The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-09-11


pointed MIR. Jno. Austin, who has a
special and intimate knowledge of
kamle machines, rs the special
agent of the government, to ex-
anime the machine, see il tested in
actual use, and report whether it
complied with the provision of the
statue. Mr.. Austin reported that
the machine dld comply with the re-
quirements of the law, and that in
his opinion the company was en-
titled to the bonus of $4,000. He
further states that this machine is
the most simple in construction and
does better work in turning out raw
fibre than any other machines which
he has ever seen.
Upon receipt of Mr.. Austin's re-
port, the Minister of the Interior
promised the Ramie Company that
the $4,000 should he paid to them
as soon as it was available in the
treasury. On the faith of this pro-
mise, the Hawaiian Ramie Company
proceeded to make and is now max
ing extensive improvements for the
purpose of thoroughly demonstrating
on a commercial scale the feasibility
of ramie culture and manufacture in
this country.
They have spent about 81 200 in
perfecting their machine and initiat-
ing the culture of the ramie plant.
A plantation of 800 acres has been
started in Keaau, Puma, so acres of
which is now planted or in process
of planting. The land has not here
tofore been utilized for any purpose,
being what has heretofore been
known as the ii swamp, on the road
to the volcano.
Your committee are of the opinion
that the government should do
everything in its power to foster and
promote new industries, and that it
is a wise policy to encourage enter
prise in this direction by giving Pc
cuniary assistance to those who I'M
dertake the risks of initiating any
new industry which will increase the
production of the country, and
which has a reasonable prospect of
success.
The Hawaiian Ramie Company
has fulfilled these conditions, and is,
as the pioneer of what bids fair to
become an important industry of the
Kingdom, entitled, in the opinion of
your committee, to assistance.
Irrespective of any claim which
they may have under the law of
1884, or by reason of their owning
an improved Ramie machine, they
should be assisted, for the following
reasons: LIST, 1t is Of great import
ance that this industry he tested
thoroughly, as successful result
will open a field of labor for the
small cultivator, will bring into Gull
tivation a vast area of land insult
able for the cultivation of cane, and
will greatly increase the wealth of
the country. I'd, The men who are
now in charge of the Ramie Com
pan'ys business have had several
years practice and experience
with the subject, and are better
fitted TO carry on the test than any
other persons available for the pur-
pose; 3rd, With the exception of the
Ramie Company, there is no person
or company in the country doing
anything to test the subject, and if
the Ramie Company should aban-
don its enterprise the probabilities
are that it would be the last that
would be heard of the ramie bust
ness in these islands for many years
to come.
Therefore in consideration of these
facts, and of the further fact that
the Ramie Company has already
gone to heavy expense, and will
have to incur further large outlay
of money before there can be any
possible return, your committee re-
commend that the following items be
inserted in the Appropriation Bill =
Hawaiian Ramie Co., in aid of
ramie cultivation and manu-
facture. ...............$2,5O 800
2-Hawaiian Ramie Co., in aid of
ramie cultivation and manu-
facture, to be paid to such
company upon the eXporta-
ton of ten or more tons of
ramie fibre, to be sold ut not
less than 500 Il ton. ...,.... $500
3-Such sums to be in lieu of the
$4,000 mentioned in the law of
1884. L. A. THURsToN,
G. r.. BISHOP,
WALTER M. GIBSON,
A. S. CLEGHoRN,
j. l.. KAULUKoU,
The same member also read n
statement of the Minister of the
Interior, relative to the promise re-
ferred to in thereport. Also read
a statement of the company's pres
ent condition and operations,
Rep. Nahinu moved the report of
the committee be adopted. Carried.
Rep. .Thurston moved suspen-
sion of the rules to take the bill in
troduced by Minister Gibson relative
to admission of certain goods from
the South Sea Islands, free of duty,
from the table. Carried.
Rep. Richardson reported back
| certain hills annrnacal