The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-25
SANDWICH ISLANDS.

The Duke OF Edinburgh Expected-American
Interests and General Trade-The Annexa.
ton Idea-Native Mortality and Its Causes
Volcanic Phenomenn-Insular Immigration.
HONOLULU, July 8, 1863.
Nothing has transpired the past month worthy Of
note. The only excitement for the time being the
anticipated arrival Of the Duke Of Edinburg. Pre-
paratiOns for his reception are about completed,
ana II he does not arrive soon many VIII be DIS
appointed.
Another distinguished arrival 10 looked for with
no little interest. refer TO the newly app onted
United States Minister Kesi.s5S Mr. II. A. Pierce.
Much speculation exists az to his course after
rival. 1t il said that this government anticipates
handling him as easily as they have the charge left
by General McCook. At any rate they prefer the
present appointment to that Of General Marshall
1t is reported that an appointment to Ill the posi-
ton OF Consul at this port has also been made II is
TO be regretted that change should be made at this
time.
Much anxiety prevails in regard to what the next
six months Will bring forth. Business ia next to
dead, and the present low prices Of sugar cause
those interested IN Its culture to feel Respondent
Speaking OF the present state Of affairs writer IN
provinces and OF Vancouver's Island is being re-
peated here. Every day proves how dependent we
oregon and the great West. In times past the
American whaling neet furnished this kingdom with
the snRar interest grew and to ali we
were TO be the arbters OF our own fortunes; but 10
when our sugars were manufactured we had to seek
market, ana again we ore dependent upon the United
States. This FACT so patent to ALL should nave fur
nished the keynote to which our home and foreign
policy should have been attuned, instead OF which
the history Of the past few years records persistent
and logged opposition to the traditional policy, in
Sence Of our entire dependence upon the United
by the recent intelligence Of the collapse in the San
nvxpfon of rno rrp1h hi m
sugar redneries causes us to tremble It lie in the
power Of the sugar kings OF San Francisco TO bear"
remain passive spectators OF the operation. In fact
the policy Of his Matesty's Ministry has reduced us
to position where San Francisco alone can dictate
terms to US which we may accept and progress or
decline and decay
Should the san Francisco renneres combine to
keep prices Of raw sugars down for few months
tnree-fourths Of our foreign population would be.
come active advocates for annexation 70 the United
Much sickness prevails, among natives partcu-
arly and the mortality Is unusually large The next
census, If allowed to tell the truth, will tell o sad
tale regarding the decay OF the aboriginal race.
There Is no doubt that the present administration Is
in large measure responsible for the present comb.
the use Of opium are making fearful inroads upon
the bone and muscle Of the Kingdom.
The crater Of KlsIea on HAWAII Is Just NOW now
time Of the great earthquake and eruption on Hawaii,
suddenly ceased. simultaneously with the tremen-
dous shock Of April 2, 1888. which shook the whole
archipelago, from Kau to Niihau, the internal fires
ceased TO burn and the bottom OF the crater sub
sided from 800 to 500 feet below Its former level.
The central depression was quite regular except
near the ledge. IL seemed II the lava had been sud-
denly drawn of, al was doubtless the case, leaving
the floor Of the crater thus caved In. Had 1t not
been held together by Its great thickness and lateral
strength one can tell where 1t might have fallen
to, AZ traces Of fire have since been seen, until
lately, except In the told south aKen which seems to
be funnel leading from the deep internal fires.
Travellers who have lately visited the crater assure
us that the Old south lake Is growing in size
and activity. 1t Increases Its area, not from over
now, but by the cavlpg IN OF the surrounding
rim. At times Immense portions OF the adjacent
Old and hard lava cave In and are swallowed up
in the boiling lava Of the fiery caldron. In this
way the active lake has increased from 200 or 800
feet 10 ], 500 In diameter and Ii still extending
Some think It may continue to enlarge its borders
till 1t engulfs the greater part Of Kilauea From
this 1t VIII be seen that the crater s undergoing a
great change, and that the internal fres are becom
Ing more active, though II may be years before
they acquire the force necessary to produce another
eruption.
The bark Maupa Loa which 1t Will be remembered
was despatched IN February last for islands In the
south pacinc lor natives returned on the 10th June
having succeeded, after much difficulty, in procuring
eighty persons, OF which number fifty-seven are
adults me venture proved a bad one, and 1t Is
extremely doubtful 1 II II win be followed up. On
many ISLANDS visited the natives would have will
ngly left but the missionaries, British Wesley an,
would not permit them to, and very properly.