The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-04-30
HONOLULU HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. APRIL 30 1861

ourselves before the dwelling Of one Of the proprie
tors who welcomed US into his ever open doors
Though Mr.. Torbert has been here only about fifteen
months comfortable dwelling, store and other ne
cessary building have beer erected, and nearly two
hundred acres Of cane are growing. Accepting an
invitation from him ride through the valley and
around the plantation, we mounted horses anu rode
10 the river, distant a short mile from the dwelling
The Waiehu stream is of the largest on Maui
and can irrigate from six hundred to one thousand
acres Of taro and cane land. We rode up the valley
to the foot of the mountain from which the prospect
was beautiful.
Hawaiian Valley Scenery.
Did you ever look down from an eminence into
valley cultivated with taro and observe the square,
obIong and many shaped taro patches commencing
at the head of the valley and descending by steps
until lost in the distance toward the sea, and the
dark green leaves Of the old contrasting with
the lighter green of the young, and the patches
divided off with rows of ii plants bananas These
Hawaiian taro valleys furnish beautiful pictures,
where painters might display their skill Why do
not some of young and ladies exercise their
talent in sketchng these scenes instead OF copying
the dull and less pictures of foreign scenery that
hang on our walls. An immense amount OF taro Is
raised in this valley, which always finds ready SALE
And yet Notwithstanding the extent of land devoted
to its culture, it is thought that more than half the
water in the formerly flowed into the sea- and
perhaps still does. We rode to the artificial dyke,
which has been made to convey portion OF the river
water for irrigating the cane fields AT its source
near the head of the valley this water-c is
little river of itself large and deep enough to float
! whaleboat 1t has been constructed to carry
the water around the base of the hills distance OF
! mile and a half and it be taken still farther if
| fnr oal fha Uate needed
for irrigation. The abundant supply Of water from
this stream is one great advantage the location affords
for q sugar plantation.
a Tall Chimney.
Returning to the house, we dismounted and visited
the site where the mill buildings will soon be put up
Just now the chimney is going up, and it promises
to be a novelty in its way 1t is circular, fifteen
feet through at the base, the walls being five feet
diameter, and built of as large stones as can be
worked in. Ii is solid piece of mason work as
we ever saw and as it is to be hundred and six
feet high will be imposing structure, serving
as a land mark vessels ut which might be
easily turned into lighthouse. The thought struck
us as we were examining it, that it would be just
what is needed the entrance Of our harbor II our
lighthouse enterprise is ever carried out. Mr.. Tor
bert thinks that its great height will result In the
saving of fuel which will doubt be the case, if
the experience in other countries is any guide. At
all events, glad to see the experiment tried
Sugar mill chimneys at these islands usually built
from fifty to sixty feet high.
Another Scotch Mill.
The mill for the plantation has been ordered from
Scotland, and is to be first class mill, similar tc
that of the Princevlle estate ut Hanale and by the
same makers, Messrs. Merlees s. TAFT. This viii
make the fourth mill that Scotland has furnished fol
these islands, those for the Kohala and Onomet
plantations being now landed. The Waiehu mill wa
to leave Glasgow during April, and is probably or
the way cut now but it will be needed as soon as
can get here and be put up, for one hundred acres
cane promising average two tons to the acre, vii
be ripe and ready to grind before the close OF thl
year. The amount of land in the nelghborhoo'
adapted to cane culture sufficient, when all is pu
in to keep the mill running the whole year, whic
is all that the enthusiastic planter could wish
Then and Now.
When we visited this district three years ago. ther
was not a sign of plantation, when now we see tou
; in various stages of completeness,-the Waikapu
Waluku, waihee, and waiehu. The people (mostl
naves) occupying the valleys. were then engaged
, raising taro in the fats, which perhaps yielded
crop worth ten thousand dollars. Now nearly
thousand acres are waving with cane which will pro
duce at least one thousand tons of sugar annually
worth to the Kingdom one hundred thousand dollars
and this yield may be doubled in a few years
e this income will be expended from year to year
i paving laborers and mechanics, erecting mills, store
o and villas which will add much TO the wealth an
It beauty of the country. Backsmiths, carpenters an
other artisans are locating in the neghbOrhood an
find constant employment and already over one hui
dred foreigners are the assessment tax rolls
/, | these districts.
e Wants of the Population.
n With the increase Of permanent foreign resident
/. it will not be long before foreign church and VIC
> ship will be an absolute necessity. The natives
n course have their churches and pastors but these
- not supply the foreign community foreign phys
n clan is also much needed there, and the people
IT East Maui are, we learn, ready to guarantee TO
10 skiful physician a stated salary in addition to SUI
practice (native and oreign) he may have oesid
No pleasanter or healthier climate be found an
st where, and physician locating on East Maui
" End an industrious and growing community, wi
ar many families of intelligence and refinement -
= CTo be continued)
NCNUGATUn