The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-07-16
Volume Fifteenth.
THE PACIFIC
Commercial ASbertlser
SATURDAY, JULY 16.
Legislative JottIngs.

The Assembly has been working the past week,
as though it really meant to finish It's labors,
and adjoura next week. The Appropriation
Bill has been nearly or quite completed, and
passed over for engrossmcnt, though on its third
reading it will meet with some changes. As
near as can be ascertained at present, the total
sum will be at least 81, ZIG, 296 25. OF
course a considerable proportion of the appro-
p%riations made arc what may be classed as uncer-
tain, to be expended only under certain contin-
gencies.
The steamer RiLouca seems still to be fa~vorite,
with those who control the public finances, and
has received an appropriation of S37 900, in adj
dition to the $4,000 under the last appropria-
ton, making a total of SCI, 900 voted for steam
(really for the current biennial period.) Now if
any parties will take this boat and agree to run
her for five years and pay all expenses including
repairs, for $4,000 a year, it is the cheapest
arrangement the Government can enter into.
This, (including $4,000 spent to reft her and
$4,000 subsidy would make the KiLauea's cost
for two years to come $50, 600; which is Sl7 600
less than her cost will be if run at Government
expense.
An interesting debate took place on the appli-
cation Of Mcssrs. C.. L. Richards & Co., for reim-
bursement OF expenses incurred in bringing back
ffty-seven destitute seamen, whose vessel had
been burned by the Shenandoah. The above firm
peIitioned to be reimbursed certain moneys ex-
pended. The sum asked for appearing to the
committee % be too large, a smaller amount was
recommended by it 20 be paid. 1t is unquestion-
ably thGduty Of every Government to assume the
expenses IN such cases, and this is frequently done.
In tho ooca oF tho Nf1xy,H raEorroI 70 h., 4Io
Minister of Foreign Affairs, the captain of the
AchiHes claimed and did receive remuneration for
his services. 1t is true it was in the form of a
salvage for the coin saved from the wreck, but it
covered all his expenses in rcscuing the passen-
gers, and bringing them to this port. The pro-
posal to reimburse e.. L.. Richards & Co. was
defeated. r-r
The proposition to vote $4,000 as a subsidy
for steam service to connect as with the Austria
liam colonies is a wise measure, provided it passes
in such q way that it can be expended in securing
the best steam service offered between this port,
San Francisco and Australia. As the item was
entered in the bill, it has n suspicious look about
it, as though intended for private moro than for
public benefit.
Another item of $1,000 is inserted for resur-
II lLC AchA14os dhA 0lAO dllQ5 IL Il Skill
full surveyor is employed, who will prepare a large
map of each of the islands, showing correct sur
veys of all the principal lands, it will be a great
public convenience. at present there arc no
means of obtaining reliable information respecting
lands offered for sale off from Oahu. Recently a
land near LaupahOehoe on Hawaii was sold at
public auction in this city, and the auctioneer
asked the crowd if there was any one who knew
there were ten acres or ten thousand
in the tract. No one could answer, and the land
sold for q few hundreds. After the sale it was
that it consisted OF thousands Of acres,
and is timated to be worth ten times what it
sold for. Only two weeks since, a valuable tract
on Kauai was sold at auction in this city, and no
1ne appeared to know certainly whether it con-
.ained 1000 or 10 600, or indeed any thing about
il. After the sale it was found to include one of
finest tracts on the island, worth double what
t realized. a prUPerly-surveycd map would save
to the Government and to the estates
IF deceased persons.
\ bill is before the Assembly to authorize the
change made by the new postal treaty with the
United States. 1t simply amends the existing
aw, so that the legal postage collectable on letters
o the United States shall be SIX instead of FIVE
'ents, as formerly.
Thursday, the bill to amend the Master and
Servant Law was indcf ;tely postponed. The vote
vas o tie IS to Is, and the President decided it
y voting for indefinite postponement. This set
les the question as to any change in the law for
wO years to come at least. +
a bill was passed the same day, making it legal
Or any persons to claim and brand any unbranded
nimals trespassing on their property. The intent
f the law is to make the owners more vigilant in
liking care Of their animaIsE Whether it will
ave this effect or not remainsto be seen.
The bill to impose higher duties on ell imported
pods which can be manufactured here was indef-
itelv postponed by a very decisive vote This
ppears to indicate n strong feeling against
Amongthc proceedings of the 18th will be found
&c titles of thirteen bills, which have been signed
y the King, and are now laws of the land.