The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-27
NEWS FROM THE SOCIETY ISLANDS.
Local Politics Restoration OF King Tamma-
toa to Power-state Of Affairs In Tahiti
Last Report from Rneatea.

Local POlitiCs-HestOratlOn Oh hln8 Vomm0.
toa to Power-state Of Affairs I'm Tahiti
Last Report from Rneatea.
From the Alta Californian, July q.
By the arrival of the schooner Queen Of the Isles Capt.
Chapman in forty days from Raeatea have advices
frcm the Society Islands up the 18th ut Among the
passengers by the Queen H. b. NJ Consul at the So
cety Islands, Mr. B. Toup Nicolas. We indebted to
this gentleman for interesting facts relative to that
secluded group Of islands, The Queen had the northeast
trades up far IS NJ since which time they have had
light winds from the N. N. Z. and Gains.
Mr. Nicolas states that the Society group, exclusive Of
Tahiti divided into three separate kingdoms govern
ments first, Raeatea and Tahaa second Huahine and
Mou; and third, Borraborra and Maupte. These gov
ernments have existed for fourteen generations, and
though the islanders have frequently made war upon
each other invading each others dominons with
fleets and driving of their prisoners in the true anthro
pophagous STYLE the hydra head Of rebellion had rarely
dared to display ITSELF But the convulsve throes which
in the last ten years have overturned European kingdoms
and dynasties at last destined to reach these
peaceful little dots on ocean For hundreds Of years
had the ancestors of the good old King Tammatoa,
Of the united kingdom Of Raeatea aud Iahaa regned
with undisputed sway his obedent subjects but
in December 1858, seditious Hotspur Of Chief
named Tamarri raised the standard Of revolt and be-
fore the islanders had well reflected upon what they
about his recious eloquencc had seduced them into his
ranks. Old King Tammatoa busted from the throne
amid the hurting of hshbone pointed javelns and the
furious blowing of conch shells
The old man "a paralyic aged s2) FASTENED away to
neighboring Kingdom, accompanied by few trusy re,
tanners where he remained in mastery inactivity until
about two months since when the centoua abuses of
the usurper having disgusted his warmes partiIans
secret delegation was sent for the dehroned king who
landed, and, is usual on the landing of all new mo-
narchs, with mouths full Of promises, received with
shouts Of congraulaen Several holly contested battles
Mr.. Nicolas, some English and Americans took part,
(what meddesome fibustering fellows these Yankees
Tamarii they would assuredy have been put to death
Luckily however, the fortunes OF the day were with the
logitnate descendants Of the old line Of kings and al
though Tamarr protested that he was fighting for hdu,
raedted (a constitutional government, he was regarded
falling star. Everybody deserted him, and he was
obliged in turn paddle his light to adjacent
island 20 Tammaoa ia again seated in the bamboo halls
OF his fathers and peace regns in the kingdom OF haea
tea and Tahaa The Society Islands he about south,
southeast from San Francisco, at distance OF about
$500 miles.
1he gradusl increase of foreign population has been at
tended with the usual growth OF dissipation and disease
among the islanders of the entire group though the e
forts Of the missionaries have done much to aneorate
their condition.
There are now residing on Raeatea and Tahiti about
forty Americans and English about fifteen Huahne
and five Boraborra and Maupte. The trade Is
now monopoizcd by these residents Mr. Nicolas states
that the natives being decmnated by disease
chiefly produced by the introduction Of the vilest rum
and other spirits from Sydney and California The
islanders use no discretion or moderation but drink bottles
full where others would merely take drams The consc
quence the most terrible forms Of derun tronens
This liquor is exchanged for fruit. Some cheap cloths
and other articles OF trade also exchanged for Cocoa
oil and the few simple products Of the islands. The
climate he 10 De the
the thermomc varying from CD deg to so deg through
out the year. In the daytime the mercury ranges from
| 81 10 81.
There has been naval vessel at Raeatea since the
English frgate Amplitude stopped there, in 1853 For
merly French schooners used to come down from
Tahiti observe his motions, but atterly they have
ceased TO be jealous
The news from Tahiti is unimportant. Since the
French took possession of the island Cor rather assumed
its protective right in 1872 they have rapidly improved
its appearance. The garrison has constructed splendid
road entirely around IT, and considerable attention is
being paid to the moral and intellectual condition Of the
islanders BY the bark Sophrona, which cleared for
Tai iii the 18th nst there shipped rs 600 feet of
lumber 40 900 shingles 80 packages furniture, 40
tobacco 80 bbs salmon, 10 bags beans % chests tea,
10 packages drugs boxes books 100 bags potatoes 20
bags onions cases and bales prints 100 casks bottled
ale; total value, $9,57l 1t will thus be that our
trade with the group not nconsderabe such clear
becoming quite frequent while the character
of the cargo shows that supplying the islanders
with many of the most important necessaries and iuxu
res Of life.