The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-12-31

tone OF business and more hopeful out
look that now prevail are evidences that
this point has been almost touched, and
that the coming year will be one OF
greatly increased prosperity.
The public health has been moderately
good during the year, an epidemic of
smallpox being prevented by the Higi-
lance of the Board of Health The founda-
ton of a Home for the daughters of leper
parents was an important event in con-
nection with the Government treatment
Of lepers. 1t promises excellent results
The President of the Board of Health
visited the Molokai leper settlement and
made minute examination of it, which
was found to be in a satisfactory condi-
ton.
a great storm towards the end of July
destroyed a large amount of private
property on the other Islands, besides
bridges, wharves and roads belonging to
the Government, TO the extent, in the
latter case, of 100000. Steps were
| speedily taken to repair damages.
| The interisland and tourist travel i'll
creased during the year, and a new route
to the Volcano was opened by the
Wilder Steamship Company. Thanks to
| the energy which the competing inter
island Companies exhibit, aided by the
Oceanic Steamship Company the tourists
/ route to the Volcano will attract crowds Of
visitors the coming season to the
enormous advantage of hotels, hack
owners, storekeepers, photographers and
transportation companies.
One of the greatest events of the year.
however, was the Inauguration of the
new Australian mail service which the
Oceanic Company and the Union Steam
ship Company of New Zealand jointly
contract to perform. 1t was contem
| plated by the contract to make Honolulu
the pivotal point, the Union Company's
vessels transferring freight and cargo tc
the Oceanic boats at this port and vice
versa but the determined opposition o
Sydney merchants, and the establish
ment Of direct steamship line between
Sydney and San Francisco, leaving ou
Auckland, compelled a modification o
the original plan, and now the vessels O
the two cOmpanies-the Alameda, Mari
posa and Mararo& run direct through
between terminal points, touching a
Honolulu and Auckland both ways
This service will stimulate travel anC
lead to the expenditure of large sum il
the aggregate by tourists, as well as il
the ordinary transaction of the business
of the new Royal Mail line.
The cane crop for 1885 is the larges
ever harvested on these Islands. 1t i:
variously estimated to yield from 90 ,00(
to 100000 tons of sugar. Rice was poo
crop. Bananas were paying export a
the beginning of the season. Owing t,
increased production it will be necessary
to establish connections beyond Sar
Francisco if banana culture is to be ex
tended and pay. A large amount o
capital was invested during the year il
labor-saving and improved machinery TO
the treatment of sugar.
An extensive and promising COLOMBIA
ton scheme was launched in 1885; it il
hoped that it will be perfected early il
1886.
These are among the salient points o
the years transactions. Space does no
admit touching upon the political anC
social features of the closing year. As
whole, it may be said that with all tbs
IL
1885 was period of steady and substan
tial improvement. The new year opens
with brighter prospects for all. Ma!
they be realized.