Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-08-15

right f.
Montague Cooke and Capt George E. Pfz.
Tiny Kingdom Found to be Rich in Natures
Treasure But Buried Loot of Pirate Days
is Not Uncovered

\
a number of large earthenware jars
possibly brought to collect copra oil
We used them as water-jars. / am
!! told that you can dig to fresh water
: on the island, but as we had plenty
of water with us, we did not attempt
to dig.
No Accidents.
mo accident of any kind marred
our trip. We were in natural para.
disc and there was nothing to bother
us. The scene on the Opera House
curtain- that winding stream be-
tween green-clad banks, with pleasant
vistas on each side and glades open
ing out between the trees-is much
like the Palmyra scenery minus that
boat load of maidens, of course.
There was no such boat load to be
seen at Palmyra.
I'VE came upon the islands about
$3.50 one afternoon and it wac beau
ttful Esight / enjoyed the stay there
very much, As to the future, can
not Say. have made no definite
plans as yeti am too much aston
ished with what saw.
we collected a number of speci-
mems of various kinds besides taking
many photographs, and expect that
we will make up an exhibit and put
Fit in some public place. It will be
of considerable interest"
Abundant Rainfall.
Judge Cooper took occasion to
make many interesting observations
of rainfall and temperature.
During the sixteen days the party
spent on the island, four inches of
rain was recorded by the instruments.
The greater portion of this fall oc-
CURED at night. An almost daily rain
squall sweeps over the group but is
not accompanied by any severe gales
as is the general rule throughout the
tropics The regular rainfall served
to keep the visitors well supplied
with drinking water, which was gath
cred and stored in barrels. With well
watered soil, cocoanut trees are said
to thrive to high state of perfection.
Judge Cooper planted a plot with a
variety of vegetables Immediately fol-
lowing his arrival. The plants and
vines appeared to force themselves
right out of the ground. Il never saw
anything like it" he commented this
morning in relating his initial expert
ence as small farmer on Palmyra. q
Heat Not Excessive.
While Honolulu sweltered in the
throes of a heat wave during the lat
ter part of July, the party of explor-
ers at Palmyra were favored with
cooling breezes and temperature
that was exceedingly pleasing.
The lowest thermometer reading
that we noted during our stay at the
islands was rs degrees, while the
highest registered at ninety degrees.
The maximum temperature prevailed
for but two days. The abundance of
shade from thousands of cocoanut
and other large trees makes life down
there exceedingly delightful" said
Judge Cooper.
Judge Cooper also spent much time
In running lines and making a sur
vey of the fifty or more islands in the
group. He brought back data which
when worked out will give a pretty
accurate idea OF the extent of the
area available for cultivation. The
party made personal inspection of
fifty islands There are two other |
smaller dots which at low tide assume !
the proportion of islands of consider
able magnitude.
Found Trace Of Japanese.
Japanese are believed to have spent !
some time on Palmyra islands within |
he past two or three years, Judging
from the ruins of small hut and the !
presence of number of broken cook |
ng utensils and large oil jars which |
he explorers ran across in following |
heir investigation on one of the larg-
er islands. Near the hut also was
discovered large pit into which had {
been, dumped the remains of many |
sland birds. This pile had been prac-
.ically reduced to decomposed bones
md lime. Some of the jars we're in
act and are believed to have con-
aimed oil and also may have been
lsed to store water.
Weatherbeaten and rendered abso-
utely useless, two small boats were !,
(ronfiuuad ON naCa fuol