The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-10-23
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Abbert1ser.
SATURDAY,, OCTOBER %, 1880.

THE ~arriage-tax i'll 1870, according to
official report was 3, 400. At the mex BIZ
enniaI period, in 1874, it was SO, 400 and in
1850, it is reported as $3.50. This is the
sum paid for private carriage-tax alone /;
there being paid at the same time, the sum
of 1857 for hired carriage licences or $685.
for all carriage taxes in 1880. These figures
mark a notable advance in luxury in this
little kingdom in a short while and if ac-
companied with substantial prosperity,
must be accepted with satisfaction.
Take certain evidences in the industrial
condition of these islands, and there will
appear ample warrant for a large increase
in improved means and appliances con-
nected with living. The fertility of our
soil is exceptional. 1t is well established
thai one acre of best cane land, will pro-
duce five, six, and even as high as seven
tons of good crystallized sugar-Or say, a
possible valuation of about one thousand
dollars for a crop, off one acre of land.
But apart from such exceptional or extra
ordinary yield-an ordinary, we'll worked
plantation, will produce an average of
three tons of good sugar per acre-or a val
uation of about four hundred dollars for
one crop, from one acre of land.
These statements, which are true, would
convey the impression, that these islands
in respect to fertility of soil, are exception
ally good for the acquisition of wealth, and
that our planting enterprises, should have
produced a good many solid fortunes ; yet
it has to be stated, that the fortunes are in
very small proportion to the number of
enterprises as the substantial successes
- nj - -, H. G-oC-- &c ~
hand, whilst the failures, or struggling
enterprises are still in a large majority.
Among the reasons given for the back
ward, or struggling state of many of our
agricultural enterprises, are, the high rate
of interest, the scarcity and high price of
labor, and the intermediate charges and
little is said about personal expenditure.
But we are inclined to the belief that want
Of economy is a prime drawback to our
Hawaiian planting prosperity. We have
had very few practical, economical
planters, who could stay in the field all
day sometimes with hoe, or spade in
hand and then return to a plain $500
shanty, and to a simple repast of plantation
fare. But we have some who drive their
carriages along the outskirts of their fields,
and possibly in sight of their gangs, and
return to a $1,000, or 81, 900 mansion, and
to a choice wine inner
And the ladies who live in town, are in
carriages all the time. We know we run
a great risk in making this apparent IN
gallant remark. But we hasten to say we
would not for a momen nave our gracious
and refined ladies, returned to the ante
carriage times, and be dragged around in
the Hukiikdikd cart, by kanaka hands, as
in the early days, mentioned by Mrs.
Armstrong, nor could we expect them in
this semi-tropical climate, to take the long
constitutional walks, of many miles, in
dulged in by fair ladies of more invigorat-
ing chimes. But we might venture a plea
for the pleasure of their more frequent
presence on the promenade; for now we
rarely see ladies in the streets, except in
carriages. Shopping can only be don in
the carriage. And public prayer can only
be attended in the chariot. If this luxury
were the accompaniment and evidence of
substantial prosperity, and of numerous
fourishing estates, out of debt, then the
luxurious indulgence would be appro-
pirate but as the increased carriage-tax,
does not indicate an increase of solid for
tunes, il might be we'll to go a little slower.