Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-02-11
Special Correspondence.
IIamsKuA. Feb. 3D.. I.

HAMANUA, REQ. 3D. lfeI.
EDfroa Pnrss despite illsarted prognosti-
cntions OF fricnds that ahould leave my horses
bones to bleach on Roma lava, or break hia neck,
II not my own, crawling mp and down Waipio or
wairnanu pulrhes We have safely passed through
NIL and now experience tho esultant sensation ~
having emerged unframed from the valley Of Tho
shadows Of death, words best applicable to vast
tracts in Roma district, though about equally true
of Waipio and Waimanu, despite their msthetic
properties and bowildcring beauty. The climb
around that lofty and beotling cliff guarding the
approach TO wamanu recalled amar scenes
during balloon trip mado few years nRo, and
fall upon tho black surf washed fockD below was
nnuelcoiDely suRgestive as imminent IN other
places fitting far above treetops lent variety.
The chief difference between the sensat'ons is that
balooninR IL too exciting ~ intimidate while this
is just sufficiently intimidating To be exciting.
Both valleys appeared to their best advantage and
a view Of either, even the less pretentiops Ones
dividing them, would repay greater risk and
trouble. The cataracts were abundant, and swol-
len by recent rains that the diniuution Of
water complained Of natives To the King was i'm
porceptiblo, though large quantity ~ diverted
from Wapio by the Pacific Mill ut kukuibaele,
and in summer months nothing more than silver
threads will probably be seen falling over the pail.
Red earth washed down by streams Mt the head OF
Waimanu give them the appearance OF blood or
molten lava torrents falling from the heavens,
which in yuragated clouds pierced by shafts OF
light, were rolling over the pail tops. Additional
romance land inconyonience) was afforded IN re,
turning by the approach Of nightfall, and htful
moon playing hide and seek among zenith clouds.
Many long anxious breath WAS drawn by my
horse in fording the Waipio stream IA the water
reached his pftb, and rose at every step, turn M
he would till the saddle was almost covered, and
somehow IN ecbong sigh would escape The bps oil
his rider, sho in the gathering gloom had lot his
bearing, Hud knew not how deep hole might be
discovered at another step.
High surf has interfored with shipping sugar
from kukuhaele to the extent OF closing tho mil
tttf lack pf al. IverX
II sugar is on hand, large part being unavoid.
ably stored In the trash house. An attempt vas
made last week 10 load some whale boats, but
without much success, while boats, sugar and
Dailors lives were placed in great jeopardy. a
movable ganpway or platform ran out and sus-
pended the surf and about ~ feet above the
boat, served foothold from which sacks OF
sugar were thrown and usually found their way
into foam tossed boat without staying 1t. Ten
sacks were u load and much agility and Judgment
used in covering n few sacks with tarpaulin
on the approach OF waves which broke into the
boat, an Amusement they sometimes INDUCED in
ten fifteen nnntes Mt stretch, occasionally
throwing n sailor or two overheard by way Of
change. DR.. Irousseau is yet here aiding the new
manager Mr. Kay, but will depart as soon as tho
weather will permit the shipping OF his effects.
At Honokaa better facilities obtain for shipping,
in the tight rope trarnway-a trip over which is
like being shot forth into nothingness. little
heavily laden car suspended from n wire rope
boiling breakers is all that stands between ono
and eternity, case where life seems to hang by
hair. In fact it hangs by small wire rope about
=
(Gh the car is projected is nsa5A 200 feet high,
and extends into the ocsa2 beyond the surf n
looking well, and tho mill is kept running. The
hauling is done by mules instead of oxen and Mr..
W.. II. Richard, the manager, expresses himself
satisfied that tliis innovation of his pays despite
the high wages paid to transfers. -Four mules
perform the work Of 20 oxen. Capt. Wilifong's
cane closely is also doing well, and good yield
Is anticipated.
At Chas. Notley's they are treading disagreeably
close upon the borders of famine. For nearly
four months nothing has been landed for him,
and many family is upon short allowance. He
does what he can to help them along by packing
provisions from Laupahpehoe Black mounds OF
dry cane upon a field below the road are monu-
ments of recent misfortune from the mill being
behind in starting to grind: yet the "suckers"
taken from that field gave 5s4 tons to the acre and
an adjacent field yielded nearly seven tons--an
earnest Of what might have been. Mr.. Notify is
the only planter on the islands who has adopted
steam ploughing. He finds it far ahead of any
other. The cost of machinery and expense Of run
ming it, he estimates below $50 per day, while the
work accomplished IL cheaper by one-half than If
performed by animal power. The engines resem-
BILE ordinary traction engine, and are used
if required. Beneath the boiler is n largo wheel,
or horizontal mining drum upon which is coiled a
wire rope. Two ARP used in poughing field, one
at each end. They stand at right angles to
the direction of the plough, which instead of be-
ing pulled behind, is drawn from the side Of ono
70 the side of the other, and back again, the
engines being $50 yards apart. instead OF turning
plough when it reaches engine the other end
is tilted down like sea-saw, and of it goes. the
forward end being high in air. Each half of tho
plough has four tines set to plough 10 inches deep
but may be increased to IA inches. The cultiya-
tor is also very ingenious and effective machine.
Both are easily guided by wheel lever. The
plough requires two extra men to clear the tines
when the ground is first broken, as that at Mr..
Notleys where some massive rocks and stout
sumach and guava roots encountered. Mr..
Notley's engines are only S-horse power and burn
but e of cord Of wood per day. They also con-
| sumo but 400 gallons of water. To see what
speed could be made Mr.. Motley selected a place
free from heavy roots and rocks and ran his
plough 450 yards in four minutes. Each tino
turned furrow of II inches making plough cut
feet wide. The Victoria outfit procured
| from Fowler i Co. Leeds. Mr.. Notey's plough is
from the same place, but his engines are from
Rochester. Through parts being of iron instead
of steel several breaks have occurred, but new
| set of steel is on the way.
Mr.. and Mrs. Overend of Honokaa celebrated
the anniversary of Mrs. Overend's 25th birthday
on January 18th, by pleasant entertainment at
which were present Mr. and Mrs. W. IL. Richard,
the Misses Kickard, Mrs. Greenfield, Mr.. and Mrs
! Mel, Mr.. Marsden Mr.. Tremble and others.
| Considerable intoxication and free fighting were
INDUCED in on election day. but no fatalities other
than dead-drunks have been reported.
WILL CARsos.
|