Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-09-10
South Sea Island Immigrants.

The Rev. II. Bingham, upon his return from
Kauai, submitted report upon the treatment of
South Sea Islande,s, and asked instructions upon
some points which have been duly considered by
the President of the Board of immigration, and a
reply made which may be of interest to employers
of this class of laborers:
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR,
HONOLULU, September 9Th, 1881,
Rer III. Bingham Inspector aud Protector Of South
Sea Island Inmigruuts-DEAR SR Your commu.
nication of the 9th instant submitting statements
relating to the condition of South Sea Island i'm
migrants on the Island of Kauai, and asking for
the view1 OF the Board of immigration ON certain
points, Il i'll hand.
The Board Of Immigration has given the subject
careful attention, and would state that the views
OF the Board on tho several points presented by
You arc AS follows:
Fnst-wages under these particular contracts
are to be paid at the end of each calendar MONTH
commencing from tho date of the arrival of tho
Immigrant at Honolulu, which date is set forth in
the contract to be paid in full from that date till
the date of arrival on the plantation or place of
employment. And from the arrival on the planta-
ton, to be paid at the end of each calendar month
for the number of days of work performed at the
After the end Of one year 1866 days. from the
arrival of the immigrant in Honolulu wages are
to be paid him at the end of each calendar month
ior tne DAYS served during the month, at the rate
specihed IN the contract for the second year of
service. And so at the end of the second wear,
after the date OF arrival in Honolulu wages are to
De paia MN IN the same manner, ut the rate pro-
vlded for the third year. At the end of three years
(3G months) from the date of his arrival in Homo
lulu his contract expires.
sseo"aaAs to what constitutes being properly
lodged IT Is somewhat difficult to define Each
family should certainly have separate room of
suitable size. The law requires 800 cubic feet of
space for each adult, or 800 feet for man, woman,
and two children; and the room should be we'll
ventilated (havng at least one window or shutter)
and complete protection from rain and 30 raised
above the ground as to avoid dampness. A sopar-
tA fDrn aatf nt. 10. =
The rooms and houses should be kept clean inside;
withdrawing or other cleansing inside is more
important for health than white washing outside
Ihyd-"Al necessary and suitable bedding and
bed clothing" means at least one mat or mattress
OF proper size, and good blanket for each ind-
viduai; and both the mat and blanket should DO
Iepiaceua when by ordinary use and wear they be-
Fo1,h--" Good and suitable food" stipulated
for "a the contract, implies proper and sufficient
bsya i bss Susn persons In view of the diet they
nave psei accustomed to, diet wholly of rice il
not sufficient for South Sea Islanders. Who ara mn
accustomed to it. Poi or kao should be supplied.
r,;ons s 5r ho1, ali OF the time. Their daily
rn.iols should De equivalent to one and one half
pounds rice or three pounds paiai for each adult
and half A. much for each Child, besldes beef or
snah; ~ TINS cannot be obtained Hour bread
SHOULD pe gwen with the rice. Fresh beef should
be furnished as well az salmon and salt beef.
GOOD and suitable food" certainly includes anti
able diet III sickness.
Flu" Sufficient and suitable medical attend
ance'' means tho attendance of a profession.l
medical man when such can DO Obtained. other
wise tho best attendance that the facilities and
Judgment OF the employer can provide n The
services of medical man can be procured a 10
obligatory upon tho employer to prxcnre them
No laborer who insists that he il unable 10 worL
on account of Illness should be Compelled to do ~,
except ~ pronounced by the physician 10 he abln
10 work. In the absence Of such physician ha
should not be forced to labor ON the Sudoment ~ n
subordinate overseer or luna. Each case OF aieoei
sickness should be carefully considered nv tho an,
ployer in OF the death of n man con, r4iiaa
to work when really i'll, it might be held as man
slaughter. ~
As To the children being instructed in the public
schools II they have not been bound nv thsir
parents 10 serve under contracts they must attend
the public schools other children are reouired
TO. All children between the ages of AIN and
fifteen years are by law compelled 10 attend
school, except III cases where they have been bound
out to serve; and in such cases, the master mnst
cause them to be instructed to read and write: nd
II male will cause him to be further instructs n
IN the general rules Of arithmetic, Civil Code See
1899. ' ~
II any cases of cruel treatment or misusace ara
Drought to your notice. You will be expected to in
stitute before the Police or District Justice nro
oeedings under Sec. ~ of Chap. rs Of the Penal
Code tor the annument Of the contract and the
punishment of the offending party. You will
specially observe whether the REFORMS promised
by employers on your last tour Of The Isands have
been carried out.-I have tho honor 10 81. Dear
Sir your very oS'disn' 'ssvsnh . p c..
President Board q Immigratidn.