The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-25
Mr.. SPRECKELSS RIVALS.
THE REPoRT THAT HE WILL RE-
TIRE FROM HAWAIIAN TRADE.
Various Reasons WHY II May No Longer ne
Profitable TO Run His steamship Lilac
Others who want n share or the sugar
Carrying Trade - 80, 900 Tons Coming. |

Various Reasons WHY ~ May No n.onEer Ne
Profitable to Hun His steamship Lilac
Others who Want n share or the Sugar
Carrying Trade - 80. 900 Tons Coming.
HONOLULU, Nov. 1.-THE report that Mr..
SpIeckols may sell out the Oceanic Steamship
Company's steamers and retire entirely from
tho island trade hns been followed by the new
that the New Zenland Government will make
every effort to secure better mail service with
tho United States. n fortnightly service II posi-
bic, and Is willing TO give q largo subsidy IL the
United States Government will cooperate.
In tho meantime, the position Of the Pacific
Mail Company Is IN unknown quantity. II
the Pacific Mail can secure a mail subsidy from
this Government, which now seems all but
assured, 1t is practically settled that tho steam
ship China will after May 1 be placed in the
island trade exclusively, nnd backed by mer-
chants and shippers, to the detrimont of the
Oceanic line.
In case tho Pacific Mail deal goes through
there would be no longer any use for the Austria
lila, which now plies between here and San
Francisco, and the profits OF the Sprcckels Com
pany in tho Australian and New Zealand trade
would be SO diminished that the New Zealand
Government would have to give an immense
subsidy to keep the vessels in tho trade. The
island trade will likely be cut into again by
the new line of the Oregon Railway and Navi-
RatlOn company. whose steamers ply between
Portland. Or, and tho Orient. They are after
n slice of the sugar carrying trade. and will
make this o port of call II they can secure. II.
| That " ould mean another cut into Mr.. Spreckelss
profits.
Another new factor that has entered into the
situation Is tho possibilities of Hilo, the princi-
pal port on the large island of Hawaii, az a ship
ping port. The Government is now building
there u large wharf il the water deep enough
to dock the largest steamships that visit the
islands. There arc many large sugar planta-
tions in Hawaii. and the coffee interests are rap:
idly becoming important. The finest fruit and
vegetables are also raised there. and can be
produced and shipped abroad in competition
with California products at n profit. The tour
list trade would also be an important factor, MS
the volcanoes arc the Mecca Of all travellers who
visit the islands, and to mako the trip direct
from the coast would not only be a great saving
in expense but WOULD enhance the comfort of
tho trip. which is now often disagreeable.
Eighty thousand tons is the minimum quanti-
ty of sugar which will go direct this season to
New York. Eleven large vessels. with u carry
ing capacity of 10000 tons. have already been
chartered. Under present arrangements, tho
sugar to go east by rail will be shipped to the
coast in sailing vessels. The steamship China
proposition cannot be settled until after the He.
waiian Legislature meets at the earliest, and
perhaps not until after May l next, when the
Oriental Steamship COMPANY Of Japan will run
its boats upon the Pacific Mail schedule.