.
The hs and rising gsoupds present the most entcing
picture II rural beauty their sides covered with
dying of rich grass and bright eaved
The numerous valleys bordering the tiny streams afford
excellent pastuing TO tte small stock and horaes
which have been imported from Australia The island
produces in the greatest Iuxuriance oranaes lem MS
yams bread fruit, bananas lines and sweet DOT atoes
and tie natives subsst upon those during the greater
part OF the The bays afford variety of delicious
fish. The Emma Packer las board three natives who
speak Epglish very ntelgiby and gave very
interesting particulars of the CONDITION of the islands.
They have unlike most Pacific islanders, fine curling
hair with which they take particular pains and are
ready witted, clearly and andsomey formed felows
Captain Latham says they are fair representatives Of the
whole Iopulai on
The Hushuesns have their political quabbles AZ we'll
the Of the world and though they do on 70
extended sage they enter in the spirit OF thing
with than animation. The isand has b. en-
for ears governed by an old fogy Queen named Terra
tara who becoming enamored of fair haired blue aved
trQd mad No IF nuoon MATS
to have her Sigzo The ryal favori>e pied her
tntion that shs neglected the affairs Of state
formidable rival appeared in the shape of Herimattee
young and daring chief. He drew away with him the
greater part OF the Islander from their egianee ana
fsven are killed each sice The usual celebrations of
baking Of bodies ant ,srring of heads takes place
every engagement When the Emma Packer left battle
had lut been fought, in winch the Queen Trata had
gained Temporary advantage The official bulletins
co pcaed BY drumming on a pork barrel
Two before the brig left the isial d, small sail
boat down from Tahiti dstarce Of min ETY. miles
md reported three Frsuch Of that port in dis
tress " stated that there were large number of
sick among the crew, and that the nvahos being
removed to the shore Some idea may be formed OF the
sslubrty and evsnness of the climate there, when
open boat ventures fearessly into the aud for
saii puts out ninety miles from island Island. This
however is fteqUeutly done The fruit crop nas been
narhaby small the past seasos but much better yield
the best for many years~ss anticipated for the
ing season. Judging from the appearance of the trees
Oranges were delivered board the En- Packer for
$40 per thousand Previous TO the settlement of Caf
nj. tn brought only 81 thousand showing that the
wonderful influence Of California commerce Affects
only the trade of the great world but extends to
Of the little isles that dot the Pacific, like green
leaves the surface Of n woodland lake
The advent OF the Christian religion has wonderfully
improved the condition OF the Huanineans. Their Ian
guage has been reduced 10 writng by the
sehoohouse and church have been built and the horr
BILE Acori society ~ which the off srng of the
put TO death as been abolished The isi anders
board the schooner interesting proofs Of the ad.
vanced state OF civilization to which tey have STAINED
They light heartod merry, afabe fond Of music and
social enjoyment ent ~ In the case with all those
have ever visited, they are partial 10 Ame rcans. A
Yankee gain their confidence and effect trade when
other person can Euahne is the second 10 size and
commercial Importance IL the Society Island group.