The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-12-30
THE PACIFIC
Commercial AOOfttlsrt.
SATURDAY. DEcEMBER 30.

SA IRDA /. DECEMbEh oO-
\ STEAMER cannot last forever, any more than
a human being, and length Of years and constant
use-to say nothing Of occasional hard knocks
have brought infrmities to that faithful public
servant, the RiiGuea. BY direction Of the Min
lister OF the Interior a survey was held upon the
vessel on Tuesday last, conducted by experts, the
result of which may be summed up by saying
that, with careful usage. the Kiiauea viii be
quite safe TO run for some months longer-per-
haps a year. We are however authorized to say,
that in view of the condition Of the steamer. no
heavy ireights or deck freights will be carried
by her. The maintenance of regular conmu-
nieation between tbs islands is Of such impor-
lance that she will continue to run as long as her
officers deem it safe. As the vessel is never far
from a port, and in case of storms will not take
the risk Of crossing the channels, it is thought
under these precautions that human life will not
be jeopardized, and the vessel may continue to
serve the public until a new steamer can be
procured, which the government have decided to
do promptly. Under a contract with the Min
lister. Of the Interior, the Hon. S. G. Wilder
proceeds to San Francisco by the steamer next
week, for the purpose Of procuring in that city
the construction of a steamer, under the pro-
visions Of Section 3 of the Act to promote inter
island steam communication, passed at the last
session. No contract having been entered into
by the late administration in accordance with
Section l of the Act, the present arrangement
has been concluded with Mr.. Wilder, whereby a
suitable steamer of not less than 500 tons is to
be delivered at the port of Honolulu within one
year from the LIST of January, 1877. Mr..
Wilder's long acquaintance with the require
ments of the service and his known energy and
public spirit, furnish undoubted guarantees that
the business which he has undertaken will be
well and promptly executed.
The testimony of experts in shipbuilding is
unanimous in favor of northwest pine, of which
the new steamer will be principally built, as
superior even to oak for durability and every
needed quality. We trust that the shipwrights
of California, to whom we have given the pre-
ference in this matter, will feel bound in honor
and for the credit of the coast to give us
thoroughly good work. 1t is expected that the
new boat will be completed aud ready for
delivery here during the month of July next.
The prompt action of the government in this
matter will meet with the approval of the coun-
try; for the necessity for a new vessel in the
place OF the hiIauea is imperative in the public
interests. While however the Ministry have
evidently felt impelled by the exigencies of-thA
case to take the initiative in procuring a new
steamer, the principle must continue to be recog-
nized, that whenever private parties can be found
who will give the requisite guarantees for the
proper performance of the service, without too
heavy expense in the shape of subsidies, the gov
eminent should withdraw there from. And we
venture therefore to express the hope that, on
the delivery of the new boat now contracted for,
the Minister of the Interior may, under the
provisions of Section 3 of the Act, profer by
public advertisement to sell the came to any
responsible party or parties who will contract to
carry on the service.