The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-01-23

AS 1OA0AAAOs
WE STAND on soil whore less
wv than fifty years ago cannibal-
ism hold sway. Yesterday.
having crossed the 180th meridian,
day was dropped from our record. Twice
within the past three years have l lost
day, az far as calendar recording goes.
We are now under the southern cross
which was first seen along the southern
horizon few days ago, and is now day
by day as we proceed southwark rising
towards the zenith, while tho north
star and tho big dipper has disappeared
below the northern sea.
OF these Fiji Islands there are moro
than two hundred. A number are not
inhabited. While for the most part of
volcanic origin, some have been built
up almost wholly by the tiny insects
called in popular language the coral
builders, forming coral islands, and
about those of volcanic origin line of
coral reef. The whole two hundred are
like fly specks on world map. They
are of rough contour. Someone has said
that by crunpling in your hands stiff
piece Of paper you will have before you
the best possible design Of the islands
contour.
Here, on the island of Suvu, stretch
ing along the shore, is the village of
suvu. 1t slopes gradually off from the
shore to the high ridges, giving a fine
perspective view from the deck as we
enter the harbor.
The white population settling in the
island have congregated here, operat-
ing their plantations from that common
point. There are about 1000 English,
but few Americans live here. The great
or population of the village is native.
Large, muscular, barebacked, bare
legged, bushy haired native police
slowly pace their beats. The sun is
warm but along the coast the cool sea
breezes gently blow. The monotony is
broken chiefly by the visits Of ships and
the whites are seemingly satisfied with
the seclusiveness and quietness of an
island so shut off from the rush and din
of continents.
Yonder hill is crested with tropical
trees and on one point is seen the flag
staff which announces the approach of
ships. Across the bay ia the monument
Of missionary who gave his life, prey
to their beastly lusts, that they might
be free. The monument looms up with
a rugged grandeur from the shore oppo-
site the village, making the scene i'm
posing and one Of quietness and repose.
A carriage ride into the interior gives
better idea of land Of tropical flora.
A rolling piece Of ground from the top
of the hill to which we have driven
reaches far off to the sea beyond the
city, presenting a truly spectacular
view, and especially enchanting to
those raised in the temperate zones,
The country is completely patched with
rice fields, banana plantations, lemon
groves, etc, while down near the beach
are stretches Of cocoanut groves, inter
twined with driveways leading from the
village and from these unfenced roads
branching off to the hills, lined with
wild guaves, palms and pines, HIBISCUS
white trumpet flowers, etc. Then along
the gulches are the banyon and bamboo
SO that the entire country is heavy
with verdure of green This is true
unhappily, only along the eastern side
of the islands, for most of the rainfall
benefits the eastern slope of the noun
tains. The western coasts are some
times dry and barren.
A drive of twelve to fifteen miles in
ward, will reveal the native VIII
mixes less with, and is less influenced
in customs by the white man. There
are to be found the more rudely dresset
of both sexes and native Villages, un
married by the absence Of foreigl
buildings. The houses are either squar
or oblong, and are surrounded by
fencing Of bamboo or castor oil plant
The house walls are made of stiff reed
bound together with cocoanut fibre
space being left for window an
door. The roofs are thached wit
grass or palm leaves. The constructio
is simple, making full provision 70
ventilation and at the same time full
nishing easy ingress for centipede'
cockroaches and mosquitoes, SO abund
ant here.
Long ago the natives developed
skill in making a peculiar pottery use
in their homes, and while these ar
slowly giving way to English product
this pottery, bowls Of wood and vessel
made by closing up one end of hollo
bamboo, constitute usual equipmer
Of most homes.
A quarter century ago the Fijial
islands became attractive to Englis