The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-09-10
Besides the drawback of ice, we learn from Nh.

Besides the drawback of ice, we learn from MI.
Dougherty that the Russian authorities have for
hidden the capture of whales by foreign vessels
in the bays and among the islands of their Aslatlc
possessions, and in order to carry out their nten-
lions bave sent war vessels to protect the grounds.
The information was derived from the captain OF
the Russian war steamer Vostock, and is doubt
less reliable. IF so, it will seriously Interfere
with the success of the OchOtsk fleet, for the ia
vorite resort of whales is in the bays over which
the Russians can exercise jurisdiction. Thatthey
have a perfect right to carry out this policy no
one can doubt. The United States and England
protect their own fishing grounds, and Russia can
do the same. But unless the whaling grounds
are visited by Russian ships, it would seem to be
little else than a 6 dog in the Manager" policy, to
drive away American and European whalers.
While Oh the subject of whalers, we must al
lude to some of our regulations in regard to
them. The impression is general that the gov
eminent give them great privileges or Inducements
to visit our ports. The principal one is that they
can land 500 worth of goods free of duty
which amounts to a bonus of so! Agreat in
ducement this. On the other hand there are
many drawbacks.
A petition has been circulated and been
signed by over eighty shipmasters and most of
the merchants here, and We understand is soon to
be presented to the Privy Council, praying that
the valley water may be furnished to ships free,
as it is at most other ports. This petition Is so
reasonable that we cannot believe that the govern
ment will hesitate on the subject for a moment.
We do not know of any law that can prevent the
Dr;rr Co,no;I from carrviu1 ont the praver Of
those interested.
At Tahiti, every facility is afforded for ships to
procure water without delay. Four water spouts
are furnished by the government, at which as
many ships can procure water at the same time,
and without any charge, we believe, for these
water privileges.
At Talcahuano, which is now becoming a
favorite port fcr ghalers, special efforts are made
by the Chilean government to encourage the
visits of whalers. A row of brick warehouses
has been erected for the purpose of affording
free storage for oil or ship stores that captains
may choose to leave there. Large reservoirs are
also constructed by the government, and water
furnished to them free of charge.
Some three years ago an offer was made to the
government, through DR.. Judd. in which several
MercndnUs, lnCiuuIuR Shpt. oldhcc, LII ASpp-
inson and others were interested, to purchase the
water works at the cost price, and supply the
shipping free of charge and also to supply, the
town, at fixed rates, with all the water needed.
This proposal, which might have relieved the
government of embarrassment, and, under the
conduct of energetic individuals, have been a BEN
eft to the town as well as its commerce, was con-
temptuously spurned by the Privy Council, who
may yet see the day when their action in the mat
ter will be judged exceedingly narrow and impo-
litic.
The charges made on deserters from ships are
immoderate and vexatious. The ship is charged
for every deserter arrested Sc if taken in town
and S12if out of town ; and one dollar per day
for board. These charges are evidently unleason-
able, a source of annoyance to masters, and ought
to be reduced. At Tahiti the charge for arrest
of deserters is 50, and twelve and a half cents
per day for board, which covers actual ex-
penses.
Another grievance to which captains have to
submit now and which causes much complaint, is
the re-imposition of port charges at each port.
For instance, if a whaler puts into Hilo to re-
cruit and lays there two weeks, and goes into
Kawaihae to get ten barrels of potatoes which
she had bought at Hilo, she has to pay port
charges at Kawaihae, and if she stops at Lahaina
long enough to get her letters and a side of beef,
she must be taxed again. And the same at Homo
lulu. Now a whale ship paying port duesat any
one port in the group and clearing properly,
should be exempt from the same charges at all the
other ports she visits.
These charges for water, board and double port
fees are unjust, and ought to be abolished or re-
duced. IT'S not SO much the amount of the
charges, as the feeling that it is an imposition
on them as strangers. Governments lose nothing
by a liberal course of policy to strangers, whether
merchantmen or whalers, and in the end will be
the gamers.