The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-09-03
HONOLULU. Aug. 9th, 1857.

ANNObcbC ~ -Ath3 80
Mr.. EDITOR In some of your late issues you have
spoken of the appointment of a Minister of Finance,
1 think it well that there should be a head to that
Department, if the right man can be had. All who
desire the prosperity of the Government wish to see
men filling its posts who have the varied abilities
required for their several positions; and we have
amongst us the right man, and doubtless the best
one for all the duties of the Finance Department. 1t
is DIR. G.. P. Judd. There are two reasons why he
should be appointed:
First-It is due to him for various reasons which
1 will not name; provided always that he can dis
charge the duties of his post as well as another.
Secondly-There is probably no one amongst us
who is so well qualified in all respects for the success
full administration of the Finance Department as Dr
Judd. His thorough knowledge of the native Ian
guage and character, and his long, and successful
experience of eleven years in this very department
are qualifications which from. circumstances, no
other one possesses. In the spring of 1912, just be-
fore MIR. Richards left for Europe, he took charge of
the financial affairs of the Government. He found it
embarrassed and harassed, without revenue, though
with sources of income from which a regular revenue
could be derived if properly managed. He systema-
TIED the business, economical and husbanded the
resources of the Government, and in a very brief
period of time, E~luidated its debts and established its
credit.
He built the wharves, the Custom House, the Court
House, and the Market. He labored with an energy
and devotedness to the interests of the kingdom rarely
to be found. L heard our lamented and respected
fellow resident, Capt. John Dominis, say that emo
other man could have done what DR.. Judd did for
the kingdom His long intercourse with chiefs and
people, his knowledge of their language and resources,
and possession of their confidence, were qualifications
which circumstances had given to him and not to
others.
In 1874 he was joined by Mr.. Ricord, in 1S45 by
Mr.. Wyllie and Mr.. Richards also returned the same
year, in 1876 by Judge Lee, and in 1S47 by MIR.
Armstrong. To all of these gentlemen great credit is
due for the aiding hand, in giving form and efficiency
to the Governmental organization. And in the Ju-
dicial Department especially, to Mr.. Record, and
the universally beloved and lamented Chief Justice
Lee;-to each in their several Departments. But
from 1912 to 1874, DR.. Judd was alone and during
this period, 1 believe, the debt was extinguished,
and financial matters placed upon a favorable basis.
One, who favored the popular movement, which
resulted in DIR. Judd's dismission in 1858, and who
has more cause perhaps. for personal dissatisfaction
with him than any other individual, recently said to
me-, that " he managed the financial department ably
and WE'LL Many who joined in that movement
would not be sorry to see him back. Like all men,
he has his imperfections, made more conspicuous in
public than private life, but with them all, not a few
doubtless feel that he is the one for the vacant post if
he will accept of which l know nothing not having
heard him speak of it, since his dismissal in 1859
but it should as many think be rendered to him
and who also think the public good would be pro-
mOteu Dy MS acceptance. :
SIR:-While our Agricultural Society is very laud-
ably making efforts to improve the fruits of the
islands, by the importation of foreign varieties, I
would suggest importing the eel from Tahiti. which
abounds in all the streams ana kalo patches there.
They devour shrimpss but shrimps, small and large,
are yet in great abundance there, far more so than
here. Some time ago, the French government broke
two large casks of rum on tbs banks of the stream,
and the contents went into the water, and though
only a few hundred yards from the harbor, a hun
dred or more cells, of all sizes, sprang upon tine banks
and were taken by the natives. Some of them have
been taken by the hook in the streams, known to mea-
sure a fathom in length and the size of the largest
human arm. This fish with the Grub are AMONG the
interdicted articles Of food to the Jews, and though
not SO wholesome as the fish with fins and scales, they
are highly valued by theislaaaaEs. The Tahitian eel
is altogether of another species from the sea eel, being