The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1883-05-28

uncut. Before this paper is in print,
however, the immense mill will be at
work. Although it is scarcely likely
the company would have started but
for this bond and guarantee given
by the Government (Which the latter
attempted to waive), it is thought
that practical mortgage of produce
for so long period is not the best
possible thing that could have hap
pened, as it tends to support mono
poly, and, of course, prevents the
acceptors from going into milling ON
the cooperative principle.
Bidding Mr.. Hilton farewell, l
wendell my way, guided by native,
to the furthest plantation on the
Rewa River, some two miles further
up, leased by Messrs. Hardy and
Maclean. Resting at their house
over night, 1 was taken around by
Mr.. Maclean, pleasant young
Scotchman, and saw the cane-like
its neighbours, only awaiting cutting.
The river takes sharp bend here,
and is merged into the Wal Dina and
the Wal Buka, little further up.
There are AZ South Sea labourers on
this plantation, mostly youngish
men and boys, the majority work.
ing very well, and, in some respects,
a marked contrast to the coolies.
The partners contemplate introducing
horse labour here, which, in the
present very unsatisfactory state of
the human labour market, will
doubtless be a most salutary in
novation. One strong, well-built
horse will plough over as much
ground as twenty men could ''hole"
in day. OF course, horses do not
make complaints, and can be COR
rected if they misbehaye themselves
two very important facts, by the
way. 1t may seem extraordinary to
record. but one of their ''boys,"
on the last visit of the Agent General
of Immigration complained Of
shaving his ear pulled by the over
seer-and that functionary, having
been previously dealt with for a
similar heinous offence, was warned
that repetition thereof would lose
him his position, as he would be
disqualified from longer acting in his
capacity. On the day that l arrived
that much-enduring individual would
have been struck with rake, WELD
ed by one Of the boys, had his as
sailant not been prevented in time.
The casus belli was that the "boy"
had refused to obey orders, and
upon his being again told to 60 on
with his work endeavoured to retail
ate. He had been in prison before,
and rather liked it than not, as there
was an agreeable lack of hard labour.
Under the circumstances, it was
hopeless toprosecute, and the young
scamp was sent to his quarters. He
ran away next day-mostly likely to
lay another complaint. Mr.. Maclean
anticipated my thoughts, as the
overseer told me all this: SIT is q
Crown colony" said he: volumes
could not have expressed more.
Next day had look at a nursery
of coffee plants, over which are
erected a bamboo framework thickly
covered by creepers, which prevent
the SUMS rays from injuring the
tender shoots as they make their frs
appearance above ground. They
are planted at first in beds, in rows
six inches apart, and but one incl
apart lengthwise. The beds arr
generally 30 feet long by three fee
broad. After eight or nine months
those that do come up are trans
planted, each being afforded space
Of six feet by six feet, 1910 of then
going to an acre, one ''bed' gener
ally furnishing enough for an acr'
and half. 1t sometimes takes
three years to bring coffee to matu
rity, providing the officials NANTES
no insane desire to "doctor" it, al
; though berries are occasionally takel
from a two-year-old plant. 10 judg
by my friends figures, coffee mus
be good line. He expects l5cwt
to an acre when the trees have had
years growth, and SO on ad infni
tum. The price Of berries per ton i
stated as from fl00 to fla0, SO tina
: between ego and Gao Is the yearl.
/. value per acre Of a bona tide planta
, ton. The berries are affirmed to b
small, and of exquisite favour.
] heard much of the Hon. j. 4. Ma
8 sons estate at Taviuni, where, pre-
9 sumo, the berries are roasted an
Y made into the marketable article.