SAVU SAVU TO TAVIUNL 201 



the manufactory. Some forty or fifty labourers are continually 

 employed in the mill, and what with the whirr of the machinery, 

 the revolution of wheels, and the escape of steam, the scene 

 presented is that of a hive of industry. 



On the north side of the road, about 3 miles from Vuna 

 are situated Messrs. Smith and Aitchison's plantations, each 

 having 10 acres of coffee. Both these small patches of coffee 

 have been tended with the greatest care. Each shrub or tree 

 has been carefully staked, and not a weed is to be seen. The 

 trees are covered with berries. 



Within a mile square at Vuna there are numerous herds of 

 cattle, belonging to Mr. James M'Connell, one of the most 

 enterprising and successful merchants in the group, and other 

 gentlemen ; while there are several flocks of sheep of about 100 

 each, belonging to the same gentlemen. On the plantation of 

 Mr. Moore there are a considerable number of cocoa-nuts 

 bearing, which are to _be manufactured into copra ; and an 

 area of some 100 acres of young nuts, which are not yet avail- 

 able. At Holmhurst is Mr. Billyard's plantation, a most 

 valuable property, and in view of its position in every way 

 suitable for the erection of a large central mill. This property 

 consists of about 1000 acres of the finest land in one and the 

 same block in Fiji, and is surrounded by 3000 or 4000 acres of 

 equally good land, on a slight gradient, leading to the home- 

 stead. With the exception of 20 or 30 acres under maize, and 

 well-kept paddocks for the stock, operations are stayed, awaiting 

 the advent of a mill ; Mr. Billyard being naturally unwilling to 

 sacrifice his property to cocoa-nuts. 



At the northern end of the island is a prettily located little 

 township called Wairiki, which boasts a good-sized Catholic 

 church, with schools attached, and a really excellent store, 

 kept by the Messrs. McKissack, whose kindness to the ship- 



