The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-01-15
lIom lilo Wont 10 Feleh the Co.l!e.


james L. A Hope gives m amusing
account, in the London Spectator, Of the
way lie went to the South Sea Islands
"t0 fetch the COnlie"-Coolirs being
wanted on the sugar estates in Australia.
Mr.. Hope says:
The Australian labor market has been
at various times supplied with convicts,
free and assisted emigrants, Cinnamon
and Germans; but it is only within the
last few years that the introduction Of
sugar.growing industry into Queensland
has turned our attention to that large
group Of islands, the New Hebri1es,
lying within Il weeks sail Of our own
colony, and crowded with an inligent
aud s.vagc population. The planters,
in despair ut the restless character Of the
English workman, became naturally very
eag'r TO Obtain n quantity Of cheap and
reliable lnbOrers for the sugar season.
men who cOull stand the heat Of the
sun. who would work together in gangs
witho,t grumbling. and aliove all, who
would bind themselves 10 their employ
efs for Mt least three years. Under these
circumstances. several small ships start.
ell for the New Hebrides in quest Of men,
md the first arrival Ot woody, stupll.
looking Klnakas was regarded with
great curiosity by all classes. = =
I have often wondered at the imperfect
i,lea OF number which native CoOlie
posseSses-he graSps easily the idea Of
one pig for one axe, hut three pigs for
three axes botheB him, IlOOkel round
for chief aud tried TO open the cOnvcr.
sation with him, with n view to my great
object, recruitsfor Queensland, aud com
mGncel mn animated hannguc, pointing
out to him the advantage the men would
gnin in going with me, and the strength
they would add to the tribe when they
brought back their muSkets and powder.
Tba chief smiled graGiOusly, and mani.
tested n sudden fancy for my sheath.
knife, which being in moment Of weak.
ness given to him. he walked ofi, leaving
me to crowd Of applicants for more
sheath.knives Of the same sort. l was
no: n little mortified at finding out after.
wards that he had not understood Il single
word, being OF different tribe from my
interpreter. Aud 30 learnt great and
most important lesson, in all dealingf
with the natives, und which I cannot
help thinking might be protitably taken
to heart by charitable London lWlies =
"Nevor give away anything without
value received, unless you wish to put n
stop to Gll tnde and make everybody a
beggur." Man Ufer man shook his
head when I asked him to come over to
Queensland. The universal cry was,
"We are willing enough to go aud work
and get muskets and powder, but We
should like 10 see some OF our brothers
back here Hrst, to hear what they say oil
your country. ~
1t has never been my good fortune To
contest an election in the old connfry,
hut had heard that "the woman once
gained, the man follows" "a maxim in
canvnssing and acting on this plan, |
approached q matronly.looking lady with
n ring in her nose aud baby on her
shoulder, and tried to make friends,
upon which, ,1riwing her grass petticoat.
fringe close round her, she set mp such
IL piteous howling, that concluded the
progress OF civilization had not yet wait.
ed the notion Of woman's rights to those
distant regions. and that fur from having
any influence over her husband, she actu.
ally seemed to he afraid OF him.
In my experience Of the islands, |
found the invariable custom Of leave.
taking to be Us follows: The intended
emigrant woul,I strip himself of all he
had on, consisting probably OF only one
bracelet, and sitting down on the beach,
would howl inelodiously in the middle
OF circle OF women, after the payment
Of which tribute to nature he would
step bnskly into the boat, as gleetul us II
child in prospect Of u holiday. II asked
to bring the woman with him he would
Indignantly refuse, evidently thinking
that he was already well out Of that mess,
and would become quite reconciled to
his new life before the Southeast trades
had blown US over to Vate.