The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-02-24
FINANCE REPORT
Increase In Receipts Over
Former Periods.
@ pod Showing BY Every Depart.
ment-Tonnage In Ships Kept
Pace Also.

| HIS report TO the Legislature ludL lHt
receipts for the two years-1896 anC
1897, amounting to S4,164, 14S.67 are ar
increase of 1868 ,359.63. The expendi-
lures, amounting to $3,82S, 1851, are
an increase of $165, 6SS.S5. Each source
of revenue, direct taxes, customs reve-
nue. and internal revenue bear about
one-third of the total receipts.
Taxes were collectedin 1897, amount
ing to $3.50, 703.9S, a gain over 1895 OF
| 1857, 012.06. The 1929, 460.77 collected
| from corporations for taxes was an
increase over 1895 of $89, 440.39, or
about "a per cent of the total increase
in tax receipts. Paid up capital in the
corporations amounts to $27, 754 900.
The assessment amounted to 78-100 of
1 per cent. The Minister recommends
| that the poll tax be abolished. 1t
would cause diminution of only SAT-
900 revenue per annum, and would
equalize to a certain degree the bur-
den of taxation.
The returns from the customs bureau
the preceding period of 1928, 472. As.
The United States and Great Britain
are most affected by this increase.
The value of imports from the United
States increased 1898 $4,000, and
from Great Britain 1864, $4,000. Of the
imports 77.64 per cent came from the
United States; 1912 per cent from
Great Britain; and the remaining 1924
per cent was divided about equally be-
tween Germany, Japan, China and the
Colonies. Many of the imports appear
ing from the United States or Great
Britain were probably actually pro-
duced in France, the Minister believes
The increase in imports has been
mainly in building material, clothing,
boots and shoes, groceries, hardware,
lumber, machinery, etc. The decrease
is in sheathing metal, spirits and
matches. The cheap Japanese match
has practically driven the card
match" from the market.
The increase in the importations of
California wines and sake is consider
able. Since the new law increasing
the duty on sake went into effect in
July last the importations of that liq-
our have practically ceased The
Minister recommends that the duty be
reduced to the same rate imposed by
the United States, so cents per gallon.
The deprivation seems to work hard
ship on the inhabitants who are ac-
customed to the use of their national
beverage
The impetus to increased importa-
tions of California wines was caused
by placing them on the free list. I'm
portations for the period were 1884, 232
gallons. For the previous period they
were 262,195 gallons Importations of
sake for 1S94-95 were 229,725 gallons;
for 1869 they were 3S4,125 gallons.
Exports show an increase amounting
to $13, 922,072 for the period, distribut-
ed mainly among sugar, coffee and
rice. The appointment of commits
sion of men interested in the promo
ton of the coffee industry, for the sale,
is recommended
An increased tonnage in transporta-
ton has followed the increase in ex-
ports and imports. American leads
with GA vessels, Great Britain with so,
Hawaii with %, Japan with Is and all
others nine. The total number of
ships entering in the period was S13,
in the previous period 65S. The Min
lister suggests that the issuing of fresh
letters of registration under the Ha-
waiian flag be left with the Executive
until revised system of procedure can
be promulgated.
Internal revenues include rents, for
which there was collected in 1896,
$12S, 602.04; in 1897, 142, 1880; sales of
land, in 1896, $50, 432.2 6; in 1897, S97,-
960.20. Other sources were dividends
from Honolulu market. They increas-
ed from 5000 in 1894 to S,575 in 1897.
Receipts from Water Works increased
from $40,925 in 1894 to S62,414 in 1897.
The Registry of Deeds Bureau shows
an increase from $S,S06 in 1894 to $13,-
| 3SS in 1897 Revenue stamps shows
an increase from $685. in 1894 to
| SAL $3.50 in 1897. The Government
| has gradually withdrawn from supply
| ing incandescent lights. The power is
being used to a greater extent for
street purposes. Fines, penalties and
costs show an increase from S5S, 1893
in 1894 to 61,514 in 1897. Govern
ment realiZations show an increase
| lIOul 9C,tt1 III 1OJt " 001,OfC III 1881 {.
Expenditures are more permanent in
their nature since they are regulated
by appropriations of the Legislature.
In 1894, the expenditures were S1,653,
772; in 1895, $4,000 ia; during this
year the instruction and the cholera
epidemic occurred; in 1896, S1,904 100
in 1897. s1,924,3S4. The expenses OF
the water works for 1894 were $23, 651
and in 1897, about 100000 There has
been a gradual reduction of interest
on loans and demands. The Judiciary
the Treasury, Postal Bureau, Bureau
/ of Survey and Military have each
drawn less from the Treasury in 1897
than in 1894
Owing to the demands for subsidiary
coins the Minister recommends that
the Legislature authorize the Minister
of Finance to coin from the silver 2E
cent pieces $4,000 in dimes and $4,000
in nickels. During the past year the
Register of Public Accounts has called
in $685. of the old issue of silver