The Hawaiian gazette., 1872-01-03

nhotOgTsp neTs IL Is : Kltt lO4 IL WYNN He'S Ai'
an excellent picture. After the Constitution had
been signed by the King, the latter addressed the
House IN Fiiian he spoke well, bet occasion
ally paused and consulted in an undertone with
his interpreter, Mr. Wilkinson. The following is
q translation Of his address:
q rise to return thanks to you for assembling
here on my invitation 10 frame Constitution
for FIJI. am very glad to see that SO many
Delegates have been sent 20 assist in the fofma-
ton Of q Government FIJI Is a dark land-we
look to you for light as to Law and civilization
This kingdom nov formed is not your kingdom
nor their kingdom, but our kingdom. We are
one 1t would not be difficult TO divide FIJI, the
whites to have one Government and the F1ians
10 have another, but that would be worse for
both Or you might have Tribal Governments,
and one be Of Ban, and another OF Cakandrove,
and another OF Macuata, but divided one against
the other, We should quarrel and fight one with
another, and that would be bad for all. You see
my friend Maafu sitting by my side. Maa!u and
are now Of one spirit. and if you can be one
with us it will be good for all Maafu is now 4
Fijian, and if there be any difficulty in carrying
out this Constitution, il will not be with Us, but
with you white residents | wish to say few
words about the Ba murders. White men have
been massacred by the heather mOuntaineers
DO not think you only are injured and panied in
this matter; We Fjians also sorrow thereat. We
sorrow with you in this matter, and are wishful
to help at the right time. Ii is a serious bust
rass "a r,rrisb tboao r,ounfoinanrs and r1nsf ba
taken in hand wisely, so as TO make success Ger
tain. Maafu and other chiefs are with me 10
assist, and if We all be one in this matter. not
only will the murdereTs be punished, but the
whole coast be made safe for the future. Let Us
act cautiously and prudently in tins matter. |
thank also you native chiefs for assembling here
to render me your help. Only one chief is absent
that is Tm Cakau. | regret his absence, but NY
friend Maalu is here and that viii be all right
Again thanking you for yoHr attendance here,
dismiss this House OF Delegates. The next gath
ering Of this House will be the Legislative As
sembly. Let US be united, and all will be peace
and prosperity in FIJI My words are now ended.
The formal dissolution of the Assembly was
followed Immediately by levee on the European
plan, the King being introduced to and shaking
hands with everybody in turn. And very well he
did his part Some OF the native chiefs could not
quite understand the hand-shaking part of the
business, and showed an inclination to crouch
down after the FIjmn fashion, but Thakombau
promptly repressed every such attempt by slap
ping the passing chief good humoredy on the
breast, to keep him upright, giving him hearty
grasp Of the hand, and pushing him on. An .
hour or so after the levee there was luncheon .
and wine for the delegates and other magnates Of .
the land at the Kings house, and in the evening
there was an official dinner. / was invited to
both Of these affairs but did not feel well
enough to attend either But l an happy to say
that the first thing thought of by the old King
was gratitude TO the Almighty Power, which,
TO use Thskombau's own words, had been so
good to him" From the Parliament house, and
after the conclusion of what to him must have
been the most triumphant and gratifying ceremo-
NAL in which ne ever took part, the King went
direct to the Wesleyan church, where the Rev
Mr.. NettetOn offered up prayer, and preached
sermon suited to the occasion.
Having described the launching of the new
Constitution, viii, before going into other de-
tails as to personages by whom, and circumstances
by which FJian politics will be governed or al 4
fected, revert to Leyuka-
The aspect OF the place as it is approached
from the sea is very beautiful. A Photographic
view Of it which have seen IN 4 shop in Hunter
street, little above the Herald Office, gives as
an idea Of the general appearance Of the
town as can be conveyed in this way But this,
after all, is vey-and unavoidably imperfect
The rich coloring which constitutes the principal
charm Of the scene is wanting. The whole island
OF 0valau is encrcled by coral reef, on which
the waves of the mighty Pacific are broken into {
glittering spray. There are several openings :
through this reef, that by which vessels enter
near LevuSa, being large enough for the largest
sized craft The space between the reef and the
shore is Of varying width, but is everywhere |
around this island, Of ample extent The water c
within it is generally almost as smooth as t
canal and although roughened little in bad |
weather, or near passage through the reef, is
safely nayigabe by the smallest craft, except
during such heavy gales as if they were TO visit
Port jackson, would churn up its waters to a {
dangerous height. The town has been built on b
a piece Of fat land between high water mark and e
the hills. Neither the extent Of this fat nor Of
The town ITSELF as seen from a ships deck can be
very well judged Of But the place has a =
business-like look, and the tropical scenery by !
which it is surrounded gives it, to eyes long ac-
only to the Australian bush, peculiar q
charm. Graceful cocoanut palms are plentifully
scattered through the town, with here and there
3 bread-frut tree by way Of variety. Behind the !.
town is q range Of lofty hills some sOping grad
ually and Others rising more abruptly Those in 9
the extreme background are surmounted by Q
scarcely accessible pinnacles, which are often '
handicapped. On the slopes and 10 the gorces
Of these hills other groves of cocoanu: and bread
fruit trees are seen. On the lower hills, immedi-
ately behind the town, are a number Of pretty C
cottages of various sizes-some of considerable a
extent At one end of the town church spire b
rises into view other places of worship in DIFF
ferent situations can be easily distinguished from
the anchorage, and many hotels and business