The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-26
TO GIVE A BIG SUBSIDY.
All the Preliminary steps 10
Encourage the Lay
ing of Wires.
NECKER ISLAND WAS VISITED
The Hawaiian Flag Was Raised on
the French Frigate ohOais ~
Shut Out the British.

HONOLULU, HAWAII, July Y. -Ine
Howoiion Government has finally con-
cIuded to place itself in position 10 IaciIi-
tate cable connection with the outside
world. and for that purpose has lntroouceu
q hill in the Legislature to facilitate the
construction and maintenance OF Telegraph
cables in the Pacific. It provides that the
President. with the consent OF the Cab
met is authorized and empowered to
neootiate and conclude contract with
anv person, corporation or Government
for the construction, maintenance and
operation of telegraph cable or cables
connecting the several islands of the re-
pubIic or connecting the republic OF Ha-
waii with the countries lying or bordering
unon the Pacific Ocean; also for the free
use of anv Government lands necessary, to
admit free of duty all material to be used
exclusively in its construction. and for the
remission of taxes for term of years yet
to be decided on. The Government is also
to be empowered to grant any such en-
terprise financial assistance, which may
consist OF a fixed semi-annual subsidy,
guarantee of the principal or interest or
both of stated amount of the bonds,
subsidy consisting of certain amounts of
the bonds of the republic at stated periods,
a subscription to the capital stock of the
company, a guarantee of a certain amount
of income per annum, or the participation
with other Governments in the joint con-
struction and ownership of such cable.
ANY contract made under the bill is SUBJ
iect to the ratification and approval of the
Legislature where. the payment of money
is involved.
Ten thousand dollars is appropriated for
the purpose of obtaining the necessary in
formation as to cost of cables and the lay
ing and maintenance thereof for the use of
the Government. The bill has passed its
first reading in the Senate and in answer
to question as to whether it would not
con1ic5 with existing treaties with the
United States the Minister of Foreign
Affairs replied that that matter would re-
ceive the careful consideration of the ex-
ecutive when any contract was made.
The revenue cutter Lehua returned this
morning from trip to Necker Island, the
real object of the expedition being to hoist
the Hawaiian flag IN French Frigate
Shoals, which lie near that island and
which it was feared would be seized by
Great Britain for cable purposes. The
Lehua left here on Tuesday night, the 9th
inst, and arrived at Necker Island at 6
o'clock on Friday morning. a fresh flag
pole was planted and new Hawaiian flag
spread to the breeze. The day was spent
on the island, which was thoroughly sur
veyed.
On account of the violent opposition
made to the proposed pension of $4,000
year for Kaiulani the Senate has tabled the
item for action at next years session of
the Legislature. The opposition proceeds
chiefly from the more radical class of
whites. Older residents generally favor
the pension. Resentment at the violence
of the royalists in the late instruction is
too recent for impartial treatment of
Kaiulani's claims at this time. 1t is be-
lieved that the lapse of another year will
prove favorable to her.
An important statement has been pre-
sented to the Senate by Finance Minister
Damon, showing that in consequence of
the instruction, extra military outlay
and police expenses, also the loss of reve-
nue. from interruption of business, the
finances had in one year, from July l, 1894,
to July l. 1895, run behind to the amount
of $751;, 900. This appeared in reduction
of cash balance in the treasury by S109, 900
and in an increase of floating debts by
$58, 900.
The Government has just purchased for
a high school the costly mansion and
grounds of the late Mrs. Pauahi Bishop.
The Cabinet is determinedly opposing
the electric railway franchise, which pro-
poses to find routes through the city on
undesirable streets not already occupied.
The Government plan is to have but one
system of tramway, and for that purpose
to condemn and buy up the present tram
way.
The aged pilot, Captain Archibald Nc
Intyre, died last evening. He had been
for twenty years the leading pilot of this
harbor.