The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-06-15
REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE
Appointed by the Legislative Assembly to Report
upon the Expedition Of Captain Mist TO Procure
Immlgranfs.

Appointed by the Legislative Assembly to Report
upon the Expedition Of Captain Mist TO Procure
Immigrants.
Hon. Godfreu Rhodes, President ofthe Legislature
.Assembly-MR. President The Special Commit
tee TO whom was referred a resolution calling for IN
formation in respect 10 the mission OF captain hlst'
TO obtain immigrants from the South sea lsihbus'
beg 10 report that they have had under caretui cou-
sideration the instructions Of Captain Mist, his IN
structions TO the Captain Of the Sform6ud', tue
fitting out Of the vessel, the shipment by her and ar
rival here Of 50 immigrante. and other particulars
Your Committee find that Captain Mist was IN
structed 10 visit FIJI, and such other places as might
be found necessary in prosecuting the object OF MS
commission, and 10 obtain information by personal
observation, Of the character and condition OF people
who might be suitable TO obtain ms Immigrants 70
the Hawaiian Islands, and il was distinctly under
stood that the expenses Of the Commission should not
exceed two thousand dollars. But on the contrary
Captain Mist proceeded TO New Zealand aud thence
20 Sydney, and there purchased "A vessel (the OH Oh
sale being In his own nancy without any lnsrueuohs
TO that effect; and for fitting out OF vessel ana other
expenses has caused an expenditure OF pubic money
Of about Sl7,241 up TO arrival OF vessel at thls port;
Your Committed notice that Captain Mist purchased
the vessel before finding out that be could not put
her under the Hawaiian flag; he afterwards found
that this could not be done, and had to send her 10
sea under the British flag. although he seems to have
done all he could TO rectify this mistake, still there
was certainly a risk attending her.
The Minister Of Interior states to your COMMITTEE
that the instructions Of Captain Mist were mot IN,
tended to authorize him 10 purchase n vessel, ana
the Committee must cite other instances OF total ais
regard Of instructions, as shown in the documents
placed before US. In the instructions OF the Dohtd
Of Immigration to Captain Mist Il is said "For our
purposes we would prefer engagements OF hNe years,
and also not 10 ~stipulate for a return passage
But the Commissioner (Cs plain Mist), in his ins1ruc-
tions 10 the Captain Of the Sf0rmbtrd (paragraph
14), says: ''You are authorized in all cases to
guarantee a return passage TO those who shall de,
= 80 - -. Il ...aann -
mand il, at the expiry OF the term OF service hgreeo
on Your Committee greatly regret that the Com
missioner did not visit the islands OF the South IA
cifc in person, and 80 be enabled TO supply to the
Government precise information In respect TO charac-
ter and condition Of The people, disposition OF ChleIs.
health Of inhabitants, nature OF soil and climate, and
other particulars 20 indicate the character OF those
immigrants most likely 20 assimilate with our people
and become accimated. And II IL very especially 10
be regretted that he did not visit Gas instructed) any
colony or settlement where the class OF Immigrants
we desire have been employed.
The instructions 10 Captain Mist also say, 'lou
are also authorized 10 contract Immediately Tor char.
tering a vessel 20 bring not less than one hnndreu
laborers on usual contracts Of labor at a rate not ex-
ceeding $40 to 500 per head for passage, the money
to be paid at Honolulu on arrival OF vessel, TINS
gave Captain Mist every opportunity OF introducing
some Of these Islanders here by way OF experiment.
and also Of making personal observations asbet or,h
above; this is the only positive authority to make
contracts given to Commissioner Mist; all others are
subject TO reference 20, and acceptance ny, the
Board Of immigration, before they Dc
come binding on either party, excepting Ia
the instance where arrangements had Deen
already made by the Board for conveyance OF
not over fifty immigrants by the r.. NJ y. ,. 20.
Your Committee also find that there are several mat
tiers contained in the instructions which Commissioner
Mist does not seem to have reported on; also that
most of the Information reported by Captain Mist In
regard TO the different Islands, their inhabitans,
character Of people. &c, is contained In IA written
statement signed by i. p. Hill, and but for the iuil
written report Of Captain Jackson, ofthe Siormbud,
giving details and particulars ofhis voyage, the Board
ofImmigration would have been without any iniorma-
ton, from personal obserUatiOn, regarding these
proposed immigrants.
Your Committee are informed by the President OF
the Board Of immigration that Captain Mist hhs
been paid $500 Tor $500 per month for four months)
for salary, and 81 900 for personal expenses; that
the total amount Of drafts paid are $lb,447 40, 20
which is 10 be added 81 800 or thereabouts, for pay
Of Captain and crew and incidentals OF ~StOTmbDd,
making, as before stated, Sl7 ,247 10; also that all
the people have been engaged and S62 each been
paid for their passage by the employers, amounting
10 S4.420, which. deducted from Sl7,247 40, leaves
$l2,827 45; deduct from this the presumed value OF
the vessel, $4,000, leaves 1920 DO, making each
immigrant cost nearly S74 without return passage,
which we are also informed the Government Is not
bound for; but If We add S52 paid by employers Tor
passages, il would make each immigrant cost about
S126; we are also informed that the vessel Is now Ia
possession Of the Government, and they consider her
their property. And ns there IN q resolution now
before the House, in regard 10 the appropriation Of
200 for reftting the Sf0rmbfrd for another cruise
for immigrants, which resolution Is to be taken up
and considered with this report, your Committee
think il advisable not 20 make any positive recon-
but 10 simply lay these facts before the
Of the House for their consideration.
Signed by IICn'D +. BICKERToN,
(Chairmdn),
WALTER NJ. GIBSON,
g. w. PILPo,
q. B. PALoHAU.