Year: 1879

On Saturday last the British ship Ravens


erag from Liverpool via the Island of Ma
deira arrived, having on board the following


number Of emigrants from the latter island,


viz: Men lS5, women ITO, children, between
the ages Of from two to twelve years LIS.


making total of 42s, and four stow-a-ways.


The greater number of these people come


under contract with this Government, made


through Its agent the Hawaiian Consul at


Madeira, to labor on the plantations They
are all in good health and in the main are a
very likely people, just such as will assimi-
late with the population of these Islands and
become part and parcel of the permanent
population, and in this respect are very desir-
able.


The children of tender age will grow up
knowing no other country than Hawaii for
which they can by possibility have any natu-
raj affection. The older portion will be con-
tented and hsppy because their children are
happy, and naturally will adopt this country
as their future home, aud soon will lose all
affection for their native land, and thus will
establish themselves for life. All that is
necessary to secure this state of things is
kind and gentle treatment on the part of those
to whom they may be assigned, and all will
be well. There must be no separating of
family ties. The planters must make up
their minds to second the Government in this
matter. Large sums of money have been ex-
pended by the Government to bring these peo-
pie here for the special benefit of the planters.
and the latter must expect to make some
sacrifices by taking under their charge whole
families, and treating them so humanely as to
make them feel at home. Such treatment will
have the effect of causing these people to write
such accounts back to their friends and coun-
trymen, as to induce others to desire to emf
CRATE here in large numbers. The Island of
Madeira has at present population of about
100000 souls, and $4,000 of that number could
well be spared without producing any other
than good results TO both countries. We learn
that quite a number of these emigrants are
possessed of means which they intend to invest
in the purchase of new homes, and thus we
Will have added to the money wealth of these
Islands large accession. We do not of course
know the actual amount of coin in possession
Of the number who have paid their own ex-
penses, and who have come to purchase homes,
but we learn that it amounts to quite large
sum. The exertions put forth by the Gov
eminent, and the money expended in this
work of bringing these hardy, industrious, and
really desirable people to these Islands, can
not be commended too highly, in which His
Ezcellency the Minister of the Interior is en-
titled to no small share for his untiring energy
in this business, and we trust that our people
will see this matter in this light.


What with the accessions to the population
which We may expect in a few months from
the Polynesian Islands, through the agencies
now in operation in that locality, it is fair to
look for such additions to the population dur
ing the present year as will tell favorably
upon the future destiny of Hawaii nei. We
repeat, all that is wanting on the part of the
planters and people generally is their hearty
corporation in the work of tho Government
TO supply an adequate number of laborers TO
cultivate the rich soils of this group. and the
results viii be the mutual benefit of both