Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1880-10-23
Board of Immigration.

A meeting Of the Board was held on We'd.
nesday forenoon for the purpose of considering
the appointment of Especial Protector" fol
the South Sea people now here or to arrive by
A. ~--""'o at rrasant rn"r";t;"c ~ 10 In d;s
patched in the future for that purpose.
MIR. Bingham was present by invitation
The Board proposed to Mr.. Bingham to ap.
point him as Inspector and Especial Protect
tor" as the most suitable man for the pur-
pose, as he only can speak their language
Familiarity, has spent many years amongst
their Islands and has always shown a warm
sympathy with them, and keen interest in
their well-being.
Mr. Bingham stated that he would be glad
to do all in his power to benefit these strang.
ers, but he feared that there might possibly be
some objection to his appointment as Inspector
to the Board. First-He was hot sure that
these people would bear transplanting to this
country. Secondly-He thought that so many
conditions would be necessary and advisable
to enable these people to thrive here. Third
ly-That carrying out these measures might
seriously detract from the apparent cheapness
of their labor, and possibly even render the
whole scheme Improbable if not impractical
For instance, cases occur when it becomes
necessary to engage whole families, the old
and the young must be brought, or none. The
old folks are irreclaimable savages and of no
use to any one The young ought to he al
school, 30 that there are comparatively only a
proportion Of able bodied aborers in each ship
ment. The impression both of the members
of the Board and of Mr.. Bingham was that
searching enquiry should be instituted, as to
whether these South Sea Islanders are actual
ly holding their own, whether they are only
swelling The death rate, whether they contrib
ute to the maintenance of the Polyncsian race
in these islands, or if indeed their own married
couples increase and multiply The Board
seems disposed to rely on Mr.. Bingham to
supply such information as may enable them
TO form q correct Judgment as to the wisdom
of continuing the Importation. 1t was decided
that the President Of the Board should write a
note to Mr.. Bingham explaining their views,
and the duties which would be required Of him
were he to accept the post Of Especial P,o-
tector," which letter, it was understood,
Mr. Bingham would lay before the Board of
the Hawaiian Missionary Society for consider
alton, before accepting office. 1t was also de-
cided at the same sitting that the Board Of
Immigration would offer their passage home
to ali South Sea Islanders whose engagements
had been fulfilled. whether their return was
guaranteed on the face Of their contracts or no.
as they seem all to be under the impression n
rightly or wrongly that their return WA. so
guaranteed. Mr. bingham was further of op-
iIion from conversation with the people in
question, that there was few who would not
demand the return passage TO their homes
After adjournment the Board reassembled in
the afternoon, having invited Capt. Whitney
of the government Immigration ship Hnraii
to be present Ii was decided to send of the
Hacdif TO Jaluit as soon as practicable-M Nom
day week 10 the day named-wher she will
probably meet the Storm Bird II the latter be
full abe will be despatched hitl,er at once, if
not. both ships will cruise together 10 get re-
cruits, and when either ship 10 full she will
come straight up here. On the other baud, if
either ship or both be unsuccessful at first,
they will proceed 10 Ascension Island where
the P0paare should meet them.
The then enlisted laborers will be sout up
by the most suitable vessel or vessels, and
that one, or those which remain, will cruiss
amongst the Caroline Islsnds. during the sea-
son ~ which the solomon lslands snd N.
Hebrides are liable 70 be visited by typhoons,
and afterwards will 60 to thoss islAnds 70 I'LL
up there, prospects bs reasonably favorable.