The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1877-02-28
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 1877.

WEDNESDA y, FEBRUARY %, 1877.
THE statement of the loss of the schooner
Iolani, published in the last Gazette, has
been construed as a reflection on the part
taken by Sheriff Everett and the officers of the
steamer Kilauea, but we think, without any
such intention on the part of the writer.
Both the sheriff and the captain of the steamer
did what they were in duty found to do, and
had it not been for the assistance rendered by
the steamer, the vessel might have proved a
total loss. Captain Marchant informs MS that
when he saw the signal of distress, on the
schooner in tow, after the hawser had parted,
she was clearly in sight with the naked eye,
and hardly half mile off, and was recovered
with but little delay All claims for salvage
have DOW been settled, and the owner will re-
fit her as soon as she can be got ready. Her
boat. spars and sails were brought from La
haina by the steamer, having sustained little
or no damage. She proved herself a fast sailer,
previous to the accident, and we hope that
when repaired she may be found to have lost
none of her good qualities.
Dun notes, taken during the steamers re-
cent trip to Kau, are quite numerous, but we
are compelled to omit them till our next issue,
finding on our return, large space of this
page taken up with Official Statistics. We
cannot however omit saying a good word here
for the KILAUEA. Old as she is, and though
it is admitted that she needs new upper works
and new boilers, yet her hull is sound, and
her machinery strong. For our light weather
and for short trips, we consider her perfectly
safe, and less liable TO accident than any sail
vessel in our coasting fleet. AS a sea boat,
there never was a steamer launched more easy
in her motions in any weather than the HI
lauea. Those who have travelled on such
boats as the Ajax, Moses Taylor, &c, will
appreciate the comparative steadiness of the
Kilauea in like circumstances Whatever the
new steamer may be, she cannot surpass her
in this respect. We make this statement in
justice to the Kilauea, which some who have
not travelled on her think unsafe.
By referring to the time table, it will be
seen that the steamer will make 4 circuit
trip around Hawaii next week, leaving on
Monday for Hi!o, and returning via Kau and
Kona. Those who wish to see the volcano
will now have good opportunity.
WE have been asked by several whether the
volcano is likely to remain in action, and
whether it is advisable to go to Hawaii now,
or wait till Dews of another eruption is re-
ceived. We reply that the volcano on Hawaii
is evidently in state of unusual activity and
likely to burst out at any time We left it in
action at Kealakeakua Bay on the 9th of Fe-
bruary, and its activity is more likely to in
crease than decrease, with the heavy rains
now falling on that island. As the rain water
reaches the internal fire, it creates increased
activity, the result of which is that the lava
bursts out, wherever it finds the crust weak
est, or, if unable to escape through the crust
it finds an opening at come of the summit
chimeys of Mauna Loa. But old Kilauea is
di'r1ys actire and aiiodyS north risit and
those who go there now, stand fair chance
of seeing molten lava besides The eternal
fires of Halemaumau, SO graphically describ-
ed by Miss Bird. To attempt to ascend the
mountain at this time would be perilous, as
snow storms frequently occur on the summit,
and to be caught in one there will be sure
death. There is enough to be seen below
without attempting the ascent
WE publish to-day the Annual Report Of
Colonel Allen, Collector General of Customs,
for the year 1876. The exhibit is encourag-
ing, showing, as ii does, an increase in the
exports of domestic produce Of nearly S220, ZOO
over the previous year. But from this sum
must be deducted the value of the cargo of
the bark American Lloyds, which consisted
of produce which had been returned to Homo
lulu from San Francisco for reshipment, fol-
the sake of avoiding duties. In the excess OF
exports over imports amounting to Si29,27I
IS, some allowance must be made for the same