The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-01-18
Apia, Navigator's Islands.

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Apia. Navigator's Islands.
The port of Apia. which is the principal entire
pot of commerce for the Navigators or Samoan
Group, is situated on the north side Of the great
island Of UPola. 1t has been the evil fortune Of
Apia and the inhabitants to have been at sundry
times and divers manners grievously misrepre-
sented Captain Sir Everard Home in his report
of his visit says Of them that. with the exception
Ct the consuls, aud the members Of the English
mission, the foreign population consisted OF about
sixty Europeans and Americans of the worst
character and in late report Of the Rev. Mr..
Lawes, Of the London Missionary Society resi-
dent at Savage Island, he describes Apia as 1.-The
Saint Giles of Polynesia" No statepents could
be more unjust and untrue, as the greater num-
Der Of the parties in question are still residents
Of the group, engaged in trade or the cultivation
Of lands, and are men Of considerable property
and unquestionable respectability. Indeed. the
foreigners who have been located at this place for
many years back are well known to all men ac-
quainted with those isles to form one of the
most orderly and peaceful of all the communities
of civilized men, who. from the exigencies Of
business, or from choice or necessity have estab-
lished themselves in the mo Mans Land" Of
0ceanica an assertion which l am satisfied Her
Britannia Majesty's Consul of Apia will willingly
endorse.
The permanent foreign population OF Apia is
at present upwards Of 200, consisting of English,
Americans, Germans and few French. The
settlement consists Of about 100 European hous-
es. There are three consulates--those of Great
Britain, the United States, aud the North Ger
man Confederation.
The principal trade of the port is in the hands
Of Messrs. Gohan, Caesar, Godeffroy & Son, Of
Hamburg who have here very large establish
ment, consisting Of a wharf, extensive storebous-
es, and building yard for the construction of
small vessels suitable for the island trade.
Upon the opposite or eastern shore Of the bar
Dor are the extensive storehouses Of Messrs.
M'Farand & Co.. the Oldest established firm on
the Samoan Group. In addition to these, the
great Panjandrums of Samoan trade, are one
American, one German, one French, and six
English retail shop keepers, all doing satisfact-
ory business.
There are five hotels, all of them small, but
orderly and we'll conducted Attached to two of
them are American bowling alleys, and to one
very handsome bilard-room. Besides the fitting
shops and yards of Messrs- Godeffroy and NJ Far
land, in which their own repairs are executed.
there is a very good blacksmith's establishment
near the British Consulate. Carpenters are like
wise attainable at reasonable rates. There is a
resident surgeon-Dr. E. Graeffe, naturalist Of
great ability, and of considerable celebrity iu the
scientific world. Supplies for shipping are at all
times on hand with the merchants Of Apia.
In consequence Of native war, live pork and
vegetables have been for some time back scarce
and expensive but these disturbances being now
happily settled, there is no doubt that the Samo-
ans will, as they we're formally wont to do, labor
ene1eticaly in the production Of these necsssa-
ries.
There is here an establishment Of the London
Missionary Society, consisting Of schools and
building inIwhich worship is conducted on Sun
days for the benefit Of such foreigners who wish
to attend. There is likewise French Catholic
Mission, in the diocese of Mousegnour Battalion
Bishop of Oceanca, who generally resides here.
The church is plain but substantial structure,
with tall spire and cross, situated on the sea
shore 1t forms a conspicuous land mark to the
mariner and imparts to the harbor an aspect Of
peaceful civilization. There are quite number
Of French clergy here, who. by their superior
ability and unobtrusive goodness, have secured to
themselves the respect and esteem Of merchants,
mariners, and mechanics Of all countries and
creeds. There are also several sisters Of mercy
who teach a school and take care of orphan
children.
Her Msjestys Consul may be regarded as the
patriarch Of the settlement He is son Of the
famous John Williams who so bravely laid down
bis life 10 the endeavor to impart the good tidiDgs
OF salvation to the savages Of Erromanga- Here
also, be was buried his remains having been
transported to Apia in one of Her Msjesty's
ships Mr.. Williams, whose name will be long
remembered in connection with Samoa, By his
kind and generous disposition, and persistent en-
deavours to promote peace and good feeling alike,
between natives and foreigners, possesses the
universal esteem and affection Of the community.
The coIored population Of Apia are protesting
Christians the greater number being Roman
Catholics. They have been lately engaged in
war. which. however, has 10 no degree affected
the comfort or prosperity Of foreigners. except in
50 far that it has caused scarcity Of fresh pro-
visions. and given occasion to much thieving
from The plantations aod consequent sqaabbIes
with the deIinquents-
The trade Of the Samoan Group is conducted
chiefly by barter Of European merchandise for
cotton cocoa-nut oil. dried cocos-nuts. candle
nuts, &C.. for which there seems great demand
in the European markets Many other indigsD-
ous products are also becoming utilised. among
these may be mentioned turmeric, ginger. and