The Hawaiian gazette., 1872-01-03


Of reeds and thatch 10 the native fashion, though
shaped according to European tastes. These
however, are in the minority. The old Reading
room, now promoted to the rank Of " Parliament
House has already been mentioned. The di'
visions Of the town on either side Of this are
distinguished as North and South Levuka
North Levuka is the gayest Of the two, although
the business appears TO be about equally divided
The largest hotels and the showiest commercial
establishments are at the northern end Of the
town. Here, too, is the temporary residence Of
the King while at Levuka. Il is a siugle-stoTied
weatherboard cottage, with small courtyard and
= long verandah on which one or two native
guards, armed with rife and sword, may always
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
/ the usual olive branch. Above this shield is a
crown. The ensicns, 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 halliaris. and the central shield and
crown across the dividing line.
We vii not, at present, seek the presence troy
alty. but will continuc our inspection Of the town
Its most remarkable feature perhaps, is the number
OF its hotels and public houscs-some Of considera-
bic dimensions, but any 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 fair average of visitors,
docs not exceed five hundred. But there are no
license fees 10 payno police restrictions as 10 ac
commodaiions, &c, and all drinkabes are imported
free OF duty ANY one who plesses can set up as
retailer Of wine beer and spirits and as these arti-
ces are sold at real hotel prices very small trade
must yield Z comparatively large profit. Very fair
quarters can be had at several OF the principal no
tells although sometimes at the risk Of getting into
strange company, and with no certainty OF quiet
nciShbors. The usual charge ior board aud lodging
is about six shillngs per day, but there viii be
many little extras There is believe, but one phi
vate lodging house. y good establishment Of this
description on one Of the hills, would, should
think, be well patronized. A LevuLa Club has re-
Gently been formed. The clubhouse is in South
Leyuka. The members arc fuegoutlemauly fellows,
cvcrrcady 10 extend hospitality to wclliu,roduccd
stranger; but the clubhouse itself is rather SMALL
IfLcvuka is 4 little too well provided with places
for the sale OF intoxicating drinks, it has the more
pleasing feature Of being spiritually cared for in
better way. There are three churches resorted to
and l am happy TO say wei resor;cd TOBY the
white inhabitants besides two 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
q very neat wooden building at the foot Of gentle
slope The Rev Mr. Floyd, jealous and accom-
plished divine of the Church Of England, is the in
cumbent. The Wesleyan church is a substantial
structure Of stone with iron roof and stands 81
The foot Of hin not tar from the beach 1t is well
furnished within and without, and very commodi-
Gus. The Rev. Mir Nettleion, who is at present at
the head Of the Wesleyan mission in Fiji, and as
able and worthy minister rs ever stood ina pulpit
ordinarily oficates at this church. but is frequently
assisted by brother missionary. The Roman Cath
Ole church IS q really handsome building OF wood,
with n mctal-covered spire and set Of bells. It's
altar and other internal fittings are very tasteful
and it stands In a most picturesque situation, sur
rounded by all kinds Of tropical greeuery and with :
beautiful foliage-clad hills in the background The
Rev Father Brehery, pious, earnest and learned
French priest, is the pastor These churches are all
in South Levuka the Roman Catholic church being
the souihernmost of the three. The Wesleyan
church has much the largest congregation. The I
Rev. Mr.. Netleton is very popular, and deservedly
so. To the Wesleyan Missionaries and their help
mates FIJI and the Fiiians owe nearly all OF moral
and social progress that has been attained aud Mr.
,ud Ms. Nettletou have borne distinguished part
IN this labor of love. I cannot presume to judge /
Is TO the religious character OF the natives in gen
aral; hut it seemed 10 me that there was more Of .
sincerity among them than they ordinarily have .
credit for In their social life they have certainly
progressed wonderfully and this is clearly attribu-
liable to the influence and example Of the mission .
families, much rs to the teachings Of the mis-
siouaries themselves. l may here remark that one
IF the most pleasing features of Levua is the total
lbscnco Of any OF those scctarau dissensious which
disturb the peace Of some older and more important
,apitalS II is not that the Levukaus, taking them
whole arc less alive To the duties Of religion,
lut that those who belong TO different branches Of
he great Christian family have more charity to-
wards each other. The best sermon I ever heard
n my life-accordiug to my pour notions Of the
Kind Of language which ought to flow from the lips
If Christian minister sermon in which this
olcrant spirit was strongly and eloquently com
nonded-was one preached 10y the Rev. Mr. Net
Teton to large and attentive Sunday evenings
congregation.
Levuka has theatre-a sufficiently commodious,
lthough plain, iron-covered buildiug-with very
air stage. 1t does not appear to be as much used
however as might be expected. There was but one
during my visit and this was given by
travelling panoramist The audience on that oc-
aston displayed large amount OF good temper, but
we're little noisy There is 4 dramatic club in the
lace, but the members do not appear inclined TO
,erform very often Artists from San Francisco c1t
cute 10 the Australian colonies who call at Icvuka,
ice rsySa, may safely reckon upon good house for
single night Some OF the hotels have rooms suit
bic for concerts, but no amusements of this kind
ppears to be thought Of Billiards are more attrae-
i've and am told there are several good tables and
number of very good players here. When they
ci thirsty as Of course they generally do the
f shaking their thirst is always close at hand A
cry coed bowlng-alley is situated in North Levi
a. Considering that for the bulk of the foreign
population the only gathering places in the evenings
re the hotels, and the only amusements are those
which have already mentioned, raried by little
ouversation and sundry friendly glasses " it is not
all surprising that some who put up at the larger
otcls should often complain Of being kept awake
y noisy companions during several OF the "small
ours" while it is astonishing that there is so little
cal disorder.