Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-17
[ Written for the Keunebee Journal
A SOUTHERN ISLE.
Lite and Scenery in 1.-The Garden OF the
Pacific.

Lite and Scenery in 1.-The Garden OF the
Pacific
Huahuine (U-a-na) situated in latitude 10
deg 80 min. South. and Isl deg. 10 min
West longitude, is one of the most pietur-
esque of the Society Islands. and certainly
deserves the appeIlation Garden of the
Pacific" Taking pilot-a native, who could
murder beth French and English-we ran
through narrow passage in the coral reef
and dropping anchor in 20 fathoms of water,
few minutes were moored safe from any gale
that might blow. The people of Huahuine
are born warriors and about lsi5 proved
themselves able to protect their homes br
utterly routing the crew of French man Of war
which landed to take possession of the island
and subdue the natives. The piucky inhabi-
tants, from the rugged Businesses of their
beautiful isle, hurled spears and rocks down
upon the enemy, until more than an hundred
of the vessels crew were killed aud the 9TH
ers retreated to their ship and put to sea Ut
terly defeated. The island is independent.
ruled by queen who governs her subjects
with motherly frmness, ably seconded BY
her husband who boasts no regal blood Ii was
the 18th of December that looked upon thous-
ands of majestic palms loaded xith cocoa-nuts
IN every stage of growth from the blossom
to the brown, ripe fruit. Oranges, lemons.
and lines were abundant Pineapples-large.
yellow, ripe, delicious-are to be had for the
UlucklDO Rauanas bntrp bpunba.
the convenient shade of their own leaves
while away through the trees could see IA
broad field of sweet potatoes and in a hut
near by half dozen "wahinies" chanted a
native song as they wove silken bamboo
braid for their Sunday hat. Breadfruit, in
digenous to many Pacific islands, here grow
TO perfection. Flowers of every hue fringed
the hanks OF crystal stream in whose
waters score of happy children Owed
swan and shouted-yery much as have seen
white children do in Maine Wild hogs
abound. The sea teens with many kind of
fish the air is laden with spicy perfumes
the climate perfect; clothes not 4 neces
sary. Oranges and lemons are delivered on
ship board for SO per 1000; cocoa nuts are
RATED and towed alongside for seventy five
cents per hundred. Bananas, twenty-five
cents per bunch; lime juice 50 per barrel
French brandy cheaper, than in Boston-Let's
emigrate.
Very few persons have been so fortunate
as to stand on the spot where Capt. James
Cook paid the penalty of his temerty.
karakakoa Bay in Owyhee the largest island
of the Sandwich group, can rightfully lay
claim to an important position in the history
of the world. To the left of a huge bluff,
under the lea of which the largest ships may
ride at anchor in safety. is what is known as
Cooks point. Here, in 1873, this intr epid
commander was struck down, while trying
to settle some misunderstanding with the
native chief. On the exact spot where he
fell has been erected a monument to his
memory. But such monument, out of all
proportion, it looks like the creation of some
tipsy countryman who worked without square
or level. 4 dozen rods back from the beach
is an uprooted cocoa stump, nicely covered
with sheets of copper and on them the fol-
lowing inscriptions.
Near this spot
Capt. James Cook,
The renowned circumnavigator who discov-
cred these islands in
l77a.
In one corner it informs us that
This was placed
here in 1887
On the opposite side we learn that
This spot was visited
by parties from
II. NJ. 5. :. Vixen
in 1889.
and that
Officers and persons from
the Cormorant
visited this place
in 1898.
Half a mile up the mountain a rough cross
of teak wood imbedded in the lava, marks a
spot where says the legend, Captain Cook
was supposed to have been roasted and eaten
at this place" The present generation in
dignantly deny that their ancestors "kow
kow" (ate) Capt. Cook, but there are cir
cumstances that indicate beyond any doubt
that his bones were picked clean by the-at
that time--cannibalstc crowd.