The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-10-14

more surely within the reach Of borrowers,
and must soon have its legitimate effect
upon the expansion of various industries.
The value of real estate has also adj
vanced during the year, the transactions
in this species of property having shown
marked appreciation 10 the prices obtain
ed. We can have no surer indication of
prosperity, or of the improvement of the
times, than the rise of real estate.
1t is evident that we have received, in
an available shape, the excess of the value OF
our exports this year over last, and with
this have been paying debts, investing in
improvements, and in other ways placing
ourselves in position for still farther Wig
orous prosecution of business. A glance
at the assessments for this district OF
Kona shows, that the general wealth has
increased, in that the returns OF personal
property is increased by more than half
million Of dollars over that of last year.
This advance cannot be attributed to acct
dental accretion Of property in some hands,
since. throughout the roll, almost every in
dividual returns an increased figure to his
former assessment. Such facts are unmis-
taxable evidence that our national wealth
and prosperity is advancing. and that we
have no reason to be discouraged over the
future, or querulous over our present cir
cumstances.
Is is significant that the gain of SllS,0O0
in our exports, has been made in the face
of decrease of several of our products,
which have not reached during the nine
months the figures of last year, and have
suffered under q depression of prices.
Coffee has not for several months COM
manded price that would warrant its ex-
portation, and it has languished under the
fluctuations of value incident to trade.
Rice and wool have also fallen off, although
neither interest can be said to be suffering,
the former especially having created for it
self home consumption, which secures
for its growers fair and remuneratiye
price. Our leading agricultural enterprises
are prosperous, and are drawing with them
TO an easier condition and to better times
all classes of business. This is eminently
noticeable in the grazing interest, the i'm
provement in which is owing solely to the
home demand that has sprung up, and
lifted it from that condition in which, q
few years since, some grazers were glad to
boil down their bullock for simple tallow.
From the soil of these islands we must
draw our wealth, and upon its cultivation
we must rely for permanent prosperity
and an expansion of our business and pop
ulation. We cannot hope to become
manufacturing nation, and we must not de-
pend too much on accidental or capricious
sources of income.
We are glad therefore to note the pro-
erosion in our exports, that has already
almost closed the gap that has always
made our customs returns show large
excess in the value of our imports, and
must shortly place the b1lance upon the
other side. 1t will also not only reassure
our home capitalists and laboring men,
who have thus far almost wholly upon
their means and skill developed our agri-
cultural capabilities, that we have mines of
of wealth in our soil, but the proved fact
will inspire confidence in us abroad, and
bring to our doors both men and means.
Capital may be timid by reason of absurd
and hurtful remarks. but if we can hold up
our success in rebuttal, it will be an ire
sistable persuasive power.