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

Ing room. ms was taken BY the government
and neatly fitted up for the purposes Of the con-
vsntion or assembly Of delegates do not know
the exact size Of the room. bot it seemed te Be
about thirty feet long and about half that width.
II was provided with a center table, benches for
members on each side, a raised seat and table Tor
the speaker, with space on each side for distiu-
guished visitors, chair and table for the clerk.
and Strangers gallery. Small wings we're added
ed for speakers room, refreshment room. etc.
The delegates went to work with q will. sitting
every day nearly the whole day and finishing their
business in a creditable manner which some Of
our colonial legislators woad do well to initiate.
Mr.. Buffers was chosen Speaker, and Mr.. Free
man appointed Clerk, both gentlemen being well
known in Australia A Constitution was very
soon framed, and well it might, when it was near
ly in every respect an eraoi copy Of tie Hnraiiass
Consultation. As the work progressed, opposi-
ton to the Government became less and at last
almost ceased to exist. The native chiefs and
foreign delegates at first sat and voted together.
but as the chiefs voted with the Government en-
masss on all questions, and might on some future
occasion vote in a s!milar manner with the leader
of an opposition, it was thought better that they
should sit in q separate chamber and consider the
the whole of the matters to be determined upon,
recommending such alterations or amendments as
they might deem necessary. The chiefs them
selves preferred this, and the arrangement was
found to work very well.
On the occasion of my first visit to the House
they were debating on a resolution in reference
to an intended expedition for the punishment Of
the Ba murderers. Foreigners had volunteered
from various parts Of the group to make up n
force for this purpose, many of them being at
tended by armed labOreFs. They hGd likewise
secured promise Of native assistance on a rather
large scale, and they were determined to proceed
with their expedition in any case but they want
ed the Vuni Valu king Thakombau) to send
with them a sufficient number Of his own warriors
to make success quite certain. The old king OBJ
jected to the taking Of any steps for the punish
ment of the mountaneers until such punishment
could be made thoroughly efectua until. in fact.
his measures could be so well matured and the
forces at bis command so numerous and 50 well
equipped as to ensure as complete a subiuration
of the mountain tribes Of Wit Lew as had al
ready been made by the people Of the Ley0ni
district, the mountaineers Of Ovalau He point
ed out that having been hurried into war BY the
foreigners against bis own judgment, to avenge
the murder OF the Rev. Mr.. Baker, had only re-
suited in defeat, which had made the mountain
GERS more dangerous than ever, and he asowed
his determination not to be again led into a SINH
lar error At the same time however, be declaF-
ed his readiness to protect the foreign settlers
of Ba against further aggression If they would
for the present act only on the defensive. Thi5
determination had been announced by the minis
tiers, and majority OF the house had apparently
concurred in the wisdom Of this course and con
demned the proposed expedition. Bot the b
settlers through their delegates had asked for n
Of the question and the sending
At once OF large native force / saw and heard
enough however to convince me that both the
character of the delegates and their observanea
Of the forms and eourtesies Of legislative bodies.
That the assembly would compare very hvorably
with any Of the senatorial assemblies in Austria
ia. The result Of the debate was o large majori.
y in favor Of the Government Another reso-
ution was subsequently passed however. begging
he earnest aud prompt attention Of the govern
nent to this subject and it was at once promised
My second and last visit 20 this House was
when the Constitution was signed and the dele
rates released from their labors. The scene was
me never to be forgotten. % either side Of the
approach to the House was an armed guard Of
natives wearing no uniform but their ordinary ss.-
as, but with their swords tipped looking rather
ormideble. The House itself was crowded and
he strangers gallery filed with ashionaby dress
d ladies. 10 the body Of the house., besides the
elegates, there were also the princinaI native
hiefs, all fine nobe-looking fellows, clothed in
he native manner with white shirts and srtfts
# native cloth in ample folds. The Queen and
eyeral native ladies' we're also seated 10 the body
# the house. Her Majesty is 4 very stout but
ather comely woman. She and her ladies' were
IL well dressed after the native style, with kidd
4 pinafore reaching from the neck to the waist.
ompletely covering the bust but leaving the arms.
rec, and petticoat from the waist reaching 10
- A"NSf H"D 'eA4Y1' hn4hilut1 uelll- vl lllsfeuE
Material and color, generally rich and gay Be
ore the King came it was Of course necessary
hat everybody should return thanks to every-
Ody which was oil done in due order. The Min
try was thanked for the zeal and industry which
ad resulted in the adoption Of so really excellent
nd liberal Constitution. The speaker was
banked for the able and courteous manner in
hich he had ruled the House, and the Delegates
lemselves were thanked by the ministers and
leaker Several Of the natives then made short
Ut eloquent speeches which we're interpreted By
lie Rev Mr.. Nettiston, in reference 70 the new
~ which was dawning upon FIJI and the happy
suits likely to ensue from the united efforts Of
ie two races. Directly after this the King en-
red the House. He is a fine looking old man.
Il and upright with grzzled hair and beard.
it with no appearances Of iesbleness. He vas
reheaded and wore a shirt Of snowy whiteuess,
th an ample sulu Of fns native cloth, bot no
her garment, and in bis hand be carried snail
alking-cane His manner vas decidedly regal.
e assembled 70 4 chair which bad been placed
r him by the side Of tina. occupied By the speak
Maafu, who accompanied the King, was
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