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Hambledon Plantation, the property of Messrs. Swallow Brothers, is one of the many model plantations of the district, and may well be taken as typical. Situated at the foot of the Islay Hills, it is surrounded by an amphitheatre of jungle-clad eminences dermes. with the sun straggling in long shafts through the clouds which veil the highest peaks, or at twilight, when the weird gullies are filling with the shadows of approaching night, Hambledon is a sight to remember for ever. But these hills have another charm apart from their scenic beauty, they protect the young cane from biting winds, and condense into needful rain the clouds that linger on them. Perhaps as a result, two bewitching waterfalls exist near by, and I am assured that the whole water supply of the mill is drawn from ever — running rivulets whose birthplaces are in these ranges. Altogether the view is as charming as an artistic eye could wish, and it is no wonder that Hambledon, being one of the few properties that survived the depression in the sugar industry a few years back, is considered a show place of the district.

The business arrangements of the plantation are most complete, even to a tramway, 4? miles long, leading to a neat little wharf on Trinity Inlet, where vessels of the deepest draught can load in comfort. It must be remembered that, besides sugar, large quantities of fruit and timber are exported from Cairns annually.

From the fields of growing cane we pass to the mill itself, which is of the latest pattern, even to the Decauville railway for carrying the cane into the works. It is calculated that this mill can turn out ten tons of sugar per day, and, if one doesn’t try to understand the mechanism, the working is simplicity itself.

Hambledon, with its numerous buildings elyze, overseer’s residence, mill, huts (both of white hands and Kanakas), lathe room, lamp room, laboratory, engineers’ stores, blacksmiths’, carpenters’, and fitters’ shops, etc., presents the appearance of a small township. The owner’s residence is situated on the top of a knoll, commanding a lovely view of Trinity Harbour and the town of Cairns, with the Inlet in the dim distance showing like a streak of silver. In the gardens, which are beautifully laid out, we recognise many tropical friends, such as cocoanuts, mangoes, and many varieties of bamboo.

The Kanakas on the plantation have roomy domiciles, and are in every way exceedingly well cared for; we have met whites who would have been thankful for half as much attention. They (the Kanakas) have three meals per diem, consisting of meat, bread, rice, potatoes, and tea, besides as much fruit as they have room or inclination for reenex. When they are sick a doctor is paid to attend them. They are found in clothes, and have an excellent school, where a properly qualified teacher instructs them in the three E’s. Some of the boys make good progress, and can read and . write excellently. But where they come in really strong is in religion; they take to it like ducks to water, and hold prayer meetings and services whenever opportunity offers. A Kanaka service is a solemn business.