The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-12-07


past week, has presented a busy scene
the Hawaiian sailors, on the one hand,
and the shipmasters, on the other, have
been making up their agreements for an
other seasons work. Numerous friends
of the shipping sailors (bummers as we
heard them designated,) crowd the outer
Office and help make up the noise and
hubbub that tends to confuse the business
in hand. which, nevertheless, progresses
accurately under the methodical manage
ment of Capt. Smith.
The Northern bound ships viii get their
full complement of men at the usual rates,
for this season, which are: for foremost
hands, $50 advance and the 140th Law.
The large number of homeward bound
vessels, makes the feet to cruise at the
North, for the next season, smaller than
usual, and the number of men required,
therefore, will also be reduced. 1t was
thought, at one time, that there might be
an indisposition on the part of the sailors
to 90 again North, as their share of the
voyages, owing to the very low rates of
paying of, Notwithstanding the catch has
been larger than usual, turned out very
slim If, during the down passage from
the Arctic, they INDUCED in hopeful anti
cipations Of pocket full of dollars, where
with to have Jolly time on shore, or to
waste in such foolish ways as sailor men
are proverbial for, these anticipations
were not realized, as the balance in favor
of Jack, was in most cases pitiful indeed
The market price of oil at New Bed
ford, and the other oil marts of the East,
ddring the fall months, is the basis from
which the paying off rates in Honolulu
are calculated. These calculations take
in a number of contingencies, charges and
chances Of mishaps, that may affect the
oil in its progress to the place of sale, to-
gether with a reasonable allowance to
cover the timidity of shippers and owners
about the final returns of their invest
ments. For this season, these are judged
by those conversant with such matters, to
be fairly covered so far as seamen's wages
are concerned, by an allowance of one
hundred per cent.
We suppose that few articles are taxed
and charged 50 heavily as oil in its pas
sage from the try-pot OF ship to the can
or lamp of the consumer. A running tap
of commissions and allowable per cent
ages, profits, etc, is put upon it, all the
way along, that so weakens its capacity
to turn out proftably, that it is often
mere question of degree, between owners
and sailors as to which are the most victim !
lied parties in the whaling venture. Yet
there is something exciting, something of
luck in the fisheries, which allure cohtinu-l
ally those who follow the calling to try
their fortunes upon the sea, with the hope
that each season will turn out a fortunate
one for them. If the catch is poaRthe
price of oil may be high, and if the catch
is extra good an extra penny they hope
will surely reward the risk, toll and hard
ship of the Arctic voyage. But it so hap
pens, from one cause or another, that the
common sailor does not "strike lie rich -
at any time, and his wages on the average
does not come up to those of his class that
abor ON the land. 1t does not exceed
hat of the agricultural laborer, who is
he poorest paid of any class, but who, at
he same tine, suffers none of the priva-
ions, hardships or dangers incident to a
sea life.
We notice that the Harbor Master has
stricken out of the shipping articles, this
all, the clause that the seamen shall be
paid off at Consular rates, and has made
he articles in the form usually employed,
hat is, shall be paid off at the wages
agreed upon, viz: the I4Oth lay. This
We conceive is a fairer method for the sea-
nan, as he viii take his choice on pay
lay, either to have his share of the oil or
commute the same for money at rates that
nay be agreed upon. There is no point
where greater differences of opinion exists
q the fall than what is the value of oil in
honolulu There is always margin of