The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-01-15

person as a Iaborer.
This agents duties are many and
responsible. He is required to go in
the boats when they are sent to cruise
along shore for people, in order that
none may be "sUolen," /. forced
into the boats against their will by
any afiOat or ashOre-aud to see that
the "bonus" that is paid on recruit
ing man is fairly paid. He also,
aud alone, is the Judge as to whether
those who offer themselves are of !
proper age and In health.
The agent must keep his clog" IN |
which he has to record, each day, the |
course Of the ship, state of the |
weather, number OF islanders on
board at 8 "A. NJ, the ships position
at that hour, and the general obser-
vations.p From this log he makes
up his report 10 his Government,
and he is expected to do so without
fear or favor.
His attention is particularly called
to the evil of landing return labor
elsewhere than on their own island.
| This, we gather, has been done quite
| 100 frequently, and, as in such cases,
the people thus landed are Invariably
despoiled of their effects, have their
| cl1thing stripped off, and are gener-
ally kicked into the 'bush" by the
coast people-if, indeed, they are al
Flowed TO live-it will be seen that
great care should he exercised to land
them at their former homes.
The agent is also expected to GO
that none of the labor being returned
IS unfairly detained on board the yes
sel, or cOerced into re-engagIng for
erm of labor. This has been done
more than once, masters of vessels
declaring it impossible on account of
the weather to land the people in the
proper places, aud frightening them
INTO refusing to be put ashore else
where, and then inducing them to re-
| urn to the Colonies as labOrers. All
explosives that the returning laborers
I are permitted to take back to their
homes is placed in charge of, and put
under lock and key by the Govern
ment Agent. He sees to it that each
package thus locked up is plainly
marked so that it can be given to it's
owner when he is, put ashore. He
also cerCifies to the labor contract
(acting for parties in the colonies
and the labOrer) being duly executed
oy obtaining, where practicable, the
Il .npsfif of a 7tGCi
Resident or Chief Interpreter to that
fleet.
Finally he has to see that the quar-
ters occupied by the labor are kept
clean, as well as the persons of the
Iaborers themselves; that they re-
ceive proper amount and kind OF
food; superintends their daily exer-
else; attends to them if they are sic k,
cases them as much as possible either
; in birth OF death, and otherwise
: makes himself generally useful.
It will be seen from the above that
, d Government Agent on board of d
vessel flying the English flag has con-
siderable TO do, and that he is i'll
vested with considerable power.
In fact, in all matters connected
! with the "Iaborn he is the RESPONSE
1 1 ole party; and should he die during
the voyage, or leave the vessel, she
J |! must return to where she sailed from
J o get another agent before she car
J. i cruit another laborer. IN one in.
I stance we know of an.Agent's leaving
4 ,to fI1e,p to
apologize, Or the captain for him, fol
4 visiting another labor vessel lying il
1 The same harbor for the purpose o
e abusing the females on board; anC
4 the Queensland Government justified
# Tim III doing SO by having the mate
: dismissed. =. :.
AS regards the manner in which
:, he business is now carried on, it may
, | De said that the vessels fitted are, a.
t | rule, well found, sea-wOrthy, ant
+ we'll Differed.
The, influences surrounding thos'
e who sail the vessels are, from the IA
;, lure of the business, more or less de
n grading. White men (other thar
missionaries) cannot be brought int
IS | close personal relations with naket
;, savages for amy length of time with
J, out in some measure falling into thei
FL ways. Gross RIGHTEOUSNESS, and it
: almost unfaiFing adjunct, drunkenness
ii is now often met with among them
10Th afloat and ashore.
When recruiting labor, two boat
: t least go in company. These boat
IRE manned with crews of native
Who are accustomed to the work, an
re commapded by the officers of the yes
81 sci to which they belong. All hand
are armed with rifles aud revolver:
q aud in No. boat is carried trad
~ Oox," filled with calico Of gaudy pat
/ terms, beads, tomahawk heads, am
d lnunition, Knives, tobacco, pipes an
q matches. etc. These articles are use
Ie' in purchasing.yams, fruit, fish, an
Ell | whatever else is offered by the ns
Il tlves, and also to give as presents
,e those who wish to go as laborer
r. The Queensland vessels are require