The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-09-29

| muster y. Shakespeare, of that city,
| VINO referred me tc Mr.. +. H. Fletcher
Inspector OF posts for the province Of
British Columbia. In reply to cues
tons relative to the future establish
ment of parcels post system between
Hawaii and the United Kingdom, Mr..
| Fletcher stated that, in his opinion,
the postal administration OF Canada
would readily assent to a proposal for
canada to act as Intermediary for the
| exchange OF such mails with England.
de was unable to state what would be
the probable rates of postage, as
Canada is not at present acting as In
termediary between any two coun-
| tries, although having direct parcels
post with almost every country in the
postal union; he, however, promised
to prepare what Information he
thought would be of value by the
time L returned, but, on account of
the steamer leaving Vancouver twelve
hours behind time, we arrived at Vic
toria at midnight, and / was conse-
quently unable to further commune
cate with him. The Hon. Mackenzie
Bowel, Minister of Trade and Com
merce to Canada, who was a passenger
Tor the Colonies per WarrimoO, assured
me that he could see no difficulty in
the way beyond the adjustment of
rates and charges.
l have estimated on basis OF the
direct rates between England and
Canada, and between Hawaii and the
United States, on parcels post mail,
and believe that the maximum rate
of postage would not exceed 81 cents
for first ] Id. weight or fraction, and
20 cents for each additional rate of
10 j, up to the limit Of weight allowed
III lbs.).
1t being customary for each country
TO pay carrying expenses of its out
ward mails, the vessels carrying mails
from Hawaii to Vancouver would be
entitled to compensation; the rates
paid by the United States for such
service to vessels of foreign registry
is equivalent to A cents per pound
for other articles; but / have
understood that the Canadian
Australian S. s. Company would ar
range to carry the mails gratis for the
time being in consideration of the re-
mission of certain port charges now
collected from them; while this mat
ter would seem distinct from the sub.
ject of parcels post, mention it as an
indirect method of making the Gus
toms department bear a portion of
the expense; as, at present, while they
receive almost the entire income from
parcels post receipts, lin the way of
duties, they have hitherto contributed
nothing whatever to its mainte-
nance.
On the 18th inst. | met the post
master of Portland and Seattle and
arranged to despatch mails from Ha-
wall TO United States via Victoria, as
follows: When there is n difference
of four days in departure from Homo
lulu, mails for all points in the United
States may be forwarded via Vic
toria, with advantage, if the differ
ence in time of departure be
less, mails may be forwarded
via Victoria to the United
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Mon
tana, North Dakota..and Minnesota.
Should mails leave on the same day
preference to be given for all mail via
San Francisco.
Mr.. Vail, postmaster of Portland,
stated that he could not authorize a
new foreign route without reference
to the authorities at Washington, but
that he would at once ask permission
to forward return mails to Hawaii
whenever it appeared that time could
be gained in sending via Victoria.
In comparing systems of receiving
and despatching mails found several
time and labor-saving methods which
might be introduced advantageously
in our office; these / shall be glad to
explain more fully hereafter should
you so desire.
Respectfully submitted,
JNO. G.. RoTHwELL,
Secretary.
On motion of Mr.. Waterhouse the
report of the minister of finance was
received and placed on file.
Continuing, Minister Damon said
he would like to ask if 1t was the
sense of the councils that be should
proceed Ia negotiations for the ex-
tension of the mail service. Up to
the present stage all matter sub
mitted had been in the form of in
formation.
Mr. Brown said he believed the
matter should be consummated. 1t
would be of great benefit and conve-
nience to the merchants of Hawaii to
have parcels post as proposed.
On motion the minister of finance
was instructed to carry out Degotia-
tions looking to the establishment of
parcels post, as recommended, with
England aud Canada.
Mr.. Brown asked the minister of
finance if there was any truth in the
report that determinations were
made by the Oceanic steamship com
pany in passenger traffic, and if
there was any truth in the report of
a combination with the Chinese
steamers to raise the fares and
freights between Honolulu and the
Pacific coast.
Minister Damon said he had been
told such was the case but beyond
hearsay they had no information on
the subject, and he therefore had no
authority to speak.
Mr.. Suhr said he knew of no
combination nor did the firm he
The rates had been
raised but no combination had been
made with the Oceanic company.
MIR. Morgan asked if there was to
be remission of port fees allowed
the Pacific liners.
Mr.. Damon said that where the
freight amounted to ten tons or less
the collector RENTED wharfage. He
also pointed out that the stoppage of
these steamers here was great con
yenience to passengers and tourists.
Mr.. Suhr said that in years past
there had been no charges for