The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-05-12
title, from which we make the fol-
lowing quotations:

title, from which We make the fol.
lowing quotations:
"The value of the fur-seal skins
shipped from Alaska and sold in the
| London markets since the territory came
into the possession of the United States
is given as nearly $33,000,000, and Of
other furs as Sic, 100000.
With regard to the fisheries of the
territory, the value of the products of the
salmon canneries alone from 1884 to
1890 is reported at nearly 81 900, 900, and
of salmon sailed at 100000. In 1890
over 100000 salmon were taken at
Karluk, where the largest cannery in
the world is situated, and no fewer than
200, 900 cases of salmon were canned at
this place last year, LOO fishermen and
packers being employed therein. The
herring fishery at Killisnoo yields an
nually over 100000 gallons of oil and
nearly l 900 tons of fertilizing material,
and the value of the Goldfish catch in
Alaskan waters since 1868 is stated to be
fully Sc, 100000.
Zone of the most eminent authorities
on Alaska recently stated it as his belief
that the salmon, cod and herring fisher
les of the territory would become of such
immense value in the event of the en-
tire destruction OF the fur seal, which
now preys upon the fish, that its pos
sible determination is a contingency
that need not excite serious alarm.
Among the facts brought out is that the
red salmon and the king salmon (the
latter sometimes attaining a length of
from five to six feet and a weight of 120
pounds) literally crowd the waters OF the
great Yukon river for distance of sew
eral hundred miles"
The total value of the precious
metals exported since 1868 is stat
ed as $4,000, 900, the present annual
production of gold dust and bullion
being 100000. Copper and Ignite
coal are reported as abundant,
though difficulties of transporta-
ton, ETC., have prevented the de-
velopment of any extensive mines.
In closing his review Mr.. PATRIOT,
the special agent of the census
Office, says:
''In this survey OF the wealth and re-
Of Alaska the observer is struck |
with one rather discouraging feature:
that all these vast resources, the pro-
ducts of land and sea, are taken out of |
the country without leaving any equiva-
lent to the inhabitants. The chief in
dustries, such as salmon canneries, cod |
fisheries, mines, and the fur trade are
carried on with labor imported into
Alaska and taken away again, thus tax
ing out of the country the wages earned.
Every pound of subsistence for these
as well as of the clothing they
use, is carried by them into Alaska.
The shipping Of Alaska, which has be-
;ome of considerable value, is also car
led on wholly by non-residents of the
erritory, chiefly from California, Ore
ION, and Washington, and this state of
Itfairs extends even to the important
ourists' travel to the southeastern dis
riot OF Alaska. Not only the passage
money, but the whole cost OF subsist-
nee OF these tourists during their stay
n Alaska, goes to the California owners
II the steamship lines. To give an idea
# the magnitude of this traffic, it is only
necessary to state that the number OF
ourists' tickets sold each season ex-
eeds 5000, each ticket representing an
of not less than 800, max
NJ a total Of 100000.
''The insignificant payments for furs
nd labor to natives are absorbed en-
rely in the purchase of small quanti-
les OF food and raiment. The spectacle
+ so vast tract of country being thus
rained continually for twenty-three
ears, without receiving anything to
peak of in return cannot probably be
qualed in any other part of the United
tates, and perhaps of the world"