The Hawaiian gazette., 1891-06-09

extending across the entrance to the
harbor and prevents its use by deep
draught war vessels. But such is
not the fact. Recent Investigations
have shown that what was supposed
to be an impenetrable coral reef is
nothing but calcareous deposit of
coral and mud and sand which can
be easily removed and at very little
expense.
1t was very great satisfaction to
the writer on visiting this magnif-
cent prospect for naval and coaling
station to contemplate the immense
advantage such a position on the Pa
cifc, and at this particular place,
would give to the United States. If
those who think adversely OF the
proposition could but visit this har-
Dor and see it as the writer did, each
new vista more beautiful than the
one before; the air balmy, perfumed
with odors borne on the gentle
breeze from trees and wild flowers of
the forest; the sun shone out from a
sky as blue as that of Italy, and oc-
casionally white cloud foated
away from the mountain, and, as it
sailed across the mountain air re-
Elected its slow or rapid movement in
the CLASSY tide below; sea and shore,
island, woods and mountains, with a
voluptuous sky and fervid sun,
formed picture of natural beauty
and enchanting scenery that filed
me with inexpressible delight, all
objection would be Immediately dis
PEELED, and an amicable settlement
arrived at. Pearl River is as COM
pletely land-locked as is possible for
such a body of water. The main por-
ton of the anchorage ground is shut
in from the ocean by peninsular
which, as it were, lops over the en-
trance, so that it is impossible for
the severest storms from the ocean to
more than ruff1e its surface. So stu
ate is the harbor and its entrance
full-rigged ships will be able, after
the removal of the coral reef, to sail
directly to their wharves in safety
and without the Intervention of tug
or pilot. During storms Of the sew
crest kind, vessels will lay at anchor
with perfect safety. This and the
completion of branch roads will give
this locality great commercial i'm
portance and the development of the
vast agricultural resources of the
country. The land in this section is
so valuable that it is all cultivated
close up to the track Of the railroad
that traverses the valley and from
which splendid view can be had OF
the development going on in every
direction. Close by the railroad de-
pot at the Honolulu terminus of the
railroad to Pearl River is substan-
tial wharf upon which is an immense
wharfhouse with a storage capacity
of 10000 tons of sugar in bags. A
large volume of business is here
regularly transacted. Ocean steamers
of the Australian, China, Japanese,
Mexican and San Francisco lines
call at the port of Honolulu, while
steam, schooners and sailing vessels
also carry large amounts of freight.
With the competition thus afforded,
shippers are never at the mercy of
INSCRIPTIONS transportation compan-
les and the planters profits are not all
eaten up in the payment of exhorbi-
tant freight charges. It is this fact
which has played no small part in
the universal prosperity that prevails
in this country. Until nearly three
years ago, the growth of Pearl City
had been very slow. The only means
of communication was by means Of
small schooners and steam launches,
owing to the shallow entrance of the
bar preventing anything but neces-
sary travel. This part Of the island
has many points of attraction for the
tourist, but the choice between tire
some carriage ride on what was then
a poor ungraded road or an equally
uncomfortable sea trip by small
craft presented so many points of
that growth was slow.
After the advent of the Oahu rail
road in 1890, however, all this was
changed, new people came, enter
prise of all kinds was fostered, and
Pearl City, in common with the rest
of the Island, shares a rapid and
growth. One who had
not kept track of the march of pro-
gress would have difficulty in recog-
nizing the Pearl City of to-day by
comparison with the town OF four or
five years ago. Then dense thicket
OF mimosa and other growth covered
this section and it required more
than ordinary enterprise for the pio-
neer settlers to undertake to clear
and prepare the land for cultivation.
The task was a tedious one, but the
hardy toilers never faltered, and to
say that they have valley under
the highest cultivation is no more
than the simplest truth, and one
which has no superior, and few, if
any, equals in the world.
The town of to-day has spread on
every side, and lands once devoted
to farming purposes are now includ-
ed within the city and will soon be
covered with handsome residences
and other improvements.
What will be one of the most at