The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-08-11
THE PACIFIC
Commercial AObert1stt.
Y. AUGUST IL.

SATURDA Y. AUGUST III.
OWING no doubt 10 the vivid descriptions
given IN late books of travel, which refer to the
leper settlement on the Island of Molokai, an
opinion has got abroad IN Europe that leprosy
Is a prevalent complaint in these Islands. This,
of course, is a mistake, as this disease is now
wholly confined to the settlement in question,
and, owing to the existing arrangements for its
isolation, it may be said to have completely dis
appeared from all the other Islands of the group.
Whenever a case does occur, the patient is at
once removed to Molokai, and we are justified in
stating that the disease is greatly on the decline.
In a few years it is thought that it will have
wholly disappeared. These remarks are sug-
gested by an incident which has lately occurred
as, we are informed that letters have been adj
dressed to His Hawaiian Majesty by well inten-
toned persons in Europe suggesting various
remedies for the treatment of leprosy. These
letters were couched in most respectful Ian
guage, which entities their writer's to some con-
sideration, and undoubted motives of humanity
prompted their writer's to address King Kala-
kaua On the subject. Of course, the letters were
passed by the King to his Ministers, IN whose
hands they now remain. We are informed,
however, that the remedies suggested have been
already known here, in the treatment of this
disease. "Gujrat OIL" one of the remedies
proposed, is well known to the medical faculty
in this part of the world, and in the early stages
of leprosy it is supposed to be beneficial, but is
unayailing as u cure, at a later and more fatal
period Of the disease. Any attempt to alleviate
the miseries of lepers deserves approval, and for
this reason, the writers of those letters to His
Hawaiian Majesty have a title to this passing
mention.
WE REFERRED in a foregoing issue to 4 scheme
for the introduction Of Madeira Islanders into
this country. We are now informed that q COM
munication upon this subject has lately been
received by the Minister of the Interior from DR..
Hillebrand, who, as we previously stated, is now
residing in Madeira. The Doctor repeats that
there will be no difficulty in obtaining a certain
number of married men with their wives and
families from that Island, as emigrants to this
country. At the same time, he requests to be
furnished with information concerning the posi-
ton of those emigrants on their arrival, the
amount of wages which they are likely to be
paid, and whether they will be housed and fed
at the cost of their employers. To these en-
quiries a prompt reply has been returned by the
Minister Of the Interior, giving the most COM
plete information upon the matters in question.
We think that such a course is highly desirable,
as it will preclude all danger of those emigrants,
in case they come here, finding fault hereafter
either with Doctor Hillebrand or this govern
ment. 1t is well that they should know before
hand the exact position which they are likely to
EpA in this 0Onnfru AZ oil fhoca apn1Uranko
without exception, belong to the Roman Catholic
Communion, it might be useful for them if the
Roman Vicar Apostolic here communicated with
the ecclesiastical authorities of Madeira, express
sing an opinion, favorable or the contrary. on
their contemplated plan of coming to settle in
this country. At all events, this government
gives a proof OF the greatest liberality, from a
religious point of view, in this matter of the
Madeira Islanders, and demonstrates that bigotry
is not a tenet of the political creed of our en-
lightened Ministry. If the emigrants in ques-
tion are likely to be useful here, it can matter
very little, we imagine, to what church they be-
long We are happy to learn that DR.. Hille-
brand speaks in the highest terms of these
Madeira Islanders, as q strictly honest, frugal,
sober, Industrious, and hard working people.
Their advent amongst us may be the means of
introducing a new agricultural industry into this
country. Some of them are likely to have been
brought up as vine-dressers and, as our climate
and soil are eminently qualified for the culture of
the vine, there is no knowing what good results
may follow from this first introduction of Madeira
Islanders into our community. Thus, in Aus
tralia, a few vine-dressers from the Rhine and
France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, originated an
industry which has placed the wines of Austria
liza almost on q par with the most famous vim
tages of the Old World. To be sure, temper
ance men may object to these remarks, but, at
any rate, we suppose they would not refuse a
delicious bunch of grapes at dessert, or some
nice luscious %raisinsi In conclusion, we hope
the Minister will lose no time in introducing a
first company of Madeira Islanders into the coun-
try, where labor is so much needed on the cane
plantations. If the first arrivals are satisfied
with their lot here, they are likely to be soon
followed by many others from the same Island
and We think that government would do we'll to
allow them a grant of a small quantity of land
say three or five acres, from the day of their
arrival on these shores, upon which they would
have a prospect of settling down, after they have
saved a little money by working on the cane
plantations for some years. The thanks of the
community are due to the Minister for his active
~exertions in this matter and We think that
DR.. Hilebrand also has a claim to the sympathy
of Hawaiians for his endeavors to advance the
interests of the people in whose midst he resided
SO long, and left behind him so many favorable
memories,
a FUTURE of fair promise unfolds itself before