The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-08-30

stanethorpe. already alluded to, is a
typical country town of the northern
counties and consists of good half
mile of street extending east and west
and lined with substantial stone houses,
mostly of two stories, though a few
are three stories in height. All the
buildings are either dark gray--the nat
,ral color of the Stone-or covered with
a yellow lime wash and the roofs are
either blue slate or red tile. The houses
are constructed in blocks as in cities,
thus saving an additional wall between
each, but shutting out light and air
Chimneys are built in the stone walls
at either end of the houses, and each
f1ue is marked by the usual tile pot.
The street, like all the country roads.
is thoroughly macadamized, and there
are good flag sidewalks. i, In the western
part the road widens into a village
green, where formerly weekly market
was held Trees have recently been set
out and former resident of Honolulu,
now dwelling here, has presented
number of handsome iron seats. An air
of Scrupulous neatness prevails and ev-
cry morning women servants may be
seen upon their knees sci-ubbing the
stone doorsteps and even the flags of
the sidewalks. For the most part the
houses extend close to the line of the
highway and are without the green
lawns or. flower gardens usually expect
ed in country place. The shops and
stores are not distinguishable from the
residences except occasionally a small
sign calls attention to the goods within.
The parish church, around which the
social life of the village centers, is a
venerable building of great beauty.
Near by is 1.-THE Hail. a plain manor
house and two country inns. There are
several small chapels. one belonging to
the Congregational Church, one to the
Friends, and others occupied by the
different branches of the Methodists A
memorial hall stands near the center of
the place and is used for entertain
ments and general public convenience.
The village school Is kept in poor
building. wretchedly furnished, imper-
fectly lighted and ventilated and badly
overcrowded. The teachers are few and
ill-paid. The poorest country school
house in Hawaii is far superior to this
edif1ce. However, believe it is an ex-
ception, for I have seen much better
school-houses in other towns In Dur
ham and Yorkshire.
The great man of the surrounding
country is of course Lord Barnard,
though his agent holds an important
place in the community. The canon of
the parish church also occupies a high
social position. Lord Barnard owns
two-thirds of the houses in the village
and most of the farms and other prop
critics in the vicinity, from which he
receives about e75,0oO per annum. While
this is not the time for discussion of
the English land tenure system, it is
perhaps not out of place to say oppor
tunities for an enterprisng young man
here are small compared with his
chances for advancement in any part
of the United States.
A remarkably free spirit however,
seems to prevail among the people and
they are accustomed to criticize Lord
Barnard, his agent, and the canon with
remarkable candor whenever it suits
them to do so, and the occasion seems
to arise quite frequently.
Coaches run from here to adjoining |
towns each day. the nearest railway
connection being at Winston, two
lHllGS OISIdut EAlSClliC Il dill" al
not thought of yet, though I believe
they would pay.
Some of the houses have wells but
many have no water supply upon the
premises and whenever I see the wom-
en- carrying pals of water long dis
tances from some central pump, I Won
der that they are willing to submit to
the hardship and that a reservoir is
not constructed upon the neighboring
hills.
People here seem to enjoy life; they
take many holidays and picnics and
coaching parties are frequent.
F. A. HOSMER.
July 5, 1901.