The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-05-18

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is adding largely to resources. The wealth de-
rived from the is clear gain national pros
perty. The statistics show gradual increase Of this
industry, and that indicates that Il will Be
permanently prosecuted out CT our ports. The
tonnage employed in this fishery in isss amounted to
15s5 tons, the catch to 57os2.s5; the tonnage in
1869 to s,34s tons, the catch to $1T5s7s25 the
srags catch Of the decade To s7i ,4s2. 81 annually.
The Oil taken by these whalers Is exported to
Europe the heavy duties in the United States prevent
its being carried there. There eleven whaleships
sailing under our aag including the Arctic. late
ly added to the feet These whalsrs are manned By
Hawaiian seamen, and their voyages beginning and
ending in ports add directly to the business aad
wealth Of citizens. .r
The number of whaers under foreign hags that re-
cruiied here during the fall of 1859, was thirty-six
The number that visited ports in 1850. was one
hundred andtEeny. For many years past the foreign
feet has been steadily decreasing in numbers owing
to the decadence of the Arctic Fisheries and there is
to believe that the business win ever regain
its former magnitude and value. However, By rea-
Of the smaller number of ships. it has again be-
remunerave. and the feet win not probably de-
any farther, but usual. win seek our ports
for recruits. and for shipping their annual catch.
The Harbor Masters Report shows that the annual
average number Of Hawaiisns shipped on whAlsrs. is
400, and their average wages are $3.50 per month.
The annual average of Hawaiians shipped for the
GuanO Islands, is "a, aud their wages ten dollars
per month and found.
The Collector Of Customs reports our Coast
ing Fleet consist of SO vessels, There are 23 men
employed board Of them, and total sum Of SIS
s24 is paid yearly for wages; to masters $40 ESQ to
mates and seamen SIS, ,544 They also disburse large
amounts yearly for sails, rigging. repairs and stores
Competition for the COmnerce Of the Pacific,
through the agency of Steam, is engaging the atten-
ton of the great commercial nations. and will pro-
baby result in the future. in the establishment
of several lines Of TRANSIT Ocean Steamers The posi-
ton of these Islands them TO be regarded as the
most convenient and available point for way station
for steamers passing between America and Asia, OF
between California and Australia. Nevertheless our
position alone is sufficient that Homo
lulu must, and viii be selected the way-port Al
ready British has arrived here from Sydney,
the pioneer vessel of line that it is proposed shall
connect Sydney. via Auckland and Honolulu, with
San trancisco-the passengers and freight to be
transferred at Honolulu to the steamers Of the line
now running between this port and San Francisco.
This line has been subsidized by tie Australian Colo
nies, and contracts have been entered into for the
sailing of the Steamers monthly.
1t is possible that another, or through line Of
Steamers may be established by an. American com
pany, whose application for a large subsidy is now
under consideration by the Congress Of the United
States. Both of these lines have applied to this Gov
q. an L r
sderaion, whether you win authorize any such aid
to be granted.
Steam communication this ocean will un-
doubtedly greatly benefit trade, If can place
ourselves in the direct line OF communication. The
advantages to be derived from being in these direct
and speedy routes of commerce. manifest. The
opening of new markets in Australia or Asia to
produce, as we'll as the furnishing Of supplies to the
steamers, and the commerce growing out Of the es-
tablishment of such lines, will have the effect to ad-
vance the general prosperity of the country.
The successful prosecution Of industrial enter
prizes and enlarging trade in their effects upon the
national wealth. is shown in the increased valuation
of Real Estate and Personal Property. The assessed
values, which have been taken to make up Table K,
below the actual values, and in the Real Estate,
do not show the present worth Of that class Of proper
ty. These assessments are made every Eve years
the last having been made in 1S65-that to be
made this present year will probably show return Of
over $4,000, ,O00 The increase during the ten years,
in Real Estate is from s3,417 O76 to $fsos Sis in
Personal Property from -. 900 572 to 81 $50 947.
The Revenue Of the Kingdom. without the mposi-
tion of any taxes, has steadily appreciated in
amount with the increasing national prosperity.
That derived through the Custom House has advanced
from sI17 sO257 to $2I5 Tss42 the total for
biennial periods from $3.50. 1852 to 1884, ,112.65.
The prospect for successful business and future
increase of our productions and continues
good. The prices for principal exports have
this year fallen off somewhat, but II is merely
one of those fluctuations of trade which has no per-
mauent influence upon business and severe drouth
has had its effect upon fields, but eopious rains
have fallen and restored the expectations Of abuh-
dant haryests.
l congratulate the Assembly that the statistics
show that the business Of the country and financial
affairs Of the Kingdom are prosperous, and indicate
stability that may well inspire with condolences
for the future Our advance has been the result Of
persevering industry and Of business conducted
hitherto with an avoidance Of speculation and ex-
risks. We may feel assured, that with
our advance in prosperity aud the power TO place
and steady employment before all
classes Of population that the general welfare
ind happiness will steadily appreciate, and that all
difficulties in the way Of progress Of the nation, viii
disappear.
GoD SAVE THE KIsel
J. MOTT SMITH,
Minister q FinaHes
Iooutinusd o.. The iusids-l