The Hawaiian gazette., 1884-07-16
1NpErrNnEyT REroRI.

ISDErENnEST REPORT.
The bill seeks to grant in perpetuity to The
Oceanic Steamship Co. the sum Of $4so0o per an
mum for carving the mails, bimonthly, between
the ports of Honolulu and San Francisco, IN
steamers of not less than 1900 tons burthen, but
there are stipuations for the protection OF the
public against high rates Of fares and frsights,
and no penalties for Noncompliance with the re-
quiremenis of the Act with regard TO the trans
Portation OF the mails.
From statistics furnished by the Minister Of
the Interior and Collector-Gen We find that
the Company is now enjoying privileges. which
amount at the rate prescribed BY the regulations
Of the port, TO the large sum of 81 $3.50 per an
mum and that, in addition TO this, shed has
been erected for their accommodation at a cost to
the Government of x7,l9s.22.
The loss sustained by the port from the diminu-
uon of the shipping caused by the advantages &C
quired by the Oceanic Steamship Co. is quite
serious. During the first four months of 1884
there was a falling of of 81 sailing vessels as com
pared with the number visiting the port for the
corresponding period Of 1883, by which the direct
loss 70 the revenue in the way of lights, buoys aud
wharfage, estimating the average tonnage of a
vessel at 800 tons, is $3.50 per annum, every sail
ing vessel visiting the port disbursed pay OF
crew, etc. the sum Of 500 at least, and this money
was all spent amongst the retailers, cab drivers
and general dealers, and the s1dden stoppage OF
this source of revenue has, of course, affected the
trade of the city unfayOrably.
These sailing vessels also spent considerable
money amongst the longshoremen, market men,
blacksmiths, carpenters, etc. who are all sufferers
by the present state of affairs Estimating the
disbursements of vessel at 500, which in our
opinion is n low estimate, find that the sum OF
$5l 900 per annum has been lost to the community
By the absorption of the carrying trade by the
Oceanic Steamship Co.
Considering the value Of the privileges granted
to the Oceanic Steamship Co., the advantages
which the Company has over other vessels, the d.
rect and indirect loss sustained as above stated
and last, but not least, the condition Of the f.
nances Of the country, it being evident that the
revenue OF the Kingdom will be hardly sufficient
90 meet the necessary expenses of the Government
for the current biennial period, the COMMITTEES
cannot recommend the granting OF any money
subsidy.
The Committee do not see any advantage %
the country in passing the Act referred to, and
therefore, recommend the Assembly to lay 1t on
the table S. b. DoLE.
CHAs. K. BrsHoF.
GoDTHEI BRowS.
SUBSIDY REPuET.
"Nour Select Committee TO whom was referred
bill II promote mail communication between
the Hawaiian Islands and the United States of
America, beg leave TO report that they have had
the same under careful consideration, and would
recommend that the bill be amended by striking
ont the words two thousand" in the hrst and Sc
cond sections of the bill, and inserting in their
place the words lone thousand five hundred" and
that the bill, 50 amended, be passed TO engross-
ment. l.. AHoLo, Chairman.
JSo N. kArESA.
J. h KAUSANLSo.