The Hawaiian gazette., 1889-11-26

The trade between this port and
San Francisco has been not only
steadily increasing, but is capable
of more rapid development, provided
more steam communication is pro-
vided. As we are now situated there
is every month an interval of nine
teen days during which we have no
mails, nor any means of receiv-
ing intelligence from the outside
world, except by some chance
steamer. For this there is no real
necessity, as there is ample trade
and travel to sustain two steamships
plying between San Francisco and
Honolulu. The Australia, on her
last trip from San Francisco,
brought very large cargo, over
LOO tons, and left behind enough
freight to load another vessel, which
was chartered to follow her. This is
not mere accidental event, but is
likely to occur every month, so long
as the steamers on the through route
are unable to bring freight for this
port, as has been the case for some
time past, and is likely to be for
some time to come. Merchants pre-
fer to have their supplies come by
steam, and be delivered in the quick
est time possible after being ordered,
simply because when they send, it is
to supply a demand for what is
wanted at once, and which can be
disposed of as soon as received.
There is another strong argument
for more steam communication. The
demand for bananas is rapidly in
creasing with the growth of the
Pacific States, and there is no place
where they can be had so readily and
proftably as here. The shipments
will be over 100000 punches for 1889,
and if facilities are provided, the
shipments for 1890 will be 10000
punches, with even more rapid in
crease thereafter. The Eva and
Oahu Railway will open up banana
country capable of producing 500,
600 punches a year and there are
thousands of idle Portuguese wait
ing to engage in their production.
1t is only question of very short
time when that quantity will be pro-
duced to fill an existing demand.
and steamers alone can do this carry
ing trade, the railway collecting the
fruit from every part of the island,
and landing it at stated periods
where vessels are ready to receive it.
This is no random statement, but
forecast of what will take place in a
very few months, and steam vessels
must be provided, for carrying 10000
punches a month.
The immediate necessity is for a
second steamer to serve the trade
between this port and San Francisco,
and it ought to be provided for by
the opening of the New Year. The
Australia leaves San Francisco Jan
uary Sd, and 31st. The Alameda
Jan. 11th. Now a third vessel leav-
ing that port on Jan. goth, would
fill the gap, and give semi-monthly
service.
If this arrangement were adopted
and carried out, not only would
both the Honolulu steamers bring
full cargoes, but the probabilities
are that they would return the year
round with paying cargoes. The
time seems to have come when the
Oceanic Company should provide
for the existing passenger and
freight demand, and in this way fur
nish the people with regular semi
monthly mail service, such as is now
urgently called for.
As the islands. become better
known, and the pleasures of a round
trip to our Paradise of the Pacific
are contrasted with the stormy and
cold voyage across the Atlantic, the
number of tourists coming and
going will increase, as they have
been increasing the past year. And
nearly every tourist carries only
pleasant memories of our sunny isles
and their balmy climates. More
frequent steam communication al
ways fosters travel as we'll as trade.
Then let us have the semi-monthly
steamers.