The Hawaiian gazette., 1881-08-17

The news from Hilo is somewhat re-
assuring, but only somewhat: the lava has,
after all, banked up as it has on several
previous occasions, notably during last
month, when report came down that the
flow was almost finished, and that no
further apprehensions need be felt. On
that occasion the opinion proved to be
fallacious; and, however much we all may
hope that it VIII not prove so this time,
still there is a very strong presumption
that it Will. A lava flow is certainly not
a thing upon the movements of which any
reliable calculation can be made. 1t is an
almost irresistible and a most tantaliZing
monster; it Will hang around a devoted
town for months, playing with it, as cat
does with mouse-now overwhelming 1t
with despair, and again giving it moment
of hope; it demoralizes it with an un-
healthy excitement, keeping it at mental
fever heat which almost equals its own
seething fires; it unhinges all the social
conditions of life. 1t attracts number
of visitors, flooding the town with
strangers, who all more or less tend to
keep up a continual state OF tension
among the residents. In fact, lava flow
is a very fend, whose influence, whether
1t does actual harm to the town, in the
shape Of the destruction of some part OF
it, or not, is certainly very injurious indi-
rectly; and ON this account alone the citi-
zens of Hilo require all the sympathy
that can be given them. From our
various correspondents we learn that
the whole habits of the town have
been perfectly changed; so great is the
fascination Of looking at the flow, that at
all hours of the day or night parties are
either going or coming constantly. OF
the lower and idler classes of the popula-
ton, whole families start out and encamp
men, women, children, and dogs. The
result with many of these is, at least so
say our informants, a great deal of quar-
reling, drinking, and fighting. Quite
small crowd were indicted for these
offenses before the Hilo Police Court.
Hilo really at the present moment repre-
sents, on a somewhat larger scale, ship
wreck, and the approach of the flow must
be bringing out the strong traits of its
residents. 1t speaks highly for the in
habitants of that city that, as a rule the
traits brought forth are those of calmness
and foresight. With such a terrible foe
on the threshold, it would have not been
at all surprising to have heard of a great
IJol1C dulOuS IlO ClIlZeuS- NOW OI IlllS
there has been no sign. Some have been
alarmed, and some not; when the flow was
as. angry as it was ten days ago, help was
asked; but there has never been any un-
reasoning fear shown by the citizens For
this they ought to have the highest COM
mendation. That some of the community
should have become somewhat demoral-
lied is not to be wondered at; but that
the citizens, as body, should have met
what threatened them with what the
Newcastle people call a stiff upper lip,
speaks highly for them 1t hardly be-
comes those who are far from the danger,
who are themselves exempt from all fear,
to criticize those who have to bear the
burden and heat of the day; still we feel
that some rsmarks upon the subject might
not come aniss. We have made them in
all good faith, and in such a spirit we
trust they will be taken by the people of
Hilo.