The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-07-22
Move british Annexation.

ieicgrsphic adyices via sydney
state that Il B NJ, S. Wallaroo has
h1jsted the British lsg Over Bellona,
Renueil and Stewart Islands, in
Solomon Group. As these islands
are OF practically little value for ter
rltorial purposes, being OF Compara-
lively Insignificant area and possess
sed OF few resources, the inference is
that they have been annexed for
purpose Of naval strategy. The ISL
ands Of Bellona and Rennell are
situated soui Inward OF Gusdalcanar,
and are supposed to have been dis.
covered by Cap ain w lkiuson, in
the Indispensable, little over a
century ago. Rennell Islaud is
about 45 miles in length, running e.
S. E. aud w. S W., aud its greatest
width is between six and seven miles,
its area being about 300 square
miles. II is OF the uniform eleva-
tion OF 400 feet above sea level, and
is densely wooded, but so far as it
has been explored it affords no safe
anchorage Its southeast end is in
lat. l1deg. 52min. south, and long.
100 40miu. east. 1t ia nearly
surrounded by fringe reef. Bellona
Leland, which ia much smaller than
Bennel, has similar characteristics.
The Stewart Islands arc to the
northeast of the principal Solomon
Archipelago, aud consist of series
of small detached coral islets and
sboals, with an inlet which was first
discovered by Captain Hunter on
his voyage to Batavia after the loss
of the Sirius in the year 1871.
These islands are occasionally visit
ed by traders for cocoanuts aud oil.
The most easterly is about | ] miles
in length, with al elevation OF 150't.
above the sea level, and is situated
in lat, Sdeg. 24min. 24,ec. south, and
long 163deg 2min. east, The main
islet is on the northern reef about
three-quarters of a mile westward of
the group. The only inlet is canoe
passage through reef on the west
side. Ona use Of these islands is for
vessels bonnd to China, Manila or
Nav South Wales to correct their
chrouomelers. The iuhahi ants
number only a few hundreds, and
resem BILE the Tauna or New Heb
rides natives. They rear pigs and
fowls, which they exchange for to-
bacco and calico with passing ships.
Traces of copper ore have been
found on the Bellona and R-nnell
stands. The climate is generally
unfavorable for Europeans owing to
the enervating effects OF the heavy
moisture aud the n w. mopsoops.
The Solomon islanders generally are
described as the most treacherous
and bloodthirsty Of all saVages.
They are invet crate capnibals aud
head hunters, proving like wild
beasts for prey, but seldom attack
ing where there is any risk Of defeat.
War parties from the main islands
paddle long distances to make raids
on their neighbors.
Up to 1886, British influence as
recognised as paramount in New
Guinea and throughout the Western
Pacific, but in hat year the Govern
ment If Great Britain and Germany
came to an arrangement by which
the northern side OF NV Guinea,
together with the Islands Of Bour-
granville, Choissul, Isabel, New Bri
tain, Nov Ireland, and the adjacent
western half Of the Solomon Group
passed under the protection and
practically into the possession Of
Germany, whilst Great Britain got
the south portion, consisting of
Vella, Lavella, New Georgia, Russell,
Guadalcanar, ST. Christoval, etc.
Amongst the remaining islands of
the Western Pacific, Great Britain
has little scope either for acquiring