The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-12-03
Case of the South Sea Islanders.


Case of the South Sea Islanders.
The Board of immigration brought a charge
against A. Kunuiakea of having violated the
terms of a labor contract entered into with one
Billy (k) a South Sea Islander. There was also
a similar charge against him on the case of iona
wv another South Sea islander. The case
occupied the whole of Thursday and the greater
part of the afternoon of yesterday. Mr.. Russell
appeared for the defendant and took a ~prelimin-
airy objection to the proceedings on the ground
that the Board of immigration being the plain
tiff was not such a person as was contemplated
by Sec. 1923 of the C vii Code. This was over
ruled by the Bench. The principal charge
against the employer was the Withholding of
wages, the other complaints having arisen out of
discomfort occasioned by this circumstance.
Billy's own evidence was that he had received
no money since he went to work for defendant.
He had handed some tobacco and S23 in money
to defendant when he entered his service. At
times when defendant was absent he left them
short of food, once for two days and again for
one day. He had asked for money to buy
shoes for his wife but defendant had said he
would get them for him. About n fortnight ago
he had left defendant because he had beat him
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Billy's wife gave evidence supporting that of
her husband and also stated that since entering
Kunuiakea's employ Billy had only lost two
days through sickness. Tabari (w) also corro-
borated the statement that, though usually well
fed, they had on one occasion been left for two
days without food until Billy bought some for
them. Rev. H. Bingham gave evidence that in
consequence of Billy's complaint about not re-
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afterwards had a conversation with him. At
that time defendant said he had not received the
1913 from Billy but that his wife, who was then
sick, had, and that when she was better she
would pay it back. This was at the end of
August. Early in November Billy complained
again and defendant arranged with Mr.. Carter
that he would settle the matter ON 21st. On
thr 18th four of the defendants Islanders went
to his house and in consequence of what they
had to tell he was directed by Mr.. Garter to
keep them in his care until matters settled.
Defendant came to his house next morning and
wanted them to go back but they seemed afraid
to go. He induced Tabari and a girl named
Taraki to return with defendant but Billy and
his wife were afraid, so he arranged with defen-
dant that they should remain until the Monday
(2lst), the time fixed for a settlement. On that
day after waiting for Kunuiakea some time he
went to his house. Defendant was copying an
account and promised TO be at the office
at 10 o'clock but afterwards sent a note
to say he would come next day. When
he came he brought a statement which
did not include the 1913 which Billy
had deposited with him. Kunuiakea demanded
that the receipt for this should be produced and
said he would not pay that money till the nc.
count he had brought was settled up, and finally
they separated without any settlement. Suisse
q~uently by Mr.. Carriers order he went, inspect TO
the quarters occupied by the islanders in defen-
dant's employ. The sleeping room for the four
adults, Billy and wife, Tabari and Taraki. was 6
# X II # and about s # high on the average.
Kunuiakea began to abuse Billy and used blasphe-
nous language to him which witness repeated to
the Bench. The native luna did the same, also
using foul language.
Kunuikea on being sworn stated that he had
obtained certain clothing and blankets for Billy
and his wife, when they entered his service, and
had given them a room to themselves, but could
not keep the other Islanders from using it also,
although he had objected to their doing so. Billy
had sometimes refused to work, saying it was too
cold. They had to work in the water, fishing.
They had never complained of their food, which
was always plentiful. He reckoned Billy's wages
at 20 cents a day. Billy had demanded his wa
ges about four months ago. He asked for some
money on the Sunday, as he wanted it for the
Church, He gave them 20 cents each, and at
another time $500. He acknowledged having
$22. 90 of Billy's and said that payment of it had
never been demanded of him. He charged in his
account, SO for injury to a horse. He was will
ling to pay what was due, and let Billy and his
wife go. On cross-examination he said he cred
tied Billy 20 cents a day for his work and charg-
ed him 20 cents for the days he did not work.
He charged 81. % boat-hire. That was for bring
ing them ashore from the ship, and an item for
carriage, was for tBking them to the place of
work. A charge he made for horse expenses was
for a horse for the man he sent to find them.
His account showed a debt against Billy of
Sl6.6O besides an amount of more than 81 for
days on which he did not work, charged for at
30 Gems a day. Several witnesses were called
for the defence who on some points cOntradicted
the evidence ST the complaints and gave general
testimony as to the sufficiency of food and as TO
Billy's not being a satisfactory servant. Judge
Bickerton reserved his decision, which will
probably be given on Monday.