The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-08-25
II PACIFIC
Commercial AObertlsrr.
AUGUST IS

oA4
By THE THIRD section of 'An Act to promdse
inter-island steam communication, approved
September 18th, 1876, the Minister of the Inte-
rior was empowered to expend a sum not exceed
ing one hundred thousand dollars for the pur-
chase of a steamer of not less than five hundred
tons REGISTER. for the inter-island steam service OF
this Kingdom. The Minister has now efhclentiy
discharged the duty imposed upon him by the
Act in question, more than four months ana a
half in advance of the period specihed Tor It's
execution, and within the limit of the amount
! allowed for the cost of the steamer, with a
surplus of tonnage as fixed by the Act. Even
while we write the new steamer is at her pro-
pitious work, and it is our pleasing duty to
commitment the Minister of the Interior on the
speedy and highly successful accomplishment of
the important task which be was called upon to
discharge in this matter of our inter-island
steam service. Elsewhere in to-day's issue will
be found suitable reference to the Hon. Mr..
Wilder s valuable agency in the business.
Another question, incident upon the arrival OF
the new steamer, now presses itself upon the
consideration of government: who is to run
the concern pin the language of our business
like neighbors over the pond. At present, the
ownership of the new steamer rests with the
state. But, it is natural to ask, is it the inten-
ton of government to carry on the business of a
steamship company henceforward in addition to
its political engagements? We lately objected
to government transacting the business of a
90 hotel-keeper, :" and we now as formally express
our opinion against the metamorphosis of the
executive into a steamship company. Indeed, the
Act ahova rafcrrod fO appaara fa have anfioi-
pated the awkwardness of such a position for
the administration, and the fifth section of the
said Act furnishes the Minister of the Interior
with full powers to sell the newly purchased
steamer to any suitable party that is willing to
pay the first cost of the vessel together with the
interest on that amount due up to the date of
purchase, with the proviso that the purchaser
shall enter into a contract with the Minister of
the Interior to maintain the inter. island steam
service Of this Kingdom, for a period of not less
than six years as efficiently as possible-making
monthly two circuit trips of Hawaii. one cir
cult trip of Kauai, and one trip to Hilo or
Kealakekua, touching on all trips at the usual
intermediate ports, as provided by Section 2 of
said Act. There is a further provision that the
purchaser of the new steamer shall give a bond
ZOE the uue pSEIOELuduC6 Vi lie COuGEdCG u Tie
Minister of the Interior, with sufficient ~sureties
and penalties satisfactory to the Minister. 1t is
evident, then, that there are no difficulties what
ever in the way of the government for the sale
Of the new steamer, should q purchaser be
found.
Now, while on the part of government there
are wei ghty reasons for selling the new steamer,
foremost amongst which is the incongruity of
the ownership of a commercial steamer by the
state, whose executive is not a trading company,
as all will acknowledge, but simply the ad-
ministrators of the national revenue raised by
legitimate taxation on the other hand there are
very influential inducements for an enterprising
private individual or company to purchase the
new steamer as a commercial speculation. The
inter-island freight and passenger traffic is very
important, and rapidly increasing; and there is a
downright certainty that this new steamer will
pay its owners very handsomely. But, further
more, the purchasers of the new steamer are
entitled by the sixth section of the Act already
referred to, to claim from Government a monthly
subsidy for the due performance of The inter-
island steam service, of a sum not exceeding
81, $50. This makes SIS 900 a year, or about
Is per cent. on the purchase money, payable by
the state. Surely, no terms could be more
liberal for any intending purchaser. The only
quid pro quo being the carriage of our inter-
island mails, and a right on the part of the gov
eminent of controlling the passenger and freight
rates OF the steamer-which it possesses under
any circumstances The ninth section of the
Act furthermore exempts from duty all materials
required for the construction and use of the
steamer, and confers upon its purchasers all the
privileges and immunities now secured to foreign
steam lines by previous legislation. Indeed, so
exceptionally favorable to the purchasers are the
conditions of the sale of the new steamer, that
we think government will find no difficulty in
disposing of her without loss of time.
We venture to express a hope that the govern
ment, while very wisely deciding to get off it's
hands this new commercial steamer, so indispen-
SADLY necessary for our inter-island trade and
communication, and likely to do much better in
private hands-wille ere long be in a position to &C
quire a small war steamer of its own with a good
sized gun, so as to enable government to commu-
nicate directly and independently of all private
steam companies, with any point on the several
coast lines of this insular Kingdom. Even the
most remote approach to a navy adds prestige to
O SOuHsAJS onu 1Oohy IL SCOmo poAuuOAtSd4 W
expect a government to watch over the interests
of an insular realm, while it is depending upon
the periodical calls of trading steamers for its
chances of communicating with the different
islands under its control. But, for the present,
we shall not further expatiate upon this view of
the progressive development of the famous
Pelsleu of Kamehameha the Conqueror.
IT BECOMES our serious duty to comment, in
the interest of morality, on the present social
conditions of Chinese immigration to these Is
lands. Recently, the bark Harriet NJ. Carleton
brought from Hong Kong to Honolulu some three
hundred and sixty-six Chinese, of whom only FIVE
were females. By the barkentine VIM. II. DeitS
eighty more Cinnamon were lately conveyed from
San Francisco to this port, unaccompanied by
even one Chinawoman. Furthermore, we are in
formed that arrangements have been made by