The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-01-03

manner OF angles. some OF luese buildings aI
of reeds and thatch in the native fashion, thong
shaped according to European tastes. These
however, are in the minority The old Reading
room, now promoted to the rank Of 3" Parliamen
House, has already been mentioned. The di
visions Of the town on either side Of this an
distinguished as North and South Levuka
North Leyuka is the gayest Of the two although
the business appears to be about equally divided
The largest hotels aud the showiest Commercial
establishments are at the northern end Of tht
town. Here, too, Is the temporary residence 0
the King while at Levuka 1t is a sngle-storieC
weatherboard cottage, with a small courtyard anC
4 long verandah, on wlsch one or two native
guards, armed with rife and sword, may Away:
be seen. From flagstaff in front floats the
" Royal Standard" Il is white, with red shield
+ in the centre, on which Is a white dove bearing
1 the usual olive branch. Above this shield is q
crown. The ensigns, which are displayed from
various small vessels in the harbor, differ only
/ from the Standard in being Of white and blue
equally divided, vertically; the white next the
staff or halliards, and the central shield and
crown across the dividing line
We will not, at present, seek the presence OF roy
atty but viii continue our inspection OF the town.
It's most remarkable feature, perhaps, is the number
OF its hotels and public houses-some Of consdera-
bic dimensions, but many Of them mere shanties of
three or four rooms. There are, believe, over
thirty Of these places although the total population
OF the town, including a fair average Of visitors,
license fees 10 pay-no police restrictions as 10 ac-
commodatons, &c, and all drinkables are imported
free Of duty. Any one who pleeses can set up a
retailer Of wine, beer and spirits, and as these art
ces sold at real hotel prices very small trade
must yield a comparatively large profit. Very fair
quarters can be had at several Of the principal hO-
tells although sometimes at the risk OF getting into
strange company, and with no certainty OF quiet
neighbors. The usual charge for board aud lodging
is about six shillings per day, but there will be
many little extras There is believe, but one phi
waite lodging-house. a good establishment Of this
description on one Of the hills, would, | should
think, be well patronized. Levuka Club has
Gently been formed The clubhouse is in South
Levuka. The members are fine gentemanly fellows,
evcrready TO extend hospitality 10 q well-inroduccd
stranger; but the clubhouse itself is rather small,
and affords but scant sleeping accommodation.
IfLcyuka is a little too well provided with places
for the sale Of intoxicating drinks, it has the
pleasing feature Of being spiritually cared for in
better way. There are three churches resorted 10
and / am happy TO say well resorted TOBY the
white Inhabitants besides two or three chapels for
the natives. The denominations to which these
churches belong are the Anglican, the Wesleyan
and the Roman Catholic. The Anglican church is
very neat wooden building at the foot of gentle
slope. The Rev. Mr.. Floyd, jealous and accom- /
Dlished divine Of the Church Of England, is the in
,umbent. The Wesleyan church is a substantial /
structure Of stone, with iron roof and stands at
he foot Of hill not far from the beach. II is well
furnished within and without, and very commodi- /
Jus. The Rev. Mir. Netteton, who is at present at /
he head Of the Wesleyan mission in Fiji and as
be and worthy minister as ever stood ina pulpit, |
ordinarily ociates at this church. but is frequently
assisted by brother missionary. The Roman Cath
lie church is a really handsome building Of wood,
With metal-coyered spire and a set of bells It's
liar and other iuternGi fittings very tasteful,
nd it stands in a most picturesque situation, sur
oundcd by all kinds Of tropical greenery, and with
cautiful foliage-clad hills in the background. The
,ey. Father Brehery, pious, earnest and learned
NAS.l lilSeAs &c bAN lioAOl- 14GSN are al
n South Levuka, the RomaRCatholic church being
he souiherumust Of the three. The Wesleyan
hurch has much the largest congregation The
lev. Mr.. Neitleton is very popular, and deservedy
o. To the Wesleyan Missionaries and their help
mates Fiji and the Fijians owe nearly all OF moral
nd social progress that has been attained and Mr.
nd Mrs. Netteton have borne distinguished part
this labor of love l cannot presume to Judge
In A.
raj; hut it seemed TO me that there was more of
ncerity among them than they ordinarily have
redit for In their social life they have certainly
wonderfully and this is clearly attribu-
lbe TO the influence and example Of the mission
miles, much as 10 the teachings of the mis-
onaries themselves. may here remark that ono
the most pleasing features of Lcyula is the total
Dsence Of any Of those sectarian discussions which
sturb the peace Of some older and more important
lpitals. 1t is not that the Levukans, taking them
a whole, are less alive TO the duties of religion,
at that those who belong 10 different branches of
lie great Christian family have more charity to-
ards each other The best sermon ever heard
my life-aceording TO my poor notions of the
nd Of language which ought to flow from the lips
Christian minister-a sermon in which this
lerant spirit was strongly and eloquently com
ended-was one preached 10y the Rev. Mr.. Net
aton TO q large and attentive Sunday evenings
aggregation.
Levuka has theatre-a sufficiently commodious,
though plain, ironcovered buidng-with very
ir stage. II does not appear 10 be as much used
,weyer as might be expected. There was but one
tertainment during my visit and this was given by
travelling psnoramst. The audience on that oc-
sion displayed a large amount of good temper, but
ere a little noisy. There is dramatic club Ia the
ace, but the members do not appear inclined to
rform very often. Artists from San Francisco en-
ute to the Australian colonies who call at Levuka,
e gerSd, may safely reckon upon good house for
single night Some of the hotels have rooms suit
lie for concerts, but no amusements of this kind
pears TO be thought Of Billiards are moreattrac-
re- and am told there are several good tables and
number of very good players here. When they
thirsty as Of course they generally do the means
saking their thirst is always close at hand. A
~ good bowling-alley IS situated in North Lew
j. Considering that for the bulk Of the foreign
pulation the only gathering places in the evenings
e the hotels, and the only amusements are those
lich have already mentioned, varied by little
and sundry friendly glasses it is not
all surprising that who put up at the larger
tels should often complain of being kept awake
noisy companions during several of the "smal
urs" while it is astonishing that there is so little
al disorder !
But have already said that there are the ele- {
ere are many houses TO which those who are wei I