The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-12-16
In,cr.I.Iand Steam.

The public have several times, during the past
two or three years, had their hopes OF the intro
duction of inter-island steamers disappointed.
On this account, little confidence was placed IN
the reports which have been current for several
weeks that a contract to furnish a steamer actu-
ally had been, or would soon be, signed. Until
something definite had transpired, we thought it
useless to raise hopes in the matter. Our cotem-
porary, however, assumes as a fact what is still
undecided, and concludes that steam is at length
coming. No contract to furnish a steamer has
vet been signed, nor are the terms of the contract
fully settled. The proposal to furnish a steamer
comes from a house which is undoubtedly fully
able to fulfil whatever it may contract for, and
we most ardently hope it may be successful,
and that we may soon be enabled to announce
the terms as settled.
We will take the occasion here to urge again
the Importance of the introduction of steam, al
though every man who has seen the results of it
in the new States of California, Oregon and
Washington, cannot remain skeptical as to its
benefits. Perhaps our business men are in a
measure to blame, that we have not now regular
coasting steamers, for had they combined and
sought a charter, it might perhaps have been OBJ
tanned. But they are not wholly to blame, for
no shrewd business men would be found to risk
in an enterprise with the slightest prospect of
having it destroyed by opposition on the part of
government, as was the case in the towage under
the charge of Capt. Wright. who was compelled
to retire and sacrifice his capital to make way for
the government steamer Pele.
But chiefly the Ministry must bear the odium
of not exercising energy and decision in this
T -x-1ls-- .xou ..l,-l .1.-.~
They have had the matter in their hands for two
or three years. True, it required means and
money as well as energy. Had the measure been
placed in the hands of a Minister determined on
seeing steam introduced and the internal prosper
ity of the Kingdom thereby advanced, the means,
the money, and the steamer, instead of mere es-
Inmates, would all have been forthcoming long
ago.
But we must deal with our present circum-
stances. We are without steam, and we want it.
The government cannot or will not provide it with
public funds. A proposal comes up from a re-
sponsible house to furnish it on reasonable terms.
All who have at heart the prosperity of the group
will say, secure the proposal on some terms. If
a monopoly is asked, grant it. but at the same
time bind the parties to furnish all the steam re-
quired by the trade and travel of the Kingdom,
or forfeit their grant. Only let us have another
trial of steamers. good seagoing propellers, not
nodded after that pioneer Akamai, or fitted up
with the rheumatic machinery of the West Point;
but staunch vessels, which can sail as well as
steam.
The idea that steamers will run off the coasters
is erroneous. They will increase travel and
trade, in which sailing vessels will participate.
1t has been so every where, and it will be SO
here, One steamer, which \ is all that is proposed
to put on at present, cannot monopolize the trade,
and would probably cause a greater increase in
the trade and travel of the Kingdom than the
business she could do.
50 At a meeting of the Hawaiian Medical Society,
lowing resolutions were moved by DR.. Hillebrand and
unanimously adopted.
Whereas, il has pleased Divine Providence to re-
move from our midst, our brother I. c. B. Rookie,
therefore, be il.
Resolved, Isr. That we have learned with deep
sorrow and regret the sad news Of the sudden and
unexpected death of our colleague DR.. I. C. B. Rookie.
2D. That, in him, we have lost not only the Senior
Member Of our Profession here, whose labors among
this people and community during his long residence
on these islands, have secured for him an enduring
place in the memory Of the Hawaiian Nation but,
also, a brother, whose strict sense of professional pro-
priety in his relations to US, as well as to those en-
trusted to his care, not less than his uniform kindness
and urbanity of manners, have won for him our
lasting esteem and respect.
3D. That we offer our warmest sympathy to the
afflicted widow and family of the deceased, and
4rH. That q copy of these resolutions be published