Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-08-17
rv different elements produces social
I;horul;tv of sentiment.

=, MANY different elements produces sociai
e.eedom and liberality Of sentiment.
In such climate as this people find time
n he social more readily than in the colder
reoons. They cannot and ought not to do as
r,ucb labor as may be done in a bracing air
Business Is limited to fewer number OF
hours. and time thus left for recreations ana
friendly visits. This is the realm OF perpet-
u., spmmer. The native language is SAID TO
nsve NO word for ,reather, because all days
Az en- nearly alike. The winter is marked
ey slight decrease of temperature ana oy
frequent copious rain-falls. The thermome-
ter ranges at this time Of the year from ABOUT
seventy EIGHT to lightweight degrees, but the
heat ia not felt to the degree that might be IN
ferred from these figures, because the trade
winds almost without interruption fan the
land. Blu. this uniformity of temperature
tells in the course of years upon the system,
especially ia the case Of natives OF cold coun-
tries. Without an occasional visit to other
PARTS of the world to tone up the constitution,
they lose strength and vital force. Old resi-
dents remark that mere sickness prevails OF
late years in the city than formerly.
A visitor coming here with the expectation
Of finding an abundance of tropical fruits will
be greatly disappointed. There is no large
variety or profuse quantity. Pine.apples are
abundant, but not better in condition than
those brought to New England. Figs have
become almost extinct, and for several years
blight has been upon orange trees, largely
diminishing their productiveness. Bananas,
mangoes and cccoanuts are plenty. Melons
also Of fine quality are readily produced. But
for vegetables the dependence is largely upon
importation from other lands. The leading
agricultural interest of the islands is sugar.
Large tracts Of land are adapted to the cane,
but the chief drawback in the way Of produc-
sion Is the want Of a supply of cheap and re-
liable labor. The planters have not been al
together successful in obtaining Chinese. For
ayear or two past many parts of the islands
have suffered severely from drouth. The
usual winter supplies Of rain have not fallen,
and very serious apprehensions are felt lest
important interests should be crippled beyond
recovery.
Rice Is produced in considerable quantities,
and pulu, substance gathered from GER
tain tree and used for upholstering purposes.
An event of great Importance and interest
to the islands is the recent establishment of
steam communication with Australia and New
Zealand. Two steamers at present consti-
tute the line, one arriving every month. Pas
sengers for England are Immediately trans
ferred to the San Francisco steamer, and
thence proceeding by the Pacific railroad and
by steamship from New York, may arrive in
London several days in advance of any other
route. When arrangements are completed,
greater speed will be secured and the route
by the way of these islands and the United
States may become the great highway of
communication between Great Britain and
her great colonies in the South Pacific. 1t is
hoped also that a new and profitable market
will be found in Australia for sugar
and other Hawaiian productions. No one
can doubt the growing importance of this
group of islands. Their position makes them
the most eligible midway station for steam
ships plying between the California coast and
Australia or China. As means of communi-
cation are improved many travellers will be
attracted hither to view the scenery which Of
fers some forms of magnfcence not surpassed
upon the globe.
In future letter your readers may receive
sketches of life and scenes in other parts Of
the islands. NJ