The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-10-22

inter-isand commerce and trade. What little
advance We have 10 show during the past two
years, must be mainly attributed TO the intro
duction of steam. 1t is steam that has enabled
Us 10 travel TO Maui and around Hawaii with
some regularity. II is steam that has located
the new plantations, and is giving an impetus TO
sugar manufacture, and in connection herewith
TO all our inter-island and foreign trade. 1t is
the reliance on steam alone that is quietly bring
ing among us for permanent Investment, English,
German and American capital. We understand
that the Government owns the larger share in
the steamer. If this be so, let the government
act promptly. Gentlemen of the Cabinet, please
stir the pokers and let u. have more steam, or
allow some one TO do it for you. If the vessel
needs repairs, say SO az once, have the repairs
made at once, and allow the public the s~atisfac-
ton of having at least fresh Hawaii beef now
and then. -
Ma. EDITOR III has frequently occurred to me.
that the low and disproportionate price obtainable for
our woods opens a field for a new branch of business at
the islands, and that some of our capitalists, if they
embarked some Of their surplus means in establishing
wooden factories for the consumption of our raw
material of wool, would find ample remuneration.
u n Dbl d " D hdles, lney mSuuIiCtuIed
great portion of their wooden fabrics for their home
consumption and expectation, and among others, an
article of tweed, which for beauty of texture. 6ne-
ness. durability and manufacture, can rarely be
excelIed. l remember well the time when the first
factory was established there. This most useful and
desirable work was commenced in a very humble
manner by two enterprising and working men, named
Fisher and Donaldson, of my acquaintance. These
m commenced with a 1imita3 caDital and maDufac-
tured an article of a very superior quality, and
when l left the colonies they were amassing a large
fortune between them. At the present time there
are many other establishments of the kind in full
operation doing well.
FROM my past experience both in the colonies and
at these islands, | feel persuaded that wooden manu-
factories established here would be an eminent sue
cess. l cannot see why We are not able to manufac-
ture an article rivaling in beauty those much admired
tweeds, rs also broad cloths, fannels, blankets,
serges, and other wooden fabrics of the finest descrip-
tons, as few other countries can much surpass our
present and daily improving productions of raw
material.
These islands being situated so nearly adjacen: to
the tropics are most admirably adapted for the growth
and culture Of fine woods, which circumstance would
enable Us to make an article of the finest description,
both for home consumption and expectation. let for
eign markets rule as they may. In England. the Uni
ted States. and other wool producing countries. they
have severe winters to contend against, whilst with
US it is almost, comparatively speaking, perpetual
summer, avoiding thereby winter foddering, house
ing, etc., with all its baneful effects to wool; thus We
have great advantage over other countries, it must
be admitted.
I presume there are now, as near as 1 can estimate,
upwards of 10000 sheep upon the several islands,
and with every prospect of a great annual increase;
the breeds of which have within the last few years
been greatly improved by the introduction of fine
wooded stock, and l think it has been the aim of most
sheep farmers TO improve the character of their
woods.
The introduction of machinery for, say, at least
two factories, one at Oahu and one On Hawaii, would,
| think, be a source of remuneration and profit for
the investment, as well as be an impetus TO labor
among the natives, particularly the younger classes
of the people; while it would open up a market for
the wool grower. direct with the manufacturing
depots and be the means of keeping our funds at
home which we now send annually to Europe and
the United States for the importation Of very inferior
WOODEN fabrics at high prices, whilst we can manu-
facture a much cheaper, and in some instances bet
ter, article ourselves. AL this, if you agree with,
Mr.. Editor, must prove beneficial in its results to the
native and foreign community at large, to operatives,
the sheep farmer and capitalist.
| have of late often heard it said by men of thought
that sugar must and would be King, but should
these factories be started here. there is great proba-
bility that wool transmogrifed into broad cloths,
life, be the ruling power, and g wear the
breeches.' ECONOMIST.
Hawaii, Sept. 80, 1868.