The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-11-01

4 SPECIES of low fever has undoubtedly pre-
vailed in this city for years, owing to causes
which this Journal has repeatedly pointed out.
The principal one Of these il the absence Of sew
erage- The sickness We speak of-known as
typhoid, or tyPhus, or whatever name different
doctors choose to designate il by-is after all, one
and the same disease. and Incidental to tropical
climates. Here it is no doubt aggravated Of late
years by the great increase in vegetation in the
city consequent upon a free system Of irrigation.
The past SUMMED too, has been a remarkably
wet one, on this Island. More rain fell from the
opening Of the year up to September Both, than
during any corresponding period in any previous
year in the memory Of 80 the oldest inhabitant."
The presence Of so much moisture under a tropi-
cal sun, combined with the filth and garbage at
tendant upon the considerable additions we have
lately received to the population of the city-and
Of a race Of people noted for uncleanness and dis
regard Of sanitary matters-all these things
taken into consideration, will account for the
sickness of which everybody is talking. But we
can say with confidence. that although there have
been several deaths from typhoid fever, yet the
extent Of the disease is quite limited, and that
nothing like an epidemic can be said to exist.
Is PAST times we used to talk about oil, bone,
whaling guns, . mates - - boat headers &c.
We have now changed all this, and the topics
Of discourse in these days are sugar-cane, mills,
pans, managers, labOFers and such like, and a
good deal Of talk about prospective yields and
profits of plantations. a careful and serious ex-
animation Of the subject will lead any thoughtful
mind to the conclusion that n large amount Of
H,rI ,-o-I all - III. - oor-;do-obI.
quantity Of poor work, has been done on old AID
new plantations during the past two or three
years. Many difficulties in the way of landing
heavy machinery, and in leading water for irri-
CATION, have been skiIlfully overcome. We are
glad to think to-day that nearly all of the plan
tations are beginning to reap the benefit of large
OUTLAWS of money and labor.
1t is said, however, that money is scarce.
This must be true, in view Of the large importa-
tiOns of machinery, materials and general mer-
chandise which we have been making from the
United States and Europe during the past two
years and last, but not least, importations Of
laborers. How could it be otherwise than that
money would be scarce? The amount of i'm
provement that has been accomplished in this city
and in the outer districts, considering the amount
OF means at our command is something surpris-
ing. The city has been built up, and in the
country costly residences have been erected-the
supposed result of money making. Perhaps too
much has been crowded into two years, and some
enterprises have been undertaken or some prop
critics have been bought which could we'll have
waited a year or more. However, = all's well
that ends well - the crops are now nearly ripe :;
the days for reaping them are near at hand, and
1 Wa hon. for aosiar finoas araIonn II 80 70
be hoped, however, that we have gained wisdom
from experience.
And in this connection we are reminded that,
Notwithstanding the {" hard times, we have from
time to time heard of sales of considerable
amounts of stock and shares in some of the plan
tations to residents and to strangers recently
arrived mot ct a sacrifice nor at excessive rates,
but at prices seemingly satisfactory to both buyer
and seller. And here the question comes up
why are there so few sales of interests or shares
in plantation stock to people who are not large
capitalists, neither are disposed to run in debt
for speculative purposes, but who have a few
hundreds or a thousand of dollars which they
would like to invest safely, if they saw a chance
to get u fair rate Of interest? Many who are
now quite largely in plantations-too largely,
perhaps-must be carrying their shares on Dor
rowed capital. Surely if it is profitable for this
class to hold on to such property on such terms,
it would pay those who might put their own
money into it. Would it not be better for the
large owners in sugar estates to have q larger
number of people interested with them, as stock
holders? And would il not also be for the inter-
est of such large owners to have not only the
manager, but the engineer, the sugar boiler, the
carpenter, the blacksmith and the overseers of
laborers as well, all owners Of stock max
ing them directly interested in securing careful
management and large profits.
If persons having moderate sums to invest to-
day, want to buy such stock as we are speaking
Of, where are they to 90 to find 1t for sale on fair
terms, ard how are they to ascertain with re-
liability how the affairs Of a plantation stand ?
Plantation stock is not advertised we have no
brokers in such matters; but why should not
somebody undertake to meet this evident want ?
Z We hear that the Waikiki Plantation, on
East Maui, which a year ago was reported to be
in debt, has lately paid a dividend, and is now
said to be IN a very sound condition. Under
good management, other plantations, notably the
Kohala, Libue, Onomea and Kaneohe, and some
other estates that might be named, are reported
to be out Of debt, and every year paying div
idends. The number of estates in that fortunate
condition will be added to year by year.
a Trua Rannblio