The Hawaiian gazette., 1885-03-04
Mauritius and the Mauritians.

Mauritus, formerly the Isle of France and still
loved to be called Ma ehere isle De France by the
CTeoles OF the island, IS as most people with only
| a limited knowledge of geography know a small
| island in the Indian Ocean, situated about five
| hundred miles to the eastward of Madagascar.
With the exception Of knowing its whereabouts
and that a certain amount of sugar comes from
there occasionally TO this country, II is pretty well
an unknown land TO the majority of the world
| inhabitants. The first land sighted generally,
after long weaR voyage in making Niauritius, is
Isle honde, or Round Island, which appears on
the horizon as like TO haystack as possible. On
nearing that point Gabriel, Serpent, Flat Island
and the parent island Mauritius open out forming
most beautiful panoramic view. The mountain
peaks and pinnacles, torn and riyen asunder by
the commissions of former ages, have most pic
turesque appearance; and well may the Mauritians
love their little island home, and almost bear star
vation rather than leave it.
Although Mauritius Is only something like forty
miles by thirty, it supports or did few years ago
population of something like 10000; and in ex-
ira good seasons 10000 tons OF sugar have been
raised there's the general output Is less than 10000
tons During over ten years residence it was al
ways matter OF wonder to me how the little isl
and could keep such a number of human beings
gOInS and II was quite plain to see that bad times
loomed ahead. The Botanical Gardens are well
worthy OF visit, as although not perhaps the best
IN the world, there l. very much of interest to be
seen there. Many Of the sugar estates are. think
as near perfection as they can be in everything,
and their managers, mostly CreOles, have the nat
strangers, but as very many Of them cannot, and
the rest generally viii not speak English a little
knowledge Of the French language is absolutely
necessary to get along. The quality of Mauritius
sugars need not speak about. as in that, think,
they can almost defy the world. The best sugars
used generally TO be shipped to India. Perhaps
their best sugar growers and manufacturers have
not yet been starved out, although they must GER
talnly be in a fair way u be. as if Queensland Is
so much affected by the depression in the sugar
market, how much more MauritIus, which depends
entirely on that industry.
During the last twenty years poor Mauritius has
been gradually. but surely, going down hill; and,
the sanatarium Of the Indian Ocean, what with
fevers and other diseases it is nov place 10 keen
clear of,
The Creoles, on the abolition of slavery, under
standing that freedom meant nothing 10 do but
loll among the sugar cane, and get we'll paid and
fed for so doing, refused 10 work. The planters
knew too well that that meant ruin to them, the
same the Queensland sugar planters can as
plainly see that compelling them to employ whites
as plantation laborers, also means ruin. They.
therefore, applied to the Government of India for
Coolies, and their application was granted. Mau-
ritius has tiourshed ever since, and was, up to
within the last twenty years. one Of the most
hOurishing for its size. of all the British colonies
Should the sugar industry of Northern Queens
land regain its former hOpsfulness, even in spite
of the obstacles thrown IN its way by some of the
no doubt We viii have very many more Mauritius
and aunis, are pretty well bound 20 follow them.
Nrsra