The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-05-06
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY, MAY 6.

The spring of 1858 opens with bright prospects
for the industrial pursuits of the Sandwich Islands.
and Honolulu is the sandwich ~Islands-though
in a somewhat different sense from that in which
we hear it said that Paris is France. But
Honolulu is the place where our commercial pulse
is perceived to beat, where our ships and planta-
tions are owned, and where our flour mill is situ-
ated-without which the wheat fields of Maui
would wave and whiten in vain. There never
was a period in the history of these islands when
the prospects of a permanent prosperity looked
fairer than at present. Our whaling feet has
sailed for the cruising grounds, reftted and
manned in a style no way inferior to the best
ships that ever sailed to the north our sugar
plantations have turned out one thousand tons of
superior sugar, equalling in grain and flavor the
product of any part of the world our coffee plan
tations bid fair to bear unusually heavy crops
the coming fall our grazing interests were never
in better favor; and last, the -four business, yet
comparatively in its infancy, is pronounced to be
"a fixed fact and in a gratifying state of pros
perity.
In view of this state of things, we have every
reason to feel warranted in looking forward to a
series of years of u~nexampled commercial pros
perity for Honolulu. A stranger coming to this
city at the present moment, at the commencement
of the dullest season of the year, might well fail
to perceive any indications of 8 the good time
coming but the signs are visible, and they are
not the prognostics of an ephemeral prosperity,
like that which followed the golden times of Cali
fornia trade in '49-involving an unnatural ex-
pansion of business and building-but of a per-
manent prosperity, in which all the requirements
of an increased trade will be produced as soon,
and no sooner, than their necessity becomes APP
parent.
Among the most Furnishing Of our domestic
enterprises is the Hawaiian Flour Company, and
it is also one Of the most useful. It's object, to
produce on the isis nds our own staple article of
food, instead of sending the dollars abroad to sup
port foreign industry, is one that readily COM
mends itself to the comprehension of all, and needs
no argument in its support. At the annual
meeting of the Company, held at the Court
was presented from j. F. b. Marshall, ESQ.,, who
was Treasurer and Agent of the Company during
the past year, and from which we have been per-
mitted to compile a few statements that are inter-
esting to the public at large.
A dividend of Is per cent. ON the capital stock
was declared and paid ON the Sd of April, by or
der of the Board of Managers. The assets of the
company amount 10 SZu-Ul0 II, ledFlng q SUI
plus fund in the hands of the Company of S4O15-
AZ above the amount of the capital stock. The
Company has now been in operation for two
years. Its nett profits in that period have been
S10.S95 ~, or about 60 per cent. upon its capt.
tai. The first seasons profitable result was ow-
ing to the purchase by the Company of an acct
dental cargo of Chilean wheat at a very low rate.
The second years business, now recently closed,
has been with Hawaiian wheat only, purchased
at prices 10 per cent. above those of last year,
and may therefore be safely taken rs a basis for
calculations for the future.
First year, the mill turned out from
1880 bushels mixed wheat, hut
$50 barrels flour. and
S25 barrels middlings, to
900, 775 lbs. bran and shorts.
Last year, from but
14,4S7 bushels red wheat,
2,50S barrels of -four, and
703 barrels middlings, to
IA, 1913 lbs. bran and shorts.
This has been much more than a saving of the
whole cost of new burrs, by their first seasons
use.
The culture of wheat has been commenced in
the district of Kau, Hawaii, under the able SUI
perintendence of the Rev. Mr.. Shipman, the Mill
Company having made advances to the natives of
that district in the shape of seed wheat and
plows. And in this connection, the Company
are reminded of the utmost importance TO their
prosperity of all possible encouragement to the
extension of wheat cultivation over the different
districts suitable for the purpose. The quality
of -four will be improved by the mixture of wheat
from different localities and soils. There is no
reason whatever why the importation of -four
may not ere long be rendered as unnecessary as
that of coffee and raw sugars at the present time.
The importance to the prosperity of the islands of
this branch of industry cannot be over-estimated. .
capital and proper machinery are all
are needed to produce plenty and cheap -four. I
The present machinery of the mill is inadequate !
to the wants of the Company, and from its slow
pace the supply is sometimes behind the demand.
An engine of double the power of the present one i
is much needed, and the expectation is reasona- I
BILE that the Directors will, by reducing the divi- c
dends, provide the improvements which their in t
creased business demands.
To-Day week, May ID, 1858, for aught the 9
public know to the contrary, the grand sale of O
uafor lots on the Nex Esnlanada n